2022 FIFA World Cup – Group A details, prediction and broadcast details

Topics: TV Schedules, TV Listings, Streaming Info, Qatar, Netherlands, Senegal, Ecuador, 2022 FIFA World Cup

The Netherlands headline this group, but with Ecuador, Africa Cup of Nations winners Senegal, and AFC Asian Cup champions Qatar all vying for a round of 16 spot, who will make the knockout stage?

Who are the teams in Group A of the 2022 FIFA World Cup?

Netherlands

Four interesting teams will battle it out in Group A for the two round of 16 tickets, with the focus mainly being on the Netherlands, known by many as the best nation to have never won the FIFA World Cup. After missing out on Russia 2018, the Oranje made amends by qualifying for Qatar 2022 in a lovely fashion, winning all but three of their 10 qualifiers (D2, L1). However, Turkey, who finished two points behind in second, and Norway, who finished five points behind in third, gave them stern competition. Nonetheless, Van Gaal's side secured an automatic ticket to this winter's competition. Depay and Co. went from strength to strength afterward, wrapping up a brilliant UEFA Nations League campaign in the build-up to this tournament as the European giants made it to the finals, beating Belgium both home and away to top the group. However, Qatar 2022 is the ultimate test for the Netherlands.

Senegal

One of the dark horses in this competition is Senegal. The African giants head into this tournament on the back of their unforgettable Africa Cup of Nations campaign earlier this year, with the Lions of Teranga ending their wait for continental success, beating Egypt in the final to lift this trophy for the first time in history. At the heart of their success were several household names, including Chelsea goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, Chelsea center-back Kalidou Koulibaly, and then-Liverpool star Sadio Mane. In fact, it was the former Anfield attacker who netted the winning penalty as spot kicks were needed to separate the two countries. Senegal would get a rematch against the Pharaohs, this time in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The two continental giants faced off in a winner-takes-all encounter, with Mane once again netting the decisive penalty to send his country to Qatar 2022. Will Aliou Cissé's men carry this momentum into this year's FIFA World Cup?

Ecuador

Another team to be on the lookout for is Ecuador, a country whose participation in this tournament has been under tremendous doubt. The South American nation have been at risk of being kicked out of the competition due to the controversy surrounding Byron Castillo, the Ecuadorian defender accused of illegally playing for La Tri amid allegations that he was born in Colombia. However, Gustavo Alfaro's side are carrying on with their preparations. The South American outfit finished fourth in the CONMEBOL qualifiers, beating Peru to the final automatic qualification despite fielding one of the youngest squads, boasting an average age of just above 25. This is the fourth time Ecuador have qualified for FIFA's prestigious tournament but only once have they reached the knockout stage. Qatar 2022 will give them an opportunity at another attempt.

Qatar

And finally, we have the host nation. For the first time in history, Qatar will make an appearance at the FIFA World Cup, and while their ticket did not come through the qualifying rounds, the Middle Eastern country won't lose any sleep over this fact. Al Annabi are one of a handful of participants who enter this tournament as continental champions, with Félix Sánchez's side winning the most recent edition of the AFC Asian Cup. In fact, Qatar's victory was made sweeter by who they beat in the final, overcoming almighty Japan in the ultimate game. Qatar were also invited to the 2021 Gold Cup and made it all the way to the semifinals, missing out on the final after losing to eventual champions USA by a mere 1-0 scoreline. Almoez Ali and Co. will have the entire country behind them. Only time will tell if that can propel the home side into the round of 16.

2022 FIFA World Cup: Key games in Group A

Qatar vs Ecuador on November 20

The hosts kick off the tournament with a showdown against Ecuador as Al Annabi aim to perform better against South American opposition than they did in the 2019 Copa America. If any one of these two nations are to make the last 16, then this is a must-win game. The result of the opening 2022 FIFA World Cup match could give us an early glimpse into who will make it out of Group A.

Senegal vs Netherlands on November 21

This will be another crucial game as the champions of Africa look to pull off an upset against the European giants. The Netherlands have drastically improved under Van Gaal and are thus the favorites in this group. However, the Lions of Teranga are blessed with talent themselves; namely the likes of Mane, Koulibaly, Mendy, and Sarr; and could give the Oranje a run for their money.

Netherlands vs Ecuador on November 25

The Dutch will want to win their group and this game could be decisive in achieving that. This will be their second of three group-stage fixtures, sandwiched in between their showdowns with Senegal and Qatar, hence its importance. If Depay and Co. enter the final game against the hosts with six points under their belt, then the top spot should be theirs to lose. Ecuador, on the other hand, will want to get a result as they aim to reach the knockout stage. La Tri are capable of frustrating some of the best teams in the world and will look to do just that in this fixture.

Which teams in Group A are the favorites to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup round of 16?

Not only should the Netherlands make the round of 16, but Louis van Gaal's men are also expected to win their group. Failure to do that could set up the Oranje for a tricky round of 16 battle with England due to the knockout stage bracket. The biggest mystery, however, revolves around Group A's second ticket. AFCON champions Senegal should edge it but Ecuador could give the Lions of Teranga a run for their money despite sitting 26 spots below Mane and Co. in FIFA's ranking.

Our prediction: How Group A will finish

Netherlands
Senegal
Ecuador
Qatar

2022 FIFA World Cup: Key players to keep an eye on in Group A

Memphis Depay

This might come as a surprise due to the presence of Virgil van Dijk, arguably the best center-back in world football, who looks certain to feature at Qatar 2022 after missing out on Euro 2020 due to injury. However, Van Gaal has a number of talented defenders at his disposal, including Man City's Nathan Ake, Ajax's Jurriën Timber, and Bayern Munich's Matthijs de Ligt. However, in attack, despite the blistering form of PSV sensation Cody Gakpo, Depay will be the go-to guy for inspiration. The Barcelona ace is both capable of finishing off moves and creating for others and thus should not be underestimated.

Memphis Depay, Netherlands, FIFA World Cup, Qatar 2022, Group A, Preview

Moisés Caicedo

The Brighton talent has quickly established himself as one of the most promising midfielders in the Premier League due to his qualities both on and off the ball. The box-to-box midfielder is excellent at shielding his defense and driving at the opposition. While Caicedo might not score a goal or two against the Netherlands and Senegal, "Niño Moi" is the type of player that can dominate a midfield.

Moises Caicedo, Ecuador, FIFA World Cup, Qatar 2022, Group A, Preview

Sadio Mane

The former Southampton and Liverpool star led his nation to two brilliant milestones this year. First came their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations success, which took place in 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mane scored the decisive spot kick in Senegal's penalty shootout vs Egypt in the final to secure his nation their first-ever trophy in this competition. A while later, the Lions of Teranga faced the Pharaohs for a spot at Qatar 2022, and for the second time running, this match went to penalties. Once again, Sadio converted the final attempt to send his team to the FIFA World Cup, and with the event set to kick off on November 20, guiding Aliou Cissé's crew to the round of 16 will be next on the Bayern Munich ace's bucket list.

Sadio Mane, Senegal, FIFA World Cup, Qatar 2022, Group A, Preview

Almoez Ali

Qatar will be the underdogs in this competition, and as a result, the hosts will need to be clinical if they are to surprise the likes of the Netherlands, Senegal, and Ecuador. Here is where Almoez Ali enters the picture. The 26-year-old has established himself as Al Annabi's talisman in international tournaments, finishing the 2019 AFC Asian Cup and 2021 Gold Cup as top scorer with nine and four goals, respectively. Additionally, Almoez is only six goals away from becoming Qatar's all-time top scorer, and while it will be difficult to break that record at the upcoming FIFA World Cup, expect him to edge closer to that milestone at the very least.

Almoez Ali, Qatar, FIFA World Cup, Qatar 2022, Preview, Group A