World Cup draw LIVE: England face USA, Iran and possibly Wales or Scotland at Qatar 2022

Follow all the latest updates and reaction from Qatar 2022 as the World Cup group stage draw took place in Doha this afternoon.

England were drawn into Group B alongside USA, Iran and the winner of the three teams still alive in the European play-offs - namely Wales, Scotland and Ukraine. If Wales - who are through to the play-off final - or Scotland reach the World Cup, it will set up a tantalising Battle of Britain in Qatar.

Spain and Germany were drawn together in a standout tie in Group E, while hosts Qatar face Netherlands, the Africa Cup of Nations champions Senegal and Ecuador in Group A.

Gareth Southgate, who was in attendance at the draw, has been optimistic about England’s chances but insisted they will have to be “close to perfect” to lift the trophy later this year. The tournament will also likely represent the final chance for Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to clinch World Cup glory before the end of their careers. Ronaldo’s Portugal are in Group H with Ghana, Uruguay and South Korea, while Messi’s Argentina face Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland in Group C.

Follow all the latest updates after the draw below:

World Cup draw

• England into Group B with USA and Iran joining them

• Winner of the European play-off between Wales, Scotland and Ukraine will also be in England’s group

• Spain and Germany drawn together in Group E

• Netherlands in same group as hosts Qatar

World Cup 2022 draw

18:32 , Michael Jones

England have never faced Scotland, Wales or Ukraine at the World Cup but they’ll definitely play one of them this time around.

Wales face England in potential World Cup group stage at Qatar 2022

18:30 , Michael Jones

Scotland and Wales might not yet know which of them will be playing at the 2022 FIFA World Cup this winter, but they do know who they will be playing in the group stage of the tournament if they qualify, after the draw was conducted in the Qatari capital Doha on Friday.

The winners of the eventual play-off final will be in Group B alongside fellow European nation and rivals England, as well as USA and Iran.

Wales have only ever reached the World Cup finals once, way back in 1958, when they progressed through a group phase to reach the quarter-finals, losing to eventual winners Brazil in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Wales learn potential World Cup group stage opponents for Qatar 2022

Scotland face England in potential World Cup group stage at Qatar 2022

18:28 , Michael Jones

Scotland and Wales might not yet know which of them will be playing at the 2022 FIFA World Cup this winter, but they do know who they will be playing in the group stage of the tournament if they qualify, after the draw was conducted in the Qatari capital Doha on Friday.

The winners of the eventual play-off final will be in Group B alongside fellow European nation and rivals England, as well as USA and Iran.

Steve Clarke’s Scots are due to face Ukraine in a delayed play-off semi-final at Hampden Park in June, with Wales then facing the winners in a one-off fixture which will decide who makes it to the World Cup.

Scotland learn potential World Cup group stage opponents for Qatar 2022

World Cup fixtures: Dates, kick-off times and full schedule for Qatar 2022

18:26 , Michael Jones

The 2022 World Cup in Qatar begins on 21 November as 32 teams aim to reach the final and become world champions on 18 December.

The tournament will be the first to be held in the Arab world and only the second to take place in Asia, after Japan and South Korea joint-hosted the event in 2002. This edition will be the last to feature just 32 teams, with the tournament being expanded from 2026 inwards in order to feature 48 nations.

Reigning champions France will be among the favourites, though no team has successfully defended the World Cup since Brazil in 1962, alongside fellow European sides England, Spain, and Belgium. Brazil and Argentina will also likely feature in the knockout stages, while Senegal could represent Africa’s biggest hopes of winning for the first time.

Because of excessive summer temperatures in the Gulf state, the Qatar World Cup will be the first to be staged in winter rather than summer.

World Cup fixtures: Dates and kick-off times for Qatar 2022

World Cup 2022 draw

18:25 , Michael Jones

England’s schedule sees them play Iran in the opener on Monday 21st November, the USA on Friday 25th November and Wales, Scotland or Ukraine on Tuesday 29th November.

World Cup 2022 draw

18:22 , Michael Jones

Here’s the draw in full:

Group A: Qatar, Ecuador, Netherlands, Senegal

Group B: England, Iran, USA, Scotland/Wales/Ukraine

Group C: Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland

Group D: France, UAE/Australia/Peru, Denmark, Tunisia

Group E: Spain, Costa Rica/New Zealand, Germany, Japan

Group F: Belgium, Canada, Morocco, Croatia

Group G: Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon

Group H: Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay, South Korea

World Cup 2022 draw

18:20 , Michael Jones

Finally, Canada are the last team out of the pot. They complete Group F alongside Belgium, Morocco and Croatia.

World Cup 2022 draw

18:19 , Michael Jones

Cameroon are drawn into Group G with Brazil, Serbia and Switzerland.

Ghana have to be put in Group H with Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea.

World Cup 2022 draw

18:17 , Michael Jones

England’s group is complete! They’ll face either Scotland, Ukraine or Wales who join Group B alongside Iran and USA. Very good group for the Three Lions.

World Cup 2022 draw

18:16 , Michael Jones

Costa Rica or New Zealand will be in Group E. The second intercontinental play-off winner has to play Spain, Germany and Japan in the group stages.

World Cup 2022 draw

18:15 , Michael Jones

Saudi Arabia are the next team out but they can’t go into Group B as they are from the same confederation as Iran. Instead they join Argentina, Mexico and Poland in Group C.

World Cup 2022 draw

18:14 , Michael Jones

Ecuador are out next and they go into Group A. They’ll play Qatar in the opening game of the World Cup.

World Cup 2022 draw

18:13 , Michael Jones

United Arab Emirates, Australia or Peru are out of the pot first and due to the constraints the winner of that play-off will go into Group D with France, Denmark and Tunisia.

World Cup 2022 draw

18:12 , Michael Jones

The last pot will place Cameroon, Canada, Ecuador, Saudi Arabia, Ghana and the play-off winners.

World Cup 2022 draw

18:11 , Michael Jones

Japan join Spain and Germany in Group E. That’s a tough group for them.

Morocco get drawn into Group F with Belgium and Croatia, leaving South Korea in Group H.

World Cup 2022 draw

18:08 , Michael Jones

Serbia have to go into Group G as there are already two European teams in groups D, E and F. They join Brazil and Switzerland.

Tunisia are the next team out and they go into Group D.

World Cup 2022 draw

18:07 , Michael Jones

Senegal join Qatar and the Netherlands in Group A. They’ll face the Netherlands in theirfirst World Cup fixture.

Poland are drawn into Group C with Argentina and Mexico.

World Cup 2022 draw

18:05 , Michael Jones

Next up are Senegal, Iran, Japan, Morocco, Serbia, Poland, South Korea and Tunisia who are in pot 3.

Iran aren’t allowed in Group A as they are in the same confederation as Qatar so they are moved into Group B. They’ll face England on the opening day of the tournament.

World Cup 2022 draw

18:03 , Michael Jones

Uruguay are initially drawn out for Group G but can’t be put in the same group with Brazil and are moved to Group H with Portugal.

Switzerland are finally placed in Group G with Brazil.

World Cup 2022 draw

18:01 , Michael Jones

A big clash in Group E as Germany (E3) are drawn alongside Spain.

Croatia (F4) are put in Group F with Belgium.

England face USA in World Cup group stage at Qatar 2022

18:00 , Michael Jones

England will play the USA in the Fifa World Cup group stage after learning their opponents in this evening’s draw in Doha for Qatar 2022.

The Three Lions came agonisingly close to winning last summer’s Euro 2020 on home soil, falling short on penalties against Italy, who have failed to qualified for this year’s World Cup.

But redemption will start in Group B, which will include a game against the USA.

England learn World Cup group stage opponents for Qatar 2022

World Cup 2022 draw

17:59 , Michael Jones

Mexico (C3) join Argentina in Group C and Denmark (D3) will play France in Group D.

World Cup 2022 draw

17:57 , Michael Jones

This is where it starts to get interesting. In Group A, the Netherlands are drawn in spot A4.

England will have to contend with the USA who are drawn into Group B. Gareth Southgate will be pleased with that. The USA are drawn into spot B3.

World Cup 2022 draw

17:54 , Michael Jones

Group F has Belgium, Group G gets Brazil and finally Portugal are drawn into Group H.

Now for pot 2 featuring Mexico, Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Uruguay, Switzerland, USA, Croatia.

World Cup 2022 draw

17:53 , Michael Jones

Current world champions France are in Group D, followed by Spain getting drawn into Group E. All the pot 1 teams are placed in the top spot of each of the groups.

Three teams left to go in this stage.

World Cup 2022 draw

17:50 , Michael Jones

England are the second team out of Pot 1, they’re placed in Group B, spot 1. That means England’s first game will be on the opening day of the tournament.

Argentina are drawn into Group C, spot 1.

World Cup 2022 draw

17:49 , Michael Jones

Let’s go! As hosts Qatar have their own special red coloured balls and are drawn into Group A, spot 1.

World Cup 2022 draw

17:46 , Michael Jones

Okay, here we go. 45 minutes after the official start of the draw we’re about to get underway. Here’s a reminder of the how all for pots look.

Pot 1 (seeded teams): Qatar, Brazil, Belgium, France, Argentina, England, Spain, Portugal.

Pot 2: Mexico, Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Uruguay, Switzerland, USA, Croatia.

Pot 3: Senegal, Iran, Japan, Morocco, Serbia, Poland, South Korea, Tunisia.

Pot 4: Cameroon, Canada, Ecuador, Saudi Arabia, Ghana, Wales/Scotland/Ukraine, Costa Rica/New Zealand, UAE/Australia/Peru.

World Cup 2022 draw

17:40 , Michael Jones

Jermaine Jenas, Carli Lloyd and Samantha Johnson come onto the stage to conduct the draw. They introduce the former players who will be drawing out the teams.

Cafu (Brazil), Lothar Matthaus (Germany), Adel Ahmed MalAllah (Qatar), Ali Daei (Iran), Bora Milutinovic (Serbia/Mexico), Jay-Jay Okocha (Nigeria), Rabah Madjer (Algeria) and Tim Cahill (Australia).

World Cup 2022 draw

17:38 , Michael Jones

World Cup 2022 draw

17:33 , Michael Jones

Didier Deschamps - a World Cup champion as a player and manager - brings out the trophy ahead of the draw. There’ll be a few more things to sort out before the balls are drawn out though.

World Cup 2022 draw

17:29 , Michael Jones

Qatar Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani comes onto the stage and says “nobody wants to listen to our speeches before the draw” and thankfully keeps his own speech pretty short.

World Cup 2022 draw

17:26 , Michael Jones

Infantino ends his speech by claiming this will be a World Cup for ‘peace and unity’ after talking about how football can unite people in turbulent times.

He vaguely asks for world leaders to stop conflicts and wars but doesn’t mention any specific names.

World Cup 2022 draw

17:24 , Michael Jones

Fifa president Gianni Infantino comes out onto the stage to give his introductory speech. He starts with thanking Qatar for hosting the tournament and says it will be ‘the greatest World Cup ever.’

World Cup 2022 draw

17:17 , Michael Jones

And here is La’eeb - the official mascot for the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

World Cup 2022 draw

17:15 , Michael Jones

Is the draw on TV?

Viewers in the UK can watch live coverage of the World Cup draw on BBC One, with coverage due to begin at 4.45pm. It will also be available to stream via the BBC iPlayer or BBC Sport website.

Alternatively, Sky Sports will also be showing the proceedings live on their Premier League and Football channels. Coverage begins at 5pm, and subscribers can also watch on Sky Go.

World Cup 2022 draw

17:10 , Michael Jones

This World Cup draw will place the 32 nations into eight groups of four.

Teams are seeded based on the Fifa world rankings released on 31st March. Hosts Qatar will be given position A1 from Pot 1 and the top seven ranked teams who have qualified are the other top seeds. England are in pot one.

The three play-off winners not yet decided (Wales v Scotland/Ukraine, Costa Rica v Nthem.ew Zealand, UAE/Australia v Peru) will be in the bottom pot of seeds.

The draw will start with the teams in the pot one, move onto pot two and so forth, finishing with pot four.

After a team is drawn out, a second ball will be drawn to decide which group they are in.

Teams from the same continent will be kept apart - except for European countries, where a maximum of two can be in any one group.

World Cup 2022 draw

17:02 , Michael Jones

Here we go. The draw for the group stages of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is about to get underway. Idris Elba is hosting the ceremony but all the focus is on which teams will play each other in the opening round of this year’s World Cup.

World Cup 2022 draw

16:52 , Michael Jones

Around 10 minutes to go until the World Cup draw.

World Cup 2022 draw

16:47 , Michael Jones

Qatar is the first country in the Middle East to be awarded the World Cup. It’s also the smallest nation to host the tournament and the first to have the competition be played over the winter months with the World Cup taking place across November and December this year.

World Cup 2022 draw

16:40 , Michael Jones

Who’s in which pot?

Pot 1 (seeded teams): Qatar, Brazil, Belgium, France, Argentina, England, Spain, Portugal.

Pot 2: Mexico, Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Uruguay, Switzerland, USA, Croatia.

Pot 3: Senegal, Iran, Japan, Morocco, Serbia, Poland, South Korea, Tunisia.

Pot 4: Cameroon, Canada, Ecuador, Saudi Arabia, Ghana, Wales/Scotland/Ukraine, Costa Rica/New Zealand, UAE/Australia/Peru.

World Cup 2022 draw

16:35 , Michael Jones

Gareth Southgate has arrived at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center ahead of tonight’s draw. Who will end up in England’s group?

World Cup 2022 draw

16:28 , Michael Jones

England boss Gareth Southgate says England can win the World Cup if they get to the final. We’ll find out how hard that should be soon as the group stage draw gets underway.

He said: “We have said to the team this week, ‘if we can get to a semi-final, we can get to a final, and we did. If we can get to a final, we can win’. That’s clear.

“To do that is incredibly difficult and we’ll have to be as close to perfect as can be.

“That’s the challenge for us, not just when we get to Qatar, because we’ve got to be in the right condition, even before that. That’s what we’ve got to work towards every day we’re together.”

World Cup 2022 draw

16:22 , Michael Jones

Idris Elba and Reshmin Chowdhury are the hosts for this evening’s draw.

World Cup 2022 draw

16:15 , Michael Jones

The stage is set.

World Cup 2022 draw

16:11 , Michael Jones

How to watch the World Cup draw?

The draw for the group stages will be held at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center and it is due to start at 5pm.

Viewers in the UK can watch live coverage of the World Cup draw on BBC One, with coverage due to begin at 4.45pm. It will also be available to stream via the BBC iPlayer or BBC Sport website.

Alternatively, Sky Sports will also be showing the proceedings live on their Premier League and Football channels. Coverage begins at 5pm, and subscribers can also watch on Sky Go.

World Cup 2022 draw

16:06 , Michael Jones

How will the World Cup draw work?

England will discover their group stage opponents for the World Cup in Qatar this evening, with Germany or Croatia potentially standing in the Three Lions’ way early on.

Gareth Southgate’s men are in the top pot of seeds for the draw in Doha on Friday and will be drawn against come potentially difficult opponents in pot two. Any of Germany, Croatia, Mexico, Denmark and the Netherlands could end up in England’s group.

The pots will be emptied from one to four, with each team assigned to a group and given a number between one and four within that group. Hosts Qatar have already been assigned Group A and position one, and will play in the tournament’s opening game on November 21st.

Except for Europe, whenever possible FIFA will avoid drawing two sides from the same confederation together.

The allocation of venues and kick-off times will take place after the draw, with the final schedule not expected to be known until Saturday.

Elsewhere Scotland, Wales and Ukraine are treated as a single placeholder in the bottom pot of seeds, with the outcome of their play-off path not set to be decided until June following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Qatar 2022 is here – a tainted World Cup barely worthy of the name

16:00 , Michael Jones

It was a moment, in its own way, as electric as anything that has been happening in the World Cup play-offs. That was when Norwegian FA president Lise Klaveness forced everyone at Fifa Congress in Doha to confront the true cost of these games.

“In 2010, World Cups were awarded in unacceptable ways with unacceptable consequences,” she said in an impassioned call for inclusion and human rights. “The migrant workers injured, the families of those that died, must be cared for.”

Many in the room didn’t care for the discussion.

One federation head, clearly looking for his own 15 minutes of approval from the football family, insisted she should not have said that. That, apparently, is not the point. The point is all the World Cup livery, the sense of occasion in Doha.

Shortly afterwards, a package was shown with great moments from previous World Cups, the emotion echoed by that seen in Senegal, Algeria and the United States in the last few days.

That is what the World Cup is supposed to mean. That is what sportswashing projects are actually playing on.

Qatar 2022 is here – a tainted World Cup barely worthy of the name

World Cup 2022 draw: ‘Not acceptable’ for Qatar officials to confiscate rainbow flags at World Cup

15:52 , Michael Jones

Removing rainbow flags from supporters at the World Cup later this year would be an unacceptable act by the Qatari authorities, the Fare network has said.

A senior security official for the host country’s government told the Associated Press that flags could be confiscated from people to protect them from being attacked by others.

Fare, which was part of a group of 16 organisations which is seeking assurances from tournament organisers over the safety of fans from the LGBTIQ+ community, said the suggestion that flags would be removed to ensure safety would be seen as a pretext and that the “bigger danger” to the community was the state, not intolerant supporters.

‘Not acceptable’ for Qatar officials to confiscate rainbow flags at World Cup

World Cup 2022 draw

15:48 , Michael Jones

A reminder of what the World Cup draw pots look like?

Pot 1 (seeded teams): Qatar, Brazil, Belgium, France, Argentina, England, Spain, Portugal.

Pot 2: Mexico, Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Uruguay, Switzerland, USA, Croatia.

Pot 3: Senegal, Iran, Japan, Morocco, Serbia, Poland, South Korea, Tunisia.

Pot 4: Cameroon, Canada, Ecuador, Saudi Arabia, Ghana, Wales/Scotland/Ukraine, Costa Rica/New Zealand, UAE/Australia/Peru.

The full draw is expected to get underway in just over an hour’s time at 5pm.

World Cup 2022 draw

15:40 , Michael Jones

England manager Gareth Southgate hopes his side can find the “missing piece” and win a trophy in 2022.

The Three Lions missed out on their first piece of major silverware since 1966 when they lost the Euro 2020 final on penalties to Italy in July, which came three years after a run to the World Cup semi-finals.

They qualified for the 2022 tournament at a canter and will head to Qatar as one of the favourites. After all England have achieved under Southgate, he knows winning a trophy is the last box to tick.

Gareth Southgate hoping 2022 brings a major trophy for England

World Cup 2022 draw

15:35 , Michael Jones

England will have to be close to perfect to win World Cup says manager Gareth Southgate who heads into Friday’s World Cup draw believing England can win the tournament.

Confidence, experience and belief have all grown in the Three Lions squad thanks to the run to the semi-finals at the 2018 World Cup and reaching the final of Euro 2020 last summer.

Southgate accepts his team are “there to be shot at” but that they have a right to rate their chances.

He said: “We have said to the team this week, ‘if we can get to a semi-final, we can get to a final, and we did. If we can get to a final, we can win’. That’s clear.

“To do that is incredibly difficult and we’ll have to be as close to perfect as can be.”

Gareth Southgate: England will have to be close to perfect to win World Cup

World Cup 2022 draw

15:30 , Michael Jones

Former England captain David Beckham is an ambassador for the Qatar World Cup and has been speaking about the tourament.

“It’s a massive moment for everyone in Qatar and very inspiring. I’ve always talked about the legacy of the World Cup for Qatar - but also the legacy of the World Cup everywhere,” he said.

“That’s what the World Cup brings to a nation - it’s an inspiring moment. For Qatar, it’s a chance to show off the country and its love of football, its history and culture. Having some of the biggest players in the sport descend on Qatar is a huge moment for the country and region.

“Fans are going to have a great experience. In the past, fans have had to travel between games but in Qatar, they’re going to be able to go to more than one match a day because it is such a compact tournament.

“I think the fans will enjoy what Qatar has to offer. There will be great food, a warm welcome from the local people and lots to see and enjoy besides the football.”

World Cup 2022 draw

15:25 , Michael Jones

Gareth Southgate says he will try and learn all he can about the human rights issues in Qatar before heading to the 2022 World Cup.

England boss Southgate, who has signed a two-year contract extension until December 2024, will lead the Three Lions to the first winter World Cup, to be held in Qatar from 21st November until 18th December next year.

Same-sex relationships are banned in Qatar, while the country has also been widely criticised for its treatment of migrant workers, who have helped build all the infrastructure required to host a World Cup.

“As the manager, I’m trying to educate myself far better into what’s going on in that part of the world,” Southgate said.

“I’ve got to make sure that factually I’m correct, that we understand both sides of the stories. We would look to try to help the players so they are as prepared as they can be for those discussions when they speak publicly.”

Gareth Southgate keen to learn all he can about Qatar human rights issues

World Cup 2022 draw: How to buy World Cup 2022 tickets for tournament in Qatar

15:20 , Michael Jones

After over a decade of controversy since it was awarded the tournament, the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is just a few months away from beginning.

The tournament will be the first to be held in the Arab world and only the second to place in Asia, after Japan and South Korea joint-hosted the event in 2002. This edition will be the last to feature just 32 teams, with the tournament being expanded from 2026 inwards in order to feature 48 nations.

Ticket sales are now underway for the tournament, and everything you need to know is below.

How to buy World Cup 2022 tickets for tournament in Qatar

World Cup 2022 draw: LGBT+ fans will be welcome in Qatar, FA chief insists

15:15 , Michael Jones

The English Football Association has assured LGBT+ fans they will be welcome in Qatar during the 2022 World Cup, despite the country’s ban on homosexuality.

Gay people in Qatar have little choice but to hide their sexuality to fit into a society which widely regards homosexuality as a sin. However, under pressure from the outside, it appears Qatar will soften its stance specifically for the tournament when the world’s eyes focus on the country – a flexible stance which has privately angered the local gay community even more.

Ahead of next winter’s World Cup, Qatar has insisted “everyone is welcome” and announced rainbow flags can be displayed at the stadiums in solidarity with the gay community. And the FA’s chief executive Mark Bullingham says he has received reassurances from the country. “We have been given those assurances that people from the LGBTQ communities will be allowed to go to Qatar and support the team.”

LGBT+ fans will be welcome in Qatar for 2022 World Cup, FA chief insists

World Cup 2022 draw

15:10 , Michael Jones

Amnesty International released a report last year accusing Qatar of failing to implement its own laws designed to improve conditions for migrant workers but the World Cup host nation’s government rejected the assertion.

At the same time equality campaign group Kick It Out formed a working group to look at inclusivity issues in Qatar, where homosexuality is illegal.

Speaking last November, the communications executive director of Qatar’s supreme committee for organising the tournament, Fatma Al-Nuaimi, spoke to the BBC about these issues saying: “It’s a tournament for everyone, a tournament of firsts, and a tournament where everyone will be welcome.

“The Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 will bring with it the biggest influx of sports fans the region has ever seen - introducing them to Arab culture and traditions.

“It’s an unprecedented opportunity to project a true image of the Arab world as a welcoming, peaceful, and hospitable region.

“With one year to go we achieved a degree of readiness that no Fifa World Cup host country has reached this far out from the tournament kick-off date.”

World Cup 2022 draw: No one’s World Cup place is secure, says England boss Gareth Southgate

15:00 , Michael Jones

Gareth Southgate has urged England’s World Cup hopefuls to scrap for selection and warned no one is guaranteed a place on the plane to Qatar.

Southgate made 10 changes from the weekend win over Switzerland as preparations for the winter tournament continued with Tuesday evening’s 3-0 success over Ivory Coast at Wembley.

England will discover their group stage opponents on Friday when the World Cup draw is made in Doha.

With the count down to the competition firmly under way, Three Lions boss Southgate expects growing competition to fuel the desire of those seeking to making his final squad.

No one’s World Cup place is secure, says England boss Gareth Southgate

World Cup 2022 draw

14:55 , Michael Jones

Who is missing the World Cup?

Norway’s Erling Haaland is another big name not going to Qatar. The Manchester City-linked Borussia Dortmund striker, scorer of 15 goals in 17 international appearances, will not feature on the biggest international stage after Norway finished third in their qualifying group.

The team have not qualified for a World Cup or European Championships in his lifetime – Haaland was born a few days after the end of Euro 2000, their last major tournament.

Sticking with Scandinavian countries, Sweden lost 2-0 to Poland in their play-off on Tuesday. It was a shootout between Poland’s Robert Lewandowski and Sweden’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic to see which headline making striker would travel to Doha with the Bayern Munich star winning the battle.

Sweden’s record scorer, meanwhile, seems to have had his final World Cup appearance. The 40-year-old AC Milan striker featured at three editions – 2002, 2006 and 2018.

World Cup 2022 draw

14:50 , Michael Jones

Which big names will be absent from the World Cup?

Qualifying for the World Cup always sees some huge stars of the club game fail to reach the tournament proper with their home nation and this year’s competition is no different.

First up, Mo Salah.

It was a case of deja vu for Salah on Tuesday night as Egypt were beaten on penalties in their play-off by Senegal, with his fellow Liverpool forward Sadio Mane scoring the decisive spot-kick – just had been the case in February’s Africa Cup of Nations final.

Egypt skipper Salah was among those unsuccessful from the spot as the Pharaohs failed to secure a second successive World Cup qualification.

World Cup 2022 draw

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Hassan Al-Thawadi, the secretary general of the 2022 World Cup, says criticism of host nation Qatar by players and managers has been "ill-informed" and the nation "should not be apologetic" about hosting the tournament.

Qatar has been heavily criticised over the country’s human rights record. There are strict anti-LGBTIQ+ laws in the country and plentiful concerns have been raised over migrant workers and how they have been treated.

"Some people have made statements that in my opinion were ill-informed," Hassan Al-Thawadi told BBC Sport. "We should not be apologetic over our ambitions to host this tournament because we are football loving region.

"We are football crazy and football mad like anywhere else. We have the legitimate ambition to showcase our region to the rest of the world and to change people’s perception of who we are."

World Cup 2022 draw

14:40 , Michael Jones

Who could England get?

England will discover their group stage opponents for the World Cup in Qatar this evening, with Germany or Croatia potentially standing in the Three Lions’ way early on.

Gareth Southgate’s men are in the top pot of seeds for the draw in Doha, and a rematch against the Germans – who England beat in the last 16 en route to the Euro 2020 final – or World Cup semi-final conquerors Croatia are two possibilities which lie in wait.

Both those sides are in a strong-looking pot two which also includes Mexico, Denmark and Holland.

Who could England draw in the World Cup group stage?

World Cup 2022 draw

14:35 , Michael Jones

As we get closer to the draw for the World Cup in Qater, the line-up of former players who will be drawing out the teams has been revealed.

Cafu (Brazil), Lothar Matthaus (Germany), Adel Ahmed MalAllah (Qatar), Ali Daei (Iran), Bora Milutinovic (Serbia/Mexico), Jay-Jay Okocha (Nigeria), Rabah Madjer (Algeria) and Tim Cahill (Australia) will be all be part of the draw.

Qatar stages draw for World Cup amid protests

14:30 , Michael Jones

Coaches and football officials are gathering in Qatar for Friday’s draw for the Middle East‘s first World Cup.

There will be 37 nations involved in the draw ceremony but five teams will ultimately not reach the tournament, which begins on 21st November.

However, the day began with a protest outside Fifa headquarters in Zurich. German artist Volker-Johannes Trieb used balls filled with sand to protest against the suffering of migrant workers in Qatar who have worked on the infrastructure related to the World Cup.

Qatar stages draw for World Cup amid protests

World Cup 2022 draw: Qatar and FIFA criticized harshly ahead of World Cup draw

14:20 , Michael Jones

A Norwegian soccer official delivered a scathing criticism of World Cup host Qatar and FIFA to an audience of executives on Thursday on the eve of the tournament’s draw.

Qatar’s record of protecting the rights of migrant workers — who have built tens of billion of dollars of projects needed for the World Cup — and its criminalization of homosexuality was aired by Lise Klaveness, the newly elected head of soccer in Norway and one of the few women ever to lead a FIFA member federation.

It was a rare show of dissent and tension in the typically tightly scripted annual meeting of soccer’s 211 member countries, and targeted issues that have dogged Qatar and FIFA’s controversial choice of the Middle East country for more than a decade.

Qatar and FIFA criticized harshly ahead of World Cup draw

World Cup 2022 draw

14:15 , Michael Jones

More from Fifa president Gianni Infantino: "The Russia World Cup in 2018 was by all means a great World Cup, sportingly and culturally. But obviously it did not solve the problems of the world. It did not even solve the problems in the region.

"It did not create a lasting peace. But what I want to say now is that once this terrible conflict is over, and all other conflicts around the world, hopefully football can play a small part in rebuilding relationships, in establishing peace and understanding.

"My plea to all of those who have some power, in important political positions, please stop conflicts and wars. We must engage in dialogue even with your worst enemy. We have to learn again to live together."

World Cup 2022 draw

14:10 , Michael Jones

Fifa president Gianni Infantino has called on Russian president Vladimir Putin to stop the war in Ukraine.

Infantino, who received an Order of Friendship medal from Putin in 2019, a year after Russia hosted the World Cup, spoke at the Fifa congress in Doha where delegates from the Russian Football Union were controversially present.

"Now that we are seeing light at the end of the tunnel (on the Covid-19 pandemic), what happens now? War. War with the fear of a global conflict," he said.

"Innocent people are suffering and dying. We live in an aggressive world, we live in a divided world. But as you know I am a big believer in the power of football to bring people together and to cross cultural boundaries.

"Nelson Mandela said sport has the power to change the world. Football is the world’s sport, but at the same time we are not that naive to believe that football can solve all the problems, of course not."

World Cup 2022 draw: Fifa criticised for allowing Russian delegates at congress

14:00 , Michael Jones

FIFA has been criticised for allowing Russian delegates to attend its annual congress in Qatar following the country’s ban from the World Cup due to the invasion of Ukraine.

Two senior Russian officials are scheduled to be at Thursday’s event but there will be no representative from the Ukrainian FA.

Ukraine will instead be represented by its ambassador to Qatar, while the Russian flag will be flown at Doha Exhibition and Convention Center.

Chris Bryant MP, chairman of the all-party parliamentary group on Russia, told the Times: “I’m constantly mystified at sporting bodies who do not seem to watch the news, or take enough action if they do.

“They don’t seem to be able to isolate Russia in light of Putin’s appalling war crimes. We must isolate any Russian who wants to take part in world affairs until Russia withdraws.”

Fifa criticised for allowing Russian delegates at congress

A true World Cup legacy: The Nepali children forced to work after their fathers died in Qatar

13:50 , Michael Jones

The World Cup draw marks a major landmark in a 12-year long journey that has attracted unprecedented global scrutiny over Qatar’s treatment of its two-million strong foreign workforce.

VIPs, football teams, coaches, officials and celebrities gathered for the event at the relatively new Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre on Friday. The building and the area it sits in is a testament to the transformation of the Qatari capital.

It is a modern, high-rise area, populated by malls, shops, high-rise offices, glittering hotels and high-end restaurants. Close to the convention centre is a stop for the new and expensively built metro system. A little further down the road are the offices of major energy companies and even the headquarters of the Qatari team organising the World Cup.

Qatar has been anxious to show that its World Cup, the first in the Middle East, will leave a legacy.

But some 3,400 kilometres (2,100 miles) away there was little interest at events taking place in the Qatari capital. But there is definitely a legacy.

A World Cup legacy? Nepali children forced to work after their fathers died in Qatar

World Cup 2022 draw: Fifa scolded in damning speech by Norwegian FA president before World Cup draw

13:40 , Michael Jones

Norway FA (NFF) president Lise Klaveness spoke at the Fifa Congress on Thursday to demand the World Cup organisers take a continued lead in promoting change on a humanitarian level, in the lead-up to the 2022 Qatar finals.

Speaking in Doha, Klaveness took to the stage in front of the Fifa Council and gathered member states to underline major ethical topics which had not been dealt with strongly enough by Fifa when selecting the hosts for the tournament this year, calling the decision to hand Qatar the finals “unacceptable”.

A former international who reached a World Cup semi-final with her nation, winning more than 70 caps along the way, Klaveness was appointed to the head of the game in Norway only at the start of March this year and is the country’s first female leader of the NFF.

Explaining how Norway had previously pondered excluding themselves from this year’s competition altogether in protest at Qatar’s human rights record, Klaveness went on to say football’s “core interests” had been ignored until external pressures highlighted their absence.

“Football can inspire dreams and break down barriers but as leaders we must do it right, to the highest standards,” she began.

Fifa scolded in damning speech by Norwegian FA president before World Cup draw

Qatar 2022 is here – a tainted World Cup barely worthy of the name

13:30 , Michael Jones

It was a moment, in its own way, as electric as anything that has been happening in the World Cup play-offs. That was when Norwegian FA president Lise Klaveness forced everyone at Fifa Congress in Doha to confront the true cost of these games.

“In 2010, World Cups were awarded in unacceptable ways with unacceptable consequences,” she said in an impassioned call for inclusion and human rights. “The migrant workers injured, the families of those that died, must be cared for.”

Many in the room didn’t care for the discussion.

One federation head, clearly looking for his own 15 minutes of approval from the football family, insisted she should not have said that. That, apparently, is not the point. The point is all the World Cup livery, the sense of occasion in Doha.

Shortly afterwards, a package was shown with great moments from previous World Cups, the emotion echoed by that seen in Senegal, Algeria and the United States in the last few days.

That is what the World Cup is supposed to mean. That is what sportswashing projects are actually playing on.

Qatar 2022 is here – a tainted World Cup barely worthy of the name

World Cup 2022 draw

13:20 , Michael Jones

When is the World Cup?

The biggest competition in men’s football has been shifted outside of a traditional early summer window for the first time, with the tournament due to be held in a condensed window in November and December due to the intense heat in the Middle Eastern country of Qatar - where the tournament is being held.

The competition begins on 21st November, with hosts Qatar in action on the opening day at the Al Bayt Stadium, and will conclude with the final on 18th December, to be held at the Lusail International Stadium.

World Cup 2022 draw

13:10 , Michael Jones

How does the draw work?

Qualified teams will be seeded based on their position in the world rankings. Host nation Qatar are one of the eight top seeds, and will be joined by the seven top-ranked qualified sides.

The next eight are then allocated to Pot 2, and then another eight into Pot 3. Pot 4 will include the qualified teams in positions 24 to 28, plus three placeholders representing the two winners of the intercontinental play-offs and the remaining Uefa play-off winner.

One team from each pot is drawn into each group.

With the exception of Uefa, who can supply two nations to a single group, teams from the same confederation cannot be drawn alongside one another. For example, Argentina could not be in the same group as Uruguay, but England could face Croatia.

World Cup 2022 draw

13:00 , Michael Jones

The groups for the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar will be decided later today. All 32 competing teams will be slotted into eight groups of four in Doha ahead of the quadrennial global event, which will be held in November and December later this year.

As already qualified hosts, Qatar already know that they will be part of Group A.

The draw for the group stages will be held at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center and it is due to start at 5pm.

Viewers in the UK can watch live coverage of the World Cup draw on BBC One, with coverage due to begin at 4.45pm. It will also be available to stream via the BBC iPlayer or BBC Sport website.

Alternatively, Sky Sports will also be showing the proceedings live on their Premier League and Football channels. Coverage begins at 5pm, and subscribers can also watch on Sky Go.

World Cup 2022 draw

12:50 , Michael Jones

One of the most notable absences from this year’s tourament are current European champions Italy. They failed to qualify after a shock play-off defeat to North Macedonia who then lost to Portugal in the play-off final.

Italy missed out on the World Cup finals again after losing 1-0 at home to North Macedonia as Aleksandar Trajkovski’s last-gasp strike earned the visitors a famous win.

European champions Italy did not qualify for the World Cup four years ago, their first failure to reach football’s global showpiece tournament since 1958, but they dominated from the off in Palermo and looked on course for victory.

The hosts became more desperate in their search for a winner after the break as chances continued to come and go before, in stoppage time, Trajkovski arrowed in a stunning winner to spark wild North Macedonian celebrations.

Italy fail to qualify for World Cup after shock defeat by North Macedonia

World Cup 2022 draw

12:40 , Michael Jones

Now that all 32 nations are known, what are the World Cup draw pots?

Pot 1 (seeded teams): Qatar, Brazil, Belgium, France, Argentina, England, Spain, Portugal.

Pot 2: Mexico, Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Uruguay, Switzerland, USA, Croatia.

Pot 3: Senegal, Iran, Japan, Morocco, Serbia, Poland, South Korea, Tunisia.

Pot 4: Cameroon, Canada, Ecuador, Saudi Arabia, Ghana, Wales/Scotland/Ukraine, Costa Rica/New Zealand, UAE/Australia/Peru.

World Cup 2022 draw

12:30 , Michael Jones

The Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) are awarded a maximum of four places at the World Cup with three nations already qualified.

They are:

Canada

Mexico

USA

The fourth spot is decided in an intercontinental play-off with the representative team from the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC). The OFC have a maximum of one spot in the World Cup and have to earn it through this play-off.

Costa Rica are the nation from Concacaf with New Zealand the OFC representative. They will face each other for the final World Cup place in June.

World Cup 2022 draw

12:20 , Michael Jones

Five World Cup places are awarded to teams from Africa. Africa Cup of Nations winners, Senegal, defeated Egypt in their play-off match with Sadio Mane again scoring the winning penalty in a repeat of the Afcon final earlier this year.

All five qualifiers booked their places at the World Cup by winning two-legged play-offs. Those play-offs turned out to be largely close affairs as the away goals rule sent Cameroon and Ghana through.

The five African teams are:

Senegal

Cameroon

Ghana

Morocco

Tunisia

World Cup 2022 draw

12:10 , Michael Jones

From the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) five of their potentially six slots at the World Cup have been filled. They are:

Qatar (hosts)

South Korea

Iran

Japan

Saudi Arabia

Australia or the United Arab Emirates will go to inter-confederation play-off and face Peru for the final spot. The two AFC teams will play each other first in June then the winner will take on the team from South America.

World Cup 2022 draw

12:00 , Michael Jones

Four teams from South America have already booked their places in this year’s tourament. The South American Football Confederation (Conmebol) are given four or five spots at the World Cup with the potential fifth place being decided by an intercontinental play-off.

The nations already qualified are:

Argentina

Brazil

Ecuador

Uruguay

Peru defeated Paraguay 2-0 to make it into the inter-confederation play-off and they will face either Australia or the United Arab Emirates in June after both countries were third in their respective Asian qualifying groups.

Peru are seeking consecutive World Cup appearances, having defeated New Zealand 2-0 over two legs to reach the 2018 tournament in Russia, ending a 36-year wait to appear at the World Cup again.

World Cup 2022 draw

11:50 , Michael Jones

For now lets start with which teams have already qualified for the draw. From Europe, where Uefa is the governing body, 12 of the 13 spots have been decided. Those teams are:

Belgium

Croatia

Denmark

England

France

Germany

Netherlands

Poland

Portugal

Serbia

Spain

Switzerland

The final Uefa spot will go to either Scotland, Ukraine or Wales. Due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine their planned World Cup play-off match against Scotland has been postponed until June.

Later that month the winner of Scotland vs Ukraine will face Wales in a play-off final and the winner of that match will make it to the World Cup in November.

World Cup 2022 draw

11:35 , Michael Jones

Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of the 2022 World Cup draw. The World Cup returns this year with the tournament taking place in Qatar across November and December instead of the usual summer months.

That schedule change is due to the intense heat in Qatar during June, July and August with winter temperatures being more suitable for the teams to play in.

England have already secured their place at the tournament, but Wales and Scotland still have World Cup play-off games to complete in June and could potential face each other in a play-off final.

The awarding of the World Cup to Qatar 12 years ago was contentious to say the least and human rights organisations such as Amnesty International have raised concerns over the treatment of migrant workers in the country.

Alongside those concerns, teams such as Denmark and Germany recently highlighted human rights abuses after qualifying for the tournament, and England boss, Gareth Southgate, has held talks with his squad about the ongoing issues surrounding this World Cup.

We’ll explore all of that, and more, leading up to the draw itself, which is set to take place around 5pm this afternoon.