Who will escape from Group B?
That is one of many hardest inquiries to reply forward of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the place the US, England, Wales and Iran discover themselves in what’s thought-about one of many 32-team event’s best teams.
It additionally has some compelling storylines as favored England makes an attempt to finish a 56-year World Cup title drought and the US returns to the competitors after disappointment throughout qualifiers in 2018.
There’s little room for error on the street out of Group B and on to the Spherical of 16. All 4 groups in Group B are ranked within the FIFA World top-20 getting into the distinguished event that kicks off Nov. 20 when the host nation Qatar takes on Ecuador.
This is what to find out about World Cup Group B.
Which staff is the favourite in Group B?
England is a well-liked alternative because the likeliest to emerge atop Group B, however the U.S., Wales and Iran are all able to turning the group on its head. The highest-two groups in every group advance to the knockout levels within the Spherical of 16.
This is the place Group B’s rivals are ranked within the FIFA World standings getting into the event.
- England: fifth
- USA: sixteenth
- Wales: nineteenth
- Iran: twentieth
What’s the Group B World Cup schedule?
All instances are California time
- Nov. 21, 5 a.m.: England vs Iran at Khalifa Worldwide Stadium, Al Rayyan
- Nov. 21, 11 a.m.: USA vs Wales at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan
- Nov. 25, 11 a.m.: England vs USA at Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor
- Nov. 25, 2 a.m.: Wales vs Iran at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan
- Nov. 29, 11 a.m.: Wales vs England at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan
- Nov. 29, 11 a.m.: Iran vs USA at Al Thumama Stadium, Al Khor
Telemundo Deportes is the unique Spanish-language house of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Each match will stream reside on Peacock in Spanish. Click on right here for the entire TV schedule.
The place will Group B matches be performed?
4 stadiums will host Group B matches. All of them have distinctive designs and supply dramatic settings for the competitors, whether or not it is evening or day.
Khalifa Worldwide Stadium
Khalifa Worldwide Stadium is situated in Al Rayyan and inbuilt 1976. It underwent redevelopment for the World Cup, however stored its distinctive twin arches intact. A large cover covers the seating areas. A brand new tier added 10,450 seats, permitting the event capability to succeed in 40,000.
Khalifa Worldwide Stadium is one in all eight venues that can be internet hosting World Cup matches in Qatar.
Ahmed bin Ali Stadium
Positioned on the sting of the desert, Ahmed bin Ali Stadium encompasses a putting exterior design meant to replicate the undulations of sand dunes with geometric patterned accents.
Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium is one in all eight venues that can be internet hosting World Cup matches in Qatar.
Al Bayt Stadium
Al Bayt Stadium, with a capability of 60,000, is situated about 20 miles north of Doha. The destinctive design encompasses a tent-like construction with an inside that options vibrant patterns.
Al Bayt Stadium is one in all eight venues that can be internet hosting World Cup matches in Qatar.
Al Thumama Stadium
Al Thumama Stadium‘s circular design was impressed by the gahfiya, a woven cap worn by males and boys throughout the Center East. It has a capability of 40,000.
Al Thumama Stadium is one in all eight venues that can be internet hosting World Cup matches in Qatar.
A quick historical past of Group B groups within the World Cup
There’s nothing transient about England’s historical past within the World Cup.
It’s dominated by surges of hope and optimism that, in some gut-wrenching method, disintegrate with a collapse and unforgettable exit. The nation’s lone World Cup title was in 1966, however a long time of frustration have adopted, together with the ‘Hand of God’ aim in 1986 and an notorious David Beckham pink card, additionally in opposition to Argentina, in 1998. The newest disappointment got here in 2018 when Croatia prevailed in a 2-1 extra-time semifinal thriller.
But, England is the one staff in Group B with a World Cup title.
Crew USA’s event historical past dates to the primary FIFA World cup competitors in Uruguay in 1930. Notably, the semifinal look that 12 months marked the nation’s finest males’s World Cup end. After crashing out within the group stage in 1950, Crew USA endured a 40-year absence from the event earlier than a run of seven straight appearances that led to 2018.
Wales and Iran have a mixed eight World Cup appearances, together with this 12 months’s event.
Here’s a snapshot of every staff’s historical past on the World Cup.
Word: Appearances embody qualification for Qatar 2022.
England
Titles: 1966
Appearances: 16
Semifinals: 1990, 2018
Quarterfinals: 1954, 1962, 1970, 1986, 2002, 2006
Spherical of 16: 1998, 2010
USA
Titles: 0
Appearances: 11
Semifinals: 1930
Quarterfinals: 2002
Spherical of 16: 1934, 1994, 2010, 2014
Wales
Titles: 0
Appearances: 2
Semifinals: 0
Quarterfinals: 1958
Spherical of 16: 0
Iran
Titles: 0
Appearances: 6
Semifinals: 0
Quarterfinals: 0
Spherical of 16: 0
Key gamers to look at in Group B
England: Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, Jordan Pickford
USA: Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams
Wales: Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey, Ben Davies
Iran: Ehsan Hajsafi, Sardar Azmoun, Mehdi Taremi
Group B gamers with Southern California connections
Closing rosters for the World Cup will not be introduced till November, however listed here are a number of the nationwide staff names with California connections.
- Gareth Bale, Wales: Performs for LAFC
- Aaron Lengthy, USA: Hometown is Oak Hills in San Bernardino County
- Paul Arriola, USA: Hometown is Chula Vista
- Cristian Roldan, USA: Hometown is Pico Rivera
- Luca De La Torre, USA: Hometown is San Diego
- Kellyn Acosta, USA: Performs for LAFC
- Haji Wright, USA: Hometown is Los Angeles
