Preview of the toughest group
Group B is arguably the most difficult group in the World Cup. It features England, United States of America, Wales and Iran. The opening matches of this group are England vs Iran as well as United States of America vs Wales. This group is filled with so much promise and talent with players like Pulisic, Bale, Kane, Mount, Foden and McKennie. United States vs Iran is going to be one of the most heated matches of the whole group stage considering the history of the two nations. Wales have not been in a World Cup for 64 years and will be trying to stun the big dogs.
Iran may not be favorites to get out of their group but they wont go down without a fight
Iran is 20th in the FIFA world rankings and will do what they can to reach the knockouts. This is Iran’s third consecutive World Cup and they have much reason to be proud just for making it. Iran topped their qualifying group winning 8, drawing 1 and losing 1. They scored 15 goals and only conceded 4. They have played seven games in 2022 winning 4, drawing 1 and losing 2. In fact they even managed to shock Uruguay by beating them 1-0. Team Melli also drew with African giants Senegal. Iran has two top strikers in Europe in Azmoun and Taremi. Iran even nearly beat Argentina in 2014 and it took a world class strike from Messi in the 90th minute to break the deadlock.
Wales to make 2nd World Cup apperance
Wales beat Ukraine to reach the group thanks a Gareth Bale goal. This meant that it would be their first World Cup appearance since 1958 where they reached the semis. They will be hoping to take inspiration from that World Cup and apply to Qatar. Wales beat Belgium in the Euros to reach the semifinals. Their biggest rivals in Group B will be United States and England. They will be relying on Gareth Bale to guide them past the group stages. Their opening game is against USA and they go in as underdogs but could use that to their advantage. Wales lost their last four out of their last five games in the Nations League and will be hoping to bounce back.
US to redeem themselves after failing to reach WC in 2018
USA are currently placed in 16th place in FIFA Rankings and will be looking to improve on that if they progress. USA did not have a comfortable qualifying round as they drew came in 3rd place tied with Costa Rica on points. Out of 14 games they won 7, drew 4 and lost 3 which is below their standards considering the players they have. They missed the previous World Cup however this time they will be hoping to go as far as they can. In 12 games they won 5, drew 4 and lost 3. They go into the World Cup in a shaky position considering they have the toughest group of all. USA is backed by many to get past their group but it will not be easy to get past Wales. They reached the Semifinals of the first ever World Cup however then lost to Argentina.
Will England succeed or will it be another big tournament failure
. England has done extremely well in their last two tournaments, the World Cup and the Euros. In the last World Cup they were knocked out by Croatia in injury time after taking a lead through Trippier. They were also close to winning the Euros after taking the lead through Shaw then conceding an equalizer in the 67th minute. Before the 2018 World Cup England had a reputation of disappointing in the big stages. They drew blank in the 2010 and 2014 World Cup and in 2016 Euros they were beaten by Iceland 2-1. They do not go into the World Cup in the best form as they did not win a single game in the Nations League drawing 3 and losing 3.
