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The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar is set to be the 22nd edition of the most prestigious tournament in world football. 32 teams will participate in the finals, as they bid to lift the trophy on December 18.
Here is a look at the chances of the leading teams in the competition and where their strengths and weaknesses may be.
Brazil
As of the 30th of August, Brazil is the +500 favourites with bookmaker Betway for the 2022 World Cup, so a lot will be expected from the five-time winners in Qatar. Their last success came back in 2002, so it has been 20 years since they last lifted the trophy.
One of the most fascinating battles in the Brazil national team is the fight for the number one jersey. Liverpool FC shot-stopper Alisson and Manchester City’s Ederson are regarded as two of the best ‘keepers in the world, but only one of them can lay claim to the most important of jerseys. Alisson has featured more often in head coach Tite’s team, however, a lot may depend on how they perform for their respective clubs over the next few months.
In terms of attacking options, Brazil has arguably more depth than any other team at the World Cup. Neymar, Gabriel Jesus, Richarlison, Raphinha, Gabriel Barbosa, and Roberto Firmino are just some of the players Tite can turn to.
Over the years, it has been Brazil’s defence that has let them down at major tournaments. Their back line this year will be older than many of their rivals, but it is not short of experience, with Thiago Silva, Marquinho and Danilo in there.
France
🙌🎩 @Benzema is the winner of the UEFA Player of the Year Award!
🏆 Félicitations, Karim !#UEFAawards | #UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/LHaomZNJjP— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) August 25, 2022
The defending champions France is another team which has lots of attacking talent. Their team will be led by UEFA Player of the Year, Karim Benzema, a striker who has had a phenomenal 12 months for club and country. The Frenchman truly is in the best form of his career.
As you can read from the CNN report, Les Bleus were outstanding in this tournament four years ago. They defeated Argentina, Uruguay, Belgium, and Croatia in the knockout stages before getting their hands on the trophy for only the second time.
Didier Deschamps’ side, however, has not been in great form in 2022. They have failed to win one of their four UEFA Nations League games, with defeats coming against Denmark and Croatia. With the quality of their squad, though, they will be expected to improve in Qatar.
There will be pressure on the defending champions to go deep into the tournament at the very least. If their big players produce their best, it may take a big performance to stop them.
England
Although they have yet to lift a trophy under Gareth Southgate’s rein as England manager, the Three Lions have shown clear progress. They reached the semi-final of the FIFA World Cup in 2018, eventually finishing fourth, while at Euro 2020, as the BBC reported, the hosts were perhaps unlucky to have lost in the final to Italy.
Southgate will be hoping his team can continue their progress and go one step closer later this year. Their only success at a tournament came 56 years ago at the 1966 World Cup on their home soil.
Only two players in Premier League history have more goals than Harry Kane 🥉 pic.twitter.com/oBCUHm5DtS
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 28, 2022
Captain Harry Kane looks set to be England’s all-time goalscorer before he retires, and he is regarded as one of the best strikers in world football. The Tottenham man will be supported by Raheem Sterling and Jack Grealish, while in midfield, Manchester City’s summer signing Kalvin Phillips will be expected to provide cover to England’s defense, arguably the weakest area in their team.
Argentina
This year’s FIFA World Cup could be Lionel Messi’s last of his career. The PSG forward helped his country reach the final in 2014, but sadly for the magician, they were beaten 1-0 by Germany in the FIFA showpiece game.
Argentina will be buoyed by its success at Copa America in 2021. They defeated Brazil 1-0 in the final thanks to a goal from now Juventus FC winger Angel Di Maria. Since that victory, Lionel Scaloni’s side has gone 13 games unbeaten.
Although he often carries the weight of the nation on his shoulders, Messi is not the only world-class player in the Argentina national team. AS Roma forward Paulo Dybala and Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez will join the six-time Ballon d’Or winner in attack.
In what is a change to the initial schedule for the FIFA World Cup, the opening game of the tournament will now be on November 20 when the hosts Qatar will face Ecuador.
