Former winners Germany and Spain will clash early in the World Cup finals in Qatar after being placed in the same group while the coaches of bitter geopolitical rivals United States and Iran vowed to put animosity aside when their sides meet.
The glitzy draw in Doha on Friday also set reigning champions France on a potential collision course with England in the quarter-finals, if they win their relatively kind groups.
But the world’s top-ranked team Brazil face a tougher task in the first stage.
Here’s a breakdown of each of the eight groups.
Group A: Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal, Netherlands
Qatar, ranked 51st in the world, are appearing at their first World Cup but were among the top seeds thanks to their privileged status as hosts. With a squad of home-based players under Spanish coach Felix Sanchez, they are a little-known quantity to most. The Netherlands, whose coach Louis van Gaal recently criticised the decision to make Qatar hosts, will hope to make a big impact as the Dutch return after missing the 2018 edition. Sadio Mane’s Senegal will also be keen to impress off the back of winning their first Africa Cup of Nations, while Ecuador are back for their fourth finals appearance.
Group B: England, Iran, USA, European play-off winner
England will be delighted with this draw in a group dominated by the clash between geopolitical rivals Iran and the USA. Iran topped their qualifying group under Croatian coach Dragan Skocic and have been regulars at recent tournaments. They may benefit from playing so close to home too, but the returning USA will be eager to impress with Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic their star.
England could also have a local derby to look forward to should Wales or Scotland come through the final European play-off in June, but Ukraine remain in contention.
Group C: Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland
Attention is immediately drawn to the clash between Lionel Messi’s Argentina and Robert Lewandowski’s Poland. Off the back of their Copa America victory last year, Argentina will be among the contenders and this is surely Messi’s last chance to win the World Cup, or even score a goal in the knockout phase.
Poland’s last appeared in the World Cup knockouts was in 1986 and they face a challenge making the last 16 given the presence of Mexico, who have made the first knockout round at the last seven tournaments only to lose each time.
They are coached by an Argentine in Gerardo Martino, while Frenchman Herve Renard leads rank outsiders Saudi Arabia.
Group D: France, Play-off winner, Denmark, Tunisia
France were in the same group as Denmark on their way to winning the World Cup in 1998 and 2018 but also in 2002 when Les Bleus went out in the group stage. While France defend their trophy, the 11th-ranked Danes are dangerous outsiders after reaching the Euro 2020 semi-finals. No team has retained the World Cup since Brazil in 1962.
France were also in a group with Peru and Australia in 2018 and both are still in contention in the intercontinental play-off, as are the United Arab Emirates. Tunisia’s squad features several French-born players.
Group E: Spain, Play-off winner, Germany, Japan
Spain against Germany on November 27 is the tie of the opening round and the assumption is it will be crucial in deciding who tops the group out of the two former World Cup winners, although that could set them on a path to play Brazil in the quarter-finals. Hajime Moriyasu’s Japan will hope to have their say in a country where they won the Asian Cup in 2011. The remaining place will be taken by the winner of a play-off between Costa Rica and New Zealand and the prospect of either going far seems remote.
Group F: Belgium, Canada, Morocco, Croatia
Belgium were until recently the top-ranked national team in the world and came third in 2018. With the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois, they have plenty of world-class players but Eden Hazard’s decline has been steep. They should top the group, with Croatia unlikely to come close to their run to the 2018 final now that Luka Modric turns 37 this year.
Morocco’s squad is full of European-based talent such as Paris Saint-Germain’s Achraf Hakimi. Canada, under English coach John Herdman, are at their first World Cup since 1986. They topped CONCACAF qualifying and have the excellent Lille striker Jonathan David.
Group G: Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon
Brazil were in the same group as Serbia and Switzerland just four years ago. Tite’s side cruised through qualifying and are now targeting their sixth World Cup. However, it remains to be seen how Neymar, now 30, handles the pressure and if he stays fit.
Switzerland, who reached the Euro 2020 quarter-finals, are favourites to go through with Brazil. Cameroon are back after missing 2018 and dramatically defeating Algeria in the African play-offs, but they will struggle to go far.
Group H: Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay, South Korea
At almost 38, it will surely be Cristiano Ronaldo’s last chance to win the World Cup. Yet Portugal have so much talent in their squad that some think they could even be better off without him. They will hope to avenge a defeat to Uruguay in the last 16 in 2018 - Uruguay have an ageing star striker of their own in 35-year-old Luis Suarez.
South Korea, with a Portuguese coach in Paulo Bento, will again struggle to go beyond the group phase while 60th-ranked Ghana are not the team of 2010 and were not expected to qualify.
Below is the match schedule for the entire tournament. All match timings are in GMT.
Group Stage
Monday, November 21
1000: Senegal v Netherlands (Group A), Al-Thumama Stadium (Doha)
1300: England v Iran (Group B), Khalifa International Stadium (Doha)
1600: Qatar v Ecuador (Group A), Al-Bayt Stadium (Al-Khor)
1900: United States v Wales or Ukraine or Scotland (Group B), Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium (Al-Rayyan)
Tuesday, November 22
1000: Argentina v Saudi Arabia (Group C), Lusail Stadium (Lusail)
1300: Denmark v Tunisia (Group D), Education City Stadium (Doha)
1600: Mexico v Poland (Group C), 974 Stadium (Doha)
1900: France v Australia or UAE or Peru (Group D), Al-Janoub Stadium (Al-Wakrah)
Wednesday, November 23
1000: Morocco v Croatia (Group F), Al-Bayt Stadium (Al-Khor)
1300: Germany v Japan (Group E), Khalifa International Stadium (Doha)
1600: Spain v New Zealand or Costa Rica (Group E), Al-Thumama Stadium (Doha)
1900: Belgium v Canada (Group F), Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium (Al-Rayyan)
Thursday, November 24
1000: Switzerland v Cameroon (Group G), Al-Janoub Stadium (Al-Wakrah)
1300: Uruguay v South Korea (Group H), Education City Stadium (Doha)
1600: Portugal v Ghana (Group H), 974 Stadium (Doha)
1900: Brazil v Serbia (Group G), Lusail Stadium (Lusail)
Friday, November 25
1000: Ukraine or Scotland or Wales v Iran, Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium (Al-Rayyan)
1300: Qatar v Senegal, Al-Thumama Stadium (Doha)
1600: Netherlands v Ecuador, Khalifa International Stadium (Doha)
1900: England v United States, Al-Bayt Stadium (Al-Khor)
Saturday, November 26
1000: Tunisia v UAE or Australia or Peru, Al-Janoub Stadium (Al-Wakrah)
1300: Poland v Saudi Arabia, Education City Stadium (Doha)
1600: France v Denmark, 974 Stadium (Doha)
1900: Argentina v Mexico, Lusail Stadium (Lusail)
Sunday, November 27
1000: Japan v New Zealand or Costa Rica, Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium (Al-Rayyan)
1300: Belgium v Morocco, Al-Thumama Stadium (Doha)
1600: Croatia v Canada, Khalifa International Stadium (Doha)
1900: Spain v Germany, Al-Bayt Stadium (Al-Khor)
Monday, November 28
1000: Cameroon v Serbia, Al-Janoub Stadium (Al-Wakrah)
1300: South Korea v Ghana, Education City (Doha)
1600: Brazil v Switzerland, 974 Stadium (Doha)
1900: Portugal v Uruguay, Lusail Stadium (Lusail)
Tuesday, November 29
1500: Ecuador v Senegal, Khalifa International Stadium (Doha)
1500: Netherlands v Qatar, Al-Bayt Stadium (Al-Khor)
1900: Iran v United States, Al-Thumama Stadium (Doha)
1900: Ukraine or Scotland or Wales v England, Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium (Al-Rayyan)
Wednesday, November 30
1500: Australia or UAE or Peru v Denmark, Al-Janoub Stadium (Al-Wakrah)
1500: Tunisia v France, Education City Stadium (Doha)
1900: Poland v England, 974 Stadium (Doha)
1900: Saudi Arabia v Mexico, Lusail Stadium (Lusail)
Thursday, December 1
1500: Canada v Morocco, Al-Thumama Stadium (Doha)
1500: Croatia v Belgium, Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium (Al-Rayyan)
1900: Japan v Spain, Khalifa International Stadium (Doha)
1900: Germany v New Zealand or Costa Rica, Al-Bayt Stadium (Al-Khor)
Friday, December 2
1500: Ghana v Uruguay, Al-Janoub Stadkium (Al-Wakrah)
1500: South Korea v Portugal, Education City Stadium (Doha)
1900: Serbia v Switzerland, 974 Stadium (Doha)
1900: Cameroon v Brazil, Lusail Stadium (Lusail)
Round of 16
Saturday, December 3
Game 49: 1500: Winners Group A v Runners-up Group B, Khalifa International Stadium (Doha)
Game 50: 1900: Winners Group C v Runners-up Group D, Ahmed bin Ali Stadium (Al-Rayyan)
Sunday, December 4
Game 51: 1500: Winners Group D v Runners-up Group C, Al Thumama Stadium (Doha)
Game 52: 1900: Winners Group B v Runners-up Group A, Al Bayt Stadium (Al Khor)
Monday, December 5
Game 53: 1500: Winners Group E v Runners-up Group F, Al Janoub Stadium (Al Wakrah)
Game 54: 1900: Winners Group G v Runners-up Group H, 974 Stadium (Doha)
Tuesday, December 6
Game 55: 1500: Winners Group F v Runners-up Group E, Education City Stadium (Al Rayyan)
Game 56: 1900: Winners Group H v Runners-up Group G, Lusail Stadium (Lusail)
Quarter-finals
Friday, December 9
Game 57: 1500: Winners of 53 v Winners of 54, Education City Stadium (Al Rayyan)
Game 58: 1900: Winners of 49 v Winners of 50, Lusail Stadium (Lusail)
Saturday, December 10
Game 59: 1500: Winners of game 55 v Winners of game 56, Al Thumama Stadium (Doha)
Game 60: 1900: Winners of game 51 v Winners of game 52, Al Bayt Stadium (Al Khor)
Semi-finals
Tuesday, December 13
Game 61: 1900: Winners of game 57 v Winners of game 58, Lusail Stadium (Lusail)
Wednesday, December 14
Game 62: 1900: Winners of game 59 v Winners of game 60, Al Bayt Stadium (Al Khor)
Third-place play-off
Saturday, December 17
Game 63: 1500: Losers of game 61 v Losers of game 62, Khalifa International Stadium (Al Rayyan)
Final
Sunday, December 18
Game 64: 1900: Winners of game 61 v Winners of game 62, Lusail Stadium (Lusail)
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