The Qatar 2022 World Cup was drawn: Argentina leads Pool C and will play against Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland

The 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar is already starting to beat. The draw was held at the Doha Exhibition and Congress Centre, which defined the composition of the group stage and the fixture of the tournament. And the Argentine team, champion of the last Copa América, benefited.

The Albiceleste played an accessible group (the C), at least within the panorama offered by the drums. He will make his debut against Saudi Arabia (22/11), with Mexico (26/11) from ciborium 2, avoiding facing the most powerful, although we should not disdain the power of the Aztecs, led by an old acquaintance: the Tata Martino. And the third opponent was Poland (30/11), the team that has as its flag Robert Lewandowski, Bayern Munich striker who, just fought with Lionel Messi for the best footballer awards of 2021.

Thus, the feeling is that, if they maintain their level, those led by Lionel Scaloni should go to the round of 16. In this instance, the context changes: Group C was paired with D, where France, the last champion, and Denmark, potential rivals in the first mata-mata crossing, live.

Qatar was named top seed in Group A. England fell into Group B, while chance left Argentina in Group C. And France, in D. Spain heads Group E. Belgium ended up in Group F. Brazil appeared in Group G: he just took out the ball Cafu, who got a smile and named him as “the Penta”, in relation to to the five titles he holds. As a result, Portugal was determined in Group H.

This is how the groups were formed:

GROUP A: Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal and the Netherlands.

GROUP B: England, Iran, United States and (Wales-Scotland/Ukraine)

GROUP C: Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland.

GROUP D: France, (Peru-UAE/Australia), Denmark and Tunisia.

GROUP E: Spain, (Costa Rica/New Zealand), Germany and Japan.

GROUP F: Belgium, Canada, Morocco and Croatia.

GROUP G: Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland and Camerún.

GROUP H: Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay and South Korea.

The South American casts were uneven lucky: Ecuador will open the action at the World Cup against Qatar, on Monday, November 21 at Al Bait Stadium. And he will have to battle against rivals such as Senegal (Africa Cup champion) and the Netherlands. Brazil has adversaries of respect, such as Switzerland, Serbia and Cameroon, although under normal conditions it should move forward. Peru (to win the repechage against the Arab Emirates or Australia) will find itself in a very demanding area, against France, Denmark and Tunisia.

And the case of Uruguay is particular. While the draw did not bring a clear “Group of Death”, the most similar to that concept is H, where Celeste fell, with Portugal by Cristiano Ronaldo, Ghana and South Korea. Perhaps Group E could fight the label if Costa Rica agrees, but mostly because of the clash of titans between Spain and Germany.

Former American footballer Carli Lloyd, former British player Jermaine Jenas and Jamaican and British presenter Samantha Johnson were responsible for conducting the most important segment of the ceremony. The first one called up to get the balls out was the Brazilian Cafú. Then, Nigerian Jay Jay Okocha. In the third place Lottar Mathaus appeared on the scene. In fourth place, Iranian Ali Daei, former historical scorer of national teams until the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo. Fifth, former defender Adel Ahmed MalAllah (Qatar). Sixth, former captain of the Australian national team Tim Cahill and Bora Milutinovic, the only coach who played five World Cups with five different teams (Mexico 1986, Costa Rica 1990, USA 1994, Nigeria 1998 and China PR 2002). Finally, former Algerian striker Rabah Madjer.

The gala began with an animated video that tried to explain the meaning and values that surround the World Cup dispute. The protagonist was a turban, which claimed to have participated, for example, in Maradona's “Hand of God” in Mexico 86 or Van Persie's popcorn in Brazil 2014. This is La'eeb, the mascot of the contest.

After a stunning freestyle show involving men and women, it was time for actress Sherihan's speech, who gave a speech opening the arms of the Arab world to those who come to Qatar to enjoy the World Cup. And it was the turn of the World Cup song, Hayya Hayya (Better Together), or “Better Together” in Spanish, which was performed live by Trinidad Cardona, Davido and Aisha.

Then, Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, took the stage, who welcomed the representatives of all delegations in several languages. And he announced that it will be “the best World Cup in history”. “The world is divided, the world is aggressive, and we need occasions like these to unite. The call made by the world of football is to stop conflicts, stop wars,” he said, regarding Ukraine's invasion of Russia.

The tribute to the recently deceased stars was a blow to the heart for all fans, but especially Argentines. It's just that Gordon Banks, Paolo Rossi, Gerd Müller passed by, but especially Diego Maradona, who died in November 2020.

Subsequently, the great protagonist of the World Cup came on stage: the trophy. It arrived in the hands of Didier Deschamps, the coach of France, champion of the last round held in Russia. And it was time for the draw, which determined an accessible path for Argentina, at least in the first phase.

The delegation, led by DT Lionel Scaloni along with his coaching staff (Walter Samuel, Roberto Ayala, physical trainer Luis Martín and Pablo Aimar) and Claudio Tapia, president of the AFA (along with other managers, employees and administrators, left safely but cautiously, without subverting the rivals. In a World Cup, its members know, it can be a serious mistake.

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