World Cup

2022 World Cup, European qualifying draw in full: England face Lewandowski's Poland

Gareth Southgate's England side will tackle Poland, Hungary, Albania, Andorra and San Marino as they attempt to reach World Cup 2022

 
6:47pm on Monday 7th December 2020
By
Robin Bairner

The draw for the European qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup has been made.

England have been paired with Poland, Hungary, Albania, Andorra and San Marino in Group I of qualifying.

Robert Lewandowski's side are expected to provide the sternest test to Gareth Southgate's men, with Poland infamously knocking the Three Lions out of World Cup qualifying for the 1974 edition of the competition.

Defending champions France have been tasked a tricky group that includes Ukraine and a Finland team that recently beat Les Bleus in friendly action.

Belgium, the No.1 team on the FIFA Ranking, will face Wales, Czech Republic, Belarus and Estonia.

Group G looked the most competitive pool. Netherlands will start as favourites but must face the likes of Turkey and Norway to reach Qatar.

2022 WORLD CUP: EUROPEAN QUALIFYING GROUPS

GROUP A

Teams
Portugal
Serbia
Ireland
Luxembourg
Azerbaijan

GROUP B

Teams
Spain
Sweden
Greece
Georgia
Kosovo

GROUP C

Teams
Italy
Switzerland
Northern Ireland
Bulgaria
Lithuania

GROUP D

Teams
France
Ukraine
Finland
Bosnia Herzegovina
Kazakhstan

GROUP E

Teams
Belgium
Wales
Czech Republic
Belarus
Estonia

GROUP F

Teams
Denmark
Austria
Scotland
Israel
Faroe Islands
Moldova

GROUP G

Teams
Netherlands
Turkey
Norway
Montenegro
Latvia
Gibraltar

GROUP H

Teams
Croatia
Slovakia
Russia
Slovenia
Cyprus
Malta

GROUP I

Teams
England
Poland
Hungary
Albania
Andorra
San Marino

GROUP J

Teams
Germany
Romania
Iceland
North Macedonia
Armenia
Liechtenstein

So who can qualify?

When it comes to the European qualifiers for the World Cup in Qatar, Europe will send 13 countries.

Of the 13 nations, 10 qualifying spots will go to the nations that finish first in their group and therefore win it.

There will then be a play-off between the 10 group runners-up, along with the two best Nations League groups winners that were unfortunate enough to not finish in the top two of their World Cup qualifying group.

These 12 nations then face off in the play-off competition, which will consist of semi-finals and finals and then provide three additional winners that will qualify for the competition.

When are the games?

March 2021: Matchday 1-3

September 2021: Matchday 4-6

October 2021: Matchday 7-8

November 2021: Matchday 9-10

March 2022: Playoffs

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