Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Football London
Football London
Sport
Stephen Killen

World Cup 2022 'group of death' revealed and England aren't in it

Pre-tournament favourites Brazil have been named in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Group of Death beating Group E to the post, according to a study from FiveThirtyEight.

Tite's side have been drawn alongside the likes of Switzerland, Serbia and Cameroon in Group G of this month's tournament. Neymar and Co. have been tasked with ending Brazil's 20-year wait to lift the illustrious trophy.

The 2022 World Cup marks the second decade since the record holders last tasted success in this competition, during the South Korea-Japan tournament in 2002, when Ronaldo inspired Seleção to glory against Germany with his brace in the final.

READ MORE: What is the World Cup 2022 opening ceremony time and who is performing?

READ MORE: Which English referees are at World Cup 2022? Full list of officials

On paper, Group E could argue its case to be named the Group of Death as two of the last three winners of the tournament face off. Spain - victors in 2010 - and Germany - champions in 2014 - will be looking to build on their recent disappointments and progress into the knockout rounds.

Die Mannschaft were dumped out of the tournament in the group stage of the 2018 World Cup in Russia as their defence was left in tatters following a shock defeat to South Korea.

This time around, they face Luis Enrique's side as well as Japan and Costa Rica. In a study compiled by Elo via FiveThirtyEight, they have crunched the numbers of the nations in the 2022 field ranking each group based on strength of its members.

England however are ranked towards the bottom echelons of the toughest group's at the first winter World Cup. The Three Lions face a home nations clash in the final group stage against Rob Page's Wales. England will be hoping their passage to the World Cup knockout stages will be sealed by then as they face Iran then the USA in their opening two group matches.

Elo have found that Group G, which features Brazil, Switzerland, Serbia and Camerron, ranked higher than Group E. In third is previous tournament favourites Belgium, in Group F, who will face Croatia, Canada and Morocco this month.

The bottom three sees England's Group B then Group H - Portugal, Uruguay, South Korea and Ghana - and Group A with Netherlands, Ecuador, Senegal and Qatar deemed the easiest group.

READ NEXT:

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.