Africa-Press – South-Africa. Ghana
will come face-to-face with Uruguay in Group H of the 2022 FIFA World Cup to relive their emotional 2010 fiasco against the South Americans.
During the first-ever African nation hosting the global showpiece, Ghana were standout performers in South Africa.
They went all the way to the knockout rounds but met their match in Uruguay during the quarter-finals.
Star forward Diego Forlan cancelled out Sulley Muntari’s goal as the match went into extra time in an intense fixture with roaring Ghanaian fans cheering and blowing vuvuzelas as each side continued tugging away.
After 120 minutes was already played, Ghana came real close in edging Uruguay but Luis Suarez deliberately handled the ball in front of the goalline, which gifted Ghana the chance to win the match from the penalty spot.
However, Asamoah Gyan hit the upright and sent the match to a penalty shootout, with the South Americans claiming a convincing 5-2 at FNB Stadium.
Germany to face Spain as draw pairs Iran and USA
Germany and Spain will clash as the two former winners are in the same group, while geopolitical rivals the United States and Iran were also drawn together.
Four-time World Cup winners Germany were in Pot Two, making them the prominent team to avoid the top seeds in the draw in the Qatari capital. They were knocked out of the 2018 tournament in Russia in the group stage.
Japan joins Germany and Spain in Group E, which will be completed by the winner of an intercontinental play-off in June between Costa Rica and New Zealand.
Iran and the United States last met at the 1998 World Cup in France when the Iranians won the politically-charged game 2-1 in Lyon.
England also found themselves in Group B and will face Iran in their opening game on the tournament’s first day, on November 21.
Gareth Southgate’s side, semi-finalists four years ago in Russia and runners-up at Euro 2020, might also come up against neighbours Wales or Scotland. However, Ukraine could also take the last spot in the European play-offs, to be decided in June.
Hosts Qatar, who will be appearing at their first World Cup, will face Ecuador in the World Cup’s opening game at the 60,000-seat Al Bayt stadium in Al Khor, 35 kilometres north-east of Doha.
Qatar will also take on African champions Senegal as well as the Netherlands, who return to the World Cup after missing out in 2018, in Group A.
Reigning champions France will likely be pleased at finding themselves alongside familiar foes Denmark as well as Tunisia in Group D, which will be completed by the winners of the other intercontinental play-off, Australia, Peru or the United Arab Emirates.
Record five-time winners Brazil will play Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon in Group G, while two-time champions Argentina drew Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Robert Lewandowski’s Poland in Group C.
Last chance for Messi and Ronaldo?
It might be Lionel Messi’s last chance to win a World Cup as he will turn 35 before the tournament.
The same goes for Cristiano Ronaldo, who will be nearly 38 when Portugal comes up against Ghana, Uruguay and South Korea.
Croatia, runners-up in 2018, were drawn with Belgium and Morocco in Group F, which is completed by a Canada side returning to the World Cup for the first time in 26 years.
Thursday’s event in Doha was attended by 2,000 guests, and featured former World Cup winners Cafu and Lothar Matthaeus among the draw assistants.
The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, was among those in attendance.
The World Cup will kick-off on Monday, 21 November with the final set to be staged on Sunday, 18 December.
– Intercontinental playoffs to be contested on June 13-14 in Qatar:
i) Winner of United Arab Emirates v Australia face Peru
ii) New Zealand v Costa Rica
— European playoffs () to be held in June on dates to be announced
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