It has been almost 12 years since that earth-shattering December day when then-FIFA president Sepp Blatter took us all by surprise and announced that the 22nd World Cup (coincidentally taking place in a year ending with 22) would be held in Qatar, a country whose land mass is smaller than Cork and Kerry combined.
Ever since that fateful Thursday afternoon in Zurich, this tournament has been shrouded in controversy. Allegations of bribery and corruption quickly abounded that this tiny nation with scant footballing history could win the hosting rights ahead of fellow bidders USA, South Korea, Japan and Australia. Human rights groups have condemned the appalling treatment of migrant workers who built the eight host stadia in torturous conditions for slave-labour pay, with reports that 6,500 people have died in stadium construction.
As if the coronavirus pandemic hadn’t played enough havoc with the footballing calendar since 2020, the unique scheduling of this World Cup has also thrown the conventional European club season out of kilter. Domestic campaigns have halted for a few weeks and will resume after the final in Doha a week before Christmas. Even for those watching from home, that will be a novel experience. World Cups belong to sun-kissed June and July evenings where beer gardens and barbecues are the order of the day. Instead, we’ll be watching the victorious captain raise the trophy aloft on a screen which shares the same room as a Christmas tree, all with the heating on full blast to combat the December chill.
It really will be a World Cup like no other, but after more than a decade of recriminations and finger-pointing, hopefully the on-field action will be of sufficient quality so that Qatar 2022 leaves something of a positive legacy. The last tournament in Russia was the best since the 1980s, while a thoroughly dramatic Euro 2020 has raised further hopes of another memorable extravaganza of international football.
For the neutral, there is the intrigue of multiple nations harbouring genuine hopes of going the distance in the absence of any clear favourite. Can France break the curse of recent World Cup holders and double up? Will Germany and Spain add a second triumph this century? Can Argentina or Brazil take the trophy back to South America for the first time since 2002? Will Belgium, Portugal or Netherlands become the latest first-time winners? Can England go one better than at Euro 2020 and add an alternative reference point to 1966? Can Denmark sneak into contention?
Away from the main contenders, who will be the unheralded bolters to make a surprisingly lengthy run through the tournament? We’ve seen the likes of Costa Rica, Ghana, Ukraine, South Korea and Turkey all make the quarter-finals over the last 20 years. Can the likes of Senegal, Japan, Ecuador, Switzerland or Ghana themselves take us by surprise? Will Wales and Canada, both returning after lengthy absences, make up for lost time? And what of the hosts Qatar, a truly unknown quantity making their World Cup debut?
Tournament football often takes on a life of its own where one team’s stars might align at the perfect time, while star-studded teams fail to gel and end up flying home in disgrace. Who will have the best blend of defensive organisation and match-winning quality to outlast the competition and write their name in the annals of World Cup history? Let’s take a closer look at the 32 competing nations to assess their chances of making an impression in Qatar.
GROUP A
ECUADOR
Some in Ecuador might just be relieved simply to be at the tournament, following the controversy over Byron Castillo’s appearance for the country. The Chilean FA lodged an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, claiming that the full-back was born in Colombia and using falsified documentation to play for Ecuador. The incident put La Tri’s participation in the finals into doubt, but CAS eventually ruled in their favour and they will duly be the hosts’ opponents in the tournament’s opening match on Sunday.
Castillo won’t be at the World Cup but Ecuador will be, and they go to Qatar hoping to prove a point and quietly eyeing a second appearance in the last 16. Gustavo Alfaro took charge during a faltering qualification campaign and ultimately led the team to fourth in CONMEBOL qualifying, duly avoiding the bear pit of a play-off.
Given that they won the South American Under-20 Championship and came third at the World Cup in that age grade in 2019, it’s no surprise that several graduates from that team now feature at senior level. The standout is Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo, one of the most under-rated players in the Premier League right now, while club colleague Pervis Estupinan was in the Villarreal team which reached the Champions League semi-finals last season. There are some experienced heads in the line-up, though, including former West Ham flop Enner Valencia, who netted three times at Ecuador’s last World Cup appearance in 2014. Keep an eye out also for Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Piero Hincapie, who has attracted Premier League interest.
Ecuador have a solid defence but the worry is that they don’t score enough. That could be their undoing in a likely battle with Senegal for second place in Group A.
Probable XI: Dominguez – Angelo Preciado, Torres, Hincapie, Estupinan – Franco, Gruezo, M Caicedo – Mena, Estrada, E Valencia (c)
World Cup history: First of three qualifications came in 2002, when they exited at the group stage (as in 2014). Reached the last 16 in Germany 2006.
Verdict: Might be narrowly edged out by Senegal for second place. Their showdown could be decisive one way or the other.
NETHERLANDS
A resurgent Netherlands going to the World Cup under the stewardship of Louis van Gaal…you could be forgiven for thinking that it’s 2014 again. It’s almost a completely different team now, though – the only survivor from the bronze medalists in Brazil who is likely to start in Qatar is Memphis Depay, who at the time was the great white hope of Dutch football.
That moniker now belongs to fellow forward Cody Gakpo, who has been ripping it up with PSV Eindhoven and could well be Premier League-bound next year. At the other end of the pitch, it seems remarkable that this will be Virgil van Dijk’s first World Cup, given that the 31-year-old has often been cited as the world’s best centre-back during Liverpool’s peak under Jurgen Klopp at the turn of the decade.
After missing out on two consecutive tournaments following the 2014 World Cup and crash-landing in the last 16 against Czech Republic at Euro 2020, the Oranje go to Qatar buoyed by an excellent UEFA Nations League campaign which saw them twice defeat Belgium, including a 4-1 hammering in Brussels. That, and one of the kindest groups imaginable at a World Cup, augur well for the Dutch to dream of going far into the tournament.
However, that could paradoxically be more of a hindrance than a help. They ambled through a relatively weak group at Euro 2020 with a 100% record before crumbling against the Czechs. It would be no surprise if they motor serenely through their early games and sail into the quarter-finals, only to then be dismantled once they meet their first serious test of the tournament. Still, that would represent progress after some terribly lean years in between Van Gaal’s two most recent spells in charge of Netherlands.
Probable XI: Pasveer – Timber, Van Dijk (c), De Ligt – Dumfries, Berghuis, F de Jong, Blind – Bergwijn, Depay, Gakpo
World Cup history: Beaten in three finals (1974, 1978, 2010) while twice vanquished in the semi-finals (1998, 2014). This is their 11th World Cup, although they’ve missed two of the last five.
Verdict: Van Gaal’s men look well set to cruise up until the quarter-final stage, where the first world-class opponents they meet could edge them out.
QATAR
Plucky underdogs making their World Cup debut usually warm the hearts of neutrals, but Qatar can expect no such external support as the host nation, given the aforementioned litany of off-field controversies surrounding their staging of football’s greatest tournament.
Felix Sanchez’s side are the only team at this World Cup who haven’t been here before, and having gone directly into the finals given their status as hosts, there is a danger that they may be dangerously undercooked at this level. They have tried to mitigate that as best as possible by competing in multiple continental championships over the last few years, while also participating in friendlies against the likes of Portugal, Serbia and – in case you’ve forgotten – Ireland.
Qatar are not complete outsiders – they are the reigning champions of Asia, having won their continental title in 2019 – but the step-up between Asian football and other confederations was laid bare when Ireland battered them 4-0 last year. Also, their entire squad plays in the Qatari league, which is known more for its extortionate paydays than its footballing prestige. They could be in for a rude awakening at World Cup level, even though they buck the trend of this tournament by having several months to prepare together rather than being parachuted in just days before kick-off like the European sides.
It’s difficult to know what to expect of Qatar at this World Cup, and this is one tournament where home advantage could be a stronger factor than usual. When your standout players are strike partnership Akram Afif (Al Sadd) and Alomez Ali (Al Duhail), though, you can expect to be taught a lesson or two up against opposition players who’ve won the biggest prizes in European club football. Qatar are likely to join South Africa (2010) in the exclusive club of World Cup hosts who’ve fallen at the first hurdle.
Probable XI: Al Sheeb – Ro-Ro, Khoukhi, Al Rawi, A Hassan, Ahmed – Al Haydos (c), Boudiaf, Hatem – Afif, Ali
World Cup history: The hosts are the only debutants at the 2022 finals, so they’ve yet to successfully qualify for the tournament.
Verdict: Their unknown quantity tag and obvious home advantage could work in their favour, but the step-up in quality will likely be too much for them.
SENEGAL
Twenty years ago, Senegal went to their first World Cup and stunned the planet by beating holders France in the opening game, eventually going on to reach the quarter-finals. They were underdogs going along for the ride back then; the story is rather different now.
In an apt parallel to the last World Cup to be held in Asia, 2002 captain Aliou Cisse is now coach of the Lions of Teranga, who have already made history this year by finally getting over the line to win the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time. They defeated Egypt on penalties in the decider and repeated the trick in the African World Cup play-offs a few weeks later to book their ticket to this tournament.
Senegal have a few other names who’ve been around the block in major European leagues, such as power-charged Watford winger Ismaila Sarr, uncompromising centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly and midfield engines Cheikhou Kouyate and Idrissa ‘Gana’ Gueye.
However, the African champions were dealt a major blow just three days before the tournament when talisman Sadio Mane, who was initially named in the squad, was forced to withdraw through an injury he picked up for Bayern Munich recently. The 30-year-old had been in line to regain fitness before the end of the group stage, but has since had to concede defeat, depriving Cisse’s team of their best player.
Senegal’s group stage elimination from the 2018 World Cup was incredibly galling; they lost out to Japan by virtue of yellow cards accumulated, having boasted an identical record to the Blue Samurai. Now unburdened by the tag of continental underachievement, the AFCON holders are good enough to atone for that heartache and make it out of the group this time, even though Mane’s absence will make their task harder.
Probable XI: E Mendy – Sabaly, Koulibaly (c), A Diallo, Ballo-Toure – Kouyate, N Mendy, I Gueye – I Sarr, Dia, Diatta
World Cup history: Shock quarter-finalists on their debut in 2002; returned four years ago as they agonisingly missed out on the last 16.
Verdict: The experience of getting over the line in AFCON earlier this year could stand to them in terms of reaching the last 16, but a repeat of 2002 may just elude them.
GROUP B
ENGLAND
Semi-finalists at the last World Cup, runners-up at Euro 2020, this is the year when England eventually take that biggest step of them all and go on to taste glory at a major tournament…right? So they might have thought at the start of 2022, but a sobering UEFA Nations League campaign which saw them relegated meekly from the top tier has put expectations in check.
Gareth Southgate has taken England closer to glory than any other manager since Alf Ramsey in 1966, but the poor results of the last six months, his excessive loyalty to players struggling at club level and his safety-first tactical setup have irked many a supporter and journalist in his nation. The man who charmed a country with his waistcoat in 2018 is now battling to convince his followers that he is the right man to lead the Three Lions into battle.
The team is largely the same one as that which came second at Euro 2020, aside from the reintegration of Kieran Trippier at right-back and the maturity of Jude Bellingham into a top-class operator who belongs at the highest level at the tender age of 19. It will be fascinating to see how he fares in his first tournament as an England regular, and indeed whether Harry Kane can become his country’s record goalscorer.
The draw could have done England plenty of favours and, despite their recent struggles, they should have enough to reach the last eight. However, that familiar burden of expectation and a far from sturdy defence and goalkeeper will likely let them down once the business end of the tournament approaches.
Probable XI: Pickford – Walker, Stones, Maguire – Trippier, Rice, Bellingham, Shaw – Saka, Kane (c), Sterling
World Cup history: This is their 16th World Cup. Famously won it in 1966, reached two semi-finals (1990, 2018) and have lost no fewer than six quarter-finals.
Verdict: Should top a relatively kind group and could get to a quarter-final. Failing to top the group would likely see them undone by the Dutch in the last 16, though.
IRAN
Iran’s build-up to the 2022 World Cup has been…interesting. Dragan Skocic, the coach who led the team to the finals, was sacked in July, quickly reinstated and then dismissed again a couple of months later. The beneficiary of his rotten luck is Carlos Queiroz, who was in charge of two other nations in the qualifiers (both of whom failed to reach the finals) and led Team Melli at the last two World Cups.
Talent-wise, this is probably the best Iran team to ever go to a World Cup. Their forward line is impressive, with Eredivisie hotshot Alireza Jahanbakhsh, prolific Bayer Leverkusen marksman Sardar Azmoun and FC Porto’s Mehdi Taremi, scorer of five goals in the Champions League group stage. They also boast a fine goalkeeper in Alireza Beiranvand, who famously saved a penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo at the tournament in Russia four years ago.
On paper, this Iran team might have a shot at getting out of the group. Unfortunately, the aforementioned coaching debacle caused divide within the camp, with some players pledging loyalty to Skocic and others wanting him gone. Such affairs can destabilise harmony within a group, which would be a shame considering the talent at Queiroz’s disposal.
Iran have a track record of going toe to toe with some of the most illustrious teams at previous World Cups, as Portugal, Spain and Argentina will all testify. They won’t be pushovers in an open Group B, but their chaotic preparations could count against them when it matters most.
Probable XI: Beiranvand – Moharrami, Kanaanizadegan, M Hosseini, Hajsafi (c) – Nourollahi, Ezatolahi, Ghoddos – Jahanbakhsh, Azmoun, Taremi
World Cup history: This is their sixth finals appearance and their fourth in the 21st century, but they’ve never made it past the first hurdle.
Verdict: They might trouble the other teams in the group but don’t seem to have enough about them to make it into the knockout rounds.
UNITED STATES
Having missed out on the 2018 World Cup, it was imperative for the United States that they qualified for this year’s edition ahead of co-hosting the 2026 finals. A young team coached by Gregg Berhalter, a member of the USA’s 2002 quarter-finalists, qualified with a degree of comfort, albeit without looking like world-beaters.
A level of inconsistency is perhaps unsurprising given the youth of this American line-up, with captain Christian Pulisic still only 24 and probable starters Sergino Dest, Tyler Adams, Brenden Aaronson, Timothy Weah and Josh Sargent all 23 or younger. What they lack in age profile, though, they make up for in high-level experience, with all of those having played in major European leagues.
In a manner akin to another American coach in Leeds manager Jesse Marsch, Berhalter’s USA play with a very high press, which can be hugely effective against teams who insist in playing out from the back but runs the risk of leaving the defence isolated if opponents manage to play through this tactic. The high press could work against more fancied opposition, but against the likes of Wales and Iran where the US will expect a positive result, they may adopt a more possession-based style.
Pulisic might have blown hot-and-cold during his time at Chelsea, but he often rises to the responsibility of being captain for his country and is capable of winning games on his own when at his best. This vibrant young American side look well placed to get out of their group for a third time in a row at the World Cup.
Probable XI: Turner – Dest, Zimmerman, Long, A Robinson – Adams, Aaronson, McKennie – Weah, Sargent, Pulisic (c)
World Cup history: Came fourth at the first World Cup in 1930 and were quarter-finalists in 2002. Qualified seven times in a row before missing out on Russia 2018.
Verdict: They could pip Wales for second place, but then a third successive round of 16 exit seems their likeliest fate.
WALES
This Wales team are no strangers to playing in major tournaments, having qualified for the last two European Championships and reached the semi-finals in the first of those. However, they are embarking on their first World Cup since 1958, so their journey to Qatar breaks new ground for Rob Page’s class of 2022.
The Welsh will hope to channel the emotion of the rainy Sunday evening in Cardiff on which they secured qualification with victory over Ukraine, and while their squad may draw upon players from AFC Wimbledon, Cardiff, Luton, Portsmouth, Spezia, MK Dons, Dundee United and Huddersfield, the Dragons have a settled side who are more than the sum of their parts.
The undoubted star is Gareth Bale, who regularly comes good for his country when the stakes are highest, while Aaron Ramsey also boasts huge experience on the big European stage at club level. Aside from those two long-serving stalwarts, the wing-backs of Connor Roberts and Neco Williams offer plenty of attacking threat, while Daniel James tends to raise his game in a red shirt despite struggling to settle at club level over the past couple of years. Hulking centre-forward Kieffer Moore could also prove a real handful for opposition defences to handle.
The big worry for Wales, though, is their form ever since sealing their ticket to Qatar. They were relegated in the UEFA Nations League, gaining just one point from their six matches. Each of their five defeats was by one goal, and unless Page’s team can adopt a ruthless streak to turn losses into draws or wins, they might fall narrowly short of progressing from what should be a tightly-contested group.
Probable XI: Hennessey – Ampadu, Rodon, B Davies – C Roberts, Allen, Ramsey, N Williams – Bale (c), Moore, James
World Cup history: Their only other appearance was all the way back in 1958, albeit that they made the quarter-finals in Sweden.
Verdict: Their impressive record of getting past the group stage in every major tournament appearance could discontinue this month.
GROUP C
ARGENTINA
It was almost half his lifetime ago that a teenage Lionel Messi first played at a World Cup, scoring in Argentina’s 6-0 rout of Serbia & Montenegro at the 2006 finals in Germany. Now 35, his status as one of the greatest footballers of all time is beyond dispute, but the biggest prize in international football has eluded him in four previous attempts.
Even a man of Messi’s brilliance might not get to a sixth World Cup as a 39-year-old in 2026, so this is likely his last chance to emulate the man with whom he is often compared as Argentina’s greatest, the late Diego Maradona, who inspired the Albiceleste to their last world title in 1986. Will this modern-day icon, a man whose fame transcends football, get the status of World Cup winner that his glorious career deserves?
You know what…there’s a fine chance that he will. In a manner reminiscent of Liverpool before their breakthrough Premier League triumph in 2020, Argentina went through a generation of humiliation and gut-wrenching near misses before finally lifting the Copa America, ending 28 years without a trophy at senior level. That weight of history is now off their shoulders, and they arrive in Qatar having not lost in 35 matches. In stark contrast to 2018, they could not come into the World Cup in ruder health.
It might not be a star-studded Argentina team like those in the 2000s but there is strength in every sector of the pitch, from goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to centre-back pairing Cristian Romero and Nicolas Otamendi, through to the midfield room industry of Rodrigo De Paul and Leandro Paredes and the glittering front three of Messi, Lautaro Martinez and Angel Di Maria.
No longer chokers, bridesmaids or whatever derogatory tag which has been thrown at them for so long, Argentina look ready to give Messi the fairytale swansong to his fifth World Cup. This is their moment. This is their time.
Probable XI: E Martinez – Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico – De Paul, Paredes, Palacios – Messi (c), L Martinez, Di Maria
World Cup history: Qualified for every World Cup bar once since 1958. Twice winners (1978, 1986) while also losing three finals (1930, 1990, 2014), but only one semi-final in the last 32 years.
Verdict: In a tournament with no clear favourite, and now unburdened by the weight of ending their trophy famine, Argentina could be coming to the boil at the perfect time. I’m backing them to win it out.
MEXICO
If you’re looking for the definition of a safe bet at the World Cup, here it is – back Mexico to get as far as the last 16 but no further. That has been the story of their tournament every time since 1994. Reaching the quarter-finals is an absolute obsession in Mexico. Can they finally shatter that glass ceiling over the next few weeks?
The pre-tournament signs aren’t overly promising. They go to Qatar with one of the oldest squads at the finals – Guillermo Ochoa, Andres Guardado, Hector Herrera, Hector Moreno and Raul Jimenez are all old hands at this World Cup lark. They have been riddled by injuries, too – Jimenez has barely played this season for Wolves but at least he made it into the squad, unlike Sevilla’s Jesus Corona. I’ll let you absorb the irony of a player called Corona being ruled out of contention on medical grounds following nearly three years of a global pandemic.
Their coach Gerardo Martino was the tubthumping, heart-on-his-sleeve hero of Paraguay’s surprise run to, irony of ironies, the quarter-finals at the 2010 World Cup, but his reputation in Mexico coming into this tournament is anything but glowing. Many supporters of El Tri accuse him of being far too loyal to certain players, while three high-profile defeats to arch-rivals USA in 2021 went down with all the enthusiasm of Tony Holohan’s announcements on COVID restrictions over the last couple of years.
Luckily for Mexico, this is a far from taxing group, Argentina aside. For all the doom and gloom within the country, there is enough quality in their squad to get into the knockout rounds again. As for getting to a quarter-final? Sorry lads, not this year either.
Probable XI: Ochoa – J Sanchez, Montes, Moreno, Gallardo – Guardado (c), E Alvarez, Herrera – Lozano, Jimenez, Vega
World Cup history: Only missed out on five tournaments. As mentioned above, their last seven participations have all ended in the round of 16.
Verdict: They make it out of the group before falling in the last 16. Again. It’s what Mexico do.
POLAND
As with every major tournament over the past decade, Poland will be pinning their hopes on Robert Lewandowski, who is going to a fifth tournament with his country. However, despite his extraordinary scoring record at club level, and being his nation’s all-time leading scorer, the Barcelona hitman has never truly taken a World Cup or European Championship by storm. At 34, this may be his last chance to do so, especially on the global stage.
The problem is that, even with Lewandowski netting three times at Euro 2020, the team around him flattered to deceive, just like they have at every tournament in the 21st century aside from Euro 2016 (when their talisman was paradoxically subdued). Poland’s record in getting to the big stages is very good, but considering the talent they have had even aside from their captain, they all too often underachieve after they’ve done the donkey work of getting to the main event.
Czeslaw Michniewicz’s side have a hugely experienced spine, from goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny to centre-back Kamil Glik, defensive midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak to the peerless Lewandowski. They have been supplemented in recent months by the naturalisation of wing-back Matty Cash of Aston Villa, who will be given free rein to roam forward at will and load the bullets for Lewandowski to fire.
Poland’s qualification for Qatar 2022 was far from straightforward, though, and doubts remain over their mettle when it comes to World Cup level, having messed up what looked a very accommodating group in 2018. Their draw is tougher this time around, and unless Lewandowski delivers a masterclass even by his standards, he and his compatriots could be set for another early exit.
Probable XI: Szczesny – Bednarek, Glik, Kiwior – Cash, Krychowiak, Zurkowski, Zalewski – S Szymanski, Zielinski – Lewandowski (c)
World Cup history: They’ve only made it past the first round three times, but two of those ended with them finishing third (1974 and 1982). Haven’t made it out of their group since 1986.
Verdict: Despite the predatory instincts of Lewandowski, Poland’s tendency to fall flat on the big stage could manifest itself again with another group stage exit.
SAUDI ARABIA
It’s a damning indictment of the current standing of Asian football that Saudi Arabia cruised through qualification, dominating a group containing Japan and Australia, yet still look like rank outsiders simply to get beyond the first hurdle at the World Cup itself.
Similar to the host nation, the Green Falcons’ squad is entirely home-based, which can be viewed in two ways. Glass-half-full merchants will tell you that it means the team will have better chemistry than most others at Qatar 2022; cynics or pessimists will fear that a lack of exposure to truly top-level football will leave Herve Renard’s side in for a rather rude awakening against the likes of Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski.
This Saudi Arabian crop is no rag-tag collection of misfits, though. They boast one of Asia’s best players in winger Salem Al Dawsari and a composed captain in playmaker Salman Al Faraj. They also have a sturdy, dogged defensive unit which, admittedly against weak opposition, have made a habit of keeping clean sheets. They look set to be tested to their limits up against far stronger challenges here, and we can expect Renard’s men to try and keep things tight in Group C.
Privately, the Saudis may be targeting a win, matching their record from Russia 2018. They won’t roll over for Argentina, Mexico and Poland but will probably be outclassed eventually by those countries’ potent attackers.
Probable XI: Al Owais – Abdulhamid, Al Amri, Al Bulaihi, Al Shahrani – Kanno, Sharahili – Bahebri, Al Faraj (c), S Al Dawsari – Al Buraikan
World Cup history: Debuting in 1994, they’ve been to all but two World Cups since, but gone out at the group stage in each of them except that debut appearance in USA.
Verdict: As in 2018, they could be difficult opponents to break down but not much more. Likely to be bottom of the group.
GROUP D
AUSTRALIA
Switching to the Asian confederation from Oceania in 2005 hasn’t hindered Australia’s World Cup qualification prospects in the slightest – this is their fifth time in a row getting to the main event, having only made it once previously. Alas, Graham Arnold’s team come into this tournament as one of the weakest teams of the 32 who are involved, and not many in this sports-mad country are getting their hopes up.
Just as in 2018, they share a group with France and Denmark, while their other opponents from four years ago (Peru) were the team they defeated on penalties in the play-offs to earn their ticket to Qatar. The Socceroos will hope that the parallels with 2018 end there, as they earned just a solitary point in Russia, and that could be their rather modest target this time around.
This Australian team doesn’t have any pin-up players in the mould of a Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka for Tim Cahill, who played at the last four World Cups but retired straight after the most recent of those. A team lacking star quality will hope to be more than the sum of their parts, although former Arsenal goalkeeper Mat Ryan and Celtic midfielder Aaron Mooy are seasoned international operators who’ve also featured at a high level in European club football. Aside from that, keep an eye out for Verona’s Ajdin Hrustic, who was a Europa League winner with Eintracht Frankfurt six months ago, and out-of-window Newcastle signing Garang Kuol, who only turned 18 in September.
Australia will at least enter the tournament with low expectations, but there could also be trepidation that, if their two European opponents are in the mood, the Socceroos could be on the receiving end of some sobering one-sided results over the next fortnight.
Probable XI: Ryan (c) – Atkinson, Souttar, Rowles, Behich – Mooy – Boyle, Irvine, Hrustic, Leckie – Maclaren
World Cup history: This is their fifth successive appearance and their sixth overall, but only in 2006 have they gone past the group stage.
Verdict: Their group is nearly identical to what they faced in 2018 and a similar outcome – bottom of the pile – looks likely.
DENMARK
Denmark won the affection of the footballing world at Euro 2020 when they overcame the extreme setback of Christian Eriksen’s collapse in their first game to reach the semi-finals, playing with incredible heart and no little guile along the way. Their performances since then have proven that their journey to the last four of that tournament was no short-term burst fuelled by emotion; they twice beat World Cup group opponents France in the UEFA Nations League this year.
Most incredibly of all, Eriksen is back playing with his country within only a few months of almost losing his life on the football pitch on that frightening day against Finland. He isn’t there just for sentimental reasons, either; the Manchester United playmaker is performing superbly for both club and country.
Kasper Hjulmand’s team is far from just the Eriksen show, too. They have a no-nonsense defensive three led by inspirational captain Simon Kjaer, an exhilarating wing-back in Joakim Maehle – one of the breakout stars of Euro 2020 – an all-action midfielder in Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and an exciting young winger in Andreas Skov Olsen, along with veteran goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel. About the only area of possible weakness in the side is at centre-forward, where the hit-and-miss Kasper Dolberg is the pick of an inconsistent crop of options.
Having beaten France twice in the last six months, Denmark will fancy their chances of doing so again, in turn giving themselves a pathway which could see them emulate their feat of Euro 2020 and reach the semi-finals. They could again be among the neutrals’ favourites to watch and cheer on at this World Cup.
Probable XI: Schmeichel – Andersen, Kjaer (c), Christensen – Kristensen, Hojbjerg, Delaney, Maehle – Skov Olsen, Eriksen – Dolberg
World Cup history: Five previous appearances, only one of which ended in group stage elimination. Their best performance was reaching the quarter-finals in 1998.
Verdict: Could top the group and duly get the easier path in the knockout rounds. They’re capable of matching their Euro 2020 showing and getting to the last four.
FRANCE
Coming into a World Cup in the 21st century as champions has been something of a curse. The last three reigning holders (Italy, Spain, Germany) all bowed out in the group stage, a fate which also befell defending champions France in 2002 when the generation of Zinedine Zidane, Thierry Henry, David Trezeguet, Lilian Thuram et al failed to win or even score. That World Cup was in Asia, too.
Les Bleus’ current boss Didier Deschamps will be hoping that the similarities between France’s last title defence and this one end there, but the portents are not particularly promising for the reigning champions. Twenty years ago, Zidane came into the tournament carrying an injury and played at half-pace in their third and final match. At least he made it to the finals, though; Deschamps goes to Qatar without long-term absentees Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante, while Presnel Kimpembe and Christopher Nkunku have both had to withdraw from the squad after initially being named among the travelling party.
On paper, France should still be able to overcome those body blows. Veteran goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is one of the best in his profession, while the defence combines the experience of Raphael Varane with rising talents like Ibrahima Konate and William Saliba. The holders also boast one of the most fearsome forward lines in world football, with Antoine Griezmann outshone by the timeless Karim Benzema and the phenomenal Kylian Mbappe, a scorer in the 2018 final as a teenager.
For all that undoubted talent, though, Les Bleus are not in the best place ahead of their title defence. Aside from the spate of injuries, they had a dismal UEFA Nations League campaign, while Mbappe was involved in an off-field dispute in September which could have a lingering effect on the harmony of the squad.
Denmark aside, this is not a stellar group by any means, so only a truly disastrous loss of form ought to see France becoming the fourth successive World Cup holder to crash out at the subsequent group stage. As with Euro 2020, though, the journey may well end in the last 16, which would likely see the long-serving Deschamps step aside.
Probable XI: Lloris (c) – Kounde, Varane, Konate – Pavard, Tchouameni, Rabiot, T Hernandez – Griezmann – Mbappe, Benzema
World Cup history: Twice winners (1998, 2018) and once runners-up (2006). Semi-finalists on three other occasions. This is their 16th World Cup appearance.
Verdict: Should come through a relatively weak group to set up another last 16 clash with Argentina, who will get their revenge for elimination at the same stage in 2018.
TUNISIA
Tunisia find themselves in the top 30 of FIFA’s world rankings above the likes of Czech Republic, Turkey, Austria, Hungary and Norway, but the manner of their qualification for Qatar 2022 wasn’t wholly convincing. They hit a couple of speed bumps in a somewhat weak qualifying group and only scraped past Mali in the play-offs to book their ticket to the tournament, so they come into the tournament with plenty of question marks over their heads.
Despite reaching the quarter-finals at the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year, their performances were wildly inconsistent and led to a coaching change which now sees Jalel Kadri at the helm. A strong showing at the Kirin Cup in Japan over the summer, where they beat the host country and Chile, offered hope that a corner may have been turned. Facing two of Europe’s strongest sides in the World Cup provides a whole different test, though.
Unsurprisingly, Tunisia look set to sit deep and adopt a counterattacking approach to their group games, a tactic which has worked well for them in the recent past and can get the best out of flying winger Wahbi Khazri, once of Sunderland. Along with centre-back set-piece threat Dylan Bronn, he looks set to be a crucial figure for the Carthage Eagles in Qatar. Their wildcard could be young midfielder Hannibal Mejbri, who has featured for Manchester United and is on loan at Birmingham, proving distinctive for more than just his Sideshow Bob-esque afro.
Tunisia will hope to be awkward opponents for Denmark and France and may fancy their chances of beating Australia, but a place in the last 16 looks unlikely.
Probable XI: Dahmen – Drager, Talbi, Bronn, Maaloul – Chaaleli, Skhiri, Laidouni – Khazri, Jaziri, Msakni (c)
World Cup history: Five previous appearances, including three in a row from 1998 to 2006. All five have ended in group stage elimination.
Verdict: Might finish above Australia but the two European teams will have too much for the Carthage Eagles.
GROUP E
COSTA RICA
Following defeat to Canada in CONCACAF qualifying just over a year ago, Costa Rica’s hopes of reaching the finals looked all but dead. In 2022, they scooped the prize for the best Lazarus impression in international football, taking 19 points from a possible 21 to salvage a play-off in which they narrowly saw off New Zealand to reach a fifth World Cup out of the last six.
Brazil 2014 is the reference point for the Ticos in this tournament, having sensationally reached the quarter-finals and been a penalty shoot-out away from making the last four. They still retain several veterans from that fairytale run, such as goalkeeper Keylor Navas, defenders Oscar Duarte and Bryan Oviedo, midfield axis Celso Borges and Yeltstin Tejeda, along with attackers Joel Campbell and Bryan Ruiz.
However, there is concern that the 2014 crop are past their prime, while the rest of the likely starting XI is either limited or too young to have great expectations thrust upon them. Their brightest young hope is 18-year-old Jewison Bennette, who is already a nailed-on starter and has earned a move to Sunderland. He looks the best bet to be the long-term successor to Ruiz as Costa Rica’s attacking lynchpin.
Luis Fernando Suarez will likely adopt a defensive mindset in what looks like a daunting group, and the probability is that their ageing backline will only hold out for so long against superior opposition.
Probable XI: Navas (c) – Fuller, Calvo, Duarte, Oviedo – Tejeda, Borges – Torres, Campbell, Bennette – Contreras
World Cup history: Famously made the quarter-finals in 2014 and reached the last 16 as first-timers in 1990. Their three other appearances ended at the group stage.
Verdict: No repeat of their iconic summer of 2014 this time – bottom of the group awaits.
GERMANY
There are parallels between where Germany find themselves now and where they were going into the 2002 World Cup, when expectations were lowered off the back of two disappointing tournaments. The story is similar this time around, and it’s worth remembering that, 20 years ago, the Nationalmannschaft defied pre-tournament doubts to reach the final against Brazil.
For the first time since 2004, the Germans go into a major tournament without Joachim Low among the coaching ticket. His successor Hansi Flick, who famously won six trophies in one year with Bayern Munich in 2020, was Low’s assistant previously and already knew several of the national team squad inside-out prior to taking the reins last year. The change in management has had the desired effect, with a rejuvenated Germany delivering some exhilarating performances, most notably the 5-2 hammering of European champions Italy in June.
Don’t be fooled by their underwhelming 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020; this is still an excellent German team capable of going deep in to the tournament. Manuel Neuer, Antonio Rudiger, Joshua Kimmich and Ilkay Gundogan are household names in European football, while Qatar 2022 could be the global platform on which teenage attackers Jamal Musiala and Youssoufa Moukoko announce themselves. Winger Jonas Hofmann, while not a Hollywood name, is one of their under-the-radar most consistent performers who could also make a big impression here.
Germany may hit speed bumps in the odd tournament, but Flick’s resurgent bunch look well placed to atone for the calamities of 2018 and go close to winning the ultimate prize. Can they even go the distance for a fifth time?
Probable XI: Neuer (c) – Kehrer, Sule, Rudiger, Raum – Kimmich, Gundogan – Hofmann, Musiala, Sane – Havertz
World Cup history: Been at every finals since 1954 and won the trophy four times, both records second only to Brazil. Runners-up on four other occasions and have been in 13 semi-finals.
Verdict: Hansi Flick’s resurgent Nationalmannschaft could make it all the way to a ninth World Cup final, but might fall just short of the ultimate prize.
JAPAN
Memories of their agonising collapse against highly-fancied Belgium in the last 16 four years ago, when they led 2-0 only to lose out to a stoppage-time decider, still haunt Japan. However, they can at least take heart from that performance as they prepare to take on two other European giants in Germany and Spain in the group stage this time around.
The draw looks fiendish, but Hajime Moriyasu’s side will hope to spring a surprise on those two recent World Cup winners and use their status as underdogs to their advantage. The Blue Samurai boast several players who are well-versed in high-level European football, such as former Liverpool attacker Takumi Minamino, Celtic striker Daizen Maeda, 2021/22 Europa League winner Daichi Kamada and Arsenal centre-back Takehiro Tomiyasu, so they won’t be overawed by their group opponents.
Like with many previous Japan teams, this current crop is characterised by its energetic, hard-running style and the quickness of their passing. They also have some decent substitutes to call upon if a game is in the balance and they need an injection of vigour going into the final 15-20 minutes of action, so any win against them will surely be hard-earned.
They might come up just short in their pursuit of a last 16 place, but Germany and Spain would be wise to expect an exhausting 90 minutes against this vivacious Japan side.
Probable XI: Gonda – Sakai, Yoshida (c), Tomiyasu, Nagatomo – Endo, Tanaka – J Ito, Kamada, Minamino – Maeda
World Cup history: Never qualified before 1998 but haven’t missed a World Cup since. Alternated between group stage and last 16 elimination in each of their six previous appearances.
Verdict: Japan will be energetic as ever but won’t have enough to oust Germany or Spain, maintaining that aforementioned group-last-16-group sequence.
SPAIN
More than a decade has passed since Spain won a third major tournament in five years with one of the most iconic international teams of all time, with some lean periods in the meantime, but there is hope going into Qatar 2022 that La Roja are back on the up.
Reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2020, in which they only lost out on penalties to eventual champions Italy, was the biggest step in the renaissance under Luis Enrique. Also, some strong UEFA Nations League performances have offered renewed hope that Spain could again have a team to compete for the big prizes, having gone out disappointingly early at the last two World Cups.
This Spanish side maintains the country’s tradition of owning possession, but unlike the peak tiki-taka period where it often felt like they had the ball for the sake of having it, Enrique’s team play with a much greater tempo. That can bring with it some risks but makes them arguably a better side to watch than the golden generation of 2008-2012. The introduction of outstanding young talents in Barcelona pair Gavi and Pedri, along with wingers Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres and centre-back Pau Torres, have enabled a successful regeneration of the Spain national team from the days of Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Ramos, David Villa, David Silva and Fernando Torres.
Where Spain could be caught short, though, is the lack of a truly top-class centre-forward, with Alvaro Morata often flattering to deceive despite having a more than respectable scoring record. That shortcoming could prove to be La Roja’s undoing once the quarter-finals come into view, especially if they come face-to-face with Brazil or Belgium.
Probable XI: Simon – Azpilicueta, Laporte, P Torres, Alba – Gavi, Busquets (c), Pedri – F Torres, Morata, Olmo
World Cup history: Qualified for every tournament since 1978 but won just once (2010) and have only been beyond the last eight on one other occasion (1950). Failed to make the last two quarter-finals.
Verdict: The quarter-finals are within reach again, but that’s where they might give way to the challenge of Brazil.
GROUP F
BELGIUM
Belgium have gone into many a tournament in recent years touted as potential winners, but there is a feeling that this much-vaunted generation has missed the boat, with many members of a superb team growing old together. Is there one glorious last dance in this Red Devils side or will they go down as cult heroes who often dazzled but ultimately lacked that small few percent to become trophy winners?
The names roll off the tongue by this stage – Thibaut Courtois, Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, Axel Witsel, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard. Courtois and De Bruyne have legitimate claims to be the best in the world in their respective positions at the moment, while the much-maligned Lukaku is nonetheless one of the most lethal finishers in international football. This Belgium side is still very capable of ripping teams to shreds if everyone is on song.
Patently aware that many of his lynchpins are into the autumn of their careers, Roberto Martinez has blooded some up-and-coming talents into the Belgian setup over the last couple of years, such as defenders Arthur Theate and Wout Faes, Everton midfielder Amadou Onana, red-hot Brighton attacker Leandro Trossard, playmaker Charles De Ketelaere and young strikers Lois Openda and Jeremy Doku. Another fine generation is brewing, but Qatar 2022 is too soon for them to be relied upon as key figures.
Belgium still have one of the most talented squads at this World Cup, but the feeling pervades that 2018 was their best shot at lifting a major trophy. Right now it seems that many of their key players are slightly past their prime, while those waiting in the wings are still too raw to deliver glory on the big stage. 2022 will likely be a seminal moment in modern Belgian football whereby one generation ends while another waits patiently to take off, resulting in an unusually early round-of-16 exit.
Probable XI: Courtois – Alderweireld, Theate, Vertonghen – Meunier, Tielemans, Witsel, Castagne – De Bruyne, Lukaku, E Hazard (c)
World Cup history: This is their 13th finals appearance, with a third-place finish in 2018 their best return. Also reached the semi-finals in 1986 and were beaten quarter-finalists in 2014.
Verdict: With either Spain or Germany likely awaiting them in the last 16, that may be where the journey ends for Belgium – and maybe some of their ‘golden generation’.
CANADA
Back at the World Cup for the first time since 1986, Canadian football has seen some dark days in the intervening 36 years, but the rip-roaring manner in which they sealed qualification suggests that a special group of players is coming to the boil and ready to put this vast country very much on the global football map.
None of this Canada squad have been to a World Cup before, but their coach John Herdman has – he guided the country’s women’s team to the quarter-finals in 2015 and is now getting the best out of what is already looking like the finest crop of male footballers that the nation has ever produced. The standout name is Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies, although his talents are supplemented by hotshot strikers Jonathan David and Cyle Larin, along with winger Tajon Buchanan, who features in the Club Brugge side which surprisingly reached the Champions League knockout rounds this season.
Few teams go into this World Cup with as much optimism and excitement as this Canadian side, which could make them one of the surprise hits of the tournament. Being drawn in a group with Belgium and Croatia will make it a tall order to reach the last 16, but that has at least tempered giddy expectations somewhat, which could count in their favour as they enter unchartered territory. There have been teams at previous World Cups who qualified in style and arrived with high hopes, only to fall apart dramatically on the big stage after doing the hard yards of getting there.
They face the two European teams first, which could see their tournament ended pretty quickly. Should they get a result in one or both of those matches, though, the road ahead might just open up quite nicely for a Canada team who will be worth watching over the next few weeks.
Probable XI: Borjan – Johnston, Vitoria, Miller, Adekugbe – Buchanan, Hutchinson (c), Eustaquio, Davies – Larin, David
World Cup history: 1986 was their only other World Cup appearance, when they lost all three group games in Mexico.
Verdict: They’ll be ready to pounce on any slips from Belgium or Croatia but could narrowly miss out on the knockout rounds. Don’t rule out an upset, though.
CROATIA
Surprise runners-up at the last World Cup, not even the most optimistic Croatia fan expects Zlatko Dalic’s side to repeat that feat in Qatar. The coach hasn’t been overly loyal to the players who got them so close to glory in 2018, with the side much-changed in the intervening period, although some crucial performers remain from that team as guardians for their younger colleagues.
Then, as now, a lot revolves around the evergreen Luka Modric, who is playing in his fourth World Cup and showing no signs of slowing down at 37. Fellow veteran Ivan Perisic continues to raid along the left flank, while Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic serve to make Croatia’s midfield one of the most experienced at this tournament.
By contrast, they have a completely different goalkeeper and defence to 2018, including the much sought-after Josko Gvardiol of RB Leipzig and Celtic’s Josip Juranovic. Debate also persists as to who will play at centre-forward – will Dalic trust in the ageing Andrej Kramaric or late bloomer Marko Livaja? You could make a case for either, although neither is quite at the same level as former target men Mario Mandzukic or Davor Suker.
The blend appears right, which should see Croatia into the knockout rounds as a team who are best avoided. Unfortunately for them, they’re on the most fiendish side of the draw at this World Cup, which could see them bow out before the quarter-finals, just as they did at Euro 2020.
Probable XI: Livakovic – Juranovic, Sutalo, Gvardiol, Sosa – Brozovic – Majer, Kovacic, Modric (c), Perisic – Livaja
World Cup history: This is their sixth appearance, missing out only once since their 1998 debut, when they came third. Runners-up four years ago, their other World Cups ended in group stage exits. Feast or famine, then.
Verdict: Croatia ought to have enough to get past the group stage, but as in Euro 2020, they could be undone by Spain in the last 16. Another 5-3 between them wouldn’t go astray.
MOROCCO
Morocco’s preparations for the 2022 World Cup have been anything but smooth, with a change of coach only three months before the tournament. Experienced boss Vahid Halilhodzic may have qualified the Atlas Lions for the finals, but his dour, argumentative nature led to multiple disputes with players, most notably the exiled Hakim Ziyech.
The Chelsea winger is back in the fold now that his former nemesis got the boot in place of Walid Regragui. The incumbent coach quickly set about making peace with the 29-year-old, who looks set to be one of the team’s most important players in Qatar. The same goes for right-back Achraf Hakimi, a budding youngster in 2018 but now a firmly established stalwart and still only 24, boasting a CV which reads like a who’s who of Europe’s elite clubs. Other crucial figures are Sevilla duo Yassine Bounou (also known as Bono, making him the inevitable recipient of U2 puns) and striker Youssef En-Nesyri.
Morocco have some decent players, breezed through qualifying and gave a good account of themselves at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations. However, the recent coaching change leaves Regragui learning on the job to an extent, while Ziyech can be something of an enigma. Also, this is one of the hardest groups at the 2022 finals, a fate which also befell them four years ago when they were drawn with both Portugal and Spain.
There seems too much uncertainty around Morocco to make a strong case for them having a realistic chance of getting to the last 16. With Croatia and Belgium their first two opponents, there’s every likelihood that their fate could be sealed before they even get around to their final group game.
Probable XI: Bounou – Hakimi, Aguerd, Saiss (c), Mazraoui – Ounahi, Amrabat, Chair – Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Boufal
World Cup history: Qualified five times previously, exiting at the group stage every time except for 1986 when they made the last 16.
Verdict: The draw hasn’t been kind to them, so it looks like another early exit for Africa’s most north-westerly nation.
GROUP G
BRAZIL
For some countries, getting to the World Cup represents major success. For Brazil, success can only be accomplished by one thing – going all the way and lifting the golden trophy they have held aloft more often than any other nation in world football. That is very much case the again in 2022, with the Selecao very much expecting to triumph over all comers and atone for anti-climactic showings in recent World Cups.
Tite presides over one of the most glittering collections in international football, with true quality in every sector of the pitch. Alisson is one of the world’s top goalkeepers at the moment, while veteran skipper Thiago Silva continues to lead from the back. Casemiro is not the flashiest midfielder in the world but few players on the planet have as much of a winning pedigree, while Neymar is the marquee name in a forward line which is so strong that Gabriel Jesus is unlikely to start.
The one criticism of Tite is that his team selections can sometimes seem baffling. Richarlison is often his preferred centre-forward despite Jesus showing much better form at club level in recent months. Meanwhile, viewers of the Premier League in 2022 must be scratching their heads as to how Bruno Guimaraes can’t get into the starting line-up but the much-derided Fred is virtually a shoo-in. There was also bewilderment as to how a rejuvenated Roberto Firmino failed to even make the squad despite some fine performances for Liverpool of late.
The absolute minimum for Brazil to have anything other than a disastrous tournament is to go one better than 2018 and make the semi-finals. However, a theme of recent World Cups has been for the Selecao to cruise through their first four games before suddenly running out of ideas when faced with an elite-level opponent. They’ll go close but might be caught out on an off-day in the semi-finals.
Probable XI: Alisson – Danilo, Marquinhos, T Silva (c), Alex Sandro – Fred, Casemiro, Paqueta – Raphinha, Richarlison, Neymar
World Cup history: Unparalleled. Nobody else has been at every World Cup and no-one can match their record of five triumphs. They’ve made it out of the group every time since England 1966, but only once been in a semi-final since they last won it in 2002.
Verdict: A strong Brazil side should be very much in contention to win a sixth World Cup, but their tendency for costly off-days might scupper them at the semi-final stage….to Argentina, of all teams.
CAMEROON
“We have to reach the semi-finals at least”. You might think this was Cameroon coach Rigobert Song laying down his target for the Africa Cup of Nations, which would be about the Indomitable Lions’ level. He was, in fact, saying that in relation to this year’s World Cup, in what surely represents the boldest public utterance from any of the 32 coaches assembling in Qatar.
Frankly, Cameroon are doing well to be here at all, having needed a stoppage time goal to sneak past Algeria on away goals in the play-offs in March, a cathartic outcome after their subdued showing as AFCON hosts just a few weeks earlier. Song, who played in four World Cups between 1994 and 2010, took over after that tournament and oversaw the play-off triumph, but he has his work cut out trying to make this team competitive enough to even vie for a place in the last 16.
Cameroon do at least have a few players who are familiar with high-level European club football, such as Bayern Munich’s Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting, strike partner Vincent Aboubakar, Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana and Napoli midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa. They’ve also added Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo to that list, having persuaded the former France youth international to switch allegiance to the Indomitable Lions instead.
However, Cameroon’s recent World Cup record is wretched, having lost their last seven matches at the finals, and they have one of the weakest defences at this year’s edition. If they can simply arrest the losing streak with one point in Qatar, it would represent a decent showing, as the possibility of another whitewash is a distinct one.
Probable XI: A Onana – Fai, Nkoulou, Castelletto, Nouhou – Ngamaleu, Zambo Anguissa, Hongla, Toko Ekambi – Aboubakar (c), Choupo-Moting
World Cup history: Seven previous tournament appearances, six of which ended at the group stage. The exception was 1990, when they made the quarter-finals.
Verdict: As in 2010 and 2014, the step-up to World Cup level looks too much for Cameroon to handle. They’ll be one of the first to get knocked out.
SERBIA
Curiously, Serbia in their current guise have not qualified for the European Championship, even despite its expansion to 24 teams, last appearing as Yugoslavia (which also included Montenegro and Kosovo) at Euro 2000. They have, however, made it to four of the last five World Cups, and despite not making it out of the group stage since the break-up of Yugoslavia, they go to Qatar full of confidence that the story will be different this year.
Serbia pulled off one of the most dramatic victories of the UEFA qualifiers in their 2-1 win away to Portugal a year ago, secured by a stoppage time winner which saw them top the group and consign their opponents to the play-offs. They racked up some big wins in the UEFA Nations League this year, too, thrashing Slovenia and Sweden 4-1 and winning away to Erling Haaland’s Norway.
Dragan Stojkovic, one of the greatest footballers ever to come from this part of the world, has a hugely talented squad at his disposal, especially in attack. Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrovic is the go-to centre-forward, while Dusan Vlahovic (Juventus) and Luka Jovic (Fiorentina) are not half-bad alternatives to call upon. Dusan Tadic offers an inspirational presence just behind the striker, while Eintracht Frankfurt’s Filip Kostic looks set to excel in a wing-back role. They also boast one of Europe’s most coveted centre-backs in Nikola Milenkovic of Fiorentina.
We have seen before from both Serbia and Yugoslavia, though, that having an array of talent doesn’t necessarily translate into a team which goes far on the big stage. A star-studded Serbia & Montenegro side came into the 2006 World Cup as dark horses, only to lose all three group games. That won’t happen to Stojkovic’s team, but their fate could come down to their final group match against a Switzerland side whose win against them in 2018 ultimately cost them a place in the last 16. What odds a dose of deja-vu here?
Probable XI: V Milinkovic-Savic – Milenkovic, Veljkovic, Pavlovic – Zivkovic, Gudelj, Lukic, Kostic – S Milinkovic-Savic, Tadic (c) – A Mitrovic
World Cup history: Their two previous appearances at Serbia both ended in the group stage. As Yugoslavia, they’ve twice come fourth (1930, 1962) and made it to three other quarter-finals (1954, 1958, 1990).
Verdict: It will all probably come down to the showdown with Switzerland, who pipped them to second in the group in 2018 and might do so once again.
SWITZERLAND
For so long a sterile, dull outfit to watch, Switzerland have cast off the shackles more recently, playing their part in one of the greatest international matches of modern times at Euro 2020. They have fond memories of that pulsating round-of-16 clash against France, when they came from 3-1 down to force extra time and penalties, ultimately eliminating Les Bleus on spot kicks. It was a landmark moment in Swiss football, their first success in a knockout match at a major tournament since 1938.
The thirst for undoing Europe’s elite didn’t diminish at that point, either, as the Nati topped their qualifying group for Qatar 2022 ahead of European champions Italy, who then fell to a shock defeat in the play-offs. Murat Yakin’s team are no respecters of reputations, which should serve as a warning to a highly-fancied Brazil, with whom Switzerland deservedly drew at the last World Cup. They also come up against Serbia again and will have warm memories of their last-gasp win, which ironically came courtesy of goals from Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri, both of Kosovan heritage.
That highly experienced duo remain stalwarts of the Swiss national team, who also have a superb goalkeeper in Yann Sommer. Centre-back Manuel Akanji has been quietly excellent in his first season at Manchester City, while Breel Embolo is a natural goal-poacher. Switzerland won’t be among the favourites, but they have a strong team throughout the pitch and, as discussed, aren’t fazed by any opposition.
I’m backing them to repeat their feat of 2018 and pip Serbia to second place in their group. That will likely present Uruguay or Portugal as opponents in the last 16, and while both of these are beatable, another quarter-final could be narrowly out of reach for the Swiss. They won’t be disgraced, though.
Probable XI: Sommer – Widmer, Akanji, Elvedi, Rodriguez – Freuler, Xhaka (c) – Shaqiri, Sow, Vargas – Embolo
World Cup history: A fifth successive finals appearance and their 13th overall. Quarter-finalists at three of their first four World Cups but haven’t made it that far since 1954.
Verdict: They could edge Serbia for second in the group but, in keeping with 2014 and 2018, bow out respectfully in the round of 16.
GROUP H
GHANA
It was only a few short months ago that Ghanaian football hit one of its lowest ebbs, with the Black Stars eliminated at the group stage of the Africa Cup of Nations and suffering a shock defeat to rank outsiders Comoros. Not long after that chastening experience, though, Otto Addo’s team sprung a surprise of their own to get the better of Nigeria in the World Cup play-offs to earn their place in Qatar.
While this team is short of star quality, despite Ghana’s footballing nickname, it is a side renowned for its grit and determination, as evidenced in the play-off vanquishing of the Nigerians. They’ve also used the diaspora route to great effect this year, drafting in the likes of Mohammed Salisu, Inaki Williams and Tariq Lamptey, all of whom have experience of major European leagues and are still quite young. Their midfield is impressive, too, boasting Ajax’s in-form Mohammed Kudus and Arsenal’s Thomas Partey, while the veteran Ayew brothers Andre and Jordan are still involved.
This team is certainly not as strong as the Ghanaian side which so nearly reached the semi-finals in 2010, but things do appear to be dovetailing nicely in time for the World Cup. What a feat it would be if, in the same year that they were undone by Comoros in AFCON, they take a major scalp to make it into the last 16 of a World Cup. After all, this tournament is usually good for a surprise or two…
Probable XI: Nurudeen – Odoi, Djiku, Salisu, Mensah – Partey, Kudus, Sulemana – A Ayew (c), Williams, J Ayew
World Cup history: Three previous appearances, all between 2006 and 2014. Those group stage eliminations sandwich a memorable quarter-final showing in 2010.
Verdict: The Black Stars could take advantage of the weaknesses of other teams in the group and be the surprise participants in the last 16, but they won’t go any further.
PORTUGAL
Portugal’s build-up to their sixth successive World Cup has predictably been dominated by one man, but the manner in which one Cristiano Ronaldo has dominated the lead-in to the tournament was anything but predictable.
That explosive interview from Piers Morgan during the week has dominated headlines and cast a shadow over his country’s preparations for Qatar 2022. Footage of team-mates Bruno Fernandes and Joao Cancelo looking far from pleased with the 37-year-old Manchester United star hints that harmony within the Portuguese camp has been affected by their captain’s sensational public comments regarding his club.
When you look at the players that Fernando Santos can call upon, he must be one of the most envied international coaches in the world. The Manchester City triumvirate of Cancelo, Bernardo Silva and Ruben Dias offer sublime quality in their respective positions, while youngsters like Diogo Costa, Rafael Leao and Nuno Mendes could explode into the world stage if all goes well for Portugal over the next few weeks.
However, this is a nation who have had glittering talents in the past and completely lost their way when a major tournament comes around. It’s hard to escape the feeling that Ronaldo’s interview has put a few noses out of joint, and with the World Cup usually seeing one big name coming a cropper in the group stage, that dubious honour could fall to Santos’ not-so-merry men this winter.
Probable XI: Costa – Cancelo, Dias, Pepe, Mendes – Neves, Carvalho – B Silva, Fernandes, Leao – Ronaldo (c)
World Cup history: Qualified just twice before 2002 but have been ever-present since. Twice made it to the semi-finals, in 1966 and 2006.
Verdict: No fairytale international swansong for Ronaldo – indeed, his fifth World Cup could end on a sour note after the recent fallout from his chat with Piers Morgan.
SOUTH KOREA
South Korea can lay claim to one boast which England, France, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Uruguay, Mexico, Belgium and USA cannot, namely making it to each of the last 10 World Cups following their qualification for Qatar 2022. It’s a record of remarkable consistency which only Brazil, Argentina, Germany and Spain can better.
That may be about as cheerful as its gets for the Taeguk Warriors in 2022, though, as optimism is in short supply in Seoul, Busan et al coming into this tournament. You might think that a team boasting one of the Premier League’s most potent players in Son Heung-min would be more fancied, but the problem is that the Tottenham man’s international colleagues are not even in the same postcode in terms of ability.
South Korea may have coasted through qualification, but Paulo Bento will be under no illusions as to the paucity of the opposition that his team faced en route to Qatar. A 5-1 hammering by Brazil earlier this year hammered home just how big of a gap there is between swatting aside teams in Asia and negotiating the cream of the crop in world football. Even teams in their own continent can take them apart, as Japan did during the summer.
The reliance on Son to inspire his team-mates will be massive, and there’s only so much that the Spurs star can do. Nor does it help that Bento has never really settled on a preferred formation in four years in the job, and in stark contrast to when they finished fourth at the last World Cup to be held in Asia (as co-hosts in 2002), South Korea look set for an early plane out of Qatar.
Probable XI: S G Kim – M H Kim, Y G Kim, M J Kim, J S Kim – W Y Jung, I B Hwang – H C Hwang, J S Lee, H M Son (c) – U J Hwang
World Cup history: Before 1986, they had qualified just once; this is now their 10th consecutive appearance. Only twice made it past the group stage, most famously as semi-finalists when they co-hosted in 2002.
Verdict: A repeat of 20 years ago is highly unlikely. Even getting out of the group looks a tall order.
URUGUAY
For a country with just four million people, Uruguay have done remarkably well to reach the quarter-finals (or better) in two of the last three World Cups. Pound-for-pound one of the best-performing football nations on Earth, they will again feel confident of enjoying a prolonged run at the finals in Qatar, even if coach Diego Alonso (the successor to the long-serving Oscar Tabarez) still has some important issues to ponder.
For some of the veterans from the 2010 semi-finals, this year’s tournament will probably be one last dance on the world stage, with Luis Suarez, Diego Godin, Edinson Cavani and Fernando Muslera all hoping that they can put their years of experience to good use in guiding along the next generation. Already there seems to be a core coming into place to form the backbone of Uruguay’s team for the next decade, such as Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez, midfield duo Rodrigo Bentancur and Federico Valverde, Manchester United winger Facundo Pellistri (overlooked at club level but integral for country) and Barcelona centre-back Ronald Araujo.
Suarez aside, the elder statesmen will likely have cameo roles in Qatar, which seems the ideal scenario, keeping them fresh to make a telling impact while not flogging them during what promises to be an intense tournament. The one big worry about this Uruguay team, though, is a lack of pace which could be brutally exposed by fitter, more vibrant opponents. While their defensive options are not exactly amateurish, the current crop appears to lack the unforgiving ruthlessness of Godin and Diego Lugano in their prime.
Still, Uruguay have a good balance in terms of positional spread and age profile, and with none of the other teams in their group looking massively taxing, Alonso’s men could finish top of the pile and give themselves a favourable round of 16 draw. Another run to the quarter-finals would represent a more than acceptable showing from the Uruguayans.
Probable XI: Rochet – Varela, Araujo, Gimenez, Oliveira – Pellistri, Bentancur, Valverde, De Arrascaeta – Suarez (c), Nunez
World Cup history: Winners in 1930 and 1950 while finishing fourth on three occasions (1954, 1970, 2010) and twice beaten in the quarter-finals (1966, 2018).
Verdict: They look good to finish top of the group and duly avoid Brazil in the last 16. Doing so makes a second successive quarter-final very attainable, but that’s where Germany get the better of them.
PREDICTIONS
Group A: 1st Netherlands, 2nd Senegal, 3rd Ecuador, 4th Qatar
Group B: 1st England, 2nd USA, 3rd Wales, 4th Iran
Group C: 1st Argentina, 2nd Mexico, 3rd Poland, 4th Saudi Arabia
Group D: 1st Denmark, 2nd France, 3rd Tunisia, 4th Australia
Group E: 1st Spain, 2nd Germany, 3rd Japan, 4th Costa Rica
Group F: 1st Belgium, 2nd Croatia, 3rd Canada, 4th Morocco
Group G: 1st Brazil, 2nd Switzerland, 3rd Serbia, 4th Cameroon
Group H: 1st Uruguay, 2nd Ghana, 3rd Portugal, 4th South Korea
Last 16: Netherlands v USA, England v Senegal, Argentina v France, Denmark v Mexico, Spain v Croatia, Belgium v Germany, Brazil v Ghana, Uruguay v Switzerland
Quarter-finals: Netherlands v Argentina, England v Denmark, Spain v Brazil, Germany v Uruguay
Semi-finals: Argentina v Brazil, Denmark v Germany (Brazil to finish 3rd)
Final: Argentina to beat Germany
PROSPECTS
Genuine contenders: Argentina, Brazil, Germany
Could go far: Denmark, Netherlands, Spain, Uruguay
Surprise hits: Senegal, USA, Ghana
Middle of the road: Croatia, England, Mexico, Switzerland
Big name flops: Belgium, France, Poland, Portugal, Serbia
Honourable group exit: Canada, Ecuador, Iran, Japan, Wales
No hopers: Australia, Cameroon, Costa Rica, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Tunisia
TOP SCORER TIPS
The fancied nations will obviously have their big names at short odds to leave Qatar with the Golden Boot, For Argentina, Lionel Messi is a standout candidate, while centre-forward Lautaro Martinez has been in superb form for Inter Milan. For Brazil, Neymar could well be in the frame, while Raphinha or Richarlison could be decent outside bets given that they are among Tite’s preferred options.
2018 Golden Boot winner Harry Kane continues to be prolific at club and international level, and having filled his boots in the group stage in Russia, a similar splurge could put him in the running even if England don’t make it to the last four. Either of Uruguay’s strike duo Luis Suarez or Darwin Nunez might fancy their chances, and if the Dutch have a good run in Qatar, perhaps Cody Gakpo could be in with a shout given his splendid form for PSV Eindhoven.
Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema might be in contention if France go wild in the group stage or make a mockery of my predicted last 16 exit; likewise Cristiano Ronaldo if he can put the ruckus over the recent interview behind him. Don’t be tempted by Robert Lewandowski, though; Poland simply won’t go far enough or play well enough to put him in contention.
Predicting a Golden Boot winner can be even more of a lottery than calling an overall World Cup winner, but with Argentina my tip to win and Martinez on a red-hot streak, he gets my nod.
Man, Ball and All 
Brilliant analysis. 👏
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Excellent liam
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