World Cup draw: How Bristol City star could line up against England in Qatar

The World Cup final draw will take place in Qatar today with 37 teams all sending a representative and a part of Bristol City could be there.

A total of 32 teams will play in the tournament, which will take place in the unusual months of November and December, rather than this upcoming summer.

There are three outstanding places to be booked with the playoffs to be decided in the summer instead.

But one country that has booked their place are Ghana, who defeated Nigeria on away goals after Thomas Partey’s 10th minute opener was enough.

Their qualification for a first World Cup is their first since 2014 and now it has opened up the opportunity for Bristol City to be represented.

First-team Antoine Semenyo could find himself playing in the showpiece tournament for the African side.

And what could be even more interesting is that should he be called up, he could play against his country of birth, England.

The 22-year-old was called up to the Ghana squad after changing nationality but had to withdraw from the play-offs after jarring his knee against West Bromwich Albion.

Semenyo, who has 14 goal contributions this season, will hope to continue his good form and hopefully get into Otto Addo’s side when it is announced.

As well as Semenyo, players who have flown the nest could also be involved. Swindon Town’s Jojo Wollacott, who was at Ashton Gate for ten years, is Ghana’s number one and is almost certain to be involved.

Another African player who was once at City, Famara Diedhiou has also qualified with his respective team, Senegal.

Diedhiou, who won the Africa Cup of Nations in February, was an unused substitute as his side beat Mohamed Salah’s Egypt on penalties.

What teams are involved in the 2022 World Cup?

Pot 1: Qatar (host country), Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, England, France, Portugal and Spain.

Pot 2: United States, Croatia, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Uruguay and Mexico.

Pot 3: Senegal, Japan, Iran, Serbia, Morocco, South Korea, Poland, Tunisia.

Pot 4: Canada, Cameroon, Ecuador, Saudi Arabia, Ghana, Peru/Australia/UAE, Costa Rica/New Zealand, Wales/Scotland/Ukraine

What time is the draw?

Coverage will begin at 4:45pm on the FIFA website, as well as BBC1 with the draw hoping to start 15 minutes later at 5:00pm.

What will the draw work like?

There are four pots consisting of 32 teams, with Pot 1 consisting of the best teams, Pot 2 the next and then so on for Pots 3 and 4.

Pot D will have the winners of the inter-continental play-offs, as well as the UEFA play-off winner which could be Scotland, Ukraine or Wales.

Europe has the most teams involved in the competition so there will be a group that could consist of two teams from the continent but that will never be exceeded.

This means that as England are from Europe and are in Pot 1, whilst Ghana are in Pot 4, then they could come up against one another.

What other current/former Bristol City players could be at the World Cup?

As well as the aforementioned Antoine Semenyo and their former goalkeeper Jojo Wollacott, there is some involvement in the play-offs.

Joe Morrell, who came through the youth system, made six appearances between 2012 and 2020, is one game away from helping the Red Dragons qualify for their first World Cup since 1958. The 25-year-old was suspended for the 2-1 win over Austria at the Cardiff City Stadium last Thursday but could play against either Scotland or Ukraine in June.

He has been at Luton Town and then Portsmouth since, and featured regularly for Rob Page’s side at EURO 2020.