Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup Preview. Group B with England, Iran, USA and Wales

England

Here’s what you need to know

Three lions One of the overall favorites after finishing second at Euro 2021 and the semi-finals at the 2018 World Cup. Recent relegation from the top division of the Nations League and change to English last cup pre-1966 had nothing to do with it.

National Coach

It’s still Gareth Southgate (52). He could be preparing for his third major tournament as national coach. He graced his own track at last year’s European Championships Full repeat by English pop group Atomic Kitten. Southgate, it’s you. You still turn me on. Football is coming home again. Let’s see if it actually works this time.

star player

Captain Harry Kane (29) is with the British. He was the top scorer in the previous World Cup with 51 international goals All the time Most Wayne Rooney (53). We also expect Raheem Sterling (27), Phil Foden (22) and Jack Grealish (27).

Belgian connections

Not a bit. Defender Eric Dier (28) has stood alongside Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen for years at Tottenham and has undoubtedly picked up a few words of Dutch.

Bellingham, the man of record

Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham (19) is stringing together feats despite his young age. He made such an impression on Birmingham, the club he broke with, that they decided to stop using his number 22 jersey.

Iran

Here’s what you need to know

Iran have never made it past the group stage at the World Cup and will be hoping to change that in Qatar. It doesn’t matter if Iran doesn’t this month: Spanish law firm Ruiz-Huerta & Crespo sent a request to FIFA a month before the start of the World Cup because the country ignores women’s rights. The Ukrainian federation and Shakhtar Donetsk, together, gave an additional reason to support Russia in the Iran war.

National Coach

National coach Carlos Queiroz (69) has experience in Portugal, Real Madrid and five years as Alex Ferguson’s assistant at Man United. He is serving his second term with Iran since September.

star player

Sardar Azmoun, Iranian Messi. The attacker, between the bench and base at Bayer Leverkusen, has struggled with a muscle tear in the weeks leading up to the World Cup, but has scored 41 goals in 65 internationals for Iran.

Belgian connections

Unconventional former Antwerp goalkeeper Alireza Beirenwand is one of the goalkeepers in Iran’s selection. Midfielder Ali Golizadeh (Charleroi) is still active in our league.

Leopard on shirts

Iran’s shirts feature Asiatic leopard print. This animal, which mainly lives in Iran, is endangered and Iranians want to take notice of this.

America

Here’s what you need to know

For the USA, this will be their first World Cup appearance since 2014. The team is not full of experience, as due to the recent generational change, the US team is the youngest team in this World Cup.

National Coach

Greg Berhalter (49) played soccer for most of his career in the Netherlands and Germany. He started his coaching career with Swedish Hummerby. For Berhalder, this is his first World Cup with the United States.

star player

The star player is Chelsea playmaker Christian Pulisic (24). Bee The Blues Not everything went smoothly, but in the national team he sprinkled with goals and assists. Pulisic, who has Croatian roots, has scored 21 goals in 52 international matches.

Belgian connections

Ethan Horvath (ex-Club Brook) America’s first goalkeeper, RC Genk defender Mark McKenzie is surprisingly not among them. Sam Vines (Antwerp) is out with an ankle injury and looks to miss the World Cup.

America with affordable housing?

The United States is the second largest seller of tickets for the World Cup after host country Qatar. About 150,000 tickets were sold.

Wales

Here’s what you need to know

Over 64 years, that’s how long Wales had to wait for a new World Cup appearance. That is finally changing. Otherwise the Grinda representing Wales on the field will be larger than usual in Qatar.

National Coach

Rob Page (48) was initially Ryan Giggs’ assistant but took over the job when the former Manchester United midfielder was forced to resign after sexual assault allegations. As a footballer, Page, a central defender, played for Watford for most of his career.

star player

Yes, Gareth Bale (33) is still the absolute star of the Welshmen. Even his short spells and numerous injuries at the club didn’t change that. For his country, the attacker can always do more. Bale is arguably the greatest footballer in Welsh history. Last summer he moved to Los Angeles from Real Madrid in the American MLS. His contribution was mainly limited to substitutes and the season has been over since mid-October. So let’s wait and see how Bale starts this World Cup.

Belgian connections

Rabbi Madondo made good weather at Circle Brook last year and meanwhile plays football for Rangers but was not called up by the side for the World Cup. Red Devils’ executioner Hal Robson-Kanu – European Championship 2016, remember? – then stopped playing football.

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Last time as Wales

This could be the last major tournament featuring Wales. Symbolically, then, the country is planning a name change after this World Cup and is already discussing it with UEFA and FIFA. Wales chooses the Welsh name for the country: Cymru.

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