World Cup 2022

England could not have asked for an easier start to their World Cup qualifying campaign but things begin to get trickier on Sunday. The 5-0 victory against San Marino on Thursday was as one-sided as expected while Albania managed a 1-0 win against Andorra. More...

Israel and Scotland are familiar foes in recent times and Sunday’s World Cup qualifier is their sixth meeting in the last two and a half years. Last year’s three games in the Nations League and Euro 2020 qualifying were all tight affairs with just three goals scored. More...

Republic of Ireland must bounce back quickly from losing their opening World Cup 2022 qualifier when they host minnows Luxembourg on Saturday night. Wednesday’s 3-2 defeat in Serbia was an early blow to their qualification chances and they cannot afford to slip up in their first home match of the campaign. More...

England have been ruthless in qualifying for major tournaments under Gareth Southgate and should get their World Cup 2022 campaign off to a flying start. It is hard to view San Marino as anything other than cannon fodder and they have lost all six previous meetings by an aggregate score of 37-1. More...

Austria have been on an upward curve for some time now and look sure to provide Scotland with a tough test in their opening World Cup qualifier. Steve Clarke's side are unbeaten in their last six matches at Hampden Park, though, so this has all the makings of being a close encounter. More...

Italy have been rejuvenated by Roberto Mancini since failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup and are not expected to leave anything to chance this time around. Northern Ireland face a tough battle to advance from a tricky 2022 pool which also features Switzerland, Bulgaria and Lithuania. More...

Serbia are fancied to prove just too strong for Republic of Ireland when qualifying for the 2022 World Cup gets under way on Wednesday. Portugal are hot favourites to top the Group A table, so competition will be fierce for second spot and a place in the play-offs. More...

Belgium are obviously the team to beat in World Cup Group E and it will be a surprise if they don't see off Wales on home turf in the opening round of fixtures. However, the Dragons have been in good form themselves over the past 12 months, so the feeling is that this could be a good game to watch. More...