Qatar, the host country, will have the Netherlands in its group for its first World Cup (November 21-December 18), which has already started with this draw carried out with great fanfare in Doha.

Germany, placed in pot 2 despite having four world champion stars on the jersey, was the opponent that no one wanted among the top seeds: it was Spain who inherited it, for one flagship posters of the first round.

Japan is also in this Group E.

The France of Kylian Mbappé and Karim Benzema, reigning world champion, will find Denmark of Christian Eriksen, semi-finalist of the last Euro, as well as Tunisia, in Group D, a relatively lenient draw, even if their round of 16 could be tougher, with Argentina, Poland and Mexico as potential opponents.

The opponents of the France team in Group D after the draw for the Qatari World Cup in Doha, April 1, 2022 François-Xavier MARIT AFP

Denmark has often been the lucky charm of the Blues in major competition: at each of their major trophies, the Tricolores have crossed paths with the Danes on their way in the group stage, without ever losing (1-0 at Euro-1984, 2-1 at the 1998 World Cup, 3-0 at the Euro-2000, 0-0 at the 2018 World Cup).

The opposition against Tunisia will be the first match in official competition for the Blues.

Brazil, record holder of victories with five trophies (the last 20 years ago), will have to be wary of Serbia of Dusan Vlahovic, who had beaten Portugal in qualifying, and Switzerland, in Group G.

Qualifications for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar Vincent LEFAI AFP

Only 29 of the 32 participating countries are currently known, seven months before the start of a World Cup accompanied by multiple controversies since the awarding of the event in 2010, from the question of human rights in Qatar to that of the recent exclusion of Russia from qualifying after the invasion of Ukraine.

Mascot unveiled

Fifa President Gianni Infantino also took advantage of this ceremony to call on the leaders for "dialogue" and to launch an appeal for "peace and unity".

FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaking before the draw for the World Cup in Doha, April 1, 2022 FRANCK FIFE AFP

The last three tickets will be awarded for the remaining play-offs, two intercontinental and one in Europe after the postponement of Ukraine's matches in March.

Eight countries are in the running to join the places that have already been allocated to them in the groups.

The draw was carried out by several former players, the Brazilian Cafu, the German Lothar Matthäus and the Nigerian Jay-Jay Okocha, at the Doha Convention Center (DECC), a dream showcase in world vision for the Qatari authorities and culmination in their policy sports diplomacy.

Former Brazilian international Cafu and other former football stars ensured the draw for the 2022 World Cup on April 1 in the Doha Congress Hall GABRIEL BOUYS AFP

It was an opportunity for the organizers to unveil the tournament mascot, a keffiyeh, the traditional Arab headdress, called "La'eeb", which means "Super talented player" in Arabic, and the first official song, "Hayya Hayya (Better Together)".

But it is obviously the precious World Cup, installed on the stage and watched over by the coach of the Blues Didier Deschamps, which will as always be the real star in Qatar.

From Cristiano Ronaldo to Lionel Messi via Kylian Mbappé, everyone is probably already thinking only of her and hoping to be able to brandish her on December 18.

Under the envious gaze of the great absentees who missed the plane for Qatar: Gianluigi Donnarumma and all the Italian champions of Europe, Mohamed Salah, Riyad Mahrez or Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

© 2022 AFP