World Cup 2022 Group B
GROUP B
| Team | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts |
| England | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 7 |
| USA | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| Iran | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 3 |
| Wales | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 1 |
Sean O'Conor
[Team Jersey Images © Soccerphile]
England
England arrive in Qatar without a win in six games - hardly the form of a favourite, but after a World Cup semi-final, Nations League semi-final and European Championship final in their last competitive outings, expectations are high once more for the Three Lions.
When England went 2-0 down to Germany in their final warm-up game, Gareth Southgate's job looked insecure for the first time since he had taken over in 2016, but a three-goal response quelled the doubters.
At Russia 2018, England came without a settled eleven but played their best World Cup in 28 years, so another uncertain starting lineup should not be too big a worry.
The core of the team will be that of Euro 2020: Harry Kane is still the ace up front and the 2018 Golden Boot winner will be the lone striker, depending on Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden and Mason Mount to buzz around and feed him chances.
Marcus Rashford's autumn purple patch for Manchester United pleads for his participation but Southgate is loathe to play more than one marksman. Jack Grealish, the squad's only 'fantasista', will be no more than a super sub again, as will be Bukayo Saka, although the free kicks Grealish wins will be manna for Kieran Trippier, if picked.
England therefore has a dearth of strikers yet a panoply of attackers, but the collective have yet to find real fluidity in their teamwork. The defence looks wobbly too, far from the solid back fours of 1990 or 2006, which were fairly impregnable.
Southgate's preferred centre-backs Harry Maguire and John Stones are struggling for playing time with their clubs, but the manager is loyal to his senior men, which should also mean Luke Shaw and Kyle Walker resuming their wing-back duties, despite their inconsistent domestic form. Trippier is statistically a better full-back but not guaranteed a start. Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold has slipped in the pecking order.
While the cautious Southgate prefers two defensive midfielders with Declan Rice the anchor, the attack-minded Jude Bellingham's emergence has made him difficult to drop. The Borussia Dortmund starlet's forward-first instinct has been England's brightest chapter this season.
Jordan Pickford will keep goal, although Arsenal's Aaron Ramsdale has played better this season. Whatever Southgate's selections, his squad will stand united and fight, as his man-management remains first class, but the on-field ambition and cohesion look short.
In 2018 the Three Lions enjoyed a relatively smooth passage to the last four. This year is tougher, with the unknown quantity of Iran followed by the USA, whom England have failed to beat twice at World Cups, and then a derby with Wales.
Southgate's safety first approach was much slated after England lost the Euro 2020 final having led Italy at home, but the pragmatist has refused to change his creed and points to his tournament finishes.
Expect England to win or lose narrowly in Qatar but not match their semi-final of 2018.
 |
 |
|
England Kit 1 |
England Kit 2 |
England v Iran 21 November (Khalifa International Stadium)
England v USA 25 November (Al Bayt Stadium)
England v Wales 29 November (Ahmad Bin Ali)
Coach
Coach: Gareth Southgate
Record
Best World Cup: Winners 1966, Semi-Final 1990, 2018
Formation
3-4-3
Men to watch
Jude Bellingham - the teenager has been England's stand-out player in recent matches with his upfield surges and forward thinking every time he receives the ball. Expect a big money move soon.
Phil Foden - the Golden Ball winner at the 2017 U-17 World Cup is at 22 still young enough to play without fear. His 100+ top-flight appearances for Manchester City and 18 England caps have given him added confidence to shine on the biggest stage.
Southgate's men have had a rough recent run but still have the firepower and team spirit to go far in Qatar. Given the past four years of over-achievement, England expects a last four finish. Barring an opening nightmare, in the second round England will meet heavier traffic in the form of Ecuador, Senegal, or most probably the Netherlands, who beat them in the 2019 Nations League semi-final.
How they qualified
England won the fairly weak UEFA Group I with eight wins and two draws.
On the sidelines
Second choice left-back Ben Chilwell will miss out with a pulled hamstring, while midfield 'regista' Kalvin Phillips is still seeking match sharpness and playing time after recovering from injury. Reece James is also a major doubt with return from a knee injury slated for mid-December.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal), Nick Pope (Newcastle)
Defenders: Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Kyle Walker (Man City), Benjamin White (Arsenal), Harry Maguire (Man Utd), John Stones (Man City), Eric Dier (Tottenham), Conor Coady (Everton, on loan from Wolves), Luke Shaw (Man Utd)
Midfielders: Declan Rice (West Ham), Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Kalvin Phillips (Man City), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Mason Mount (Chelsea)
Strikers: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Callum Wilson (Newcastle), Marcus Rashford (Man Utd), Raheem Sterling (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Phil Foden (Man City), Jack Grealish (Man City), James Maddison (Leicester City)
Wales
After their dream run to the semi-finals at Euro 2016, Wales missed out on Russia 2018 and stuttered at Euro 2020, thrashed 4-0 by Denmark in the round of 16.
But the red dragon is roaring again having made it to the World Cup finals for the first time since the Fifties and the era of John Charles and Ivor Allchurch. Of all the teams returning to the finals in 2022, the Welsh have waited the longest.
Fired up by an army of fans enoying the biggest stage for the first time and with the best team spirit in Group B, Wales will seek to entertain as well to win. Gareth Bale will of course be their key man as the team leans on him for goals and assists. This puts a lot on his shoulders, but the former Real Madrid star is never fazed by pressure.
The 33-year-old has spent much of the past few seasons on the bench, averaging only a dozen appearances a season, but as he proved with his match-winning supersub cameos in the 2018 Champions League final and 2022 MLS Cup final, he has a Midas touch when it matters.
Like Diego Maradona in 1986, the skipper is hauling a middling side towards greater things. But when Bale is off-song or suffocated, the rest of the team's calibre will be tested.
Their custodian Wayne Hennessy is one of three regulars from the Premier League's bottom team, while Page's preferred midfield duo of Joe Allen and Aaron Ramsey, though solid performers, play at Swansea and Nice respectively and have not enjoyed regular fitness or much playing time this season.
But team spirit and teamwork make up for individual shortcomings. The way Wales derailed Ukraine's seemingly unstoppable march to the finals showed their steel and having qualified for the last two European Championships, the red shirts are relishing their golden age.
Yet the midfield showed signs of fatigue in qualifying and the side have not won since their playoff in June. Their five games since have seen a draw and four defeats, although narrow losses to Belgium and the Netherlands were no disgrace.
Tottenham's Ben Davies is the linchpin in defence, while Bournemouth striker Kieffer Moore has been in good form, belying his dismissal as a mere target man. Wales play with width and their invention will largely funnel down the left side, where Nottingham Forest's Neco Williams links well with Fulham's flying attacker Daniel James, who has flashes of brilliance.
Brennan Johnson is another exciting attacking option on the left but the talented 21 year old can sometimes freeze. Bale will mount raids on the right but has a fairly roving role. Fulham's versatile midfielder Harry Wilson provides support down the same flank.
Team spirit and confidence will only take the red dragon so far. Their fortunes in the desert revolve around their talisman. If Bale flops so will Wales.
 |
 |
Wales Kit 1
|
Wales Kit 2
|
Wales v USA Nov 21st (Ahmad bin Ali)
Wales v Iran Nov 25th (Ahmad bin Ali)
Wales v England Nov 29th (Ahmad bin Ali)
Coach
Rob Page
Record
Best World Cup: Quarter-Final 1958.
Formation
3-4-3
Men to watch
Gareth Bale - as much a talisman as Cristiano Ronaldo is for Portugal, the Cardiffian is the utter fulcrum of the side. At 33 and having stepped down to MLS, this should be the climax of a glittering career.
Neco Williams - aged 21, the Nottingham Forest wing-back could star in Qatar as a sleek attacking asset. Quick with clever combinations and forays forward.
Wales should beat the USA and take at least a point from Iran and or England, placing them in good stead to make the second round. Then things will get harder and it is hard to see them reaching the last eight.
Wales are 6/1 along with the USA to win Group B and 200/1 to lift the trophy.
How they qualified
Wales finished second in UEFA Group E behind Belgium before eliminating Austria and Ukraine in the playoffs.
On the sidelines
Joe Allen has been out of action since September with hamstring trouble.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Wayne Hennessey (Nottingham Forest), Danny Ward (Leicester City), Adam Davies (Sheffield United)
Defenders: Ben Davies (Tottenham), Ben Cabango (Swansea City), Tom Lockyer (Luton Town), Joe Rodon (Rennes, on loan from Tottenham), Chris Mepham (Bournemouth), Ethan Ampadu (Spezia, on loan from Chelsea), Chris Gunter (AFC Wimbledon), Neco Williams (Nottingham Forest), Connor Roberts (Burnley)
Midfielders: Sorba Thomas (Huddersfield), Joe Allen (Swansea City), Matthew Smith (MK Dons), Dylan Levitt (Dundee Utd), Harry Wilson (Fulham), Joe Morrell (Portsmouth), Jonny Williams (Swindon Town), Aaron Ramsey (Nice), Rubin Colwill (Cardiff City)
Strikers: Gareth Bale (Los Angeles FC), Kieffer Moore (Bournemouth), Mark Harris (Cardiff City), Brennan Johnson (Nottingham Forest), Dan James (Fulham, on loan from Leeds)
Iran
Seemingly perennial qualifiers but eternal never-men, the Iranians are back for their sixth World Cup finals in the hope of finally getting beyond the group stage.
After a summer of turmoil which saw coach Dragan Skokic fired, reappointed then fired again while a confused squad split their opinions, 'Team Melli' (The National Team) has returned to the vastly experienced Carlos Queiroz. The Portuguese has not only coached in ten nations but has twice taken Iran to the World Cup before.
He knows the players well from 2018 and but only rejoined 74 days before the tournament starts and has lowered expectations by bemoaning his lack of preparation time, claiming he has only been given a week to get the squad ready and comparing Iran against a European nation to a Boeing 737 competing with a Space Shuttle. Some senior players, notably Sardar Azmoun, were also vocally opposed to Skokic's dismissal, leaving doubt about him keeping the dressing room together in Qatar.
On the plus side most of the players are World Cup veterans, have an average age of 29 and have solid European experience, while a strong forward line will score goals as long as they are handed the chances. Iran always compete well and have fallen agonisingly short before against strong opposition, hinting at better things to come with a better stroke of luck.
A win against a decent Uruguay and a draw against Senegal in their last matches bode well for the tournament. Anchored by centre back Majid Hosseini, the defence withstood a barrage against both sides with all hands to the pump, but the attack grabbed key strikes at the other end too.
When not using two banks to frustrate their opponents, Iran play a fairly vertical game, getting the ball up the flanks fast and closing down opponents in their half.
Saedi Ezatolahi is the key midfielder and strong link between the lines, good at breaking up attacks, running to cover and releasing Brentford's Saman Ghoddos and Persepolis' Milad Sarlak to feed the forwards.
Up front is where Iran can shine - Mehdi Taremi's and Sardar Azmoun's Champions League pedigree will cause trouble if adequately supplied, while Feyenoord winger Alireza Jahanbaksh and Omonia Nicosia's Karim Ansarifard can supply the bullets.
One feels this could at last be their time to shine, but conscious of never having got out of the group stage, Iran will be tempted to shut up shop against England and rely on counter attacks. With Gareth Southgate's safety-first approach this could mean a stolid opener in Al-Rayyan, reminiscent of England's bore-draw with Algeria in 2010.
But expect more open play next against Wales, which could be a cracker. If not eliminated, Iran will then go for broke against the USA, whom they memorably beat at France '98. To be in with a shout against the Americans means taking points off the British nations first.
This World Cup has a loud background of global politics and Iranian striker Sardar Azmoun recently courted trouble by posting on social media in support of the women's protests convulsing his nation.
All eyes will be on whether the squad make a brave public demonstration against the Iranian regime in front of the watching billions, a protest which may either stimulate them to perform or adversely affect their nerves.
 |
 |
Iran Kit 1
|
Iran Kit 2
|
Iran v England 21 November (Khalifa)
Iran v Wales 25 November (Ahmad bin Ali)
Iran v USA 29 November (Al Thumama)
Coach
Carlos Queiroz
Record
Best World Cup: Group Stage five times
Formation
4-3-3 or 4-4-2
Men to watch
Mehdi Taremi - tall and mobile with good feet and neat flicks, the team's talisman scores a goal every other game on average for club and country and aged 30 will be at the peak of his powers.
Sardar Azmoun - the apex of the attack is at Bayer Leverkusen after a successful decade in Russia and has good telepathy with Taremi. If match-fit, this tall and elegant poacher will be a real goal threat in Qatar.
Karim Ansarifard - a journeyman spanning ten clubs but an ever-present for the national team, Karim Ansarifard will play the unenvious role of supplementing Sardar Azmoun and Mehdi Taremi of Bayer Leverkusen and FC Porto respectively. Playing for three different Iranian clubs before venturing out to Europe with Osasuna, Ansarifard has had the most success in Greece with Panionios, Olympiacos, and AEK.
Close to home soil with an experienced manager, squad and a sharp attack, Iran could finally break their duck and make the second round.
In a group whose second place is up for grabs, they could be a surprise package.
Most bookies are offering 500/1 odds on Iran lifting the trophy and 'Team Melli' are favourites to finish last in Group B.
How they qualified
Iran won AFC Group A ahead of South Korea with eight wins out of ten.
On the sidelines
Sardar Azmoun has been missing this autumn with a nagging calf strain and is in a race to be fit for Qatar.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Alireza Beiranvand (Persepolis), Amir Abedzadeh (Ponferradina), Seyed Hossein Hosseini (Esteghlal), Payam Niazmand (Sepahan)
Defenders: Ehsan Hajsafi (AEK Athens), Morteza Pouraliganji (Persepolis), Ramin Rezaeian (Sepahan), Milad Mohammadi (AEK Athens), Hossein Kanaanizadegan (Al Ahli), Shojae Khalilzadeh (Al Ahli), Sadegh Moharrami (Dinamo Zagreb), Rouzbeh Cheshmi (Esteghlal), Majid Hosseini (Kayserispor), Abolfazl Jalali (Esteghlal)
Midfielders: Ahmad Noorollahi (Shabab Al Ahli), Saman Ghoddos (Brentford), Vahid Amiri (Persepolis), Saeid Ezatolahi (Vejle), Alireza Jahanbakhsh (Feyenoord), Mehdi Torabi (Persepolis), Ali Gholizadeh (Charleroi), Ali Karimi (Kayserispor)
Strikers: Karim Ansarifard (Omonia Nicosia), Sardar Azmoun (Bayer Leverkusen), Mehdi Taremi (Porto)
USA
After the disaster of missing out on Russia 2018, the Americans are back at the World Cup but in poor form with accordingly low expectations.
At their last World Cup in 2014, the USA battled bravely before losing to an odd goal to talented Belgium in the round of 16, but reaching the knock-out stages looks a tall order this time.
The last two warm-up games saw the States slide to a dismal 2-0 defeat to Japan, before a dull 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia. A slew of injury worries and a lack of playing time for their key players in Europe only add to a sense of gloom going into the tournament.
While the US reached the heights in 2002, narrowly losing to eventual finalists Germany in the last eight, the national team has declined since then in curious parallel to the growth of MLS. The 'Nats' have struggled to find cohesion or fluency recently and in their final qualifying round of the modest CONCACAF region failed to win any of their seven away games.
Christian Pulisic is the only world class American player today, a gifted fast 'baller' who could probably walk into most nations' starting elevens, but has made only three starts this season for Chelsea. Sergiño Dest, on loan at Milan from Barcelona, has only made two and Matt Turner, the probable goalkeeper, has made none at Arsenal.
Coach Greg Berhalter therefore has a big ask and unlike his recent predecessors in the job, often shown his stress under pressure. Nevertheless he has tried to instill the need to press and maintain possession.
Beyond Pulisic the squad lacks quality and experience but has youth on its side:
Leeds' high-speed attacker Brenden Aaronson is exciting in bursts and has the green exuberance to star at a World Cup, in the same way Michael Owen did in 1998.
Elland Road colleague Tyler Adams is an adequate midfield anchor while Weston McKennie has accrued solid playing time at Juventus.
At centre forward should be Jesus Ferreira, a 21 year-old Colombian-born striker who has yet to play in Europe but is a consistent MLS performer with 18 goals in 35 games this season for FC Dallas.
Berhalter may be tempted to pick defenders with top-flight experience in DeAndre Yedlin, the only World Cup veteran, at right-back, Fulham's Antonee Robinson and even 35 year-old clubmate Tim Ream. Cameron Carter-Vickers, a starter with Celtic, is another option.
Interestingly, two offspring of former stars are in contention - Giovanni Reyna, son of former US captain Claudio, and Tim Weah, son of the great Liberian George.
Wales will likely best them in their opener, and although the Americans have beaten (1950) and drawn with England (2010) before at the finals, this time the rerun of Belo Horizonte and Rustenburg looks like going to the Three Lions.
Facing Iran in their final match could be a dead rubber, but if the US can grab a point against the Welsh they will have it all to play for in what could be a fiery final group game, reviving memories of an exciting clash in Lyon at France '98.
In 2010 in South Africa, Landon Donovan rescued the States with a last-gasp goal in their final group game against Slovenia, so much will rest on Pulisic to save what looks like a below-par team from a probable early elimination.
 |
 |
USA Kit 1
|
USA Kit 2
|
USA v Wales 21 November (Khalifa)
USA v England 25 November (Al Bayt)
USA v Iran 29 November (Ahmad Bin Ali)
Coach
Greg Berhalter
Record
Best World Cup: Semi-Final 1930, Quarter-Final 2002.
Formation
4-3-3 / 4-4-2
Men to watch
Christian Pulisic - although usually on the bench at Chelsea, the 24 year-old Pennsylvanian remains a world-class talent, head and shoulders above the rest of the US squad. Blessed with pace and great dribbling ability, a lot hinges on his form.
Yunus Musah - only 19, the Valencia midfield anchor has a wise head on young shoulders. Good at breaking up attacks, short passing and driving forward too. On Arsenal's books, he represented England up to U18 level so may have a point to prove in Al Bayt on the 25th.
The US are 200/1 to win the World Cup but have too many shortcomings going into Qatar to be confident of advancing. They should realistically plan to mount a challenge as hosts in 2026.
How they qualified
The US grabbed the third and final automatic qualifying spot in CONCACAF's Third Round, behind Canada and Mexico but ahead of Costa Rica on goal difference.
On the sidelines
Atlanta defender Miles Robinson misses out with a torn achilles and Royal Antwerp left back Sam Vines has a broken tibia. The US has several doubts heading to Qatar: Sergiño Dest has knee trouble, Weston McKennie has a thigh strain, as does Crystal Palace's Chris Richards. Celta's Luca de la Torre has a leg injury and Arsenal reserve goalkeeper Matt Turner was also a doubt.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Ethan Horvath (Luton), Sean Johnson (New York City), Matt Turner (Arsenal)
Defenders: Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic), Sergino Dest (AC Milan), Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls), Shaq Moore (Nashville), Tim Ream (Fulham), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Joe Scally (Borussia Monchengladbach), DeAndre Yedlin (Miami), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville)
Midfielders: Brenden Aaronson (Leeds), Kellyn Acosta (Los Angeles), Tyler Adams (Leeds), Luca de la Torre (Celta Vigo), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Yunus Musah (Valencia), Cristian Roldan (Seattle)
Strikers: Jesus Ferreira (Dallas), Jordan Morris (Seattle), Christian Pulisic (Chelsea), Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund), Josh Sargent (Norwich), Tim Weah (Lille), Haji Wright (Antalyspor)