World Cup 2022 Preview – Predicting Every Group in Qatar
World Cup Predictions: Who Comes Out of Every Group in Qatar
After an extended wait between World Cup finals, the time for Qatar to step into the limelight is just around the corner. Although the staging of the tournament in the Middle East has been questioned, those questions will soon be answered on the field of play.
32 nations will look to be the dominant force in world football. In order to do this, they must take care of the group stage business first. If they overlook this part of the tournament, some of the biggest names in the game might make an embarrassing exit.
Finish in the top two of your group and the path to the knockout stage is unlocked. With this in mind, we are now going to look at the runners and riders in each of the eight and weigh up their prospects of further progress:
Group A
The group that the hosts find themselves in. Unfortunately for Qatar, it is also a group that is home to the trio of the Netherlands, Senegal, and Ecuador. Although second place can be considered up for grabs, the Middle Eastern nation are certainly going to have their work cut out. However, you can never assume anything within in the confines of the World Cup. The current Dutch crop should progress to the Round of 16 without breaking a sweat. Should that be the case, the likely fight is between Ecuador and Senegal.
Two nations from two separate continents, although both will be adept to playing in warmer conditions. Something that will of course benefit the hosts as well. With little to separate Ecuador and Senegal, the value pick is arguably backing the African’s to also advance.
Group B
Even though England had a disastrous Nations League campaign, it should do little to deter their aim of reaching the knockout phase of this year’s World Cup. With the talent at manager Gareth Southgate’s disposal, failure to do so would be borderline criminal. Which means the key battle in Group B is going to be the one that pits the United States and Wales together. The opening fixtures of this group will be largely defining, win that one and you are halfway to the Round of 16. However, if you draw the opening game it could soon become a literal goal hunt against Iran.
Group C
Many are asking whether 2022 is finally going to be Lionel Messi’s year. If it is, the group stage draw could not have been any kinder. With Lionel Scaloni’s all-star squad being paired with Mexico, Poland and Saudi Arabia, top spot should be a formality.
The same cannot be said about second place. A fascinating contrast of styles will see Mexico and Poland duke it out. The former are always a tough hand at the World Cup, the latter have Robert Lewandowski within their ranks.
Like matters in Group B between the United States and Wales, this is going to be the defining clash of the six that take place in Group C. If Mexico can stop Lewandowski, they will increase their chances of making further progress.
Group D
Like England, France had a rather poor showing during their recent Nations League fixtures. Didier Deschamps has named an insanely talented squad, however, there is an air of 2002 that is stubbornly following them. That was the year they crashed out of the group stage of the World Cup. France will battle it out with Denmark for top spot in Group D instead. Easy? Not quite, as the Danes beat them twice in that same Nations League campaign.
With these two European nations scrapping for top spot, there will only be crumbs left for both Tunisia and Australia. This pair certainly will not embarrass themselves in Qatar, but any hopes of progress can only be considered wishful thinking.
Group E
This group has a similar complexion to that of Group D – one that offers a clear divide for the haves and have nots. Good news if you are a Belgium or Croatia supporter. Bad news if your allegiance is connected to Canada or Morocco. Belgium’s golden generation is showing sides of fading and Croatia’s class of 2018 are now four years older. Neither side will be considered as genuine candidates for outright success. Their status also creates a toss of a coin when it comes to topping the table.
Canada will arrive in Qatar with plenty of exuberance and with hosting duties being afforded to them in 2026, they will consider this tournament as nothing more than reconnaissance. They should get the better of Morocco, but it will mean little in the grand scheme of things.
Group F
The group that everyone is talking about, as Germany and Spain have been paired together. A pairing that does not ask which one will qualify, it is who will finish top. Because whatever the outcome in this mini league, it will have a huge bearing on the knockout bracket. The winner of this group will face Belgium or Croatia and the runner-up facing the other. Two all-European clashes in the Round of 16 are lying in wait and this is likely to mean bad news for their Group E counterparts.
It is also bad news for Japan and Costa Rica. Although the former have plenty of neat attackers in the squad, strength in the middle of the park will be their undoing. Costa Rica, the rank outsiders will have to hope that their trip to Qatar is not too painful.
Group G
Many are already envisaging Brazil winning a first World Cup in 20 years. To do so, they will need to take care of some formalities first. Formalities that include being paired with Serbia and Switzerland once again.
The trio were all placed in the same group four years ago and in Russia, it was Brazil and Switzerland who advanced to the Round of 16. This time the story could be different if Alexsandar Mitrovic brings his Premier League scoring form to Qatar. Something that could potentially give them the edge over the Swiss.
With Brazil looking to live up to their billing as favourites and eventual winners and two familiar faces contesting second, there is little for Cameroon supporters to latch on to. The Indomitable Lions are not a patch on what they once were and will have to make do with an early exit in 2022.
Group H
Last but not least we have Group H, and this could be one of the most open of all. With Cristiano Ronaldo doing his best to lead himself and Portugal to World Cup glory, he will have to make sure the Manchester United version of the icon is left at Old Trafford.
If the baggage is kept at the Theatre of Dreams, then Portugal will be firing on all cylinders. Should it be packed in the overhead lockers on the flight to Qatar, it will only open the doors to the three other nations.
Will Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani have one last dance for Uruguay? Can Heung-min Son carry the weight of the South Korean nation on his back? Could Ghana make use of a change in eligibility rules? All these questions and more will be answered in just a few days’ time.
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