2022 World Cup draw: England, Wales and Scotland's best and worst case scenarios
England are in the hat for the 2022 World Cup draw, which takes place at the DECC venue in Doha on Friday.
The Three Lions are one of the favourites to win the competition and have been placed in Pot 1.
Wales and Scotland have not yet qualified for the competition but will be in the hat.
The two are both in playoff route path A. The victor of the game between Scotland and Ukraine will play Wales, with the winner of that game sealing their spot at the finals.
Regardless of the victor, the team that comes through path A will be in pot 4.
View the pots below:
Pot 1: Qatar, Brazil, Belgium, France, Argentina, ENGLAND, Spain, Portugal
Pot 2: Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, Uruguay, Croatia, Mexico, USA
Pot 3: Iran, Japan, Morocco, Serbia, Poland, South Korea, Senegal, Tunisia
Pot 4: Ecuador, Saudi Arabia, Ghana, Cameroon, Canada, Australia/UAE/Peru, New Zealand/Costa Rica, Ukraine/Scotland/Wales
One team from each of the four pots will be drawn into eight groups.
Two countries from the same confederation cannot be drawn against each other. The only exception is Europe, with five groups containing a maximum of two teams from UEFA.
So, with that in mind, here are England, Wales and Scotland’s best and worst case scenarios…
England
Best case scenario: England, USA, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia
This would be a dream scenario for England. USA have the players needed to cause The Three Lions problems but England would still be big favourites.
They would also be expected to beat Tunisia and Saudi Arabia comfortably.
Worst case scenario: England, Germany, Senegal, Canada
Germany’s world ranking means they have been put in Pot 2. While they are not the team they used to be, England wouldn’t welcome a draw which sees them face their old rivals in the group stages.
Senegal were recently crowned Africa Cup of Nations champions and have a number of world-class players in their ranks, including Sadio Mane and Edouard Mendy. They will be tough to beat.
England will want to avoid Canada. Maple Leafs finished top of CONCACAF qualifying and bolster a young and talented squad, with Alphonso Davies their star man.
Wales/Scotland
Best case scenario: Qatar, USA, Tunisia, Wales/Scotland
Scotland and Wales, should they make it through to the tournament, will fancy their chances if they are drawn in this group.
Qatar are in Pot 1 due to being hosts. They are by far the weakest team in the pot and the side everyone will want to draw.
Worst case scenario: Brazil, Germany, Senegal, Wales/Scotland
Brazil have talent all over the park and have the potential to be World Cup winners.
Like England, they would want to avoid Germany and Senegal.
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