World Cup 2022 draw LIVE: Stream, TV channel and updates on all groups as England to learn fate for Qatar

BRACE yourselves as World Cup draw day is finally here – and football fans across the globe are patiently waiting to see who their country will put in a group with.

England qualified with flying colours and are one of the top seeds heading into the group stages.

But European champions Italy will NOT be in Qatar, having surprisingly lost 2-1 in their qualifier against North Macedonia.

  • Start time: 5pm GMT
  • TV Channel: BBC One
  • Live stream: BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website
  • Pot 1: Qatar, Brazil, Belgium, France, Portugal, England, Argentina, Spain.
  • Pot 2: Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, Mexico, USA, Uruguay, Croatia.
  • Pot 3: Japan, Serbia, Iran, Morocco, South Korea, Senegal, Poland, Canada.
  • Pot 4: Ecuador, Cameroon, Saudi Arabia, Ghana, Peru, Wales/Scotland/Ukraine, Costa Rica/New Zealand, UAE/Australia/Peru

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  • Justin Lawrence

    Ukraine want friendy with Prem club

    Ukraine manager Oleksandr Petrakov wants to play a Premier League side to prepare for his nation's play-off tie with Scotland.

    Petrakov's got his eyes set on a game at Wembley, preferably with a London club.

    He told the Guardian: "We could play at Wembley, for example, against a London club.

    "It could be a good exhibition game, a response for the Ukrainian army, as well as preparatory work for the Scotland game."

  • Justin Lawrence

    Fifa urged to oust Iran from World Cup

    Fifa have been urged to kick Iran out of the World Cup by human rights activists for refusing to allow women to watch games in stadiums.

    The United for Navid group of exiled Iranian athletes and activists said Iran should be suspended from international football until it changes its stance, the Daily Mail reported.

    A statement from the group to Fifa read: "We formally request that FIFA immediately suspend Iran and prohibit its participation in the World Cup 2022 as long as the Football Federation of Iran continues to violate the Olympic Charter and FIFA regulations

    I"n the letter, a copy of which was obtained by AFP Friday, it said that Iran had pledged to FIFA that it would end its policy of "gender apartheid" by allowing women to attend matches.

    "But not only has Iran broken that promise by continuing to bar women from entering a stadium but women are beaten, abused and threatened."

  • Justin Lawrence

    De Gea’s anger

    David de Gea is reportedly furious at being axed from the Spain squad by Luis Enrique.

    According to AS, the Man United stopper didn’t take Enriques decision well and was incensed by his omission.

    They also added that De Gea didn’t think Enrique’s choice was justified.

  • Justin Lawrence

    Qatar World Cup choice slammed

    Norwegian FA president, Lise Klaveness, has called out Fifa for allowing Qatar to host the 2022 World Cup.

    And at the 72nd FIFA Congress, Klaveness blasted Fifa's 2010 decision to award the Gulf State this year's World Cup.

    Klaveness said: "In 2010, the World Cup was awarded by Fifa in unacceptable ways with unacceptable consequences.

    "Human rights, equality, democracy, the core interests of football, were not in the starting XI until many years later.

    "These basic rights were pressured on as substitutes, mainly by outside voices.

    "Fifa has later addressed these issues, but there is still a long way to go.

    "The migrant workers injured or families of those who died in the build-up to the World Cup should be cared for.

    "Fifa, all of us, must now take all necessary measures to really implement change.

    "There is no room for employers who do not secure the freedom and safety of World Cup workers.

    "No room for leaders that cannot host the women's game.

    "No room for hosts that cannot legally guarantee the safety and respect of LGBTQ+ people coming to this theatre of dreams."

  • Justin Lawrence

    Pique of the bunch

    Gerard Pique is considering coming out of retirement to play for Spain at the World Cup, according to reports.

    The Barcelona star initially called it quits after the 2018 tournament in Russia.

    Pique announced in October 2016 that the 2018 World Cup would be his final tournament at international level – with many believing that he felt hurt by a "lack of respect" shown by the Spanish press.

    Having returned to top form at Barca under old pal Xavi, however, Pique could be set to perform a retirement U-turn.

    Spain are currently managed by Pique's former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique.

    According to El Mundo, it is yet to be seen whether Enrique would take 103-cap Pique up on his offer to return.

  • Justin Lawrence

    Ukraine boss' defiant vow

    Ukraine boss Oleksandr Petrakov doesn't want a free pass into the World Cup due to the country's war plight.

    Instead, he wants to earn a spot in the competition in Qatar later this year.

    He said: "Do I think we should have a World Cup place donated to us? Of course not. I fully agree with what Andriy Yarmolenko said about it.

    "We must play in Scotland and get a World Cup ticket on our own.

    "Of course, I speak only for myself. Any proposal would have to through our executive committee and the president.

    "But I can assure you that I am personally very much against it. We need to play."

  • Nyle Smith

    His race isn't Ron yet

    Cristiano Ronaldo wants to continue playing for Portugal beyond 2024 – by which time he will be 39.

    And team-mate Jose Fonte reckons there is still plenty left in the tank to see him represent Portugal at Euro 2024 in Germany.

    The veteran Lille defender told talkSPORT: “I think he’s left it pretty clear in his last interview, he’s the one who decides his future.

    “I think that physically he feels good, he feels great.

    “If he had the chance to win it and the chance to keep performing at the highest stages then he’ll keep playing, as he said.

    “Nobody knows exactly what he has in his mind, so only he can decide his future.

    “He wants to play and keep playing so I would assume that he will be in Qatar, and not only in Qatar but in the next Euros at least.”

  • Nyle Smith

    The battle against boredum

    England players face a battle against boredom at the World Cup as they are staying in the same hotel for the entire tournament, writes CHARLIE WYETT.

    Boss Gareth Southgate has picked the Souq Al Wakra in a fishing village 10miles from Doha.

    Three Lions stars will have PlayStation, basketball, table tennis, pool and darts to entertain them.

    Southgate said: "The 'watch out' for us is you don't even move hotel the night before the game.

    "So you must switch the mindset from, 'this is just another training day' to 'it's match-day tomorrow', so we're going to have to consider those aspects."

  • Nyle Smith

    Gareth Southgate on Qatar

    He said: "I've only been for the Club World Cup. We've had other people out there following up and just doing further recces of the training base.

    "Yes, it's the first World Cup in a Muslim country, the first in the Middle East and it's the first World Cup in the middle of the season — so it's a hugely different feel.

    "Culturally, it will have a different feel but I went to the World Cup in South Africa and again it was the first time on the continent, so that was an amazing experience.

    "I went to Brazil and that was an amazing experience. Part of the World Cup is visiting places you've not had the chance to go to. I love travel.

    "I'm one who is the first name down if there's a trip somewhere to go and improve my knowledge of the world and culture. That part of it I'm hugely excited by."

  • Nyle Smith

    World Cup has to be perfect

    Gareth Southgate has told his England stars they must be 'perfect' to win the World Cup this year, writes CHARLIE WYETT.

    The finals draw takes place here in Qatar today and the Three Lions are among the top seeds.

    England were semi-finalists at the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020 runners-up.

    Boss Southgate revealed: "What have we said to the team this week?

    "That if we can get to a semi-final, we can get to a final, and we did. If we can get to a final, we can win. That's clear.

    "To do that is incredibly difficult and we'll have to be as close to perfect as can be.

    "That's the challenge for us, not just when we get to Qatar because we've got to be in the right condition, even before that.

    "That's what we've got to work towards every day we're together."

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