Home ›› 03 Apr 2022 ›› Sport
The draw for the group stage of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 was held on Friday, officially starting proceedings for what is called ‘The Greatest Show on Earth’. Hosts Qatar were seeded into group A, with favourites Spain and Germany both being put in group E. Argentina will be in group E, along with Poland and Mexico, while Brazil are in group G, along with Serbia and Switzerland. Portugal and Uruguay were seeded in group H, reprising the round of 16 tie from the last World Cup. The Business Post brings you what the coaches of different nations had to say after they knew their opponents in the group stage.
Félix Sánchez, Qatar
Any group, any team will be very, very tough for us. You have to see the FIFA ranking or the history of each of the teams that are here. So we know that is very challenging team. What we’re going to try to do from now on is to start prepare for these three games in the best way and try to be as much competitive as we can.
Didier Deschamps, France
I do not know if this draw is perfect. You have to have a lot of respect for Denmark and especially not think that it’s a given. We are talking about the 11th world nation that reached a semi-final at the last Euro. It could have been easier or harder. We know Denmark well and we will get to know each other even better with our matches in the Nations League.
Tite, Brazil
We’re talking about the elimination of Italy and Portugal at the hands of Switzerland and Serbia. And we also have Cameroon who are very strong in Africa. I watched Switzerland. They’re world-class, so we’ll also have to play at a high level. What I can assure you of is that eight months is a lot of time to arrive well prepared.
Lionel Scaloni, Argentina
“We cannot complain but we cannot be pleased either. We think we can have a good group phase but we have full respect for all of them. Historically Mexico are opponents that have been difficult for us. Poland are a good national team with good players, well-known ones. Saudi Arabia had a great qualification campaign.
Zlatko Dalic, Croatia
At first glance, the group is not too tough. However, there is no easy group at the World Cup because there are the best national teams in the world. It won’t be easy, but we have our goal, and that is to get out of the group.
Louis Van Gaal, Netherlands
It is a better draw than 2014, but that means nothing. Then we had to compete against Spain, Chile, and Australia. I have not been to Qatar and Senegal that much. I don’t know those countries either, so I can’t really say anything.
Luis Enrique, Spain
It’s a strong group if you take into consideration Germany but we are on top of the group because of our merits, the work we have being doing in recent years. The tasks are not easy. But we have big plans, we have to ensure that we prevail. You can’t get an easy group. The lack of time is a handicap, but no team will have much time.
Roberto Martinez, Belgium
A very demanding group, different styles, different ingredients but probably what we need if we want to be ready for this World Cup. And then the draw probably splits -- the first four groups, they have fewer top-10 teams facing each other, then the next four groups is final after final after final, so the final could be the least like a final. But that’s how draws work.
Gareth Southgate, England
I think when you’re seeded then you get the advantage, obviously, of missing out on those big six or seven teams. I think for most of the first seeds, they would be pleased with the first group that they get. We’re playing on day one so it’s quite clear now what our programme looks like with the end of the PL and getting out here quickly.
