The FIFA World Cup is one of the biggest sporting events in the world. Every four years, fans from all over come together to celebrate the best soccer teams on the planet. This year, the World Cup will be held in Qatar and it’s around the corner.
The excitement is mounting as Qatar prepares to host World Cup 2022. In just a few hours, the opening game will take place, with Qatar taking on Ecuador.
The tournament has been surrounded by scandal ever since it was given to the Gulf nation, but after years of anticipation, the athletes are putting the finishing touches on their gear.
Although there are many controversies surrounding the Qatar World Cup, such as the unfortunate deaths of migrant workers and discrimination against LGBTQ people and women, the games themselves promise to be full of excitement.
This guide provides an in-depth analysis of what team to look out for and their players. There are 32 countries competing as well as their players, which one will we look out for?
Top contenders and favorites
Fewer than a dozen nations have taken home the men’s World Cup in history, and several of those are contenders again this year.
With five titles under their belt, Brazil is poised to make history again with another win–the first in 20 years.
Neymar, as he has done since first appearing on the global stage, will bear the hopes of an entire nation on his shoulders. However, he will have rising stars Vinicius Jr. of Real Madrid and Raphinha of Barcelona to help him out.
All areas of the pitch exhibit quality, especially in defense. Here, Chelsea’s experienced Thiago Silva and Paris Saint-Germain’s Marquinhos will likely form a shield for Liverpool’s goalkeeper Allison.
With an impressive record of 28 wins and 1 draw in its past 29 matches, Brazil is confident going into the tournament against Switzerland, Cameroon, and Serbia in the first round. The only loss for them n the last 29 games came against Argentina in the Copa America final in 2021.
If you’re looking at Brazil, you can’t forget about France.
The reigning world champion, who cruised through qualifying without dropping a game, has Kylian Mbappe maturing into a global superstar.
Before the tournament begins, key injuries could potentially cause problems for the team. For example, striker Karim Benzema cannot play due to an injury; midfielders Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante – who were extremely important to the team’s success in 2018 – are also not available. However, central defender Raphael Varane has recovered from his injury and is able to play.
Gracenote, part of Nielsen Company, has predicted that Brazil has a 20% chance to win the trophy. Argentina is second most likely to take home the prize with an 18% chance due in large part to having Lionel Messi on its team.
According to Simon Gleave, head of analysis for Gracenote Sports, the two South American giants have been incomparably consistent over the last four years and this consistency means that there is a good chance of one of them coming out on top.
The Underdogs
Although it’s rare, an underdog could still win the World Cup.
After Denmark’s crushing defeat by England in the 2020 Euro semifinals, the team quickly regained its footing and dominated World Cup qualification– winning 9 out of 10 matches while only allowing 3 goals.
Manchester United’s playmaker Christian Eriksen returning to the team is an absolute miracle. Arguably, he is the most crucial player on the team.
After Eriksen collapsed during Denmark’s game against Finland, he was treated on the pitch and fitted with a Cardioverter Defibrillator device. The team has united after this trauma, and they will be tough opponents for anyone in Qatar.
At the tournament, Senegal is arguably the best African team, even though Bayern Munich’s Sadio Mane cannot play due to an injury.
Earlier this year, ‘The Lions of Teranga’ achieved a victory long overdue- their first African Cup of Nations title. The team is made up of stars playing in some of Europe’s most competitive leagues.
While we will all miss Mane dearly, the team is not just reliant on its captain anymore.
Edouard Mendy of Chelsea and Kalidou Koulibaly, who is used to playing against Europe’s best attackers, are both top-class players. Furthermore, the team can lean on rising star Ismaila Sarr for his frightening pace.
Despite no African team ever making it to the semifinals of a World Cup, Senegal has a chance if the draw works out in their favor.
Players who could make or break the game
Many of the world’s best players will be present in Qatar, and for some it might be their last opportunity to ever win the prestigious trophy.
Although Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are amazing at soccer, they have not had much success in this international competitions. The biggest, I would say.
Messi has stated that this will be his final World Cup, and considering he’ll be over 40 by the next tournament, it’s doubtful Ronaldo will play in another.
They are both their nation’s leading goalscorers and have a fair chance of doing well in the tournament.
Although there will always be some big names that stick out, this tournament could also give a chance to lesser-known talents.
Qatar will be debuting in the World Cup, and most of its players are inexperienced compared to other teams. There is one exception–attacker Akram Afif.
After stints in Belgium and Spain, the 25-year-old wideman returned to Qatar and joined Al Sadd in 2020. He has since become an electric playmaker, efficiently backing up his flashy moves with results.
Afif was integral in the team’s Asian Cup victory in 2019, tallying 11 assists. In just seven appearances in Qatar’s top division, he already has eight assists. Don’t miss Afif in the opening game!
Japan’s Takefusa Kubo is another player on the rise.
The 21-year old playmaker has learned from some of the best in the business, spending time at Barcelona’s youth academy before joining Real Madrid in 2019.
After he left the Spanish capital, he joined Real Sociedad and has excelled this season. He will be critical for Japan’s World Cup campaign and has even been called the ‘Japanese Lionel Messi’ at home. Needless to say, there is a lot of pressure on him.
With his immense talent, American Gio Reyna has the potential to become a globally recognized star.
After progressing through New York City’s youth academy, the 19-year-old joined German club Borussia Dortmund in 2019. The young player has had significant playing time recently after missing games last season due to injury.
Reyna’s skill was apparent to Ghana’s manager and former Dortmund youth coach Otto Addo from a young age. “What sets him apart is his technique under pressure,” he said. “He doesn’t make mistakes, can change directions quickly, and has the speed to accelerate in midfield.
“His game intelligence is also exceptional–he always knows where to position himself between the lines, can read the game well, and knows what’s coming next. He brings a lot to the table–way more than other players his age.”
When will it be?
Today, November 20, Qatar and Ecuador play each other at the Al Bayt Stadium to kick off the tournament. The knockout stages–when teams are eliminated if they lose a match–begin on December 3, and the final game occurs on December 18.
How to watch it?
Canada: Bell Media
South Africa: SABC
US: Fox Sports
Germany: ARD, ZDF, Deutsche Telekom
Brazil: SportTV
Australia: SBS
UK: BBC or ITV
World Cup 2022 key games
Here are several important dates to remember, including the first games of Messi and Ronaldo in the tournament, as well all USMNT group fixtures.
Nov 20: Qatar vs. Ecuador – 4pm, Fox Sports 1
Nov 21: USMNT vs. Wales – 7pm, Fox
Nov 22: Argentina vs. Saud Arabia – 10am, Fox Sports 1
Nov 24: Portugal vs. Ghana – 4pm, Fox
Nov 25: England vs. USMNT – 7pm, Fox
Nov 29: Iran vs. USMNT – 7pm, Fox
Dec 18: World Cup Final – 3pm, Fox
Sports 1
To watch the World Cup online, fans can head to the tournament’s official website or stream via various sports streaming services like ESPN+, DAZN, and Sling TV. Whether you’re rooting for Messi and Ronaldo on their quest for glory or cheering on your local team in the USMNT group stage, there’s something for everyone at this year’s World Cup. So don’t miss it! It promises to be an exciting month of soccer action.
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