FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022: The Main Contenders
The countdown is now well into its final stages, with the 2022 FIFA World Cup under a month away. This year’s edition may be held in winter rather than summer, but otherwise, the format remains much the same. 32 teams and 64 matches spread across only 28 days looking set to provide a month of soccer heaven for fans right across the globe.
With the tournament looming, the World Cup is already beginning to dominate the Sports News headlines, with topics including England’s Goalkeeping Battle sparking debate amongst supporters. Of course, the main subject of conversation centres around who is going to win. Here we take a look at the main contenders.
Brazil
FIFA World Ranking: 1
Best World Cup Performance: Winners (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002)
Manager: Tite
Star Man: Neymar
Form: W W W W W
Summary: The most successful nation in the history of the tournament, Brazil are many people’s idea of the winner once again. Boasting a side jam-packed with star quality, the samba stars arrive in fine form, with just one defeat in their last 29 fixtures. Full of goals, and well-organised by the astute Tite, they look set for a deep run.
France
FIFA World Ranking: 4
Best World Cup Performance: Winners (1998, 2018)
Manager: Didier Deschamps
Star Man: Kylian Mbappé
Form: D D L W L
Summary: No side has successfully defended their title since Brazil won back-to-back editions in 1958 and 1962. Didier Deschamps’ France outfit will be hoping to buck that trend in 2022, and they would look to have sound claims of doing so. In the blistering Kylian Mbappé, they have a forward who is almost unplayable on his day, which in combination with a solid defence and a supporting cast of attacking stars may make Les Bleus tough to beat.
Argentina
FIFA World Ranking: 3
Best World Cup Performance: Winners (1978, 1986)
Manager: Lionel Scaloni
Star Man: Lionel Messi
Form: W W W W W
Summary: No side arrives at the tournament in better form than Lionel Messi’s Argentina. Now unbeaten in 35, Argentina are the most recent side to have beaten Brazil when mastering their South American rivals in the Copa America Final. Gritty and determined, with a dose of stardust up front, Argentina look set to provide the greatest player of all time with a good chance of lifting the trophy he covets above all others.
England
FIFA World Ranking: 5
Best World Cup Performance: Winners (1966)
Manager: Gareth Southgate
Star Man: Harry Kane
Form: D D L L D
Summary: It is now fully 56 years since England lifted a major international trophy when winning the World Cup on home soil back in 1966. Gareth Southgate’s troops have however at least been edging a little closer of late – making it to the semi-finals in Russia four years ago and bettering that when runners up at Euro 2020. Recent form would be a concern for the Three Lions, but they have the players to make a run if finding their form at the big event once again.
Spain
FIFA World Ranking: 7
Best World Cup Performance: Winners (2010)
Manager: Luis Enrique
Star Man: Pedri
Form: D W W L W
Summary: Around ten years ago Spain were the dominant force in the global game – winning the World Cup in 2010 and the European Championships in both 2008 and 2012. La Roja aren’t quite so strong these days but are not to be underestimated. Few sides in the competition boast such an array of young and improving players, particularly in midfield. With the side gelling nicely under Luis Enrique, they rate as one of the European nations most likely to prevail.
Photo by Krzysztof Sinica on Unsplash
