World Cup 2022: 8️⃣ best group stage fixtures to watch | OneFootball

The World Cup group stages are just one day away.

So we’ve decided look ahead at the schedule and picked eight games that we think you should circle in your calendar.

Senegal v Netherlands – November 21

What was due to be the opening game of the tournament has now been moved back to day two but good things come to those who wait, and this one should be a cracker.

Senegal, recent winners of the African Cup of Nations, take on a resurgent Netherlands outfit who have been quietly impressing under the coaching of Louis van Gaal.

The former Ajax and Manchester United boss has already confirmed that Qatar will be his last outing as boss of the Oranje and this looks like a shoot-out for top spot against a Sadio Mané-less Senegal.

Belgium v Canada – November 23

Canada play their first World Cup game in 36 years on November 23 as they take on Belgium in what’s sure to be one of the group stage’s most heartwarming occasions.

A country better known for its love of ice hockey than football, Canada have slowly been growing a talented group of young players and could pose a real threat to Roberto Martínez’s men.

Alphonso Davies is the obvious star of the show but in Cyle Larin and Jonathan David, Canada have two strikers who could truly burst into the wider consciousness this winter.

Brazil v Serbia – November 24

This is certainly one of the more mouth-watering clashes with one of the pre-tournament favourites, Brazil, taking on a genuine dark horse in the shape of Serbia.

Brazil waltzed through qualification without losing a single one of their 17 games and scored 40 goals in the process, almost twice as many as second-placed Argentina.

Neymar, Richarlison and a rotating cast of Raphinha, Lucas Paqueta and Vinicius Jnr have inspired many to have the Selecão as their favourites.

Serbia though, overcame Portugal to finish top of their qualifying group and in Aleksandr Mirović have what every nation are after – a match winner.

France v Denmark – November 26

There has been almost non-stop controversy surrounding this French squad coming into the World Cup and that could play into Denmark’s hands.

Semi-finalists at Euro 2020 and losing just once in qualification, this could be the year that the Danes make good on their talented squad and go deep in the world’s biggest sporting occasion.

Their clash with Didier Deschamps’s side on November 26 could be a fascinating one and a repeat of this fixture 20 years ago when Denmark knocked the reigning champions out of the World Cup.

Spain v Germany – November 27

Probably the most anticipated match-up of the group stage comes on November 27 with Spain taking on Germany.

Two European heavyweights with dreams of lifting the trophy play what looks to be a one-off to see who finishes top of Group E.

Luis Enrique’s side have gone through something of a rebuild but with Pedri and Gavi, they have two of the very best youngsters in the world.

Germany meanwhile are under the tutelage of Hansi Flick and will be aiming to bounce back from their nadir in Russia at the previous tournament.

Wales v England – November 29

Wales are at a World Cup for the first time since 1958.

Back then John Charles, Ivo Allchurch and Cliff Jones were the stars of the show but now it’s Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey and Kieffer Moore who are hoping to guide their nation of just three million to the knockout stages.

In Group B with Iran, USA and England, it’s the latter clash on November 29 that intrigues most – a game that could potentially prove to be a straight shoot-out for top spot.

Poland v Argentina – November 30

With Lionel Messi on his best run of form for a few years, the talk around Argentina heading to the World Cup is that they are the team to beat.

The Albiceleste have been drawn in Group C with their biggest threat to top spot coming from Poland.

Robert Lewandowski’s side made it to Qatar thanks to a relatively straightforward play-off win over Sweden and have enough quality across the squad to cause Argentina a few problems.

Portugal v South Korea – December 2

Group H could turn out to be one of the most exciting in the tournament with all four sides in with a genuine chance of getting to the knockout stages.

Ghana and Uruguay are the other two teams competing but the match we’ve opted for is Portugal’s game with South Korea on December 2.

It’s the final game of the group and could well decide a number of things in this fascinating foursome.

Will Cristiano Ronaldo’s last hurrah as an international player fall to an ignominious end?