World Cup 2022: What to expect from the Middle East and North Africa?

The 2022 World Cup in Qatar is only seven and a half months away.

After the group stage draw on Friday, at BabaGol we’ve decided to delve into what we can expect from the Middle Eastern national teams featuring in the competition.

Qatar will participate in a very hard group (Photo: QFA official Twitter account)

Iran

Iran had a pretty good third qualifying stage in Asia. Although they are less solid tactically than they were under previous managers Carlos Queiroz and Dragan Skocic, they showed that their quality and talent up front are immense. The attacking options they have, Sardar Azmoun from Bayer Leverkusen and Mehdi Taremi from Porto, are prominent names. Despite drawing England, Iran have a good chance to fight the USA for second place in this group, but all that depends on who ends up taking the fourth spot in Group B - Scotland, Ukraine or Wales. The latter two might prove a bit difficult, but for Team Melli, difficulties and obstacles are a part of their journey - don’t expect them to give up on the chance to make history for their people. 

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia were drawn into a tough group, with Argentina, Poland and Mexico. I don’t see them pulling off an upset from this one but, under Herve Renard, the Saudis are an organised unit that can defend well and compact, with a good connection between midfield and attack. Two Al Hilal players, Mohammed Kanno and Salem Al Dawsari will be in charge of this link up. It helps that anything is a bonus for them. They will likely enjoy some good support with Saudi fans travelling to Qatar, who will also get to witness their side facing names like Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski.

Tunisia

Tunisia are becoming a regular African representative in the World Cup, this occasion being their sixth qualification since African countries started participating in the tournament in 1970. The Tunisians have an exciting group, facing France (a derby of sorts), Denmark and either Peru, Australia or the UAE. With Wahbi Khazri, Hannibal Mejbri and Youcef Msakni, the Tunisians will try to surprise the World Champions and the most in-form European nation - which is quite unlikely. Still, the Carthage Eagles will get the chance to show their talent. 

Morocco

Morocco probably have the most challenging draw, but one that can help the team to discover its full potential. With Belgium, Croatia and a rising Canada, everything is open in this group. While Belgium and Croatia are obvious favourites to go through, the Atlas Lions enjoy Achraf Hakimi, the world’s best right-back, and a massive amount of talent up front with Youcef En-Nesyri and co. Morocco will closely follow the developments surrounding Hakim Ziyech, after the Chelsea star refused a call up to the play-offs after a falling out with coach Vahid Halilodizc and his staff. If Ziyech and Nouseir Mazraoui return, the Moroccans have a real chance to reproduce their achievement from 1986 - a ticket to the round of 16.

Qatar

Unlike the Eurocentric predictions before the draw that Qatar will be given an easy ride in this tournament, the hosts received an almost mission impossible. The Netherlands, Senegal and Ecuador are waiting for the Annabis in Group A. Felix Sanchez’s players have been training and preparing for this moment for more than a decade now, and here it is. It will be a massive success story if they can qualify for the second round, however unlikely that may be. A lot is on the shoulders of Sanchez, Akram Afif and Almoez Ali.

Edited by Alex Smith.

Photo via QFA official Twitter account.