Gareth Southgate assesses England's World Cup group

The draw for the World Cup has thrown out some intriguing games.

There is still a lot we don't know about the venues and kick-off times of the eight teams fighting for three spots.

What are the highlights of the draw?

  • The World Cup draw in full
  • Day-by-day fixture guide

An opening-day omen?

The opening game of a World Cup can set the tone for the rest of the tournament. The most memorable first-day moments are the wins by Cameroon and Senegal.

When the tournament kicks off against the Netherlands on November 21st, it will be the second time in 20 years that Senegal has beaten one of Europe's leading sides.

When the draw was made, it was thought that the opening game would be between the 51st and 46th ranked teams, but when the schedule was announced, it was the meeting of the African champion and the Dutch team.

There are four games on the opening day of the World Cup, with England taking on Iran in the second match. England will play on the opening day of a World Cup for the first time since 1966. Is this an omen?

Hope for the home nations

England will feel they have an excellent chance to get out of Group B if they get an easy draw.

The Three Lions came close to ending their long wait for a first major tournament win since 1966 when they were beaten by Italy in the Euro 2020 final last summer, and they will be hoping to go one better this time.

England are one of the favorites to win the competition and begin their campaign against Iran, who they have never faced before.

Raheem Sterling, Gareth Bale, Andy Roberston
England could face Wales or Scotland at a World Cup finals for the first time

If Wales or Scotland beat Ukraine in a play-off, there will be a British derby against the United States.

The advantage of missing out on the big six or seven teams is that most of the first seeds would be happy with the group they get.

The USA is an interesting one. They have some very good players and we know what they can do, so that one in particular is an intriguing one.

Both Scotland and Wales will feel confident that they have a realistic chance of reaching the knockout stages.

Click here to vote if you are viewing the page on the app.

Ghana seek Suarez revenge 12 years on

Ghana vs Uruguay: "I can't forgive Suarez - he cheated"

The biggest grudge game of the tournament could be between the two countries.

The African side narrowly missed out on reaching the 2010 semi-finals after Luis Suarez handled a shot on the line at the end of extra time. Asamoah Gyan missed his spot-kick and the game went to penalties.

Kurt Okraku said that they believe it will be revenge time.

We thought we had won that particular game, but for the save from Suarez. It is interesting to play against them again.

It is important that we set the record straight.

There is a chance that Luis Suarez will be in the Uruguay squad.

Spain v Germany - game of the group stage?

Ferran Torres completes his hat-trick for Spain against Germany
Spain won 6-0 the last time the two sides met

The only proper meeting of giants in the group stage is between Spain and Germany on 27 November.

The last World Cup, when Spain went out in the last 16 and Germany did not make it out of their group, was a time when the 2010 and 2014 winners were looking to do better.

In the Nations League, Spain defeated Spain 6-0. Hansi Flick is the manager of the Germany team.

  • Qatar chief says World Cup criticism ill-informed

History set to repeat itself for France?

France plays Denmark in the 2018 World Cup
France drew 0-0 with Denmark in the group stage of the 2018 World Cup before going on to win the tournament

There is an interesting correlation between the World Cup France won in 1998 and the one they won this year in Qatar.

They went on to lift the trophy twice before they were drawn in the same group as the Danes.

They could meet the winners of the England/Scotland/Wales group in the quarter-finals if they get out of their group.

There are many links between France and England and it would be great to see them play in the quarter-finals.

They are two huge competitors with Brazil, Argentina and one or two others. France would be worried about facing England, just as England would be worried about facing France.

Can another English boss be tournament's 'underdog story'?

Canada coach John Herdman
Former Sunderland academy coach John Herdman has taken Canada to the World Cup

Canada qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 36 years.

Croatia and Belgium finished second and third in Russia four years ago, so they are in their way. Not to mention Africa's second ranked side.

Canada finished last in their group at Mexico in 1986. Maybe a more realistic challenge is to do better than that.

We were happy with the draw, we wanted some big teams to make sure we got that chance to be an underestimation and also a team like Morocco, who are a good side and one we won. We think we have a chance.

There is no pressure on this team. We come with no fear and just opportunity to see if we can be the story of the World Cup.

Familiar faces for Brazil

The day before the draw, Brazil overtook Belgium to become the top ranked team in the world.

In the past two World Cup, they have played Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon.

They beat Cameroon and drew with Switzerland, but lost to Serbia.

Brazil have not faced a European team in almost three years because of the Covid epidemic and the Uefa Nations League. Brazil boss Tite is concerned about the lack of action against European teams.

Messi v Lewandowski

Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski
Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski have previously met in the Champions League but not at a World Cup

This could be the last World Cup for Argentina's Lionel Messi and Poland's Robert Lewandowski.

In the final game of the group, the players who have won the past three Best Men's Player awards will go head-to-head.

In 19 World Cup games, Messi has six goals, while Lewandowski has yet to score.

A tournament without a group of death

Normally there would be a few headlines after a big tournament draw featuring the words "group of death" - the nickname used to describe a World Cup group that appears to be more challenging than others.

Group D has former world champion Germany and Spain in it, which may be the biggest claim to the title. Despite the good fortune for France, they will know thatDenmark will be no pushovers after they reach the semi-finals of Euro 2020.

But by average world rankings it is actually Group B that is the hardest. That contains England, Iran, USA and one of Wales, Scotland or Ukraine, who are in the European play-offs. The average rankings are based on the highest-ranked team in the play-offs.

A good draw for African champions Senegal

Senegal win the Africa Cup of Nations
Senegal beat Egypt to win the Africa Cup of Nations

After winning the Africa Cup of Nations in January, it has already been a good year for Senegal and they are likely to be happy with the group they have been placed in.

At the 2002 World Cup, the African champion played against the top ranked teams and will be hoping to do the same again in Group A.

They were beaten by Turkey in the quarter finals after finishing second in their group, but they enjoyed their opening day win over France.