
2018 World Cup finalists Croatia will face Belgium, Canada, and Morocco in a group at Qatar 2022 that will incite huge intrigue across three continents.
Croatia, inspired by Luka Modric, almost completed a famous shock four years ago before losing the title decider to France in Russia. They will aim to do better this time around and will certainly grab global attention in an encounter that will lead to the semi-finals of 2018, Belgium.
For the first time since 1986, Canada will also appear in the tournament and will be optimistic about their chances of reaching the knockout stages after topping their qualifying group.
After drawing 2-2 with Spain in Russia 2018, Morocco is trying to win another place in Group F and raise the flag of Africa.
Morocco will open their Qatar 2022 account against Croatia in their group stage opener on Wednesday, November 23, while Canada will take on Belgium on the same day.
Fixtures and Match Schedule of World Cup Group F
| Date | Time (ET) | Match | Stadium |
| Nov. 23, Wed | 5 a.m. | Morocco vs. Croatia | Al Bayt |
| Nov. 23, Wed | 2 p.m. | Belgium vs. Canada | Ahmad Bin Ali |
| Nov. 27, Sun | 8 a.m. | Belgium vs. Morocco | Al Thumama |
| Nov. 27, Sun | 11 a.m. | Croatia vs. Canada | Khalifa Int’l |
| Dec. 1, Thu | 10 a.m. | Croatia vs. Belgium | Ahmad Bin Ali |
| Dec. 1, Thu | 10 a.m. | Canada vs. Morocco | Al Thumama |
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 F Teams World Cup 2022
Belgium
Belgium can no longer claim to be the world’s No. 1 ranked team, having recently topped the FIFA standings with Brazil, but they can still call up some key members of their golden generation and be expected to go. Far away in Qatar.
However, coach Roberto Martinez must hope that this will finally be the occasion when the Red Devils live up to their pre-tournament expectations and can finally lift the silverware. With players of the caliber of Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne and Inter’s Romelu Lukaku, they can pull off something.
Belgium was eliminated in the quarter-finals of Euro 2020 and lost in the semi-finals at the 2018 World Cup. They have a good chance of going far again on this occasion, but they will have to show more patience in difficult moments.
| Current FIFA world ranking | No. 2 (August 2022) |
| Regional ranking | 1st (UEFA) |
| World Cup titles | — |
| World Cup appearances (last) | 13 (Russia 2018) |
| How qualified | UEFA Group E winners: 6W-0L-2D |
| Coach | Roberto Martinez (Spain) since August 2016 |
| Key players | Kevin De Bryune (Manchester City / England), Eden Hazard (Real Madrid / Spain), Romelu Lukaku (Inter / Italy) |
Croatia
Croatia surprised many by reaching the finals of the 2018 World Cup, where they lost to France, but they did not fare so well at Euro 2020, as they were eliminated at the Round of 16 stages.
Despite his advancing years, Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric remains a great player and talisman. The 37-year-old will be determined to make an impact in what could be his final World Cup.
Croatia entered the qualifiers having lost just once – the opening match in Slovenia – but despite hoping for a group-stage exit, it’s hard to imagine Zlatko Dalic’s side making another long run at the tournament.
| Current FIFA world ranking | No. 15 (August 2022) |
| Regional ranking | 10th (UEFA) |
| World Cup titles | — |
| World Cup appearances (last) | 5 (Russia 2018) |
| How qualified | UEFA Group H winners: 7W-1L-2D |
| Coach | Zlatko Dalic (Croatia) since October 2017 |
| Key players | Luka Modric (Real Madrid / Spain), Domagoj Vida (AEK Athens / Greece), Ivan Perisic (Tottenham / England) |
Morocco
Morocco is considered the strongest team on the African continent and will boast plenty of star power at Qatar 2022, competing in the finals for the sixth time.
Much will rest on the shoulders of Paris Saint-Germain fullback Achraf Hakimi, but he should be supported by the likes of Sofaine Boufal – who has Premier League experience – and Ayoub Al Kaabi, who previously played with Southampton. Hatayspor is in the Turkish Super League and provides their most potent goal threat.
Morocco reached the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year and could be a potential surprise challenger to reach the latter stages before losing to Egypt in the final.
| Current FIFA world ranking | No. 23 (August 2022) |
| Regional ranking | 2nd (CAF) |
| World Cup titles | — |
| World Cup appearances (last) | 5 (Russia 2018) |
| How qualified | (CAF Third Round winner: (agg 5-2 vs. DR Congo) |
| Coach | Vahid Halilhodzic (Bosnia) since August 2019 |
| Key players | Sofaine Boufal (Angers / France), Ayoub Al Kaabi (Hatayspor / Turkey), Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain / France) |
Canada
Canada finished as winners in the CONCACAF standings after an impressive qualifying campaign to participate in the World Cup for the first time in 36 years.
There were emotional scenes from both players and fans in Qatar’s 4-0 win over Jamaica in Toronto at the end of March, with talisman Alphonso Davies breaking down in tears live on his Twitch stream to see his team-mates complete. work
Davies’ absence from that game was due to his suffering from myocarditis – inflammation of the heart – after catching COVID-19, and Canada needed Bayern Munich firing on all cylinders for any hope of advancing. Coach John Herdman will be out to make his own piece of history, as he becomes the first man to lead a team to both the Women’s and Men’s World Cups.
| Current FIFA world ranking | No. 43 (August 2022) |
| Regional ranking | 4th (CONCACAF) |
| World Cup titles | — |
| World Cup appearances (last) | 1 (Mexico, 1986) |
| How qualified | (CONCACAF winners: 8W-2L-4D) |
| Coach | John Herdman (England) since January 2018 |
| Key players | Jonathan David (Lille / France), Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich / Germany), Junior Hoilett (Reading / England) |
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