Amid much excitement, the draw for the 2022 World Cup will take place in Qatar on April 1 from the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center. A total of eight groups (Group A-H) will be drawn with plenty of intrigue around some of the matchups that could be in store.
The 32 participants, including three yet unclaimed berths, were broken up into pots based on each team's relative strength per the FIFA World Rankings published on March 31. Pot 1 features the top teams and Pot 4 contains the lowest-ranked nations. This is done to try to achieve competitive balance across the groups with each group comprised of one team from each of the pots below.
There are also potentially some highly-ranked teams that will come through the June playoffs (Ex. No. 18 Wales) which for purposes of the April 1 draw will be among the lowest-ranked teams in Pot 4. It's done out of necessity as FIFA decided to lump the three undetermined slots with the Pot 4 teams given the draw has to be completed on April 1, before the playoff results are determined.
The draw will start with Pot 1 and end with Pot 4. A single team is drawn from each pot and slotted into a group beginning with Group A and moving on through Group H. While Pot 1 teams automatically get the top slot in each group (A1, B1, C1, etc.), the selections from the other pots also need to have their respective group designation drawn. That will impact the schedule of group matches.
MORE: Date, time & TV for FIFA World Cup Draw 2022
The breakdown of the four pots follows below:
| Pot 1 | Pot 2 | Pot 3 | Pot 4 |
| Qatar (51)* | Mexico (9) | Senegal (20) | Cameroon (37) |
| Brazil (1) | Netherlands (10) | Iran (21) | Canada (38) |
| Belgium (2) | Denmark (11) | Japan (23) | Ecuador (46) |
| France (3) | Germany (12) | Morocco (24) | Saudi Arabia (49) |
| Argentina (4) | Uruguay (13) | Serbia (25) | Ghana (60) |
| England (5) | Switzerland (14) | Poland (26) | Intercont'l Playoff 1 |
| Spain (7) | USA (15) | South Korea (29) | Intercont'l Playoff 2 |
| Portugal (8) | Croatia (16) | Tunisia (35) | Euro Playoff |
Here's a look at some of the potential toughest group-stage draw results that we could see on April 1.
World Cup Draw Group of Death scenarios
- Pot 1: England
- Pot 2: Germany
- Pot 3: Senegal
- Pot 4: Canada
With Germany in Pot 2, there is a good chance that they will be facing a high-profile nation in the group stages. The possibility of England taking on their old rivals Germany in the early stages of the tournament would certainly whet the appetite for further drama to follow in Qatar.
Senegal, meanwhile, are the highest-ranked team in Pot 3 and managed to win the Africa Cup of Nations. Canada are in Pot 4 and, although they are only competing in their second ever World Cup, they shouldn't be discounted, with John Herdman's team having impressed in qualifying, finishing atop the heap in the CONCACAF region.
- Pot 1: France
- Pot 2: Netherlands
- Pot 3: Senegal
- Pot 4: Canada
Netherlands are another big name in Pot 2, and Louis van Gaal will be fully aware that his team could be given a very tough draw.
Defending champions France are in Pot 1 and will be determined to retain the trophy, but there is a chance that they might not have matters all their own way in Qatar.
Japan are in Pot 3, but are unlikely to be pushovers. Cameroon, meanwhile, are the highest-ranked team in Pot 4. They finished in third place at the Africa Cup of Nations.
- Pot 1: Brazil
- Pot 2: Mexico
- Pot 3: Serbia
- Pot 4: Ghana
Brazil have a rich history at the World Cup and are top of the current FIFA World Rankings. They could be pitted against No. 9-ranked Mexico, who are the top-ranked nation in Pot 2 and could prove to be tricky opponents.
Serbia finished top of their qualifying group ahead of Portugal and have talented players such as Dusan Tadic.
Ghana are in Pot 4 and, despite enduring a disappointing Africa Cup of Nations, will be determined to make an impact on the big stage.
- Pot 1: Belgium
- Pot 2: Denmark
- Pot 3: Morocco
- Pot 4: Ecuador
Belgium have been high up in the FIFA World Rankings in recent years and Roberto Martinez will hope that this is the occasion when he can lead his team to glory after they finished in third place at the 2018 World Cup and reached the quarterfinals of Euro 2021.
Having Christian Eriksen back available again could inspire Denmark to make a big impact at the World Cup, while Morocco can call upon Youssef En-Nesyri and Adam Masina.
Ecuador are ranked 46th in the world, but they have managed to draw against Brazil and Argentina recently.