FIFA World Cup™ Final Draw takes place on Friday 1 April
All eyes will be on Doha Exhibition and Convention Center
We lay out the plans for procedures, pots and much more
The Final Draw for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ is almost upon us. And as the eyes of the football world turn towards Qatar, and excitement builds in the nations who’ve sealed their places at the global finals, FIFA.com has all the details about where, when and how the groups and fixtures will be decided.
Where
The Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC) in Qatar.
When
Friday 1 April, 19.00 local time
Who’s involved
The 32 nations involved in the 2022 World Cup, 29 of which are currently known, will be drawn into eight groups of four. Two of the remaining three spots will be filled by the winners of the Intercontinental Play-offs on 13 or 14 June, with the final berth determined by Path A of the European qualifying play-offs, in which Wales will face off against either Scotland or Ukraine in the final.
The draw will be attended by 2,000 guests and will be led by Carli Lloyd, Jermaine Jenas and Samantha Johnson, assisted by the likes of Cafu (Brazil), Lothar Matthaus (Germany), Adel Ahmed MalAllah (Qatar), Ali Daei (IR Iran), Bora Milutinovic (Serbia/Mexico), Jay-Jay Okocha (Nigeria), Rabah Madjer (Algeria) and Tim Cahill (Australia).
Procedures
The Organising Committee for FIFA Competitions outlined that the teams already qualified will be allocated according to sporting principles to Pots 1 to 4 based on the FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s World Ranking released on 31 March. A detailed overview of the draw procedures is available here.
Pots
As hosts, Qatar will take position A1 from Pot 1, where they will be joined by the FIFA Ranking’s seven highest-ranked qualified teams. The countries occupying positions 8-15 on the ranking of the qualified teams will be allocated to Pot 2, while the 16th-23rd best-ranked qualifiers will be placed in Pot 3. Finally, Pot 4 will include the qualified teams in positions 24 to 28, plus three placeholders representing the two winners of the intercontinental play-offs and the remaining UEFA play-off winners.
How to follow
The draw will be broadcast around the world and you can also keep up-to-date via FIFA’s social media accounts accounts on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
What’s next
The match schedule will be confirmed after games have been assigned to a stadium and kick-off time for each matchday. The World Cup itself will take place between 21 November and 18 December 2022, with the group stage lasting 12 days and featuring four matches per day.
Friday’s draw for the 2022 World Cup will have a number of nations hoping to get Qatar from Pot 1, loaded up with the hosts and what FIFA Rankings deem to be the seven best-qualified teams to this winter’s tournament.
The United States and Mexico… will be in Pot 2 assuming they hold on Wednesday and keep their places in Qatar. Both would’ve been hoping for Portugal to fall to North Macedonia on Tuesday but that certainly did not happen and the Yanks and El Tri will draw someone from Pot 1 on Friday.
We know that the USMNT will not draw Pot 2 nations Netherlands and Denmark, with Switzerland, Uruguay, and Croatia likely to finish in Pot 2.
Canada will finish in Pot 4 despite winning CONCACAF.
As for those teams get hallowed places in the draw?
Seeded teams for the 2022 World Cup draw
Qatar (hosts)
Argentina
Brazil
France
Belgium
Spain
Portugal
England
Who should they want (besides Qatar)?
Yes, there’s no doubt they want the hosts unless FIFA goes all 2002 Japan/South Korea (We kid, but we don’t).
It sounds silly, but the USMNT and its untested backs may be hoping for Harry Kane or Kevin De Bruyne, as England and Belgium are the two nations without World Cup, EURO, or Copa America glory in their back pockets and thus a bit more national pressure (though, of course, there are terrible amounts of pressure for every nation at the World Cup).
Spain, Portugal, and Argentina have the most question marks of the bunch, each with a relatively-glaring weakness.
In our opinion, USMNT fans should most want to miss Brazil and France. The Brazilians were unbeaten in CONMEBOL’s qualifying gauntlet and would laugh at American apologists for away losses or draws against perceived minnows: Brazil entered its final qualifier with 36 goals scored and five conceded in 16 matches (Brazil vs Argentina will not need to be played).
As for France, this is a team coming off a World Cup win and if they don’t return virtually the same roster it’s because they’ve found improvements. No one of power has really aged-out or retired aside from seldom-used Adil Rami, Steven Nzonsi, and Blaise Matuidi.
Amid stalled negotiations on a long-term contract and uncertainty over whether Jackson has his sights set on free agency in 2025, the star quarterback tweeted Wednesday that he loves the Ravens and cited a "false narrative" that he is considering leaving the franchise.
The tweet comes at a time when Jackson has shown no interest in engaging in contract extension talks.
I love my Ravens I don't know who the hell putting that false narrative out that I'm having thoughts about leaving stop tryna read my mindđ
Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti and general manager Eric DeCosta have both said this offseason that the team is committed to signing Jackson long term, but the 2019 NFL MVP has expressed no urgency to talk about a new deal. DeCosta indicated on March 2 that he had communicated once with Jackson via text over the past month.
Jackson, 25, is entering his fifth-year option, which will pay him $23.016 million this season. If the sides are unable to reach a contract extension by next offseason, Baltimore would have to place the franchise tag on Jackson to keep him from becoming a free agent.
Bisciotti said Tuesday that he doesn't foresee Jackson signing an extension before the start of the 2022 season "unless he has a change of heart" and described Jackson's decision to wait as "unique as hell."
"We'll pay him when he's ready," Bisciotti said.
Bisciotti, who hasn't spoken to Jackson about his contract, wondered whether Jackson will take the same route as Kirk Cousins, who became the first quarterback in NFL history to get the franchise tag in consecutive years before leaving to sign with the Minnesota Vikings in free agency.
"And that gives me three years to win the Super Bowl so you can make me a $60 million quarterback, because that's where it will be four years from now," Bisciotti said.
Bisciotti then added that Jackson "is a unique cat, and what are you going to do with a guy who wants to be unique?"
"You don't browbeat him into being a conformist," Bisciotti said. "We're taking him as we take him. We appreciate him. All I know is that his teammates freaking love him and the front office loves him. It's like, 'You just keep doing you Lamar, and we'll make it work somehow.'"
Bills quarterback Josh Allen, who was in Jackson's 2018 draft class, signed a six-year, $258 million extension last summer that averages $43 million per season and includes $100 million guaranteed.
The quarterback market has since skyrocketed. Aaron Rodgers became the highest-paid quarterback this offseason with a contract that averages $50 million per year, and Deshaun Watson set a record with his $230 million fully guaranteed deal.
The McDonald’s All-American Game is finally back after taking the last two years off because of the pandemic. Once again, 24 of the best high school players in the country on both the boys and girls side are coming together for a thrilling showcase of the best incoming talent in college basketball next year.
The usual suspects are reloading again in men’s college hoops. Final Four teams Duke and Kansas each have three incoming McDonald’s All-Americans, as does Arkansas after reaching the Elite Eight this season. Kentucky, Texas, Alabama, and UCLA each have two McDonald’s All-Americans coming to campus next season.
If history is any indication, the majority of the players taken in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft will come from this game. However, next year’s top NBA prospects are taking a variety of different routes to get to the league. French center Victor Wembanyama is already playing professionally in his home country, point guard Scoot Henderson will spend two seasons with the G League Ignite before entering the draft, and mega-athletic twins Amen and Ausar Thompson are playing in the Overtime Elite League. There’s no doubt that this year’s McDonald’s All-American class will still feature plenty of future pros.
The 2022 McDonald’s All-American Game will take place in Chicago on Wednesday, March 29. The girls game will tip at 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2, while the boys game will tip at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN. Here’s an early look at this year’s boys McDonald’s All-American class.
The top of the class
Nick Smith Jr., G, Arkansas: A wiry 6’4 guard out of Jacksonville, AR, Smith is staying home to play for Eric Musselman as the crown jewel of the nation’s No. 2 recruiting class. He’s been steadily climbing the rankings over the last year and now looks like he may be the best long-term backcourt prospect in the class. Smith currently projects as a combo guard with a deep bag of scoring tricks who can still get his teammates involved as a facilitator. He has elite quickness with the ball in his hands and can often effortlessly create separation off the dribble. With a beautiful floater and shooting range beyond the three-point line, Smith is a true three-level bucket-getter who leverages the threat of his own scoring to find teammates for easy buckets. There will be questions about how he holds up on the defensive end and if he can be a full-time primary initiator, but he currently has the makings of a possible top-five NBA draft pick.
Dariq Whitehead, G, Duke: Two years ago, Whitehead was the burgeoning sophomore star for Florida prep powerhouse Montverde Academy playing behind Cade Cunningham, Scottie Barnes, and Moses Moody (there’s a reason why we called it the best high school team ever at the time). Whitehead was the star of the show as a senior and now projects as a likely top-10 pick as a 6’6 guard with length, quickness, and the skill set to impact the game on both ends of the floor. Whitehead likes to play with the ball in his hands, showcasing an impressive feel for the game and the ability to get downhill when he wants. He still a shaky shooter, but he impacts so many other areas of play. Whitehead is also one of the youngest prospects in this class, not turning 18 years old until August, which makes his present day maturity and future upside even more enticing.
High-level shot-making display from top-five recruit Dariq Whitehead with 31 points against IMG. The two-time high school national champion Whitehead, headed to Duke next year, is a coach's dream with the way he defends, passes, and does all the little things to impact winning. pic.twitter.com/K5772MMJxX
Dereck Lively II, C, Duke: Lively emerged as the potential top prospect in this class during a breakout summer playing next to Jalen Duren on a loaded Team Final squad on the EYBL. Now he’s headed to Duke where he’s likely to be a one-and-done top-10 pick. A 7’2 center with a ridiculous 7’8 wingspan, Lively projects to be one of the best defensive prospects in this class as an excellent rim protector who can also hold his own on the perimeter when he needs to switch or trap. He’s also a good rebounder who runs the floor hard in transition, which should lead to plenty of easy buckets around the basket. Lively’s halfcourt offense is more of a question mark, but he did showcase some impressive outside shooting on the EYBL. The dream here is that he becomes a stretch five who can dominate defensively.
3 McDonald’s All-Americans who are rising
Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Jarace Walker, F, Houston: Walker is the highest-rated recruit to pick Houston in the modern era. The 6’8, 220 pound forward plays with a mix of power and skill that should make him an instant impact player for the Cougars. He showed his full array of skills at the McDonald’s Game scrimmage on Sunday, dropping beautiful passes in the open floor, bullying defenders in the post, and showing comfort handling and shooting from the outside. Playing for Kelvin Sampson should help him on the other end of the floor, as scouts will want to make sure he’s quick enough defensively to warrant one-and-done status.
Brandon Miller, F, Alabama: Miller is oozing with long-term upside as a rangey 6’8 wing heading to Alabama to play for Nate Oats. He glides around the floor on both ends, leveraging his tremendous physical tools to make a two-way impact. He can defend all over the floor with impressive quickness on the perimeter and the length to block shots near the basket. Offensively, Miller is already comfortable handling the ball and getting into his midrange game. He also showcases impressive finishing touch around the basket, but scouts will want to see if he can play through contact in the SEC. It will be interesting to see how Miller fits in Alabama’s three-point heavy attack as he continues to develop his shooting range.
Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Gradey Dick, G, Kansas: There’s no better shooter in this class of McDonald’s All-Americans that Gradey Dick. A 6’7 wing heading to Kansas, Dick has a beautiful shooting stroke and advanced footwork to help him get off clean looks from the perimeter. He should be a high volume, highly accurate shooter who can dart around screens and make enough plays when defenses try to run him off the line. Scouts will want to see how Dick handles himself defensively in the Big 12 and the full extent of his ability off the bounce, but he feels like a safe bet as a big shooter with a reputation for having a good feel for the game.
The best of the rest
Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Amari Bailey, G, UCLA: Bailey is perhaps the most well-known recruit in this class after playing next to Bronny James (as well as current pros Ziaire Williams and BJ Boston) at LA prep powerhouse Sierra Canyon. The 6’5 guard has been a staple at the top of the class rankings for so long that his game tends to get scrutinized more than his peers, but he’s looked good since arriving in Chicago. Bailey is a quick and powerful combo guard who can create shots for himself and his teammates. He’s deadly in the open floor, but will need to prove he can shoot from the outside to live up to his lofty billing next season at UCLA.
Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Keyonte George, G, Baylor: George is entering Baylor with a reputation as a big-time scorer after a standout year at IMG. He’s an excellent shooter with deep range who also moves well off the ball on cuts going to the basket. George isn’t the quickest guard in this class, but he might be the savviest. He’ll need to show improvement defensively to be selected as highly in the NBA draft as his prep reputation suggests.
Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Dillon Mitchell, F, Texas: Mitchell is a 6’7 forward who enters Texas with a reputation as arguably the best athlete in the class. He combines incredible bounce around the rim with great speed in the open floor and plus length. Mitchell should be an instant impact defender for the Longhorns. Scouts will want to see if he is willing and able to shoot the ball from the outside at Texas.
Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Kel’el Ware, C, Oregon: Ware is a 7-foot center who shot up the class rankings over the last year because of his impressive movement skills, coordination, and length. He should making a living blocking shots and finishing with dunks around the rim, but his flashes of perimeter skill makes him even more intriguing. He won a state championship with Nick Smith at North Little Rock High and is now leaving his native Arkansas to play his college ball at Oregon.
Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Cason Wallace, G, Kentucky: Wallace earned a reputation as one of the best players in Texas for his fearless defense and advanced feel for the game. He should be a lockdown perimeter defender from the jump who plays bigger than his size at 6’4. He isn’t the most slippery ball handler, but Wallace can finish tough layups or get into his mid-range pull-up game. Scouts will want to see where his three-ball is at, but he feels like the type of player who can thrive in any setting.
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Jordan Walsh, F, Arkansas: Walsh is a big 6’7 wing who brings it on the defensive end and shows enticing flashes as an open floor playmaker. His versatile defense should be his calling card, with the length, quickness, and competitive makeup to cover a variety of different assignments. Walsh has showed some good body control attacking the rim when he has space to drive, but his three-point shot in the halfcourt remains a question mark. He’ll be a big piece of an Arkansas team that will draw plenty of attention from NBA scouts next season.
Which schools have the most 2022 McDonald’s All-Americans?
Here’s the full breakdown of the roster at the McDonald’s Game this year:
By Mark Bergin, WRAL senior multiplatform producer
North Carolina head coach Hubert Davis spoke with reporters Tuesday ahead of the Final Four game against Duke.
Davis spoke about the historic significance of playing Duke for the very first time in the NCAA Tournament.
“I don’t know and I don’t really care and I’m not even thinking about it,” Davis said. “I’ve said this to you guys before. Our focus needs to be on what allows us to prepare the best, practice the best and play the best.”
Davis has told his players to “turn off the noise” from their phones, family, friends and fans.
“We’re looking to have more memories and more stories and more testimonies,” Davis said. “We’re not done yet.”
Saturday night's contest will mark the third time Duke has played UNC in the 2021-2022 season. On March 5, North Carolina upset Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Mike Krzyzewski's final home game. On Feb. 5, Duke beat North Carolina 87-67 in Chapel Hill.
Davis has said since the start of the season he believes the Tar Heels have what it takes to win the national championship. A first-year Division I men’s basketball coach has never won the NCAA Tournament.
“I saw that we have a chance,” Davis said. “I was really excited about a couple of things.”
Davis complimented his team’s ability to score with junior forward Armando Bacot’s ability to score around the basket and the versatility of graduate transfer forward of Brady Manek.
“The only negative thing I can say about Brady is I only get to coach him for one season,” Davis said.
Davis mentioned how Bacot has learned from assistant coach Sean May, who played at UNC from 2002-2005 before playing four seasons in the NBA.
“He’s a fantastic coach and communicator,” Davis said of May. “I think having that experience and that knowledge right there every day is so invaluable.”
Bacot also expressed his appreciation for May.
“I think it’s definitely done wonders for my game,” Bacot said of May’s coaching.
Bacot said he tries to compete with May's UNC accolades, which includes being named Most Outstanding Player of the 2005 NCAA tournament after leading North Carolina to its fourth national championship.
"I kind of want to put up better numbers than him," Bacot joked. "That's kind of a little type of conflict we've been having all year, just arguing about our seasons and stuff like that."
On Tuesday, Bacot said Davis told the players that they would go to the Final Four before the 2021-2022 season even started.
“He told us even before we had practiced,” Bacot said. “He put a picture of the Superdome on all our lockers.”
Bacot said Davis even told the players' parents to book flights and hotels in New Orleans.
“When he said it at first, I’d be lying if I thought like automatically we would go there,” Bacot said. “But once… we all got together and I saw our team, I knew we had the talent and we were good enough to go.”
Davis also mentioned former Tar Heels guard Jeff Lebo, who serves as assistant coach. Lebo's lone NBA season came in 1989-1990 for the San Antonio Spurs.
“I don’t know why wouldn’t want to come here and take up all the knowledge our assistant coaches have,” Davis said.
Davis also complimented sophomore guards RJ Davis and Caleb Love, and the defensive ability of senior guard Leaky Black.
RJ Davis said it's his responsibility to put his teammates in a position to succeed as the team's starting point guard.
"As a point guard, you're like another extension for the coach on the court," RJ Davis said.
RJ Davis said the team is enjoying the moment, but recognized the stakes of the Final Four.
"It's also, at the same time, it is a business trip," RJ Davis said. "We're not just going down there to have fun. We're going down there to take care of business."
On Wednesday, the Tar Heels are scheduled to travel to New Orleans.
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