Football became more and more weak in terms of expression, of quality, of color. Already wrote about this, now I’ll point my finger on the World Cup 2022 from Qatar, which will be played in an unusual place, in an unusual time period. For more details linked to the way the tournament was awarded, go here to order “Fall of The House of FIFA“. The reasons seem obvious and I am not insisting on that because it does not really matter. I am switching to the upcoming tournament. A multiscale of gray surrounds this tournament, which looks to be the last and final of its kind. In fact, in some way, it really is… The last World Cup 2022 with 32 teams, 48 teams from 2026 onwards. Back to Qatar, I am sorry to only remember the colors from South Africa, Brazil or even Russia, comparing to what I see here. They might surprise us, but I very doubt that.
How the groups of World Cup 2022 might look like
OK, the air conditioning will be the best in the world, the preparation for Christmas will be one of a kind and unique in history, but that doesn’t help too much, does it? Well… it will be different, for sure, since this might be the only solid version that the hypocrite “politically correct” might accept. And since the World Cup is one of the most multicultural events from the planet, at least this is a big plus, even though not necessary something reliable, let us present the group stages. The draw took place, without the last three that will be decided in June, but I will make my bet and consider the ones I think will make it there. So, I will “offer” a first version of 32, split in the classical eight groups. First edition with 32 teams took place in 1998, when Romania participated for the last time – mentioning this since it’s my native country, even though a very poor nation in terms of football at this point. Anyway, the groups:
- Group A: Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal, The Netherlands
- Group B: England, Iran, USA, Wales
- Group C: Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland
- Group D: France, UAE, Denmark, Tunisia
- Group E: Spain, Costa Rica, Germany, Japan
- Group F: Belgium, Canada, Morocco, Croatia
- Group G: Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon
- Group H: Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay, South Korea
Will Qatar, at its first appearance, perform at a World Cup?
The teams marked in red are not secure of their places, but I would bet on them for several reasons. Let us see if I will got it right. Regardless, only one team plays for the first time at a World Cup. And I guess you already know whom is that. Of course, the hosts, Qatar. Sure, Canada and potentially EAU and Wales will actually qualify, will make it to the competition after a long, very long time. But Qatar is the star, since it organizes this historical World Cup. In fact, thinking about what happened, for example in 2002, when South Korea, then hosts, reached the semifinals, we are thinking what could happen to Qatar. As the path shows, the group is quite difficult, but not impossible, since Ecuador and Senegal are inconstant national teams. If, by any chance, Qatar will go through will be threaten mostly by England, but let us go there and see how they will perform.
Argentina – Portugal World Cup final a dusted, but impossible dream
Most questions are linked to the players from which are the highest expectations from the fan’s perspectives. I saw already a dream of a Argentina – Portugal final which should, supposedly represent the once and for all the Lionel Messi – Cristiano Ronaldo duel. Well, this kind of final might be possible, with slightly more chances for the Europeans, since they have a better team, but, unfortunately for them, with a more difficult path that includes Uruguay and Brazil, Belgium, Germany or Spain. Argentina, on the other hand, has its difficulties with The Netherlands, France or England on its way. No difficulties seem in the group, but neither they seem in 2018, when Argentina was trashed by Croatia, a team like Poland, for example. And Portugal was actually put down by Uruguay. Objectively speaking, the chances of such a final are almost zero. Messi and Ronaldo are more dragged by their name then by their actual potential.
Benzema might help France, Lewandowski never performed at a World Cup
Other old studs, such as Karim Benzema and Robert Lewandowski might be in the spot light. I doubt that, as they never performed, truth being said at the World Cup. Like neither CR7 and Messi actually ever did. In exchange, Kilian Mbappe might shine once more, like he did at the 2018 World Cup when became world champion – Benzema was banned back then from the national football team of France so he didn’t shine alongside his younger colleague, Pogba, Griezmann or Kante. Maybe he will bring, though, a plus to the updated (?) version of France. It will be interesting. Luka Modric, though, the very surprisingly Balon D’Or from 2018 – after, truth being told, he played the World Cup final alongside Croatia and trashed, for example, Argentina in the group stage – is at the end of his career and many wait a last performance from his side. Very unlikely as well…
Will Hazard have any chance this time to perform?
It is good to have back The Netherlands alongside the participants, a team with great potential, and also we are keen to see Belgium, such a longtime FIFA Ranking no. 1 without actually winning anything in its entire recent history. Well, there, former footballer, Eden Hazard, used to be my favorite from the 2018 World Cup. Because he was the best and the only player which truly demonstrate he knows football, how to handle the ball. Of course, Belgium has also Lukaku and De Bruyne so they will be a very though shell to crack, but they might end up down as they always do. Especially that Hazard, as pointed out, is very outdated in terms of physical potential and most likely he’ll be only a shadow of what he was four years ago. If he will actually play at the World Cup… And speaking about disappointing teams, England Its Coming Home dreams of a trophy from their entire history and now they claim the right moment.
England, don’t think so, Neymar is finished…
Indeed, they reached the European Championship final and the World Cup 2018 Semifinals, but in both cases, they were beaten by shameful nations, Italy – two World Cups in a row without qualification – and Croatia which should have lost the final 7-1. Regardless, Harry Kane is a top class striker, but playing and Tottenham dragged him somewhere back a lot. Liverpool and Manchester City are top class teams but very Englishman are playing there. So, no England this time, sorry guys. Regarding Neymar, I just don’t need to mention anything. He’s finished long time ago and he might perform only in the group stage as most of the “big guys” from the last decade… What should be the winner? Very hard to figure this out now. I only hope to have some interesting surprises and for now I foresee maybe Senegal – Mane is indeed a great player, maybe Canada with a great generation.
This World Cup might be the last chance to shine for a dozen players
Spain, Germany and Uruguay are dusted teams, even though Spain is quite young, the quality of the players is not great. Suarez and Cavani are at the end of their career and for sure at their last World Cup, while Müller or Neuer are in the same situation. I don’t see a spectacular World Cup, but I do hope to see outstanding results. And I can hardly wait to see who will shine from the players. Because, at the end of the career, the most important matches that can be taken into account are at the World Cup, the ones in the knock-out phase. This is why Pele, Maradona, Zidane, Platini, Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Iniesta, Rossi, Buffon, Del Piero, Sneijder are so well remembered. For now, let’s see in June if my prognostic with Wales, UAE and Costa Rica as qualifiers will come true.
Photo source: pixabay.com