Belgium have failed to hit the heights expected of them in recent years but World Cup glory could finally be on the cards if they manage to overcome Canada, Morocco and Croatia in Group F.
The Belgian Red Devils, who have one of the most star studded squads in international football, will compete alongside fellow World Cup 2018 semi-finalists Croatia, who ended up as runners-up four years ago, African underdogs Morocco and Canada, with the latter making just their second ever finals appearance.
Mirror Football tells you all you need to know about Group F’s participants, including how they qualified, who the main one’s to watch will be and the key dates for all the games.
Belgium
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World Cup appearances - 13
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FIFA world ranking - 2
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Head coach - Roberto Martinez
Could this finally be the year Belgium lives up to all the hype? Quarter-finalists in 2014 and semi-finalists in 2018 suggest that a place in the final is next up in 2022 for one of Europe’s strongest and deadliest outfits.
Bowing out at the quarter-finals stage of Euro 2020 was disappointing, while a fourth-place finish at the Nations League finals last year shows they still can’t quite dominate the European scene. Nonetheless, going unbeaten with six wins from eight games in qualifying comfortably booked their spot in Qatar.
Quality in Belgium’s team comes in abundance, with Kevin de Bruyne remaining the standout asset. Fellow midfielders Axel Witsel and Youri Tielemans make up an impressive midfield trio, while Romelu Lukaku, Dries Mertens and Eden Hazard form part of a deadly attack - regardless of their recent club form.
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Canada
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World Cup appearances - 1
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FIFA world ranking - 41
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Head coach - John Herdman
In just their second ever World Cup finals appearance, following their first in 1986, Canada are back on the biggest stage of them all and won’t just be looking to make up the numbers in Group F as they go in search of creating more history.
Reaching the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup last year was an achievement in itself, but qualifying for the 2022 World Cup after finishing top of the North American qualifying section, ahead of the United States, Mexico and Costa Rica, shows Canada should not be underestimated just yet.
If they are to stand any chance of avoiding a bottom-place finish in Group F, and even progressing further, then Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies and Lille forward Jonathan David need to be on top form. Club Brugge forward Cyle Larin provides added threat in attack, while former Premier League favourite Junior Hoilett is also on board.
Morocco
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World Cup appearances - 5
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FIFA world ranking - 22
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Head coach - Walid Regragui
Morocco have qualified for their second successive World Cup and will be looking to improve on their group stage exit in 2018 in which they finished rock bottom without a single victory.
There was a notable 2-2 draw with Spain in their final match but Morocco’s chances of making it into the knockout stages are much stronger this time around. The Atlas Lions reached the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year, while they defeated DR Congo 5-2 in a third round World Cup qualifying play-off to book their flight to Qatar.
Should they manage to defeat Canada, then picking up a positive result against one of Belgium or Croatia could stand Morocco in good stead. The likes of Paris Saint-Germain’s Achraf Hakimi and Chelsea ’s Hakim Ziyech will be key to a successful group stage.
Croatia
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World Cup appearances - 5
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FIFA world ranking - 12
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Head coach - Zlatko Dalic
Replicating 2018’s run to the final is unlikely but Croatia have shown that they have what it takes to compete with the very best, and similar success throughout this year’s tournament will be the main aim if they can make it out of Group F.
Croatia must find a way of showing that defeats over Argentina and England on their way to the 2018 final was no fluke, although last year’s disappointment of exiting Euro 2020 in the last 16 was a reality check. A victory over Russia in their final group game in qualifying ensured they would return to the World Cup stage in 2022.
A stacked midfield including Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic and Marcelo Brozovic contains their biggest strengths, while Ivan Perisic and Mislav Orsic in attack will cause trouble for anyone. At the back, Dejan Lovren should partner RB Leipzig’s highly-rated Josko Gvardiol.
Group F fixtures
Morocco vs Croatia - Wednesday, November 23 (10am)
Belgium vs Canada - Wednesday, November 23 (7pm)
Belgium vs Morocco - Sunday, November 27 (1pm)
Croatia vs Canada - Sunday, November 27 (4pm)
Croatia vs Belgium - Thursday, December 1 (4pm)
Canada vs Morocco - Thursday, December 1 (4pm)
