World Cup draw: 5 games you can’t miss at the 2022 tournament

The 2022 World Cup draw was finalized Friday as the 32-team nation tournament came into fuller focus. Here are five games you can’t miss.

The draw for the 2022 World Cup that will take place in Qatar this winter was conducted on Friday as the finalists learned what teams they will play in the tournament’s opening round.

The United States, back at the World Cup since 2010 after failing to qualify for Russia 2014, was placed in Group B (which some could call the “Group of Death” as the most evenly matched first round pairings) alongside top-seeded England, Iran and winner of the European playoff winner between Scotland, Ukraine or Wales.

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The quadrennial tournament will open on Nov. 21 and will be played in an Arab nation for the very first time. Among other firsts, the tournament will also take place during the winter rather than June and July, when the tournament has typically been contested in the past.

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The World Cup final will be played on Dec. 18 in Doha.

Here are five games from the first round that you can’t miss.

Nov. 21: Qatar vs. Ecuador (Group A)

The first-time World Cup hosts will open the tournament against Ecuador. Qatar is participating at a World Cup for the very first time. Ecuador is a formidable side, but this is a game Qatar could actually win in seven months time given that they’re at home.

Nov. 25: England vs. USMNT (Group B)

England and the United States do battle once again at a World Cup 12 years after these two sides met in the group stage of the finals. On that occasion, the USMNT pulled off an upset, drawing 1-1 and eventually winning the group. The USMNT did also defeat England back in the 1950 World Cup 1-0 in what is considered one of the biggest upsets in tournament history. This match will have even more significance since it takes place the day after Thanksgiving.

Nov. 26: Argentina vs. Mexico (Group C)

Two-time World Cup champions Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, take on Mexico in what will certainly be a very competitive match between the two favorites to capture Group C. The last teams met at the World Cup back at the 2010 tournament, a game the South Americans won 3-1 in the round of 16.

Nov. 27: Spain vs. Germany (Group E)

It will be a battle of European titans from Group E when four-time World Cup winners Germany take on top-seeded Spain, champions for the first and only time in 2010, beat the Germans 1-0 in the semifinals en route to the trophy.

Dec. 2: Cameroon vs. Brazil (Group G)

It should be a free-flowing festival of football whenever Brazil and Cameroon take the field. Brazil, a five-time World Cup champion, play a Cameroon team that’s one of the strongest sides from Africa. Brazil, favorites once again to win the whole thing, will need to avoid a defeat if they want to win the group.