The group stage draw for this year’s World Cup takes place on Friday night and teams across the globe are poised to discover who will be their group stage opponents in Qatar.
We’ve got a taste of everything in the hat and, like always, there will be certain teams that international bosses will be desperate to avoid.
From the usual suspects likes France, England, Brazil, Argentina and Spain to potential tough ties like Senegal, Denmark, Holland and Serbia – there’s even plenty of unheralded footballing nations like Canada and hosts Qatar involved.
Here, Sportsmail runs the rule over the 29 already-qualified teams and the other nations who are still to complete their playoffs as the draw edges closer.
The group stage draw for this year’s World Cup takes place on Friday night in Doha, Qatar
France won the 2018 World Cup in Russia but who will they be drawn with in Friday’s event?
Pot One
Qatar
Who’s the manager?
Felix Sanchez – Born in Spain, Sanchez began his career as a coach within the youth system at Barcelona. He has been in charged since 2017 and oversaw their failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
But in 2019 he led them to the AFC Asian Cup title for the first time in the country’s history and has taken them to various other international tournaments – like the 2019 Copa America and 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Neither ended well for Qatar but the chance to play strong teams has boosted their progress
Who’s the star man?
Akram Afif – Among a squad of unheralded names who mostly play their football on home soil, Afif stands out as their top talent
A winger who can play up front, Afif left for Belgian side Eupen in 2015 before becoming the first Qatari-born signing in LaLiga history when he moved to Villarreal in 2016. It didn’t work out in Spain, however, and he’s back in Qatar with Al Sadd.
Still only 25, Afif has 75 goals and 62 assists in 118 games for Al Sadd and will be their most dangerous threat as they look to shine on home soil in November.
How did they qualify?
One of the perks of hosting the World Cup is that your qualification is guaranteed. A down side to that though is a lack of real competitive football in the build-up to the tournament.
Yes they have been invited to tournaments but losing to Argentina, Colombia and Brazil in the Copa America is hardly ideal preparations. This month’s international window brought a win over Bulgaria and a draw with Slovenia so maybe they are starting to show some form at the right time.
Chance of winning the trophy – 1/5
Qatar take part in their first World Cup as hosts – and as such are placed among the top seeds
Brazil
Who’s the manager?
Tite – The 60-year-old has, at one point in his career, seemingly managed every club in Brazil and was given the reigns to the national team back in 2016 after their dismal display at that year’s Copa America.
A quarter-final defeat in Russia in 2018 was disappointing but the Brazilians bounced back and lifted the Copa America in the following year. Once again Tite has an abundance of talent to manage but can he get everyone on the same page?
Who’s the star man?
Neymar – You can really take your pick from Alisson, Thiago Silva, Fabinho, Casemiro, Vinicius etc.. but if Neymar turns up to Qatar and fancies adding the dirty side to his tidy game on the ball then the rest of the teams will have a problem.
The Brazilian’s reputation seems to be at an all-time low after PSG’s latest European failure and a string of injury-blighted campaigns. But with an all-star cast beside him and defensive quality behind him, Neymar can undoubtedly fire Brazil to glory.
How did they qualify?
Brazil enjoyed a near-faultless campaign in South America qualifying. They racked up an impressive 45 points from 17 matches win 14 wins, three draws, 40 goals scored and just five conceded.
Their 18th game – against Argentina – was suspended back in September when health officials ran on to the pitch to stop Argentina’s England-based players from playing, saying they had breached the country’s COVID-19 quarantine rules. It must be replayed but both are qualified though and their positions in the table finalised.
Chance of winning the trophy – 5/5
Brazil have as usual a star-studded list of talent to choose from but Neymar is still the standout
Belgium
Who’s the manager?
Roberto Martinez – Always linked with a return to Premier League management, the Spaniard is still in charge of the Red Devils and is preparing for his third major tournament in charge later this year.
Martinez led Belgium to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup – where they lost 1-0 to eventual champions France – but a mixed display at Euro 2020 saw them knocked out by the eventual champions again when Italy won their quarter-final 2-1.
This looks likely to be Martinez’s final chance to win something with the country’s ‘Golden Generation’.
Who’s the star man?
Kevin De Bruyne – The Manchester City midfielder has been arguably the world’s best midfield for two or three years now and has 11 goals and eight assists so far this season.
He came into last summer’s Euros with a facial injury sustained in the Champions League final and then suffered an ankle knock against Portugal in the last-16. He did play in the quarter-finals but there were doubts he was fully fit. Belgium need their star man on fire if they are to have any chance in Qatar.
How did they qualify?
Unsurprisingly, Belgium finished top of a mediocre qualifying group that contained Wales, Czech Republic, Estonia and Belarus. Perhaps the biggest shock was that they didn’t take maximum points.
A pair of 1-1 draws away in Prague and Cardiff ensured they dropped four points but a handsome 8-0 win over Belarus this time last year sent Belgium on their way to qualifying with ease.
Chance of winning the trophy – 4/5
Belgium, who finished third in 2018, will be looking to finally cash in on their golden generation
France
Who’s the manager?
Didier Deschamps – The 53-year-old has seen it all in international management having been in charge of Les Bleus since 2012. He has scaled the heights of World Cup glory before and will be confident of defending their title with a squad littered with stars at his disposal.
France went into Euro 2020 as world champions but Deschamps and his tactics came in for huge criticism when they were stunned by Switzerland on penalties in the last-16. He managed to keep his job but you’d think it will be curtains if they don’t reach at least the semi-finals in Qatar.
Who’s the star man?
Kylian Mbappe – If there was any doubt then Mbappe has proven himself to the main man for France in recent months. His stunning first goal against South Africa in midweek shows the confidence running through his veins.
The PSG star also loves a major tournament and has chalked up four goals and three assists in 11 tournament appearances. It is also a boost for Mbappe to have Karim Benzema supporting him in attack, as he did at Euro 2020.
How did they qualify?
France were comfortable qualifiers in the end but they didn’t have it all their own way. The finished top of their group unbeaten, with 18 points after five wins and three draws.
But Ukraine were only six points behind in second place and they claimed two impressive draws in their pair of games with the French. Deschamps’s side also drew at home with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Chance of winning the trophy – 5/5
France will have PSG star Kylian Mbappe in their ranks as they look to defend their crown
Argentina
Who’s the manager?
Lionel Scaloni – Parachuted into the job after Jorge Sampaoli failed to get Argentina beyond the last-16 at the 2018 World Cup and burned any sort of goodwill he had with his players, Scaloni has turned Argentina into a force again.
For years they were billed as Lionel Messi + 10 but, after lifting the Copa America last year, Argentina have some pedigree coming into a tournament and with Cristian Romero, Rodrigo De Paul, Lautaro Martínez among others as the support cast.
Who’s the star man?
Lionel Messi – An underwhelming first season at PSG has hinted his powers are waning but Messi is still capable of genius and he is the undisputed leader of this team.
Realistically, at 34, this could be Messi’s swansong with Argentina on the international stage so expect him to do all he can to win that trophy that continues to elude his illustrious career.
How did they qualify?
Seamlessly. Unbeaten in their 17 matches played, Argentina won 11 and drew six to claim 39 points and finish second to Brazil. Home draws with Paraguay and Chile were the only real blips but they’re in Qatar nonetheless.
Their 18th game – against Brazil – was suspended back in September when health officials ran on to the pitch to stop Argentina’s England-based players from playing, saying they had breached the country’s COVID-19 quarantine rules. It must be replayed but both are qualified though and their positions in the table finalised.
Chance of winning the trophy – 3/5
Lionel Messi, pictured after losing the 2014 World Cup final, will have one last chance at glory
England
Who’s the manager?
Gareth Southgate – He still doesn’t the credit he deserves for taking England from tournament flops to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and to the brink of glory on home soil at Euro 2020.
With greater success comes bigger expectations though and if England fail to reach at least the semi-finals in Qatar then questions will come over whether Southgate is good enough to take England all the way.
Who’s the star man?
Harry Kane – England will not win the World Cup if Harry Kane is not scoring goals and playing well. It’s as simple as that. He is the Three Lions’ talisman and the golden boot winner from Russia in 2018.
The captain has shown much improved form for Tottenham in recent weeks as is recovering his reputation as one of the world’s most feared forwards. The England captain is the first name on the team sheet for Southgate and could even be the country’s record scorer by the time the World Cup arrives later this year.
How did they qualify?
As has been the case throughout Southgate’s tenure, England breezed through qualifying without a care in the world and racked up eight wins and two draws in their 10 matches.
They scored 39 goals and conceded just three, sweeping aside Poland, Albania, Hungary, Andorra and San Marino. Not the toughest opposition, granted, but the 10 win over San Marino in November was the first time England hit double figures since 1964.
Chance of winning the trophy – 5/5
Semi-finals in 2018, final in 2021 – can Harry Kane and England go one step further in Qatar?
Spain
Who’s the manager?
Luis Enrique – Enrique is one of very few current international managers who have huge pedigree at club level and could have the pick of any job he wants if he were to step down as Spain boss after the World Cup.
The treble he won with Barcelona in 2014-15 as Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar tore through defences across Europe was a joy to watch and now he’s trying to get Spain back on top of the world. A semi-final loss to Italy at Euro 2020 was not a disaster but expectations are high going into Qatar.
Who’s the star man?
Ferran Torres – Spain have plenty of options all over the pitch but Enrique seems to have a soft spot for the Barcelona winger and stars more often than not.
After leaving Man City for the Nou Camp in a £55m deal in January, Torres has six goals and five assists in 15 appearances. Alongside Pedri, he now has the chance to cement his place as the new golden boy of Spanish football.
How did they qualify?
In the end it was comfortable for Spain but they were far from secure at the top after four rounds of fixtures. An opening day draw with Greece and a defeat in Sweden in week four firmly put the cat amongst the pigeons.
But Spain showed their class from there and won their final four fixtures to seal top spot by a four-point margin and book their place in Qatar.
Chance of winning the trophy – 4/5
Spain are now looking to their next generation with Ferran Torres among their key players
Portugal
Who’s the manager?
Fernando Santos – The man who masterminded Portugal’s unlikely success at Euro 2016, when Eder’s extra-time winner shocked France to the core, is still at the helm but many consider his job to be hanging by a thread.
Some would say he’s lucky to even still be in a job, given Portugal were knocked out in the last-16 at the 2018 World Cup and again at the same stage at Euro 2020. They made it to Qatar through the playoffs and, with the squad at his disposal, Portugal really should be challenging for the trophy.
Who’s the star man?
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