(NBC Sports)
Containing one of the favourites, England, alongside fellow home nation Wales, the United States and Iran, Group B is sure to be one of the most exciting groups in this year’s competition. With all eyes on England and the United States, don’t overlook Wales and Iran who have proven to be spoilers in recent years and will likely push the United States for a place in the round of 16.
England
(InsideSport)
Matches:
November 21st vs Iran
November 25th vs United States
November 29th vs Japan
Last World Cup Performance: Semi-Final elimination in 2018
Despite coming into the World Cup after a terrible UEFA Nations League campaign that saw them relegated to league B, England are still one of the favorites for this year’s tournament. With one of the strongest squads in the competition and plenty of star power, expectations are high for the 3 Lions. England’s squad contains several established stars like Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, Kyle Walker, Jordan Henderson, and Kieran Tripper but they are overshadowed by a number of young players primed for a breakout tournament.
Look for the duo of Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice to control the Midfield for England and shine on the world’s biggest stage. This duo will be crucial to the 3 Lion’s success in the competition. Alongside these two, keep an eye out for England’s plethora of young attackers including Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka, Mason Mount, and Connor Gallagher: All of whom are playing in their first World Cup and will be eager to make an impact.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Newcastle United), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Conor Coady (Everton), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspurs), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United), Kyle Walker (Manchester City), Ben White (Arsenal)
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City), Declan Rice (West Ham United)
Forwards: Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspurs), James Maddison (Leicester City), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Chelsea), Callum Wilson (Newcastle United)
United States
(Sports Illustrated)
Matches:
November 21st vs Wales
November 25th vs England
November 29th vs Iran
Last World Cup Performance: Round of 16 Elimination in 2014
After a devastating campaign that saw them miss the World Cup in 2018, the United States come into this year’s competition with a point to prove and a squad that just might be the USMNT’s golden generation. The U.S. comes into the Word Cup with the second youngest squad in the tournament. What the team lacks in international experience is made up for by the vast European experience of their top players: Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Gio Reyna, Tyler Adams, Serginio Dest, Cameron Carter-Vickers, and Brenden Aaronson all have Champions League Experience.
However, as mentioned, this is a very young team with only one player on the roster with World Cup experience. The ability of the young players to cope with the pressure and expectations that come with playing on the world’s biggest stage will make or break the tournament for the USMNT. Keep an eye out for the trio of Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, and Brenden Aaronson as they will be crucial to the team’s success.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Ethan Horvath (Luton Town), Sean Johnson (New York City FC), Matt Turner (Arsenal)
Defenders: Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic), Sergino Dest (AC Milan), Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls), Shaq Moore (Nashville SC), Tim Ream (Fulham), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach), DeAndre Yedlin (Inter Miami), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC)
Midfielders: Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United), Kellyn Acosta (Los Angeles FC), Tyler Adams (Leeds United), Luca de ka Torre (Celta de Vigo), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Yunus Musah (Valencia), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders)
Forwards: Jesus Ferreira (FC Dallas), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders), Christian Pulisic (Chelsea), Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund), Josh Sargent (Norwich City), Tim Weah (Lille), Haji Wright (Antalyaspor)
Wales
(The Independent)
Matches:
November 21st vs United States
November 25th vs Iran
November 29th vs England
Last World Cup Performance: Quarter-Final Elimination in 1958
Despite finding success in European competitions in past years, the Welsh have failed to qualify for a World Cup since 1958. Despite having to play a few extra games, Wales finally qualified for the World Cup after a brilliant free-kick goal from the captain and superstar player, Gareth Bale. Bale is a five-time Champions League winner and is one of the most decorated British players of all time. Though he has had injury troubles in recent years, he has said that he is 100% healthy and ready for the world’s stage.
While they don’t have the strongest squad, Wales does have several players with Premier League experience such as Danny Ward, Ben Davies, Neco Williams, Aaron Ramsey, Dan James, Brennan Johnson and Kieffer Moore. This mix of young and experienced pros will make the Welsh an unpredictable and difficult opponent. Look for Gareth Bale to produce a few moments of brilliance as he is the heart and soul of the team and is often at his best in the Wales shirt.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Wayne Hennessey (Nottingham Forest), Danny Ward (Leicester City), Adam Davies (Sheffield United)
Defenders: Ben Davies (Tottenham Hotspurs), Joe Rodon (Rennes), Ben Cabango (Swansea City), Chris Mepham (Bournemouth), Chris Gunter (Wimbledon), Connor Roberts (Burnley), Neco Williams (Nottingham Forest), Ethan Amapdu (Spezia), Tom Lockyer (Luton Town)
Midfielders: Aaron Ramsey (Nice), Joe Allen (Swansea City), Harry Wilson (Fulham), Joe Morrell (Portsmouth), Matthew Smith (MK Dons), Dylan Levitt (Dundee United), Sorba Thomas (Huddersfield Town), Rubin Colwill (Swansea City), Jonny Williams (Swindon Town)
Forwards: Gareth Bale (LAFC), Daniel James (Fulham), Mark Harris (Cardiff City), Kieffer Moore (Bournemouth), Brennan Johnson (Nottingham Forest)
Iran
(Sports Illustrated)
Matches:
November 21st vs England November 25th vs Wales
November 29th vs United States
Last World Cup Performance: Group Stage elimination in 2018
Coming into their third straight World Cup appearance, this year’s Iran squad is facing some major controversy as their country is currently convulsed with anti-government protests. The Iranian Government has stated that if there are to be any protests from the players or fans, the Iranian state broadcast will cut away to avoid allowing Iranian citizens to see this. Because of this, the host nation Qatar has avoided denying accreditation to Iran International’s journalists.
This will serve as a big distraction to an Iranian team already facing a tough uphill battle to advance past the group stages, something that they have never achieved in five World Cup appearances. They come into the competition in good form, recently beating Uruguay and drawing Senegal, but it will be difficult for them to match up with the talent of England, Wales, and the United States. Keep an eye on striker Mehdi Taremi and winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh as they will need to be clinical if Iran is to get anything from this year’s competition.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Alireza Beyranvand (Persepolis), Amir Abedzadeh (Ponferradina), Payam Niazmand (Sepahan), Hossein Hosseini (Esteghlal)
Defenders: Majid Hosseini (Kayserispor), Mohammad Hossein Kanaanizadegan (Al-Ahli), Shojae Khalilzadeh (Al-Ahli), Morteza Pouraliganji (Persepolis), Sadegh Moharrami (Dinamo Zagreb), Ramin Rezaeian (Sepahan), Milad Mohammadi (AEK Athens), Abolfazl Jalali (Esteghlal)
Midfielders: Saeid Ezatollahi (Vejle), Ehsan Hajsafi (AEK Athens), Rouzbeh Cheshmi (Esteghlal), Ahmad Nourollahi (Shabab Al Ahli), Ali Karimi (Kayserispor), Saman Ghoddos (Brentford), Vahid Amiri (Persepolis)
Forwards: Alireza Jahanbakhsh (Feyenoord), Ali Gholizadeh (Charleroi), Mehdi Taremi (FC Porto), Mehdi Torabi (Persepolis), Karim Ansarifard (Omonia), Sardar Azmoun (Bayer Leverkusen)