Belgium, Croatia, Canada, and Morocco are the teams that took their place in Group F. They were selected through a draw and will be battling against each other for a place in the knockout phase.
The competition in the group matches is very intense in Group F as the World Cup finalists in 2018, Croatia, will play against semifinalists from that same year Belgium. Global football fans will surely keep an eye on this high voltage match.
Canada will appear at the tournament for the first time since 1986. They are very optimistic that they will be able to reach the knockout phase. Canada gained this confidence after finishing top of their qualification group. Another spot in Group F is taken by Morocco. After gaining a convincible 2-2 draw against Spain at Russia 2018, they are looking for an opportunity this time to fly the flag for Africa once again.
The opening group fixture is on Wednesday, November 23, where Belgium will face Canada. On the same day, Croatia will face Morocco.
For the two teams that advance from Group F, they would match up with a team from Group E in the Round of 16.
World Cup Group F Table & Fixtures
| Team | PTS | GP | W | L | D | GF | GA | GD |
| F1:Â Belgium | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| F2:Â Canada | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| F3:Â Morocco | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| F4:Â Croatia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Group F Match Schedule
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
| Wed, Nov. 23 | Morocco vs. Croatia | 5 a.m. | Al Bayt |
| Wed, Nov. 23 | Belgium vs. Canada | 2 p.m. | Ahmad Bin Ali |
| Sun, Nov. 27 | Belgium vs. Morocco | 8 a.m. | Al Thumama |
| Sun, Nov. 27 | Croatia vs. Canada | 11 a.m. | Khalifa Int’l |
| Thurs, Dec. 1 | Croatia vs. Belgium | 10 a.m. | Ahmad Bin Ali |
| Thurs, Dec. 1 | Canada vs. Morocco | 10 a.m. | Al Thumama |
The four teams of the group will play in a round-robin format, with each team facing the other three. Those three group-stage matches will determine the group standings by adding up the points collected. Three points will be given for a win, one for a draw, none for a loss.
The top two teams from each group make their way to the single-game knockouts based on total points. If the teams are tied on points, the first tiebreaker is goal difference, followed by goals scored. Another set of tiebreakers is applied if the teams are also tied in those categories.
Draw
Belgium was announced as one of the favorites to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and has been included in Group F alongside Croatia, Morocco, and Canada.
Here is a summary of each team ahead of the tournament.
Belgium
Though Belgium was dethroned from the No.1 ranked team in the world, having been recently replaced from the top of the FIFA standings by Brazil, they will be expected to go far in Qatar this time as they can still call upon some key members of their golden generation.
Nevertheless, their coach Roberto Martinez must hope that this will be the time when the Red Devils live up to the expectation that was generated pre-tournament and can finally lift some silverware. They certainly could take some stopping with such outstanding players like Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne and Chelsea’s Romelu Lukaku.
Belgium, who were beaten in the semis at the 2018 World Cup and went out in the quarterfinals at Euro 2020, has a good chance of going far again on this occasion. But they will have to be organized and show greater equanimity intense situations.
- Current FIFA world ranking:Â No. 2 (March 2022)
- Regional ranking:Â 1st (UEFA)
- World Cup titles: — (0)
- World Cup appearances (last):Â 13 (Russia 2018)
- How qualified:Â UEFA Group E winners: 6W-0L-2D
- Overall record (all competitions & friendlies):
- 2022:Â 1W-0L-1D (Goals: 5 scored / 2 conceded)
- 2021:Â 11W-3L-3D (Goals: 39 scored / 15 conceded)
- Coach:Â Roberto Martinez (Spain) since August 2016
- Star players: Kevin De Bryune (Manchester City / England), Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea / England), Eden Hazard (Real Madrid / Spain)
Croatia
In FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar Group F, another strong team Croatia has also been drawn to play. Many couldn’t make sense while they reached the final of the 2018 World Cup. Though they lost to France, they made a strong statement. Unfortunately, they didn’t do well at Euro 2020, where they were eliminated from the Round of 16.
Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric, despite his advancing years, remains a superb player and the talisman of the team. As this World Cup is likely to be his final one, the 35-year-old will be determined to impress his fans.
After losing just one match in their opening fixture against Slovenia and winning the rest in the qualifying, Croatia impressed all of their fans. Though this performance gives hope of getting out of the group stage, expecting another lengthy run from Zlatko Dalic’s side is an over expectation.
- Current FIFA world ranking:Â No. 16 (March 2022)
- Regional ranking:Â 11th (UEFA)
- World Cup titles: —
- World Cup appearances (last):Â 5 (Russia 2018)
- How qualified:Â UEFA Group H winners: 7W-1L-2D
- Overall record (all competitions & friendlies):
- 2022:Â 1W-0L-1D (Goals: 3 scored / 1 conceded)
- 2021:Â 8W-4L-4D (Goals: 29 scored / 14 conceded)
- Coach:Â Zlatko Dalic (Croatia) since October 2017
- Star players: Luka Modric (Real Madrid / Spain), Ivan Perisic (Inter Milan / Italy), Domagoj Vida (Besiktas / Turkey)
Morocco
Considered one of the strongest teams on the African continent, Morocco will show off plenty of its star power at Qatar 2022. This is going to be the sixth time they will be competing in the finals.
Paris Saint-Germain full-back Achraf Hakimi, who is the main man in Morocco’s arsenal, will be expected to show his charisma in the arena and to be supported by the likes of Sofaine Boufa and Ayoub Al Kaabi. Sofaine Boufa has Premier League experience, and he formerly played with Southampton, while Ayoub Al Kaabi plays for Hatayspor in the Turkish Super League and offers their most potent goal threat.
Earlier this year, Morocco managed to go to the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals but was sadly knocked out by eventual finalists Egypt. They could be a potential surprise challenger to make it into the latter stages.
- Current FIFA world ranking:Â No. 24 (March 2022)
- Regional ranking:Â 2nd (CAF)
- World Cup titles: —
- World Cup appearances (last):Â 5 (Russia 2018)
- How qualified:Â (CAF Third Round winner: (agg 5-2 vs. DR Congo)
- Overall record (all competitions & friendlies):
- 2022:Â 4W-1L-2D (Goals: 13 scored / 7 conceded)
- 2021:Â 17W-0L-3D (Goals: 49 scored / 6 conceded)
- Coach:Â Vahid Halilhodzic (Bosnia) since August 2019
- Star players: Sofaine Boufal (Angers / France), Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain / France), Ayoub Al Kaabi (Hatayspor / Turkey)
Canada
For the first time in 36 years, Canada will be participating in the World Cup. They had a magnificent qualification campaign, which led them to the winners’ spot in the CONCACAF standings.
While they beat Jamaica by 4-0 in late March in Toronto and closed out the spot in Qatar, an unforgettable scene was witnessed by the viewers as both players and fans became emotional. After seeing his teammates complete the job, Canadian team talisman Alphonso Davies broke down in tears live on his Twitch stream.
David was absent from the match as he was suffering from myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart, after catching COVID-19. The Bayern Munich man is needed badly by his country in the game so that he can fire on all cylinders to have hopes of advancing. This World Cup will also be very special for Coach John Herdman, as he becomes the first person to lead a team at both the women’s and men’s World Cup. By joining this World Cup, he will be making history.
- Current FIFA world ranking:Â No. 38 (March 2022)
- Regional ranking:Â 4th (CONCACAF)
- World Cup titles: —
- World Cup appearances (last):Â 1 (Mexico, 1986)
- How qualified:Â (CONCACAF winners: 8W-2L-4D)
- Overall record (all competitions & friendlies):
- 2022:Â 4W-2L-0D (Goals: 10 scored / 2 conceded)
- 2021:Â 13W-2L-4D (Goals: 55 scored / 11 conceded)
- Coach: John Herdman (England) since January 2018
- Star players:Â Jonathan David (Lille / France), Junior Hoilett (Reading / England), Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich / Germany)
Teams to advance from World Cup Group F
sportsbooks are expected to hang group odds for each team to advance from the group stage shortly after the World Cup Draw.
The first-place and second-place finishers in Group F will move on to the Round of 16 and will face off against the two teams to advance from Group E on Mon, Dec. 5, and Tuesday, Dec. 6.
The official FIFA 2022 World Cup match schedule outlines the following knockout pairings for the Round of 16 through to the final:
Round of 16
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
| Sat, Dec. 3 | 1A vs. 2B | 10 a.m. | Khalifa Int’l |
| Sat, Dec. 3 | 1C vs. 2D | 2 p.m. | Ahmad Bin Ali |
| Sun, Dec. 4 | 1D vs. 2C | 10 a.m. | Al Thumama |
| Sun, Dec. 4 | 1B vs. 2A | 2 p.m. | Al Bayt |
| Mon, Dec. 5 | 1E vs. 2F | 10 a.m. | Al Janoub |
| Mon, Dec. 5 | 1G vs. 2H | 2 p.m. | Stadium 974 |
| Tues, Dec. 6 | 1F vs. 2E | 10 a.m. | Education City |
| Tues, Dec. 6 | 1H vs. 2G | 2 p.m. | Lusail |
Quarterfinals
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
| Fri, Dec. 9 | QF1:Â 1E/2F vs. 1G/2H | 10 a.m. | Education City |
| Fri, Dec. 9 | QF2:Â 1A/2B vs. 1C/2D | 2 p.m. | Lusail |
| Sat, Dec. 10 | QF3:Â 1F/2E vs. 1H/2G | 10 a.m. | Al Thumama |
| Sat, Dec. 10 | QF4:Â 1B/2A vs. 1D/2C | 2 p.m. | Al Bayt |
World Cup Semifinals
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
| Tues, Dec. 13 | QF2 vs. QF1 | 2 p.m. | Lusail |
| Wed, Dec. 14 | QF4 vs. QF3 | 2 p.m. | Al Bayt |
3rd Place
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
| Sat, Dec. 17 | Semifinal losers | 10 a.m. | Khalifa Int’l |
World Cup Final
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
| Sun, Dec. 18 | Semifinal winners | 10 a.m. | Lusail |
Read Also:
