The road to the World Cup Finals was not an easy one and definitely did not exactly end up as expected. Although it was quite interesting and filled with all the thrills and excitement every football match comes with, not all our favorite teams and countries ended up securing a spot in the FIFA 2022 World Cup.
The World Cup qualifiers concluded earlier this year, and now the teams to compete at the prestigious stage are all set and ready to take their shot at the trophy. A total of 32 teams qualified for the tournament, which would be the last time, as 46 teams would be qualifying for the next World Cup in 2026.
Each continent was given qualifying slots, either through direct qualification or by playoffs. A slot was reserved for an Oceania country to qualify through playoffs, but they didn’t make it, as New Zealand lost 0 – 1 to Costa Rica.
Europe had the most slots, with 13 countries qualifying to represent at the finals. South America would be represented by 5 countries, with Costa Rica qualifying through playoffs, and 4 others by direct qualification, and 3 countries from North America.
There are also 5 countries from Africa and 6 from Asia, which includes Qatar, which took up a slot by automatic qualification as host nation, and Australia which left Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) to join Asia.
Countries That Qualified for the 2022 World Cup
Qatar
Confederation: Asian Football Federation
Date Qualified: 2nd December, 2010
World Cup Group: Group A
Qatar became the first country to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup back in 2010 when they won the bid to host the competition. Although there have been some controversies concerning their victory, with allegations and investigations of fraud.
This would be the first time they would be qualifying for the competition, as they would be making their debut on the opening day of the tournament on 21st November, 2022. Having never made an appearance at the World Cup.
Germany
Confederation: Union of European Football Association
Date Qualified: 11th October, 2021
World Cup Group: Group E
The 2010 World Cup champions became the second country to qualify to the 2022 competition, after beating North Macedonia in October 2021.
The former Champions suffered an unlikely fate after losing to Mexico and North Korea in the group stage of the last World Cup, and were unable to defend their title, which they would be looking forward to redemption in this year’s competition.
Denmark
Confederation: Union of European Football
Date Qualified: 12th October, 2021
World Cup Group: Group D
Denmark secured a spot in the World Cup after beating Australia in a 1-0 victory, solidifying their spot as the winner of UEFA qualifiers Group F.
They would be expecting their fully recovered captain Christian Eriksen, who had a heart failure issue during one of their matches to help them soir in the forthcoming World Cup competition.
Brazil
Confederation: South America Football Confederation
Date Qualified: 11th November, 2021
World Cup Group: Group G
The Record holding five (5) times World Cup champions, Brazil became the first South American team to qualify for the 2022 World Cup after beating Colombia 1-0 mid November 2021.
Brazil continues to prove their rank in the Football game, becoming to only team to have Qualified for all World Cup Finals competition, and would be looking to try their luck it this years competition and add one more trophy to their cabinet
Belgium
Confederation: Union of European Football Association
Date Qualified: 13th November, 2021
World Cup Group: Group F
Belgium joined the league of qualifiers in early November, 2021as they finished top of Group E in the UEFA qualifiers.
The star-studded group would be looking to improve their World Cup run, and their best to bring home an international trophy for the country after finishing third in the 2018 World Cup.
France
Confederation: Union of European Football Association
Date Qualified: 13th November, 2021
World Cup Group: Group D
The defending Champions became the sixth country to qualify for the World Cup event coming up late November / Early December this 2022 after finishing top of Group D in the UEFA qualifiers.
The champions would have to work really hard to break the jinx previous World Cup have had to face over the last 20 years of not being able to make it past the group stage after winning the title the previous year.
Croatia
Confederation: Union of European Football Association
Date Qualified: 14th November, 2021
World Cup Group: Group F
Croatia, who had an amazing World Cup run in the last tournament after shocking everyone by making it to the finals, beat Russia 1-0 in a winner takes all match of Group H.
This was before Russia was disqualified from the tournament earlier this year due to their ongoing crisis with Ukraine. Would Croatia be able to provide themselves once again in this year’s World Cup?
Spain
Confederation: Union of European Football
Date Qualified: 14th November, 2021
World Cup Group: Group E
The 2010 World Cup champions were the winner first in Group B to qualify for the 2022 World Cup competition.
Spain who would be playing with a new set of young fresh talents would have to really put in the work this World Cup to prove that they can uphold the legacy of their predecessors.
Serbia
Confederation: Union of European Football Association
Date Qualified: 14th November, 2021
World cup Group: Group G
Serbia were able to secure a spot in the upcoming World Cup tournament after beating Portugal in the UEFA qualifiers Group A Match up.
They would have their hopes high and heads strong as they prepare to take on Brazil, Switzerland and Cameroon in the World Cup group stage matches.
England
Confederation: Union of European Football Association
Date Qualified: 15th November, 2021
World Cup Group: Group B
Home to the best Football league in the world, the English lions Qualified in grand style with a heavy 10-0 win over their opponents San Marino.
They are also favorites to qualify from Group B in the World Cup Group stage match against Wales, USA and Iran
Switzerland
Confederation: Union of European Football Association
Date Qualified: 15th November, 2021
World Cup Group: Group G
Switzerland were able to secure World Cup qualification from Group C after a successful qualifiers campaign and stopping the Italian giants from once again appearing in the competition.
The Swiss natioj would have to give it their all if they want to make it past Group G in the World Cup against countries like Brazil, Cameroon and Serbia.
Netherlands
Confederation: Asian Football Federation
Date Qualified: 16th November, 2021
World Cup Group: Group A
Netherland were able to secure a seat at the World Cup in Qatar after winning the final play-off slot in November 2021 by beating Norway 2-0.
Netherland would be facing host country Qatar, African Champions Senegal and South American team Ecuador in the group stage at the tournament.
Argentina
Confederation: South America Football Confederation
Date Qualified: 16th November, 2021
World Cup Group: Group C
Argentina was able to secure a spot in Qatar, in what might be Messi’s last World Cup tournament after a draw with Brazil and Ecuador’s win over Chile.
Although they are favorites in Group C against Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland, the real work might start in the knockout stages as Messi chases the World Cup trophy
Iran
Confederation: Asian Football Federation
Date Qualified: 27th January, 2022
World Cup Group: Group B
Iran finished top of their group and were able to qualify from the Asian Qualifiers, securing a slot at the World Cup in November 2022.
They were drawn to Group B where they would be facing off England, USA and Wales in a strong contest to advance to the knockout stages.
South Korea
Confederation: Asian Football Federation
Date Qualified: 1st February, 2022
World Cup Group: Group H
South Korea finished top 2 of Group A in the third round of AFC World Cup qualifiers, thereby becoming the third Asian team to qualify for the tournament.
They would be facing Ghana, Uruguay and Portugal in Group H at the World Cup, and might be able to shock one of these teams like they did Germany the last World Cup.
Japan
Confederation: Asian Football Federation
Date Qualified: 24th March, 2022
World Cup Group: Group E
Japan finished top two in Group B of the AFC World Cup qualifiers along with Saudi Arabia to secure a spot at the competition.
Following their successful run in the last World Cup, making it to the knockout stages, they’ll be looking to impress better, bringing in their A game and prove themselves as World class.
Saudi Arabia
Confederation: Asian Football Federation
Date Qualified: 24th March, 2022
World Cup Group: Group C
The Arabians were able to secure a spot at Qatar after successfully finishing top two of Group B in the AFC qualifiers in March 2022.
They were then drawn in Group C alongside Argentina, Mexico and Poland and would have to fight for a chance to qualify for the knockout rounds.
Ecuador
Confederation: South America Football Confederation
Date Qualified: 24th March, 2022
World Cup Group: Group A
Ecuador were able to qualify for the 2022 World Cup tournament by direct qualification from the World Cup qualifiers Group.
They will be playing the official opening match against host nation Qatar in the second match of Group A. They will then go on to face Netherland and Senegal in subsequent matches to book a spot in the knockout round.
Uruguay
Confederation: South America Football Confederation
Date Qualified: 24th March, 2022
World Cup Group: Group H
Uruguay became the fourth South American team to qualify for the 2022 World Cup through direct qualification from the CONMEBOL qualifiers.
Uruguay would see the likes of Cavani and Suarez play their last World Cup tournament and would be looking to leave a mark by taking out Ghana, Portugal and South Korea in the group stage matches before advancing to the knockout rounds.
Canada
Confederation: Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football.
Date Qualified: 27th March, 2022
World Cup Group: Group F
Canada became the first country in CONCACAF to book a spot in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in March 2022. This would be their first appearance since 1986. Making it over 20 years their absence from the tournament.
They would be looking forward to a glorious return, to prove their worth as a World class team, and would have to face silver medalist Croatia, World class Belgium and Africa’s Tunisia in the group stage matches.
Ghana
Confederation: Confederation of African Football
Date Qualified: 29th March, 2022
World Cup Group: Group H
Ghana became the first African country to qualify for the 2022 World Cup at the expense of Nigeria, and would be set to make their fourth appearance in the tournament later in November.
Like they did The African giants, they would like to also shock Portugal and crush Ronaldo’s World Cup dreams right from the group stage.
Senegal
Confederation: Confederation of African Football
Date Qualified: 29th March, 2022
World Cup Group: Group A
After crushing Mo Salah’s AFCON hopes, Sadio Mane and the entire Senegal squad were able to do it again by qualifying for the World Cup at the expense of Egypt.
The African Champions were drawn in Group A to face the host nation Qatar, Netherland and Ecuador as their groop competitors.
Portugal
Confederation: Union of European Football Association
Date Qualified: 29th March, 2022
World Cup Group: Group H
Portugal were able to top North Macedonia in their World Cup qualifiers playoff, securing a spot in Qatar and extending Ronaldo’s dreams of lifting the trophy.
They were drawn in Group h where they would have to fight off Uruguay, Ghana and South Korea to make it to the knockout round.
Poland
Confederation: Union of European Football Association
Date Qualified: 29th March, 2022.
World Cup Group: Group C
Poland booked a spot at the tournament by beating Sweden in the play offs and securing a place in Qatar.
They ended up in Group C with Argentina, South Korea and Mexico.
Tunisia
Confederation: Confederation of African Football
Date Qualified: 29th March, 2022
World Cup Group: Group D
Tunisia were able to secure a spot as the third qualifying African Country after Mali in the CAF World Cup qualifiers.
They would be competing with defending Champions France, Australia and Denmark for a spot in the knockout stages.
Cameroon
Confederation: Confederation of African Football
Date Qualified: 29th March, 2022
World Cup Group: Group G
Cameroon qualified by a dying minute goal of Karl El toko-Ekambi in the playoffs round against Algerian, making a return to the World Cup big stage.
Can their hero do it again in a Group G match up against the likes of Brazil, Serbia and Switzerland.
Morocco
Confederation: Confederation of African Football
Date Qualified: 29th March, 2022
World Cup Group: Group F
Morocco were able to beat DR Congo in the playoffs, and secured themselves another chance to sour in a World Cup tournament.
They ended up in the same group with Belgium, Canada and Croatia. Let’s see if they can make it out alive.
Mexico
Confederation: Confederation of North America and Caribbean Association
Date Qualified: 30th March, 2022
World Cup Group: Group C
The big North America team made it to the World Cup wonce again and this time would be determined to leave a larger impact on the tournament.
Mexico sits in Group C with Argentina, Poland and Saudi Arabian with an eye for the knockout rounds, can they make it?
United States
Confederation: Confederation of North America and Caribbean Association
Date Qualified: 30th March, 2022
World Cup Group: Group B
The United State made it this time, after kissing out in 2018, the North Americand are not looking for another sir out on such important competition.
The USA would be in Group B with the likes of Rngland, Iran and Wales as they all fight for a spot in the knockout stages.
Wales
Confederation: Union of European Football
Date Qualified: 5th June, 2022
World Cup Group: Group B
Wales were able to make a remarkable return to the competition after 64 years, by beating Ukraine 1-0 in their home of Cardiff in early June 2022.
They would be facing rivals England, along with Saudi Arabia and USA international Group stage matches.
Australia
Confederation: Asian Football Federation
Date Qualified: 13th June, 2022
World Cup Group: Group D
Australia who recently left the Oceania Football Confederation to join Asian were the last Asian country to qualify after Peru in an intercontinental play offs.
They would be facing an even tougher Group D against France, Denmark and Tunisia in the World Cup.
Costa Rica
Confederation: Confederation of North America and Caribbean Association
Date Qualified: 14th June, 2022
World Cup Group: Group E
The last but not the least country to qualify for the 20222 World Cup was Costa Rica and North America were able to beat New Zealand in an intercontinental play off.
Costa Rica was later drawn in Group E against heavyweight Spain, the German Machines and Japan, and would have to fight to prove they deserve their spot at the tournament.