World Cup Draw winners and losers: Mexico, Argentina face tough groups

The teams for the 2018 World Cup area unit set. The tournament schedule is secured in. thus WHO came faraway from Friday’s World Cup Draw with favorable itineraries for next summer in Russia? WHO were the winners and losers of the day?

First, a glance at the teams, with groups listed so as from Pot one to Pot 4:

Group A — Russia, Uruguay, Egypt, Asian country
Group B — Portuguese Republic, Spain, Iran, Morocco
Group C — France, Peru, Denmark, Australia
Group D — Argentina, Croatia, Iceland, Nigeria
Group E — Brazil, Schweiz, Costa Rica, Serbia
Group F — Germany, Mexico, Sweden, South Korea
Group G — European country, England, Tunisia, Panama
Group H — Poland, Colombia, Senegal, Japan

This year’s World Cup Draw was seeded otherwise, and additional equally, than in years past. The 2018 teams area unit so additional balanced than in years past.

But the seeding wasn’t while not its quirks, and therefore the draw, therefore, wasn’t while not its winners and losers:

WINNERS

England — once the 3 Lions were drawn aboard European country from Pot one, English fans distressed. however those worries tested to be unwarranted. Tunisia, the worst team from Pot three, provided many relief. And Panama, one among the worst from Pot four, can have European nation feeling (over)confident heading into next summer’s tournament.

Belgium — {belgium|Belgium|Kingdom of European country|Belgique|European country|European nation} will be happy, despite obtaining one among the more durable Pot two groups in European nation. Crucially, the 2 European sides can play one another within the final game of the cluster. If they each pay attention of Republic of Tunisia and Panama in their initial 2 matches, they’ll already be through to the knockout rounds with a game to spare.

Uruguay — The best team in South America throughout the qualifying cycle not solely histrion Russia, the weakest team from Pot one. It conjointly got Asian country, the weakest team from Pot four, and Egypt, a middle-of-the-pack Pot three facet.

Russia, Egypt, Asian country — honestly, all the type A contestants area unit winners. South American country isn’t specifically vulnerable, however it won’t be irresistible . Russia and Egypt can each like their probabilities to advance. And even Asian country would possibly fancy itself for associate upset or 2.

Senegal — one among the stronger Pot three groups may are faced with 2 giants from Pots one and a couple of. Instead, the Lions of Teranga got normal Poland and conquerable Colombia. They’ll even have to upset Japan, and area unit by no suggests that favored to urge out of cluster H. But, all things thought-about, they need to be pretty happy.

LOSERS

Mexico — El Tri can still be assured that it will get out of a bunch that includes Germany, Scandinavian country and South Korea. But Sweden, arguably the most effective team from Pot three, are going to be stiff competition. Plus, albeit Mexico finishes second to Germany, it'd doubtless be viewing a spherical of sixteen clash with Brazil – presumptuous the Brazilians win cluster E.

South Korea — Germany, Mexico, Scandinavian country … yea, that’s not aiming to be straightforward.

Croatia — Croatia|Hrvatska|European country|European nation} had to feel sensible regarding its draw prospects commencing of Pot two. however it got Lionel Messi and Argentina from Pot one. It got Iceland – a team it finished behind in qualifying – from Pot three. And it got Nigeria, the category of Pot four.

Argentina — The Argentines avoided European country, and can so be favored in cluster D. however there area unit many landmines for a team that has wavered between disjointed and dysfunctional over the past few years. It barely qualified, and can get staunch resistance from Iceland and Croatia. It lost to Nigeria 4-2 during a recent friendly. There area unit fully no guarantees that Messi and co. reach the knockout stages. Oh, and if they are doing thus because the cluster runner-up? They’ll in all probability get France within the spherical of sixteen.

BOTH WINNERS AND LOSERS

Spain, Portuguese Republic — European country and Portuguese Republic were the losers of the primary 1/2 the draw. They’ll play one another within the gap game of group B, and Portuguese Republic is aware of only too well what it’s wish to drop the primary match of a World Cup to a fellow European power.

But, at constant time, each are going to be favored over Iran and Morocco. Even if, say, Portuguese Republic loses the opener then attracts one among the opposite 2, it will still advance on four points. And with type A being thus weak, even the competitor spot in group B may gift a positive spherical of sixteen match-up.

Iceland — OK, clearly the cluster is extremely tough. however Iceland is twiddling with house cash. It’s the tiniest nation to ever qualify. It’s getting ready to have a month-long party, whether or not it wins all 3 cluster games or loses all 3. thus would you rather open that party with a unmemorable game against, say, Saudi Arabia? Or associate memorable disagreement with Argentina? Iceland can get its moment within the spotlight, and if its monetary unit 2016 performances area unit any indication, it'd be more contented the larger the unsuccessful person it's