When is the World Cup draw?
The World Cup is now just one year away from starting and anticipation is beginning to build ahead of the prestigious tournament, with qualifying almost complete in each confederation.
The tournament will take place between November 21 - December 18 for the first time in its 91-year history due to the heat in Qatar, where the average temperature sits at around 37 degrees in the summer.
First-rate domestic leagues worldwide will be put on pause to accommodate the mid-season competition, and plans are in place to give participating players a week’s rest either side of the tournament.
England are among the favourites to win the World Cup, priced at 8/1 in the outright betting, behind only France and Brazil (both 6/1). The Three Lions will be looking to go one step further than their exploits in Russia three years ago, where they reached the semi-finals of the tournament before bowing out to Croatia.
Fast-forward to this summer and Gareth Southgate’s men charged to the final of Euro 2020, eventually losing to Italy on penalties, so there is hope that 2022 could finally be the year England end their long-awaited hunt for silverware.
When is the draw and where will it take place?
Thankfully, there will be a four-month break before the next international break rears its head after this one, and following that the draw for the 2022 World Cup finals will be made.
The draw for the finals is currently scheduled for April 1 2022 and will be made by FIFA in Qatar.
30 of the 32 qualifying spots for next winter’s competition will be finalised by the end of March, with the final two spaces decided in June at intercontinental playoffs which had to be pushed back from March.
Those playoffs will be contested by one team from each of Asia; CONCACAF; Oceania and South America’s confederation.
In total, 13 countries will qualify from Europe, alongside a further five from Africa, four from South America, four from Asia (as well as Qatar) and three from the CONCACAF region.
Has anyone already qualified for the tournament?
Only three countries have officially qualified for the 2022 World Cup at the time of writing. Qatar gained automatic entry due to hosting the event, while Germany and Denmark have both secured their spot thanks to their faultless performance throughout the qualification process.
England are in pole position to secure their spot at the World Cup, currently leading Group I by three points heading into this month’s games against San Marino and Albania. The Three Lions need to take just four points from those final two matches to cement their position in Qatar.
