Top 10 matches to look forward to in FIFA World Cup 2022 group stage

The 32 teams were placed in some interesting groups in the draw for the tournament.

On Friday, the official draw for the upcoming FIFA 2022 World Cup in Qatar was announced. It was a nerve-racking one for the top teams, as they all hoped for an easy set of fixtures in the group stages. But, for the lower-ranked teams, it was a question of which one of them can cause the biggest upset.

It is fair to say that no match in the World Cup is ever dull, but below are the top 10 must-watch matches in the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar.

10. Canada Vs Croatia - Group F

Canada return to the World Cup after a 36-year absence and they will be looking to prove a point. The team are one of the dark-horses for the FIFA World Cup 2022, and boast of some exciting stars, led by Bayern Munich starlet Alphonso Davies.

In their second Group F clash, they will come up against the runners-up of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Croatia. It will be a tough match-up between the two, as the experienced Croatians led by Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric will take on the youngsters of Canada.

9. Senegal Vs Netherlands - Group A

The Oranje hold the record for playing in the most FIFA World Cup finals, but have never won the trophy. They have come close on three occasions, when they got to the finals but ended up losing. Senegal come into Qatar on the back of winning the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Dutch boast of one of the most exciting lineups in world football, right from Virgil van Dijk and Matthijs de Ligt in defence to Memphis Depay and Donyell Malen in attack. The match will also see two of Liverpool's greatest players in Sadio Mane and van Dijk clashing against each other. It will be a tough contest when Senegal take on the Dutch in their first Group A fixture at the FIFA World Cup 2022.

8. Portugal Vs South Korea - Group H

Portugal will take on South Korea in a fiery contest as Son Heung-min will look to defeat Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese took the slightly longer route to FIFA World Cup 2022, as they defeated Turkey and North Macedonia in the playoffs. On the other hand, South Korea are one of the most exciting teams in international football right now

Ronaldo will be looking to lead his team to the ultimate glory, while Son will be hoping to take his national team as far he can.

7. Argentina Vs Mexico - Group C

Mexico come into the FIFA World Cup 2022 with a pretty well-balanced unit. Though their side does not possess too many familiar names, players like Hirving Lozano and Raul Jimenez have the capability to turn a game on its head.

Lionel Messi and Co. are one of the favourites to lift the title, but the Mexicans will pose quite a tough challenge. The encounter might not look that exciting on-paper, but is sure to be a cracker of a game at the FIFA World Cup 2022.

6. France Vs Denmark - Group D

Denmark were the dark-horses at Euro 2020, where they made it all the way to the semi-finals. They also happen to be one of the crowd-favourites, and Cristian Eriksen returning to the big stage after his health condition, will surely add a lot of interest and charge up the side.

Defending champions France will be looking to brush their disappointing Euro 2020 performance aside. But, Denmark will be their toughest challenge in Group D. The World Cup has time and again produced upsets and the Danes have the potential to upset the defending champions.

5. England Vs USA - Group B

A fascinating fixture awaits fans as the United States of America take on England. The USMNT have been underwhelming compared to their women’s team, but they will be hoping to change things around at the FIFA World Cup 2022, with their 'golden generation' of footballers. They come into the tournament on the back of a CONCACAF Gold Cup victory, where they beat heavyweights Mexico in the final.

England seem to have finally found their feet, as they made it to the semi-finals of the previous World Cup and the finals of Euro 2020. Both the USA and England have some of the greatest talents in the world and their encounter is sure to be a mouth-watering one.

4. Argentina Vs Poland - Group C

The focus in Argentina's clash against Poland will be on their two world-class strikers. Both Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski are two of the greatest players of all-time and their clash will surely be mouth-watering.

Lewandowski will have a point to prove, as he would have felt he was robbed of the Ballon d’Or in 2021, as the award was presented to Messi.

3. Belgium Vs Croatia - Group F

In the final clash of Group F, Belgium will take on Croatia. Much was expected of Belgium’s ‘golden generation,’ but they have failed to live up to those expectations.

Croatia, on the other hand, would be looking to go one step further this time around, after their loss to France in the 2018 FIFA World Cup final. So, when two of the most talented teams in the world clash, it is surely going to be a firecracker of a contest.

2. Portugal Vs Uruguay - Group H

It will be a ough and evenly-contested match when Portugal take on Uruguay in the group stages. Uruguay have a team that can give any of the favourites a run for their money, with the likes of Edinson Cavani and Fede Valverde. Portugal also come into the World Cup with one of their strongest squads, with Bruno Fernandes, Joao Cancelo, Pepe, Rubian Dias and Diogo Jota.

However, the focus will be on the clash between Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Suarez, who will both be looking to make waves at their final World Cup.

1. Spain Vs Germany - Group E

Everyone will have their eyes glued to their TV screens when two football giants come up against each other, as Spain take on Germany. These two teams have a rich history with each other, having met multiple times at the World Cup and the European Championships, with Germany holding the head-to-head advantage.

However, their last clash was in the UEFA Nations League in November 2020 and Spain crushed the Germans 6-0. In spite of the previous results, the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2022 clash between the two will definitely be a scintillating one.

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