World Cup 2022 – Group C Preview

Which teams are in Group C at the 2022 World Cup?

Lionel Messi’s Argentina are part of an intriguing Group C, with Poland, Mexico and Saudi Arabia. Argentina are among the favourites to lift the World Cup in Qatar, having reached the final in 2014 – and any team with Messi in the ranks is always in with a chance. Saudi Arabia will look to cause an upset while the opening match of Mexico and Poland could be the decider as to who progresses to the second round.

Learn more about the 2022 World Cup groups

How did each team in Group C qualify for the 2022 World Cup?

Argentina qualified comfortably from the CONMEBOL group, although they did finish some way behind rivals Brazil in the standings. Messi and Inter’s Lautaro Martinez were unstoppable in attack for ‘La Albiceleste’, scoring seven goals apiece. Poland crossed swords with England in their group, finishing just behind the ‘Three Lions’ but rallying back to draw the game in Warsaw last September.

Mexico finished ahead of the USA in their qualifying campaign, finishing level on points with group winners Canada. Saudi Arabia topped their own group – ahead of a pair of strong sides in Japan and Australia – losing just a single game along the way.

What is the World Cup pedigree of each team in Group C?

Argentina have one of the strongest pedigrees of any side at this World Cup. They have won the trophy twice (1978 and 1986), and also finished as runners-up on three other occasions. Only Brazil (22) and Germany (20) have appeared at more World Cups than Argentina (18), and they are looking to bounce back after a disappointing second round exit in 2018.

Poland have underachieved at recent World Cups, having not made it past the group stage since 1986. They do have two semi-final appearances to their name, but Qatar is only their fourth World Cup in the last 36 years. That was also the last year that Mexico reached a World Cup quarter-final, but ‘El Tri’ have made it into the second round at each of the last seven tournaments and will aim to go further this time around.

Saudi Arabia only made their World Cup debut in 1994, when they made it to the second round. They have qualified for six of the last eight tournaments but are yet to repeat their impressive achievement from 1994. Could this be the year?

They are 6/1 to qualify from the group and 25/1 to top Group C. Argentina are, unsurprisingly, favourites, but the battle to join them could be close. Poland are 5/6, while Mexico are 10/11.

Who are the best players to watch out for in Group C at the 2022 World Cup?

Lionel Messi – Argentina

The Greatest Of All Time? Certainly, that’s the moniker that gets thrown around whenever Lionel Messi’s name comes up in conversation. Whether you’d put Cristiano Ronaldo, Diego Maradona or Pele above him, one thing is for sure: watching Messi is to remember why we love football. A genius who is capable of doing things on the ball that few people can even dream of, Messi is one of the biggest names in the game.

Robert Lewandowski – Poland

Robert Lewandowski is now with Barcelona, but it was at Bayern Munich that he really cemented his reputation as one of the modern game’s finest strikers. He has over 600 career goals to his name and is both Poland’s captain and all-time leading scorer (76*). Amazingly, Lewandowski travels to Qatar without a World Cup goal to his name – something he will surely put right at what might be his last-ever appearance on this stage.

Hirving Lozano – Mexico

Hirving Lozano – often known by his nickname, ‘Chucky’ – is the star of Mexico’s team and a familiar face in Europe thanks to his performances for Napoli. Lozano famously scored the winning goal against Germany at the last World Cup. Although right-footed, he is often used on the left side of the attack where he can cut inside and cause havoc for defences.

Salem Al-Dawsari – Saudi Arabia

A left-winger, Salem Al-Dawsari was a goalscoring machine for Saudi Arabia as they won a tough qualifying group. He scored in four consecutive games, and netted the winner over Australia back in March. Al-Dawsari was also on the scoresheet at the last World Cup, netting a late winner to beat Egypt in a dramatic game.

When do the 2022 World Cup Group C matches take place?