World Cup 2022 – Group B Preview

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

Group B sees two of the home nations, England and Wales, go head to head. England are the favourites to progress – and one of the favourites to win the tournament – but any of Wales, Iran or the USA will fancy their chances of finishing at least second in the group. Wales’ Gareth Bale thrives on the big stage, USA have solid World Cup pedigree, while Iran are coached by tactical mastermind Carlos Queiroz. There could be a few surprises in this one.

Learn more about the 2022 World Cup groups

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

England powered through their qualification group in fine style: Gareth Southgate’s side were unbeaten, racking up 39 goals in their 10 games and conceded just three times. Wales had a more dramatic journey to Qatar, finishing second in their group behind Belgium and then dispatching Austria and Ukraine in the play-offs. Gareth Bale, naturally, scored all three of Wales’ goals in those two games.

USA were slightly underwhelming in qualification but still grabbed an automatic spot at Qatar, despite finishing behind Canada and Mexico in the standings. Christian Pulisic’s five goals fired his side to this winter’s tournament. Iran, by contrast, stormed through their own group and finished ahead of South Korea and UAE with 25 points from their 10 games.

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

England are the only side in this group to have ever had their hands on the trophy – but those “years of hurt” since the last silverware for the men’s national team now stretch to 56 since Geoff Hurst’s hat-trick won it on home soil. After a string of disappointing showings at World Cups, England reached the semi-final in 2018 and then the final of Euro 2020. Can they go one better this summer?

Russia 2018 was the first World Cup without USA representation since 1990, but the ‘Stars and Stripes’ are back on the big stage this time. USA reached the quarter-finals in 2002 and will hope to go at least as far this time round. Iran have never progressed beyond the group stage, but they did famously beat the USA in 1998 – will history repeat itself this year?

Wales are playing at their first World Cup in 64 years – and only their second ever – but any opponent expecting Welsh complacency and a just-happy-to-be-here attitude should think again. Gareth Bale’s side reached the semi-finals of Euro 2016 and will be targeting a deep run in this tournament.

England are odds-on to win the group, with Wales and USA the joint-second favourites. Like Wales, USA are EVS to qualify for the last-16.

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

Harry Kane – England

Harry Kane has Wayne Rooney’s England goalscoring record in his sights: the current England captain needs just three more to become the Three Lions’ all-time leading scorer. Kane won the Golden Boot at the last World Cup as his goals fired England to the semi-finals, and he continues to smash Premier League records with Spurs.

Gareth Bale – Wales

Arguably the greatest player his country has ever produced, Gareth Bale is Wales’ talisman. His goals were pivotal in Wales reaching the World Cup for the first time since 1958, and even in the latter stages of his career he still retains the capacity for the spectacular. His free-kicks are particularly deadly and his explosiveness on the ball make him a threat to any defence.

Mehdi Taremi – Iran

A powerful striker, Iran’s Mehdi Taremi currently plays for Portuguese heavyweights Porto. He played a pivotal role as his club won the league last season, firing 20 goals and laying on a baker’s dozen for his team-mates. With Alireza Jahanbakhsh likely to provide the service out wide this winter, expect Taremi to be Iran’s major goal threat at this World Cup.

Christian Pulisic – USA

Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic leads the way for the USA in what looks set to be a young squad at this World Cup. Pulisic is a fantastic attacker, and top-scored for the side as they qualified for the tournament. His electric movement and finishing make him the USA’s main threat going forward, and he will hope to set up plenty of chances for his team-mates as well as finding the net himself.

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