We continue our Qatar World Cup 2022 group stage analysis, heading into Group B. If you missed our previous analysis, here is ClutchBuzz’s preview of Group A.
Group B includes 3 countries that have English as a first language plus Iran. The last slot of this group was decided only in June when Wales won its playoff to secure one of the last places in the World Cup.
The Welsh, who have not been in a World Cup since 1958, reunite with their neighbors England, after being drawn into the same group in the Euro 2016. At the time, Wales went all the way into the semifinals, while England surprisingly was eliminated by Iceland.
Joining them is the USA, who returns to a World Cup after missing the last edition (2018). The US squad’s confidence is boosted with a selection of young talent that is currently playing in European’s top leagues.
Finally, there is Iran which is led by the goalscoring duo Sardar Azmoun and Mehdi Taremi. They will have to rely on their two stars upfront, as they lack some brilliance at the back.
Nonetheless, it promises to be an interesting group. Here is what we have to say about World Cup Group B.
World Cup 2022 Group B is set!
The @USMNT face Wales on November 21st. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/C5df3pUhd9
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) June 5, 2022
QATAR WORLD CUP 2022 GROUP B CALENDAR:
21 November 2022: England – Iran
21 November 2022: USA – Wales
25 November 2022: Wales – Iran
25 November 2022: England – USA
29 November 2022: Wales – England
29 November 2022: Iran – USA
ENGLAND
Given that they are one of the eight countries in the world to have actually won the World Cup, England is unquestionably the team to beat in group B.
Nonetheless, the last and only time it happened was in 1966 and they have never been in a final once again since then. They were quite close last time, in 2018, when they went all the way to the semifinals, only to be knocked out by Croatia. Is it finally the year when soccer ‘is coming home’?
During the World Cup qualifying, England finished first in group I after winning 8 games and drawing 2. They looked impressive and qualified for their 16th World Cup with ease.
Nonetheless, England reaches the World Cup following a very disappointing and disastrous UEFA Nations League campaign. Last year, they were closer than ever to putting their hands on a major trophy, losing on penalties to Italy in the Euro 2020 final.
With players like team captain Harry Kane (Tottenham), Raheem Sterling (Chelsea), Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), or even the rising star Phil Foden (Manchester City), England has the most valuable team in the world according to Transfermarkt.
Therefore, they have the weapons needed to go all the way, if the stars align.
England’s main absences for the tournament should be Chelsea’s fullbacks Reece James and Ben Chilwell, as both are still recovering from injuries.
ClutchBuzz odds price them as the favorites to win the group at -278.
England World Cup Possible Starting 11
Coach: Gareth Southgate
England World Cup Squad:
Gareth Southgate announced his 26 picks on November 10th.
Goalkeepers – Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Newcastle United) e Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)
Defenders – Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Conor Coady (Everton), Eric Dier (Tottenham), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United), Kyle Walker (Manchester City) and Ben White (Arsenal)
Midfielders – Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City) e Declan Rice (West Ham)
Forwards – Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Tottenham), James Maddison (Leicester City), Marcus Rahsford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Chelsea) e Callum Wilson (Newcastle United).
Iran
The three-time Asian Cup winners are the second team in this group B.
Despite competing in their sixth World cup, Iran has never advanced past the group stage. Iran won Group C of the AFC World Cup qualification, which earned them a spot in the World Cup.
Iran finished first in group C with 18 points after winning 6 games and losing 2. Some of the more well-known players from this Iran national squad, which will attempt to go past the group stage for the first time are Mehdi Taremi (FC Porto), Alireza Jahanbakhsh (Feyenoord), and Sardar Azmoun (Bayer Leverkusen).
Azmoun is still in doubt, after suffering a calf injury last month. He might be back in time for the World Cup but, if he misses it, definitely will be a heavy blow to Iran’s aspirations.
They are rated as the least likely to win the group at +1400 by ClutchBuzz odds.
Iran World Cup Possible Starting 11
Coach: Carlos Queiroz
USA
The reigning CONCACAF Gold Cup champions, the USA, will try to go past the group stage at the 2022 World Cup, which will be their eleventh appearance.
They missed the 2018’s World Cup, which dragged The Stars and Stripes to a complete revamp of their team’s structure. A new manager focused on developing young talent, sees a team with new faces, with lots of players that compete in the English Premier League.
By finishing third in the CONCACAF qualification, behind Canada and Mexico with 7 wins, 3 draws and 4 losses, the United States earned a spot in the 2022 World Cup.
Sergiño Dest (AC Milan), Tyler Adams (Leeds United), Weston McKennie (Juventus), and star player Christian Pulisic (Chelsea) are among the well-known players in the USA’s newly rebuilt young team.
ClutchBuzz odds put the USA equal to Wales as second favorites to win group B at +550.
USA Possible World Cup Starting 11
Coach: Gregg Berhalter
USA World Cup Squad:
Wales
Wales will participate in the World Cup for the second time in its history. During their first appearance in 1958, they advanced to the quarter-finals before falling to the eventual champions Brazil.
Wales had to wait 58 years before making it to their second major tournament, the UEFA Euro 2016, where once again, they fell to the eventual champions Portugal in the semi-finals.
They competed in Group E of the 2022 World Cup qualifying alongside Belgium, the Czech Republic, Belarus, and Estonia.
Wales finished second in the group and advanced to the qualification play-off round, where they eventually defeated Ukraine and finally qualified for their second World Cup.
Some of the more well-known members of this Wales team are star player and captain Gareth Bale (Los Angeles FC), Daniel James (Fulham), and Neco Williams (Nottingham Forest).
ClutchBuzz odds puts Wales equal to the USA to win group B at +550.
Wales Possible World Cup Starting 11
Coach: Rob Page
Wales World Cup Squad:
Final Thoughts
ClutchBuzz predicts that England will win the group, with the United States finishing second and advancing to the knockout stages.
Wales and Iran each will finish with 2 points, placing them in third and fourth position in the group.
Nonetheless, between the USA, Wales, and Iran any of them can make it through. It all depends on the form any of the teams get to the World Cup, but realistically all three teams have balanced rosters.
Credits on Featured Images: Tasnim News Agency, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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