We’ve got a taste of everything in the hat and, as always, there will be some teams that the international bosses will desperately want to avoid.
From the usual suspects such as France, England, Brazil, Argentina and Spain to possible tough ties such as Senegal, Denmark, the Netherlands and Serbia – there are even many unknown football nations such as Canada and host Qatar. .
Here, Sportsmail governs the 29 teams that have already qualified and the other nations that have not yet completed the playoffs as the draw draws to a close.
The group stage draw for this year’s World Cup takes place on Friday night in Doha, Qatar
France won the 2018 World Cup in Russia, but who will be drawn in Friday’s event?
Pot One
Qatar
Who is the manager?
Felix Sanchez – Born in Spain, Sanchez began his career as a coach in the youth system in Barcelona. He has been in charge since 2017 and oversaw their failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
But 2019 led them to the AFC Asian Cup title for the first time in the country’s history and took them to various other international tournaments – such as the Copa America 2019 and the CONCACAF 2021 Gold Cup. Neither ended well for Qatar, but the opportunity to play strong teams boosted their progress
Who is the star man?
Akram Afif – Among a group of unannounced names who mainly play their football at home, Afif stands out as their top talent
A winger who can play up front, Afif left for the Belgian Eupen in 2015 before becoming the first Qatari-born signing in LaLiga history when he moved to Villarreal in 2016. However, in Spain he did not work and returned to Qatar with Al Sadd.
At just 25, Afif has 75 goals and 62 assists in 118 games for Al Sadd and will be their most dangerous threat, as he wants to shine at home in November.
How did they qualify?
One of the advantages of hosting the World Cup is that your qualification is guaranteed. One downside to this, however, is the lack of real competitive football in the creation of the tournament.
Yes, they have been invited to tournaments, but losing to Argentina, Colombia and Brazil in the Copa America is not an ideal preparation. This month’s international window brought a win over Bulgaria and a draw with Slovenia, so they may start to show some form at the right time.
Chance of winning the trophy – 1/5
Qatar hosts its first World Cup as host – and therefore ranked among the top sexes
Brazil
Who is the manager?
Tite – The 60-year-old, at one point in his career, apparently ran all the clubs in Brazil and took the reins in the national team in 2016 after their sad appearance in the Copa America that year.
A defeat in the quarterfinals in Russia in 2018 was disappointing, but the Brazilians reacted and lifted the Copa America next year. Once again Tite has plenty of talent to manage, but can he get everyone on the same page?
Who is the star man?
Neymar – You can really choose from Alisson, Thiago Silva, Fabinho, Casemiro, Vinicius etc .. but if Neymar goes to Qatar and wants to add the dirty side to his neat play on the ball, then the other teams will have a problem.
The Brazilian’s reputation seems to be at an all-time low following PSG’s recent failure in Europe and a series of injury campaigns. But with an all-star cast next to him and his defensive quality behind him, Neymar can undoubtedly make Brazil glorious.
How did they qualify?
Brazil enjoyed an almost flawless South American qualifying campaign. They won an impressive 45 points from 17 games, 14 wins, three draws, 40 goals and conceded just five.
Their 18th match – against Argentina – was interrupted in September when health officials ran to the pitch to stop the England-based Argentina players from playing, saying they had violated the country’s quarantine rules for COVID-19. It must be repeated, but both qualify and their positions on the table are finalized.
Chance of winning the trophy – 5/5
Brazil usually has a star-studded list of talent to choose from, but Neymar still stands out
Belgium
Who is the manager?
Roberto Martinez – Always linked with a return to the Premier League, the Spaniard is still in charge of the Red Devils and is preparing for his third major event as captain later this year.
Martinez led Belgium to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals – where they lost 1-0 to defending champions France – but a mixed appearance at Euro 2020 led them to be knocked out again by the reigning champions when Italy won their quarter-final by 2 – 1.
This seems likely to be Martinez’s last chance to win something with the country’s “Golden Generation”.
Who is the star man?
Kevin De Bruyne – The Manchester City midfielder is arguably the best midfielder in the world for two or three years and has 11 goals and eight assists so far this season.
He entered last summer’s Euro with an injury to the face he suffered in the Champions League final and then suffered an ankle injury against Portugal in the “16”. Belgium needs its star if it wants to have a chance in Qatar.
How did they qualify?
Unsurprisingly, Belgium finished at the top of a mediocre qualifying group that included Wales, the Czech Republic, Estonia and Belarus. Perhaps the biggest shock was that they did not get the maximum score.
A 1-1 draw away from home in Prague and Cardiff ensured they lost four points, but a beautiful 8-0 win over Belarus this time last year led Belgium on its way to qualifying with ease.
Chance of winning the trophy – 4/5
Belgium, which finished third in 2018, will try to finally win its golden generation
France
Who is the manager?
Didier Deschamps – The 53-year-old has seen it all in international as he has been in charge of Les Bleus since 2012. He has reached the heights of World Cup glory in the past and will be confident of defending his title with a team full of stars at his disposal. of.
France entered Euro 2020 as world champions, but Deschamps and his tactics received huge criticism when he was surprised by Switzerland on penalties at 16. He managed to keep his job, but you would think it would be curtains if they did. reach at least the semifinals in Qatar.
Who is the star man?
Kylian Mbappe – If in doubt, then Mbappe has proven himself to be France’s main man in recent months. His impressive first goal against South Africa in the middle of the week shows the confidence that runs through his veins.
The PSG star also loves a big event and has scored four goals and three assists in 11 tournament appearances. It is also a boost for Mbappe to have Karim Benzema back him in attack, as he did at Euro 2020.
How did they qualify?
France were comfortable qualifiers in the end, but they did not have everything in their own way. Finished top of their group undefeated, with 18 points after five wins and three draws.
But Ukraine were just six points behind in second place and scored two impressive draws in the pair of games with the French. Deshab’s team also drew at home with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Chance of winning the trophy – 5/5
France will have PSG star Kylian Mbappe in its ranks, as it wants to defend its crown
Argentina
Who is the manager?
Lionel Scaloni – Parachute at work After Jorge Sampaoli failed to get Argentina over 16 in the 2018 World Cup and burned all sorts of goodwill with his players, Scaloni turned Argentina back into a force.
For years he was billed as Lionel Messi + 10, but, after winning the Copa America last year, Argentina has some genealogy to participate in a tournament with Cristian Romero, Rodrigo De Paul, Lautaro Martínez, among others, as a support cast.
Who is the star man?
Lionel Messi – An impressive first season at PSG has hinted that his strength is dwindling, but Messi is still capable of genius and is the undisputed leader of this team.
Realistically, at 34, this could be Messi’s swan song with Argentina on the international stage, so expect him to do what he can to win this trophy that continues to miss his illustrious career.
How did they qualify?
seamlessly. Undefeated in its 17 games, Argentina won 11 and drew 6 to gain 39 points and finish second in Brazil. The home draws with Paraguay and Chile were the only real failures, but they are still in Qatar.
Their 18th match – against Brazil – was called off in September when health officials ran to the pitch to prevent England-based Argentina players from playing, saying they had violated the country’s quarantine rules for COVID-19. It must be repeated, but both qualify and their positions on the table are finalized.
Chance of winning the trophy – 3/5
Lionel Messi, pictured after the defeat in the 2014 World Cup final, will have one last chance in glory
England
Who is the manager?
Gareth Southgate – He still does not have the credit he deserves for taking England from the failures of the 2018 World Cup semi-finals and on the verge of home glory at Euro 2020.
However, with greater success come higher expectations and if England fail to reach at least the semi-finals in Qatar, then questions will arise as to whether Southgate is good enough to take England to the end.
Who is the star man?
Harry Kane – England will not win the World Cup if Harry Kane does not score and play well. It is so simple. He is the amulet of the Three Lions and the winner of the golden boot from Russia in 2018.
The captain has shown much improved form for Tottenham in recent weeks, as he regains his reputation as one of the most feared strikers in the world. The captain of England is the first name on the team sheet for Southgate and could even be the country record …
