WORLD CUP GROUPS REVEALED IN QATAR
After being prematurely revealed as host nation almost twelve years ago, Qatar is finally ready to get the ball rolling this fall. The groups and fixtures were decided today in the traditional final draw that catches the attention of all finger-crossing fans.
Mexico will play against an old rival from past world cups, Argentina, who along with Poland and Saudi Arabia compose group C. Argentina is one of the strongest contenders this year, with an impressive unbeaten streak of 31 games, tying an all time maximum that dates back to 1993. It may also be the last world cup for superstar Leo Messi, and Qatar might just be the darling World Cup for him and the South American giant. Despite this impressive track, Argentina still came second in CONMEBOL, behind Brazil, with six points less, but with their 39 points they are well above Uruguay’s 28.
Poland came to Qatar after coming second in its group, six points behind leader England, and two and three points ahead of Albania and Hungary. Then they were bumped through the first game of the European play-offs because they were facing Russia, which got disqualified from all FIFA Tournaments due to the invasion of Ukraine. Poland then had to go past Sweden–who delivered Mexico a sour defeat in the last World Cup, in Russia–beating them at home 2-0.
After passing through the second round of the Asian Qualifiers with relative ease against Uzbekistan, Palestine, Singapore and Yemen, with five points over its closer contender, Uzbekistan, the Saudis–who skipped the first round due to their FIFA ranking–accessed AFC’s third Qualifier round, which they also topped. They came above frequent World Cup guests, Japan and Australia, and also upped Oman, China and Vietnam.
Such was the road for Mexico’s rivals. Other interesting groups are group E, which some have called the “Group of Death”. It lumps former champions Spain and Germany, along with always tough Japan. Group H with Portugal, Uruguay, Ghana and Korea strikes as particularly difficult as does group G that has Brazil–a top contender, once again–along with rough rivals the likes of Switzerland and Serbia, which topped their groups in the European Qualifiers, and also Cameroon, who came third in the last African Cup of Nations.
Every country now knows what to expect from the World Cup, from the relatively easy path for current title holders, France, to the geopolitical battle between Americans and Iranians, which now will gladly be played only inside a football pitch. May the best team win!
