With international football’s grandest tournament right around the corner, Wales face up against a few familiar faces in Qatar. Here is a look at the Dragons’ Group B opponents at the 2022 World Cup.
England
Wales’ last group match will be their most eagerly anticipated. They take on the Three Lions on November 29 in what could well be a must-win match for Rob Page’s side, depending on how previous results go in the group. In a game that will undoubtedly have a derby-day feel to it, the Dragons will have to be up to the challenge given their odds on football betting online websites of 5/1 to win the match, compared to England’s generous 4/7.
Despite England being many tipsters’ football naps to top the group, they come into Qatar 2022 on disappointing form after a forgettable Nations League campaign. Gareth Southgate’s side were relegated from League A after finishing bottom of Group 3, having failed to record a single victory in six matches. While Wales may be without a win against their British counterparts since 1984, they will be buoyed by a number of key absences for England through injury. The Dragons will also hope star man and captain Gareth Bale will be able to translate recent success for Los Angeles FC to the international stage.
The #ThreeLions have arrived in Doha! 🛬 pic.twitter.com/ML5yqmdug6
— England (@England) November 15, 2022
United States
Continuing this list in descending order of quality on paper, the United States will be the next team on Page’s list that will be carefully considered. Boasting a plethora of upcoming talent – many of whom find themselves under the direction of fellow countryman Jesse Marsch at Leeds United – the USMNT are certainly not to be underestimated. This is despite managing a draw and a loss from their international friendlies against Saudi Arabia and Japan back in September 2022.
The US are back in Qatar following their notable absence in Russia 2018 which succeeded six straight tournament appearances, their highest finish in that time coming in 2002 when they reached the quarter-finals. Curiously, their opening match with Wales on November 21 will be only the third meeting between the pair. Wales will be looking for their first win in that match-up (D1 L1), meaning Page’s side will have extra motivation beyond securing vital points in Group B.
https://twitter.com/FulhamFC/status/1592490474912235521
Iran
Perhaps the least well-known entity on this list, Wales take on Iran on matchday 2. Just a place below the Dragons in the FIFA Men’s rankings in 20th, Iran are another side that should not be underestimated. Boasting star players such as Bayer Leverkusen’s Sardar Azmoun and Porto’s Mehdi Taremi, Carlos Queiroz will be leading his side out to their third successive World Cup, and their fifth in seven tournaments.
That being said, Team Melli have never made it past the opening stages of the competition, meaning Wales could use this lack of experience to their advantage. Points will not come easy against Quieroz’s side, though, as Portugal found out in 2018, when a 93rd-minute Karim Ansarifard penalty put the Iranians within one point of qualification from Group B. In the same group this time around, Wales should therefore be wary of Iran when they face each other on November 25.
While all the talk will likely be about England and the US, Rob Page’s side will quietly go about the business in Group B. Wales will need to utilise all their experience if they want to spring a few surprises and qualify for the knockout stages of Qatar 2022.
