FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Preview - Part Two
See Part One for tournament overview and groups A-D
The first two group’s games have begun, and with entertaining games between the Netherlands and Senegal, as well as Wales vs. the U.S., fans of teams in Groups E-H are watching in anticipation of their own team’s first match of the tournament.
Group E
Spain, Costa Rica, Germany, Japan
Group E will come right down to the wire, with four teams that have had good World Cup runs in recent years. Germany is a star-studded, young team sprinkled with veterans. Led by veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and Bayern Munich teammate Thomas Muller, Germany has experienced veterans who have tasted victory at the World Cup before, in 2014. With young stars like Jamal Musiala and Kai Havertz, Germany’s squad is deep enough and talented enough to perform, and they should finish atop Group E. When it comes to the rest of the group, it will be interesting. Despite Spain’s soccer pedigree and talented squad, Japan should finish second in the group and advance to the knockout stages. With players like Takefusa Kubo and Daichi Kamada performing at large European clubs, Japan is an underdog that could pull off upsets, and it will be a competitive race for second place between them and Spain, a roster full of tantalizing talent with world-class Barcelona midfielders such as Gavi and Pedri. They have a young core and will draw eyes at the tournament, but I expect them to fall slightly short and finish third in the group. Finally, a solid Costa Rica squad should round up the group in fourth place. In most other groups, Costa Rica would have a solid chance at qualifying for the knockout stage, but their squad, with star goalkeeper Keylor Navas, isn’t deep enough for them to find the success that they had at the World Cup in 2014, making it to the Quarter Finals. Group E will be a three-team race, and things will likely come down to the final day of games.
Group F
Belgium, Canada, Morocco, Croatia
Group F is a difficult one to foresee. While Belgium is the clear favorite to win the group, the rest of the group is nearly impossible to predict. Belgium is led by superstar midfielder Kevin De Bruyne and top-quality goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, and they have talented pieces around them. Their squad has aged since the last World Cup, but they still look ready to perform at the highest level. Canada, Morocco, and Croatia are all teams that have the talent to make it to the knockouts, but all have a floor low enough to finish last. Croatia made an incredible run at the 2018 World Cup, losing in the final to France, but a repeat of such a run seems highly unlikely. An aging squad with many players playing in what will be their final World Cup, such as Luka Modric and Dejan Lovren, injuries could haunt them in the latter group stage games. Morocco is another underdog that has the talent to perform. With Paris-Saint-Germain (PSG) defender Achraf Hakimi and Chelsea attacker Hakim Ziyech, the talent is there. Their success simply relies on their ability to gel as a team and be led by a good manager. Finally, Canada hopes to find success in its first World Cup appearance since 1986, led by Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies. Canada is an exciting young team that may surprise opposing fans, and they could make things difficult for the other teams in their group. Belgium will likely win the group. However, the second spot in Group F is up for grabs, and any of the three other teams have the capacity to take it.
Group G:
Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon
If it was possible for only one team to go through from a group, this would be the one that would make it happen. Brazil should easily win all three of their group-stage matches, and they will likely make a deep run in the tournament. Led by superstar Neymar Jr. and PSG teammate Marquinhos, Brazil have a squad full of flair and talent that will give other teams trouble for ninety minutes. With Neymar, Antony, and Vinicius Jr, the Brazil squad is deep with flashy players who play with passion and skill. They have what it takes to win the tournament as long as they can hold things down defensively. When it comes to the other teams in the group, Group G is lacking in terms of talent. Switzerland is the likely favorite to finish second, after losing to Spain in the Quarterfinals of Euro 2020 in penalties. However, their squad is not what it once was, and led by 31-year-old Xherdan Shaqiri and 30-year-old Granit Xhaka, they have experience but their players are on the decline. Almost every player is thirty years or older, which is not what you’re looking for, especially heading into a rigorous three-game week in the World Cup. Next up is Serbia, a team that may surprise some, but still probably doesn’t have what it takes to achieve significant success. With young strikers Luka Jović and Dušan Vlahović alongside experienced Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinković-Savić, Serbia has some solid talented players, and could compete for second in the group, but would likely be eliminated in the Round of 16. When it comes to Cameroon, not many people know much about their squad. With only a few players that play in the top five European leagues, they have many players that are relatively unknown to most. Led by Brentford forward Bryan Mbuembo and Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana, the star players have international reputations, but other than a few players, the talent is lacking in the Cameroon squad, and they will likely finish bottom of the group. Group G will end up being a race for second place, as Brazil blows everyone out of the water on their way to the final.
Group H:
Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay, South Korea
Finally, Group H, a group of four dangerous squads. Led by international superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal will look to win their first-ever World Cup, as Ronaldo looks to strengthen his case as the greatest player of all time. The Portugal squad is a strong one with young players, like João Félix and Rúben Dias. There is a possible scenario that could see Argentina and Portugal meet in the final; a game that would break the internet and be the most anticipated match of all time. Messi vs. Ronaldo, two of the greatest to ever play. However, that can only happen if Portugal can reach the final, which is unlikely. They have the talent, but they lack depth, and they may struggle to get past stronger teams. They should finish atop Group H, but their success will not be extensive. Uruguay will likely be the only other team that gives Portugal trouble for the first-place spot in the group. With young up-and-coming stars like Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez and Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo alongside experienced strikers Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani. Uruguay will scrape out results and could compete deep into the tournament if the players are able to gel together in time for the tournament. The third team that will contend for a spot in the knockout stages is South Korea, a team that just fell short of the Round of sixteen at the 2018 tournament after beating Germany. Led by Tottenham star Heung Min Son, Korea can score goals, but their lack of midfield strength may hurt them. Finally, rounding up the group is Ghana, a team that failed to qualify for the 2018 tournament, but reached the Quarter Finals at the World Cup in 2010, falling just short against Uruguay. Group H will have some heated matchups, and the two qualifying spots are up for grabs.
As we watch the early games of the tournament, the excitement and anticipation for the tournament has continued to build, despite news of players being injured, such as France star Christopher Nkunku. Fans all around the world have been eagerly awaiting their team’s first game, and this first week of the tournament will be a joy for soccer fans around the globe. Personally, my predicted final four for the tournament is an unusual one: Argentina, Brazil, Spain, and Denmark. Most people don’t expect Spain or Denmark to reach the Semi-final, but due to their schedules, both teams can be in the last four. Messi will cement himself as the greatest player of all time and lead Argentina to the trophy. While some may disagree, that’s the beauty of the sport. Anything can happen. So let’s sit back, get ready, and enjoy the greatest sporting event that the world can offer.
By Ellis Balser