The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar is simply across the nook, as this yr marks the primary time in historical past the event will happen within the winter. Group C, consisting of Mexico, Argentina, Poland, and Saudi Arabia, will get began on November 22 with Argentina and Saudia Arabia kicking off at 5 a.m. ET. Let’s take a better take a look at the group to see how every group stacks up forward of the group stage.
Mexico
2022 marks Mexico’s seventh straight World Cup look, although they haven’t made it previous the spherical of 16 since 1986 once they made a run to the quarterfinals. Nonetheless, they’ve made it out of the group stage in every of their final seven appearances, though this yr Poland will hope to have a hand in snapping that streak.
Heading into this yr’s event with out group staples Chicharito and Carlos Vela, Gerardo Martino has put collectively a aggressive squad that options Rogelio Funes Mori and Guillermo Ochoa. Martino has a wealth of expertise having managed each Argentina and Barcelona, and can hope to have a couple of methods up his sleeve to get previous the group favorites.
Argentina
Lionel Messi seemingly has one final likelihood to win a World Cup because the 35-year-old is anticipated to retire earlier than the following World Cup in 2026. Whereas Messi has gained a slew of trophies, the World Cup is the massive one which’s at all times eluded him, as his greatest end with Argentina was second place in 2014 after dropping 1-0 to Germany within the last.
The No. 3-ranked Argentinians are the heavy favorites to win the group, and can look to depend on the likes of Messi, Angel Di Maria and Lautaro Martinez to get them via to the ultimate. They may very well be with out AS Roma midfielder Paulo Dybala, who suffered an harm and may very well be out 4-8 weeks, however their stacked squad ought to have the ability to fill the void left by the 28-year-old ought to he not see the sector.
Poland
Talking of superstars doubtlessly taking part in their final World Cup, 34-year-old striker Robert Lewandowski may very well be making his final push to raise the World Cup trophy as effectively. Poland returned to the World Cup in 2018 after lacking out on the 2 prior tournaments, with this yr’s iteration serving as their ninth look. They haven’t made it previous the group stage since 1986, once they have been eradicated within the spherical of 16.
Lewandowski, now taking part in for Barcelona, has logged 76 targets in 134 caps as he holds the document for many targets and most caps for the Poland nationwide group. He’ll function alongside the likes of Arkadiusz Milik, Wojciech Szczęsny and Kamil Glik as No. 26-ranked Poland look to offer Argentina and Mexico a tricky time within the group stage.
Saudi Arabia
No. 51-ranked Saudi Arabia are the clear underdogs within the group as they’re anticipated to complete in final place in Group C. They’ll expect swarms of followers as Qatar is their neighbor simply to the east, with Doha only a brief six-hour drive from the Saudi capital of Riyadh. Saudi Arabia is making their sixth-ever look on the World Cup, having solely missed two tournaments since their first qualification in 1994. They boast a whole squad that performs of their home league, and whereas they’ll hope to remain aggressive, their chances are high very low in opposition to the opposite three heavy hitters within the group.
Argentina: -250Mexico: +450Poland: +400Saudi Arabia: +2200
Group C Schedule
Tuesday, November 22Argentina vs. Saudi Arabia, 5 a.m. ETMexico vs. Poland, 11 a.m. ET
Saturday, November 26Argentina vs. Mexico, 2 p.m. ETPoland vs. Saudi Arabia, 8 a.m. ET
Wednesday, November 30Argentina vs. Poland, 2 p.m. ETMexico vs. Saudi Arabia, 2 p.m. ET