England’s World Cup 2022 fixtures: Kick-off times, route to final, and latest injury news for Qatar

Another England defender to have been nursing an injury is Manchester United captain Harry Maguire, who gave away a penalty in the 3-3 draw against Germany last month, and also lost the ball at the start of a move that ended in another goal.

Neville expects to see the centre-back make the squad for Qatar if fit, saying: “I think there comes a point where you’ve got to say he’s not in good enough form (to start).

“His credits were there to keep his place in the team in the Nations League games, but I think the fact of the performance against Germany… if he’s injured, he won’t go, but even if he goes, how do you really integrate him into the team having not played for two or three months, in the form he’s been in? I think it would be very risky for Gareth to do that.”

England’s Group B opponents

Wales reached the World Cup finals in dramatic style via the qualifying play-offs, after beating an impassioned Ukraine side in Cardiff in June. Victory for Wales’ talent-studded golden generation booked them a trip to the nation’s first World Cup finals since 1958, their second ever

The United States also make their return to the tournament after an absence, albeit a less protracted one. After failing to make it to Russia in 2018, USA came third in CONCACAF qualifiers to secure their place in Qatar. More so than ever, team players will be familiar to Premier League fans, due to the league’s recent influx of American players, including Tyler Adams and Brenden Aaronson at Leeds, Antonee Robinson at Fulham, and national captain Christian Pulisic, who plays for Chelsea.  

Whilst Wales and the USA could cause group upset and jostle for runners-up spot, Iran are the underdogs of Group B. Although a Fifa ranking of 22 suggests they are by no means one of the weakest sides in the competition statistically, preparations have been marred by infighting while head coach Dragan Skocic has been replaced by former boss Carlos Queiroz, who oversaw the team’s group stage knock-out in Russia.  

World Cup schedule

If England win Group B

The winners of Group B will play the runners-up of Group A – Qatar, Holland, Ecuador, and Senegal – with the Afcon winners their most likely opponents.

France are favourites to win Group D, over Australia, Tunisia and Australia, and would face the Group C runner-up out of Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico or Poland to win the chance to face England in the quarter-finals, should Southgate’s men make it out of the last-16 knock-out round. 

If England reached the semi-finals, they could meet either Belgium or Portugal, strong contenders in Group F and H, and a potential final could see England meet Spain, Brazil, or Germany the World Cup final. 

If England finish as runners-up in Group B

This would set up a clash between the winner of Group A, and if England were to beat Netherlands, they could have the chance to face Argentina or Denmark in the quarter-finals. 

In this scenario, should England make it to the semi-finals, their opponents might be one of either Spain, Germany, or Brazil, the cream of the crop from Groups E and G, to set up a possible final against France, Belgium, or Portugal in Lusail. 

Quarter-final dates

The first two quarter-finals will take place on Friday, December 9, at 3pm, and will be played at Education City Stadium and Lusail Iconic Stadium. The remaining quarter-finals are on Saturday, December 10, at 3pm and 7pm, and will be played at Al Thumama Stadium and Al Bayt Stadium. 

Semi-final dates

The semi-finals will take place on Tuesday, December 13 and Wednesday, December 14, at Lusail Iconic Stadium and Al Bayt Stadium, with both matches taking place at 7pm.