Group B of the 2022 FIFA World Cup was notable for containing four top-20 ranked teams and geopolitical tensions, with England and the US advancing undefeated.
Key Facts
- Group dates
- 21–29 November 2022
- Group winner
- England (2 wins, 1 draw)
- Runner-up
- United States (1 win, 2 draws)
- Third place
- Iran (1 win)
- Fourth place
- Wales (1 point)
- Teams ranked top 20
- All four teams at time of tournament
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The 2022 FIFA World Cup draw placed England, Iran, the United States, and Wales into Group B. The group was unusual in that all four teams were ranked within the top 20 globally and included England and Wales, two nations within the same sovereign state, as well as broader geopolitical tensions surrounding the host nation Qatar.
Group B matches were played from 21 to 29 November 2022. England topped the group with two wins and one draw, while the United States finished second with one win and two draws. Iran finished third having won one match, and Wales exited fourth with just one point. Controversy arose on the first match day over Qatar's ban on LGBTQ+ symbols.
England and the United States both advanced to the round of 16 undefeated, while Iran and Wales were eliminated. The incidents surrounding Qatar's prohibition of LGBTQ+ symbols drew significant international attention and criticism, adding a political dimension to the group stage beyond the football results.