FIFA World Cup 2022 Group C: Fixtures, Match Schedule, Date, and Time for Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, and Poland

Lionel Messi will face Robert Lewandowski as two of the best strikers on the planet in World Cup Group C in Qatar, with Argentina and Poland drawing against each other.

Messi, making his final World Cup appearance, heads to the Middle East to add a world team trophy to his already glittering personal collection – which includes an astonishing seven FIFA Ballon d’Or awards.

Both Argentina and Poland will fancy their chances of progressing, and they meet in the final group game on November 30, but it’s far from a straightforward pool – Mexico is likely to pose a tough challenge after coming through North America (CONCACAF). Competence in style.

Saudi Arabia – one of the tournament’s lowest-ranked sides – will be hoping to upset the more established powers, but they will have it all to do.

Fixtures and Match Schedule of World Cup Group C

The four teams selected in the group will play in a round-robin format, with each nation playing three other teams. Group standings are based on points from those three group stage matches — three points for a win, one for a draw, and any points for a loss.

The top two teams from each group based on total points advance to the single-match knockouts. If the teams are tied on points, goal difference is the first tiebreaker followed by goals. Another set of tiebreakers applies if the teams are tied in those categories.

World Cup Draw Breakdowns:

Group C Teams World Cup 2022

Argentina

One of the World Cup’s traditional powerhouses, the 2022 tournament in Qatar could see Argentina’s return to form as a major force, but it will also mark the last hurray for one of the game’s greatest players.

Lionel Messi is now 35, and Qatar will be his last chance to add the World Cup trophy to his already bulging cabinet and cap a remarkable career after he confirmed it would be his final appearance at the tournament.

Of course, he will be the star name for the South Americans – who head to the Middle East as Copa America champions, after beating old rivals Brazil last year – but Lionel Scolini’s side has plenty of extra talent too, no. Less than the likes of Angel Di Maria, who scored the crucial goal in the Copa final win.

Saudi Arabia

In their last four appearances at the World Cup, Saudi Arabia has been knocked out at the group stage – and it’s hard to imagine it going any better this time around in Qatar.

Herve Renard’s side deserves credit for qualifying ahead of Australia, but there is a feeling they could find matters even more difficult when faced with tougher tasks.

Saudi Arabia’s entire squad currently plays in their home country, although in Renard they have a coach who has experienced the full breadth of international football, having previously been in charge of Morocco, Ivory Coast, Zambia (twice), and Angola. In Russia 2018, Saudi Arabia was knocked out after scoring just two goals, and Reynard will be hoping that striker Saleh Al Shehri can return to full fitness after scoring four goals in qualifying.

Mexico

Mexico extended its streak of appearing in every World Cup final since 1994 and secured CONCACAF qualification as runners-up to Canada on goal difference in the final round.

El Tri has a roster that depends on people who are based in Europe and North America. Among them, Wolves striker Raul Jimenez and Houston Dynamo veteran Hector Herrera will both be strongly called upon to advance their World Cup bid. Losing Jesus ‘Tecatito’ Corona to injury, however, is a significant blow.

Mexico won’t score or concede many goals – averaging one goal a game in their qualification bid – and they will be hoping that the compact gameplan devised by former Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino can prove enough to stifle their group opponents.

Poland

Poland’s Robert Lewandowski defeated Sweden’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic 2-0 to send Zlatan Ibrahimovic to the Eastern European final. Earlier, Poland was given a direct bye to the final after first-round opponents Russia was banned by FIFA for attacking Ukraine.

Aside from their 34-year-old Barcelona striker, Poland’s roster has plenty of experienced players who have played domestically across Europe. Napoli midfielder Piotr Zielinski should provide valuable opportunities for Lewandowski to add to his impressive international goals tally.

Czeslaw Michniewicz’s side boasts an impressive history at the World Cup – finishing third twice – and they will be confident of a group stage exit after losing twice throughout the qualification process.

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