The Ultimate Guide to the 2022 FIFA World Cup
It’s finally here! The 2022 FIFA World Cup is among us. We won’t beat around the bush, the lead up to this World Cup has been a bit of a disaster. Qatar was granted host privilege despite a horrendous history of restricting basic civil liberties to the majority of the population, Qatar is hosting even though they don’t have the infrastructure to support a major international event, and Qatar is hosting having never qualified for a World Cup on their own merit. Alas, here we are, and we’re going to make the best of it. The Halftime Snack has put together a guide to optimize your World Cup viewing pleasure that includes matches to watch, players to keep an eye on, our predictions in the group stage, and a little background on each of the tourney’s teams.
Group A
Must Watch Games:
Qatar v. Ecuador - November 20th
Senegal v. Netherlands - November 21st
Group A is definitely the weakest group in the tournament with host Qatar’s automatic bid and Pot 1 position… meaning they won’t be grouped with any other “Pot 1” teams, which is made up of the 7 best teams in the tournament and of course the host nation… Qatar who bought their way in. All things being equal. Qatar should have been a “Pot 4” team had they qualified, but when you grease some palms, you get preferential treatment. That being said, there will be some fun matchups in this group and a few intense games.
Qatar (The Maroon)
FIFA World Rank: 50
Predicted Group A Finish: 4th
For reasons that may never come to light, but is perhaps the worst kept secret in the world, Qatar was selected as the 2022 World Cup host back in 2010 despite not having the infrastructure to host or having a team that’s ever come close to qualifying. Is it fair? Absolutely not. But there’s no use crying over spilled milk. They’re far from a great team, but they aren’t terrible and with home field advantage, they will give their group some headaches. In recent years, they’ve beaten some good teams, including Japan in the 2019 Asian Cup Championship and Egypt (without Salah) in the 3rd place game for the Arab Cup. Surprisingly, what might benefit Qatar the most is the unknown. This will be a tough team to prepare for. They don’t have any superstars playing in any of the best leagues around the world for the manager to circle. In fact, oddly all of their players play in the Qatar Stars League, which could maybe/possibly? indicate good team chemistry.
Players to Watch: Because all of their players play in the Qatar Stars League, very little is known about them, but we’ll do our best here. Keep an eye on Almoez Ali (age 25) who has 42 goals in 85 appearances with the national team. Also, watch out for Ro-Ro. Aside from having one of the more entertaining names in the tournament, Ro-Ro grew up in Portugal and played youth and senior club football there before moving to Qatar at the age of 21.
Ecuador (La Tri - The Tricolors)
FIFA World Rank: 44
Predicted Group A Finish: 3rd
Ecuador is not the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd team you think of when South American football comes to mind, but this will be their fourth World Cup appearance in the last twenty years and they’ve recorded wins in their previous three. La Tri benefitted from having a tough qualification, which included draws against Brazil and Argentina and big wins over Uruguay (4-2), Colombia (6-1), and Chile in Santiago (2-0). This squad can be a lot of fun and put up some big numbers, but lately they’ve been satisfied with low scoring defensive efforts. This strategy has worked for them going 0-0, 0-0, 1-0, 0-0, 1-0, and 1-1 in their last six games. They may limit their opponents to 1 goal a piece, but it’s also difficult to imagine Ecuador scoring more than a goal a game, it seems inevitable they finish with 3 draws.
Players to Watch: If Ecuador is going to score, it’s likely to come from Enner Valencia. The 32-year-old Valencia has 32 goals in 75 appearances making him the highest scoring player in Ecuador’s history. One of the more interesting players to keep an eye on in this tournament is Piero Hincapie, the 20-year old center-back for Bayer Leverkusen. Hincapie is fast and strong and has been an integral part of an already very talented backline for Ecuador.
Senegal (Lions of Teranga)
FIFA World Rank: 18
Predicted Group A Finish: 2nd
The Lions of Teranga are a really fun football team. They’ve always got killer kits, they have fast and talented players, and they typically field a handful of young players which means we get to see them blossom on the big stage. In their first World Cup appearance in 2002, Senegal beat defending Champs France in their opening game and made it all the way to the quarters. They seemed to be the African team to keep an eye on, but failed to make it back to the World Cup until 2018. Senegal, like Qatar, hasn’t played a lot of great competition recently other than a 1-1 draw with Iran (FIFA Rank 20), but they did beat a Mohamed Salah led Egypt team in 2 of their last 3 head to heads… with the help of some laser pointers.
Players to Watch: Senegal has a lot of great players on their squad including the obvious Sadio Mane (Liverpool), Cheikhou Kouyate (Crystal Palace), and goal keeper Edouard Mendy (Chelsea); but a couple young guys to keep an eye on are 23-year-old Pape Gueye (Marseille) and 19-year-old Pape Matar Sarr (Metz on loan from Tottenham).
Netherlands (Oranje, The Flying Dutchmen)
FIFA World Rank: 8
Predicted Group A Finish: 1st
This is a really talented squad who just shellacked Belgium (the team of the future for the last 10 years). Belgium might be beyond their golden years, but nevertheless, this Netherlands squad is really dangerous. And what makes this squad even more dangerous is their need to prove themselves. After finishing runners-up in the 2010 World Cup and third in the 2014 World Cup, they failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. Now they’re back with a vengeance and they have a scary, young team that could take them far. They’ll benefit greatly from being selected into Group A, and should finish 1st in the group. However, of all the Group A teams, Netherlands has to travel the most and may be least adapted to the hot, arid climate.
Players to Watch: Every major league in the world is represented by players from Holland: the English Premier League, Serie A, Bundesliga, La Liga, Ligue 1, and the Eredivisie. Along with team captain Virgil van Dijk the Netherlands has a defense that will give opponents night terrors with Matthijs de Ligt, Stefan de Vrij, and Nathan Ake. Their scoring will primarily come from Memphis Depay and Steven Bergwijn. Unfortunately, Georginio Wijnaldum is not on the final World Cup squad due to injury.
Group B
Must Watch Games:
USA v. Wales - November 21st
England v. USA - November 25th
Wales v. England - November 29th
Iran v. USA - November 29th
Group B might be the most competitive group in this year’s World Cup. This go-round, there isn’t a clear “Group of Death”, but this group has the least variability between its top ranked team England (FIFA World Rank 5) and lowest ranked team Iran (#20). And to make things more interesting, this group pits a couple rivals head to head. Neighbors, Wales and England, are more likely to exchange blows than they are recipes. Then there’s the US and Iran who’s rivalry initiated far from the pitch but has crept its way onto the field especially after Iran’s 2-1 victory over the US in the 1998 World Cup. At the time, it was Iran’s first ever victory in a World Cup in what has been called the “most politically charged game in World Cup history”. There’s going to be some biting and clawing in this group.
England (The Three Lions)
FIFA World Rank: 5
Predicted Group B Finish: 1st
Like every year, especially recently, England has all the talent to go deep in any tournament they qualify for. In the past, they’ve crumbled like a tea-soden biscuit in big games, but in the 2020 Euros they finally lived up to their potential. They finished Runners-up to Italy in their best performance ever in the European Championship and their best international performance since winning the 1966 World Cup. Finally, to go along with their talent, this team has the confidence to win it all. And it’s not just England who has confidence in this squad, Vegas does too. The Three Lions currently have the 5th best odds to win the cup at +750. The only obvious weakness on this team is their goalkeeping. Jordan Pickford can be great (21 clean sheets in 45 caps), but he can also be the kettle that boils over leaving a soggy mess behind.
Players to Watch: Captain Harry Kane is a polarizing superstar. Not because he’s an unlikable person. In fact, he seems like a pretty good dude on and off the pitch. And he’s not a big flopper or complainer either. What people don’t like about Kane is that he doesn’t look like a superstar. He’s not particularly fast and he doesn’t have exceptional footwork, he’s just always in the right place at the right time and makes the right decisions. In 73 appearances, Kane has 50 goals, just 3 short of Wayne Rooney’s record (Rooney did it in 120 appearances). But Kane will need some help and there’s so much more talent on this England squad. Keep your eye on a few of the young stars (that actually look like stars) like forward Bukayo Saka (age 20), forward Phil Foden (age 22), and midfielder Mason Mount (age 23).
Iran (Team Melli - The National Team)
FIFA World Rank: 20
Predicted Finish Group B: 4th
Iran is the least talented squad in Group B, but as mentioned earlier, there’s not a lot that separates any of these teams. We’ve predicted them to finish 4th in the group, but it wouldn’t surprise anyone if they advanced to their first knockout stage. In 2018, they finished third in their group just behind Portugal (who they drew) and Spain and ahead of Morocco. They come into this year’s World Cup as the number 1 Asian qualifier and the top ranked team in Asia. What’s got them in this position? Gritty, tough defending. In their last 10 games, they’ve only allowed 6 goals.
Players to Watch: As mentioned above, this team’s defense is as difficult to surmount as the Alborz Mountains. Their defense starts at midfield with two of Iran’s most dominant players, winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh Jirandeh who plays for the Dutch club Feyenoord Rotterdam and captain Ehsan Hajsafi who plays defensive midfield for Iran and AEK Athens. If Iran is going to score, which they’ll probably need to do to get out of the group, it’s likely going to come from forwards Mehdi Taremi (27 goals, 58 caps) who plays for Porto or Sardar Azmoun (40 goals, 63 caps) who plays for Bayer Leverkusen.
USA (Stars and Stripes, The Yanks)
FIFA World Rank: 16
Predicted Finish Group B: 2nd
The US Men’s National Team returns to the World Cup after missing the tournament in 2018. This is the youngest team in the World Cup, but it still may be the most talented squad the US has ever had, which makes them tough to get a good handle on. When they’re playing together and at full strength they can hold their own against top competition (see recent wins over Morocco - FIFA Rank 22 and Mexico - FIFA Rank 13, and a draw against Uruguay - FIFA Rank 14), but when they’re not connecting or experimenting with the lineup they can have poor results to inferior teams (see the recent loss to Canada - FIFA Rank 41 and recent draws to El Salvador - FIFA Rank 74 and Saudi Arabia - FIFA Rank 51). The Yanks will need to brush out some of the knots before kick-off. And on top of being in a very competitive group, they’ll be traveling the most of any team within Group B. It’ll be an uphill battle, but if any squad is equipped to handle it, it’s this young/naive US team.
Players to Watch: At age 24, Christian Pulisic is well on his way to becoming one of the most prolific players in USMNT history. He already has 52 Caps under his name and 21 goals (0.40 gpg). In comparison, top goal scorers Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan (57 goals) scored 0.40 gpg and 0.36 gpg. Unlike past years, Pulisic isn’t the only european conditioned phenom on this team. He will likely be helped out by 19-year-old Borussia Dortmund forward Giovanni Reyna and 24-year-old Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie. But if this exceptionally young team is going to make it out of the group stage, it will likely be the result of a solid goalkeeper… which is currently a little up in the air. Arsenal backup Matt Turner, NYCFC’s Sean Johnson, and Luton Town’s Ethan Horvath have all been decent replacements for Zack Steffan’s (not on the squad) baffling slump. Horvath has had the most memorable GK performance for the USA in recent memory with a penalty kick save late into extra time against rival Mexico, but he’s the youngest and least experienced of the bunch.
Wales (The Dragons)
FIFA World Rank: 19
Predicted Finish Group B: 3rd
The Dragons took the long way to reach their first World Cup since 1958. After missing out on an automatic bid finishing second in their qualification group, Wales had enough points to secure a spot in the qualification play-off. They then beat a talented Austrian team to face off against European darlings Ukraine. Wales isn’t typically cast as the hero, but never have they been more of the heel than in this play-off championship game against a Ukrainian side who was backed by everyone in the world other than the Welsh and Russia. But alas, the real world does not always have a story book ending. Wales deserved their victory and a spot in the World Cup. And to clarify, in every other circumstance, this team is very easy to root for. They’re talented, they’re athletic, they’re physical, and they’ll almost certainly have some tricks up their sleeve.
Players to Watch: The myth, the man, the legend, the captain, Gareth Bale will try to add to his goal scoring record (40) with Wales. Bale, likely the greatest Welsh player of all time, is perhaps getting a little long in the tooth (33-years-old), but every time someone tries to count him out, he shows up big. Because Bale can’t do it all, there are a few exciting young players to keep an eye on like defenders Ethan Ampadu (Chelsea - when not on loan) and Chris Mepham (Bournemouth) as well as midfielder Harry Wilson (Fulham) and forward Brennan Johnson (Nottingham Forest). At only 21-years-old, Brennan Johnson has 13 caps and 2-goals with Wales. Johnson is also a major reason why Nottingham Forest was promoted to the Premier League for the first time in 23 years. This kid is special.
Group C
Must Watch Games:
Argentina v. Mexico - November 26th
Poland v. Argentina - November 30th
Firepower. That’s the first thing that comes to mind while guzzling up the rosters in Group C. There’s an excess of firepower. The match-ups aren’t infused with heated rivalries like Group B, but when you look at some of the players within these teams, things get interesting. Most obviously, Messi and Lewandowski should not be missed on the world stage. The two have gone up against each other a handful of times in the Champions League but haven’t gone head-to-head since Messi won his 7th Ballon d’Or and in the process snubbed Lewandowski of what should have been his in 2021.
Argentina (La Albiceleste - The White and Sky Blue)
FIFA World Rank: 3
Projected Finish in Group C: 1st
Argentina needs this. Messi needs this. They’re clearly one of the best teams going into the tournament, but they’ve had trouble with the final hurdle. Before their 2021 Copa America Championship, Argentina hadn’t won a major national tournament since 1993 (another Copa America), but they’re almost always competitive on the World stage. They last won the World Cup in 1986, and since then, they’ve finished runner-up twice (1990 and 2014) and were quarter-finalists three other times (1998, 2006, and 2010). It would certainly be a blemish on Argentina’s otherwise lustrous CV to never win a World Cup with the best player in the world on the roster… and this might be their last chance.
Players to Watch: Maybe just the greatest player to have ever done it, Lionel Messi. Messi has an astounding 90 goals in 164 appearances. He has a 55% chance of scoring in any given game with Argentina. In comparison, Diego Maradona had 34 goals in 91 caps, which is good for a goal in 37% of international games. But it’s not just goals scored when we discuss Messi, he’s one of the greatest playmakers of all time as well including 49 assists in international play. But 35-year-old Messi will need help to get his hands on the trophy, and luckily Argentina has 12 of the 200 best players in the World. Look for Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martínez to assist Messi in the attack. Martínez already has 21 international goals at the age of 25. Meanwhile, the defense will be fortified by long-time international vet Marcos Acuña.
Saudi Arabia (al-‘Akhḍar - The Green Falcons)
FIFA World Rank: 51
Predicted Group C Finish: 4th
Do not sleep on Saudi Arabia. Despite their less than impressive FIFA World Rank (51), The Green Falcons topped their group in World Cup Qualification finishing above teams like Japan (24 FIFA Rank) and Australia (38). Plus, any squad that shares a nickname with a Legends of the Hidden Temple team should not be overlooked. Saudi Arabia has a few things going for them that will keep them competitive in this tournament. First, they essentially have home field advantage as one of three teams (host Qatar and Iran being the other two) from the Middle East. Second, this team has a lot of experience. Their predicted starting eleven will have an average age of 29.4 years. Third, this will be a tough team to prepare for. Every one of their players plays for a Saudi Arabian club team.
Players to Watch: The fastest guy on the pitch no matter who is playing might be Saudi Arabia’s Fahad Al-Muwallad. Al-Muwallad is not a prolific goal scorer, but he’s come up big in big moments including the goal that secured Saudi Arabia a spot in the 2018 World Cup. The Green might lack some of the firepower other squads will have in this group, so they’ll rely heavily on a staunch defense and their goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais. Al-Owais has only allowed 8-goals in his last 11-games as the starting keeper.
Mexico (El Tri - The Tricolor)
FIFA World Rank: 13
Predicted Group C Finish: 2nd
El Tri are always dangerous on the international stage. In their opening match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Mexico defeated defending champion Germany helping them to advance to the round of 16 for the seventh-consecutive time. However, unlike previous years, Mexico had a rocky qualification performance. They lost and tied to rivals USA and lost and tied to the surprise CONCACAF winners Canada. Mexico might have a few wrinkles to iron out, but the talent on this team is on par with some of their most successful squads and they’re fun to watch. In the last 20-games they’ve scored 22 goals and let in 19. They can score in bunches and let a bunch of goals in.
Players to Watch: When at the peak of his game, Raúl Jiménez can be one of the best strikers in the world. The Wolverhampton Wanderer had 17 goals in the 2019-20 season and 13 goals the year before that. When he’s healthy, he can be a problem. Hirving “Chucky” Lozano can also score in flurries when he’s on form. He had two 17-goal seasons with Eredivisie club PSV and an 11-goal season with Napoli in 2020. However, the most important player to watch out for on El Tri is the 25-year-old Edson Alvarez. Alvarez is a big, aggressive defensive midfielder for the Dutch club Ajax who can control the center of the pitch.
Poland (Orly - The Eagles)
FIFA World Rank: 26
Predicted Group C Finish: 3rd
The Eagles have come close, but have never quite reached the top. Winning a major tournament appears to be a Sisyphean task for Poland. They had a Golden Era in the 70s and early 80s in which they finished 3rd twice at the World Cup (1974 and 1982) and qualified four tournaments in a row 1974 - 1986. They were largely non-existent in the 90s, but returned to the World stage in the 2000s. Some believed another Golden Era window had opened for them, but aside from qualifying for major tournaments, they’ve been disappointing. Poland has only won 3 games in the last 5 major tournaments they’ve entered and have only got out of the group stage once.
Players to Watch: The Ballon d’Or (FIFA World Player of the Year) was canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19, but it was largely agreed that Robert Lewandowski would have won. Many expected him to win the 2021 Ballon d’Or, including the recipient Lionel Messi who has now won a record 7-times. Whether Lewandowski was snubbed or not is an argument for another day. What’s not up for debate is that Lewandowski is not only the best player to watch on the Polish national team, but a top 5 player to watch in this year’s World Cup. Although Lewandowski will certainly shine brightest, don’t overlook 25-year-old Charlotte F.C. forward Karol Swiderski who has already scored 8 goals in 18 appearances for Poland.
Group D
Must Watch Games:
France v. Denmark - November 26th
Tunisia v France - November 30th
Australia v. Denmark - November 30th
Group D has the clearest parity between the top 2 teams in the group and the bottom 2. Defending world champions France and this year’s most popular dark horse Denmark are the heavy favorites to advance out of the group. But that’s no reason not to watch. The battle to finish first will be something to keep an eye on especially considering the 2nd place finisher will likely play Argentina (Group C Winner) in the round of 16. Tunisia and Australia may feel they’ve already won just by qualifying for the World Cup, but don’t count them out just yet. These are tough teams to beat. Tunisia had a stellar World Cup qualifier allowing only 2 goals in 8 games and similarly Australia can shut teams down including three straight blank sheets heading into the tournament.
France (Les Bleus - The Blues)
FIFA World Rank: 4
Predicted Group D Finish: 2nd
The defending world champs are big favorites to repeat. France is an absolute force when playing for international titles. In the last 26 years, they haven’t missed a World Cup or European Championship and have won 3 (2 World Cups, 1 Euro). Les Bleus are a pretty safe team to bet on, but as mentioned in the group description, their odds increase exponentially if they can win the group and avoid Argentina in the first knock-out round. However, winning the group likely means beating Denmark who have had France’s number lately. The last two times the French and the Danes have gone head-to-head, Denmark beat France 2-1 in Copenhagen and 2-0 in Saint-Denis, France! In fact, France has been pretty underwhelming in most of their games leading up to the tournament. In their last 8 games, they’ve won 3, lost 3, and drew 2. Should Les Bleus fans be worried? No. This team is crazy talented. We expect them to turn things around and advance out of the group with relative ease.
Players to Watch: There isn’t an area on the pitch that doesn’t start a superstar. But the brightest star at the moment is 34-year-old striker Karim Benzema. In 2022, Benzema won the UEFA Player of the Year award and just recently the Ballon d’OR (World player of the year). Benzema has had a roller coaster of a career to say the least. He was a national team regular from 2008 to 2015, but was surprisingly not selected for the Euro 2016 squad or the 2018 World Cup squad. Despite being snubbed from the national team for 5 years (early 2016 - 2021), Benzema has recently become the 5th highest scoring player of all time with 37 goals. Other obvious players to watch: Kylian Mbappé (age 23) with 28 goals in 59 caps, N’Golo Kante (age 31) opening up the field , and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris (age 35).
Australia (Socceroos)
FIFA World Rank: 39
Predicted Group D Finish: 4th
The Socceroos were less than impressive in World Cup qualification. They just barely finished 3rd in their group behind Saudi Arabia and Japan and only 1-point ahead of Oman. Third place was good enough to advance them to a single elimination match against U.A.E., which they won 2-1, and then to a single elimination playoff game against Peru, which they won on PKs in dramatic fashion. They haven’t been great, but when their backs were against the wall, they found a way to survive. They won’t be a pushover, but it’s tough to imagine the Socceroos has the legs to hop over anyone in this group and advance to the knockout rounds.
Players to Watch: Back-up goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne AKA the Grey Wiggle may not get much field time, but if this team finds themselves in a shootout, expect Redmayne to make an appearance. Redmayne came off the bench in the 120th minute of the World Cup play-off match against Peru to participate in the penalty shootout. He famously danced along the goal line to put-off the Peruvian shooters and managed to save one vital shot to advance the Roos to the World Cup. The young Australian squad will rely heavily on veteran center-back 28-year-old Milos Degenek who has 38 appearances for the Socceroos. Degenek has been playing professionally for 9 years all over the world including Germany, Serbia, Saudi Arabia, and most recently the USA for the Columbus Crew.
Denmark (Der Rod-Hvide - the Red and White, Danish Dynamite)
FIFA World Rank: 10
Predicted Group D Finish: 1st
Denmark should be on everyone’s radar at this point. After an emotional Euros in which they almost lost their star player, Christian Eriksen, in game one to an on-field heart attack, they found their way to the semi-finals. Since the Euros, Eriksen has fully recovered , returned to football, and thrived and the Danes have maintained that Euros energy. They’ve advanced their play more than just about anyone in the world in the last few years. As recently as 2017, Denmark was ranked outside of the Top-50 teams in the world. This year they’ve only dipped out of the top-10 once… ranked 11th in March. Don’t be surprised if this team, who’s beat the defending world champs France twice in the last year, finds their way to the last week of the tourney.
Players to Watch: Christian Eriksen’s return is one of the most inspirational stories in world football… ever. No one would have blamed him if he hung up his boots and never played again, but he came back and hasn’t missed a beat (thanks in-part to his pacemaker). The 30-year-old Eriksen now has the 5th most goals of any Dane ever with 39… and he’s a midfielder! The Danish Dynamite are far from a one-dimensional team. They’ll also find scoring from Sevilla’s Kasper Dolberg, RB Leipzig’s Yussuf Poulsen, and veteran Martin Braithwaite.
Tunisia (Eagles of Carthage)
FIFA World Rank: 30
Predicted Group D Finish: 3rd
Tunisia must have once been a lover of Katy Perry’s. They’re hot then they’re cold, they’re yes then they’re no, they’re in then they’re out, they’re up then they’re down. The Eagles of Carthage are mercurial! They sometimes look like legitimate contenders with solid wins over Japan and Chile… and then the next day they get blown out by Brazil 5-1 or lose to The Gambia (FIFA Rank 126). One very important tool Tunisia has on their belt is motivation. Tunisia was a French colony all the way up until 1956 when they finally gained their independence. Many of the players grew up in France, they all speak French, but there isn’t a lot of love between the two footballing countries. Expect Tunisia v. France to be closer than it looks on paper.
Players to Watch: Wahbi Khazri was born in France, has played most of his professional career in France (minus a 2-year stint at Sunderland), and even represented France on their U21 team; but he’s been a key fixture for Tunisia since switching international allegiance in 2013 and has 24 goals in 71 caps with the Eagles of Carthage. Khazri scored 2 of Tunisia’s 5 goals in the 2018 World Cup, so it’s probably pretty safe to expect fireworks again. Feeding Khazri shots and providing some of his own goals will be defensive-midfielder Ellyes Skhiri. Skhiri has been a force up and down the pitch for Bundesliga’s FC Koln.
Group E
Must Watch Games:
Germany v. Japan - November 23rd
Spain v. Germany - November 27th
Costa Rica v. Germany - December 1st
Japan v. Spain - December 1st
Group E might be the sneakiest/most exciting group in the World Cup this year. You have two historical juggernauts in Spain and Germany, and two feisty underdogs in Japan and Costa Rica. The number of talented players on these four teams may not be equal, but it shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone if this group is all tied up going into the last games of the group stage. And when we say “all tied up”, we don’t want you thinking this group will consist primarily of 0-0 draws. On the contrary, we are expecting more balls in the back net than Bryson DeChambeau at a Top Golf.
Spain (La Roja - The Red, La Furia Roja - The Red Fury)
FIFA World Rank: 7
Predicted Group E Finish: 1st
It was just a decade ago when La Furia Roja were winning every major international tournament (2008 Euros, 2010 World Cup, and the 2012 Euros), but a decade in football is an eternity. Sergio Busquets is the only player from Spain’s golden generation to be on this year’s World Cup team. However, if you’re a fan of the Spanish national team, fear not. They are still loaded with world class talent. According to EA Sports FIFA player ratings, Spain is represented by 12 players in the top 100 players in the world, the most of any country. Unfortunately for Spain, the country with the next most is group mate Germany represented by 10 players in the top 100. Spain is in fine form coming into the tournament having won 7 of their last 10 with only 1 loss. On top of that, they’re averaging 1.7 goals/game and only allowing 0.6 goals/game.
Players to Watch: Alvaro Morata should be a favorite for the Golden Boot. The 30-year-old forward is scoring a goal nearly every other game for the national team (27 goals in 57 appearances). But perhaps the most interesting player on this Spanish squad is 18-year-old Barcelona phenom Gavi. In October of 2021, Gavi became the youngest player to ever represent the Spanish senior squad. A few months later at 17 years and 304 days, Gavi became the youngest player to ever score for the Spanish National team.
Costa Rica (Los Ticos)
FIFA World Rank: 34
Predicted Group E Finish: 4th
Costa Rica had a bit of a rocky World Cup qualification campaign, which resulted in a 4th place finish and an additional inter-confederation play-off game against New Zealand. The squeaked by the Kiwis with a 1-0 win to punch their ticket, and haven’t looked back since. Costa Rica has won 8 of their last 10 and are averaging 1.5 goals/game. In addition to feeling good and playing good, they have a handful of veteran players that have been here before and know what to expect. This will be Los Ticos third consecutive World Cup and their 5th in the last six tournaments. They’re far from a push-over and might even spill into the “upset alert” category.
Players to Watch: The best player on this team is 35-year-old veteran goalkeeper Keylor Navas. The former Real Madrid current PSG keeper, has 107 caps with the national team and in 56 world cup qualifying/world cup games, Navas has 26 clean sheets. Like we mentioned earlier, this team is veteran heavy. In fact, 3 of the top 5 most capped players in Los Ticos history are on this year’s World Cup roster and will have a large impact on Costa Rica's success. Celso Borges (155 apps, 27 goals), Bryan Ruiz (146 apps, 29 goals), and Joel Campbell (119 apps, 25 goals) have an average age of 33.7 years but will likely be the spark for this feisty squad.
Germany (DFB-Team, Nationalelf - National Eleven)
FIFA World Rank: 11
Predicted Group E Finish: 3rd
Germany should always be considered a threat when it comes to major tournaments. Before their disappointing round of 16 exit in the 2020 Euros and their group stage exit in the 2018 World Cup, Germany had made it to the finals or semi-finals in six consecutive major tournaments from 2006-2016 including a World Cup championship in 2014. But, that might be the Germany of the past. The Germans eased through qualification in a relatively easy group, but since clinching a spot in Qatar, they’ve struggled. They’ve only won 2 of their last 8 games and have given up an average of 1.25 goals/game. As stated in the Spain write up, this team is loaded with talent, but they’re going to need to step up their game if they want to make it to the knockout stage in this feisty group.
Players to Watch: Germany knows they need to shake things up, and their 2022 World Cup squad certainly does that. A few relative unknowns made the final 26 man roster including Karim Adeyemi (age 20), Armel Bella-Kotchap (age 20), and Youssoufa Moukoko (age 17). Between the three of them, they have 5 caps on the senior team. Notable players these three youngsters are replacing include Timo Werner (55 caps), Julian Draxler (58 caps), and Robin Gosens (14 caps). An area on the field the Germans are not messing with is between the woodworks. Team captain Manuel Neuer will likely be the greatest factor to any German success. He’s considered one of the best goalies in the world, and he’ll need to show every reason why he has that reputation for this squad to advance deep into the tourney.
Japan (Samurai Blue)
FIFA World Rank: 24
Predicted Group E Finish: 2nd
Do Not overlook Japan! An Asian team has never won the World Cup, and it probably won’t happen this year, but Japan is the most promising. In the 2018 World Cup, the Samurai Blue became the first Asian squad to beat a South American team in the World Cup, Colombia, and drew Senegal late in their second game to snag enough points to advance out of the group stage. They were also up 2-0 against Belgium in the Round of 16 before a late surge saw Belgium squeeze past with a 3-2 victory. Japan can make a lot of noise in this tournament if they can stay healthy.
Players to Watch: Japan has some stars, but they don’t have a very deep roster. For this team to be successful, they’ll need a little luck on their side. They can’t afford injuries or red cards. That being said, keep an eye on the aggressive and exceptionally entertaining play of Takehiro Tomiyasu. The Arsenal center-back is a spark plug anytime he’s on the pitch. Japan can score in bundles, and amongst the bundles, it’s likely Takumi Minamino is involved. Minamino has 17 goals and 8 assists in 43 appearances with Japan including 10 goals and 4 assists during the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
Group F
Must Watch Games:
Morocco v. Croatia - November 23rd
Croatia v. Belgium - December 1st
Canada v. Morocco - December 1st
This will be a very interesting group to keep an eye on. You have two teams that have been very good for a very long time but are potentially aging out of their dominance, and two teams that are young and relatively unknown but brimming with potential. Belgium and Croatia are and should be the favorites to advance out of this group, but it bears repeating these squads are getting old. The youth and naivety of Canada and Morocco might be able to wear down one or both of these powerhouses.
Belgium (De Rode Duivels - The Red Devils)
FIFA World Rank: 2
Predicted Finish Group F: 1st
What is there to say about Belgium that you haven’t already heard before. The Red Devils have been one of the best, if not the best, teams in the world for the last 8 years. For a while they were everyone’s dark horse and then they became everyone’s favorite, but now they’re just a threat until they can prove otherwise. As good as this team is, they haven’t been able to get over the big tournament hump. In the last four major tournaments, they’ve finished 5th (2020 Euros), 3rd (2018 World Cup), 7th (2016 Euros), and 6th (2014 World Cup). They are currently the 2nd ranked team in the world via the FIFA World Rankings but have only the 9th best odds to win it all according to Vegas. They should make it out of this group, but where they end up from there is anyone's guess.
Players to Watch: There’s too many to name but for starters, do not peel your eyes away from Kevin De Bruyne. De Bruyne may be the best midfielder in the world and certainly one of the greatest playmakers. The Man City midfielder has 25 goals and 40 assists in 93 appearances with the senior squad. Romelu Lukaku should also be watched like a hawk. Lukaku with 68 goals has more (by 45) goals than any other player in Belgian football history… and he’s still only 29. Belgium is definitely an older squad, but a young player to keep an eye on is 21-year-old AC Milan midfielder Charles De Ketelaere.
Canada (Les Rouges - The Reds, The Maple Leafs, The Canucks)
FIFA World Rank: 43
Predicted Group F Finish: 4th
Canada is much better than the FIFA world rank of 43 would suggest. This team has been on the rise for a while now, but wind up losing at inopportune times that dramatically affect their ranking. However, The Canucks finally put together a string of significant victories and finished 1st in the chaotic CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers above perennial powerhouses Mexico, USA, and Costa Rica. Canada started off the Campaign with 4 draws in 5 games, but then won 7 of their last 9. This squad is young and only one of their players, Atiba Hutchinson, were alive the last time Canada was in a World Cup 36 years ago, but there’s dancing lights flooding the sky up north and it would be foolish not to watch this Canadian team closely.
Players to Watch: Twenty-two year olds Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David are the future for Canada. Davies, a Bayern Munich left-back, will likely play a more attacking role for Canada. Davies has 12 goals in 34 appearances with the senior squad. David (not to be confused with Davies) is a true forward for club (Lille) and country. David already has 22 goals in 34 appearances.
Morocco (The Atlas Lions)
FIFA World Rank: 22
Predicted Group F Finish: 3rd
Morocco is currently the 2nd highest ranked African nation in the FIFA world rankings at 22 and it’s no fluke. The Atlas Lions are an exceptionally talented squad who have only lost 2 games in their last 14. Morocco cruised through World Cup Qualifiers with 7 wins, 1 draw, and 0 losses. On top of that, their goal differential in those 8 games was +22 (25 GF, 3 GA). This team also has some World Cup experience in their favor. In the 2018 World Cup, Morocco tied Spain 2-2, but lost to Iran 1-0 on a last second goal and lost 1-0 to Portugal courtesy of a Cristiano Ronaldo goal in the 4th minute. If this team can find the back of the net like they did in qualifiers, they’re going to be a real problem.
Players to Watch: Goals for the Atlas Lions will come from a variety of sources. This squad is stacked up top with players like Chelsea forward Hakim Ziyech (42 caps, 17 goals), Sevilla forward Youssef En- Nesyri (49 caps, 14 goals), and 22-year-old Toulouse forward Zakaria Aboukhlal (12 caps, 2 goals). Keeping this squad in games will be “24-year-old veteran” defender Achraf Hakimi. Hakimi has been a fixture on the senior squad since he was 17, and has been one of the best defenders in the world for teams like Dortmond, Inter Milan and PSG since he was 20.
Croatia (Vatreni - The Blazers, Kockasti - The Checkered Ones)
FIFA World Rank: 15
Predicted Group F Finish: 2nd
Coming off their best international tournament result with a 2nd place finish at the 2018 World Cup, Croatia only won 1 game in the 2020 Euros and lost in the Round of 16. As mentioned in the group description, this squad may be aging out of their prime. However, they might still have enough juice left to power through one more tournament. In support of a not-yet-desiccated Croatian team, they dominated a difficult Euro World Cup Qualifiers campaign only losing 1 game in 10 against teams like Russia, Slovakia, and Slovenia. Additionally, in their last 4 games, they’ve beaten Denmark twice, France once, and Austria once. If this team’s blood is still pumping, they’re a threat.
Players to Watch: Luka Modric has to be the first player that comes to mind any time you think of Croatia. He’s the best they’ve ever had and one of the best the world has ever seen. The bad news, the once Ballon d’Or winner is now 37. Modric is entering his 8th major tournament (4 Euros and 4 World Cups) with 154 appearances and 23 goals. Similarly, this will likely be the last major tournament for the 33-year-old star forward Ivan Perisic (115 caps, 32 goals). The couple young guys that will need to step up their game if Croatia is to maintain their European and World 1st tier stature in the future include 24-year-old Rennes midfielder Lovro Majers and 20-year-old RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol.
Group G
Must Watch Games:
Brazil v. Switzerland - November 28th
Cameroon v. Serbia - November 28th
Serbia v. Switzerland - December 2nd
We’re not going to beat around the bush here, there is one spot left available in this group. Brazil might as well have an automatic bye to the Round of 16, it’s tough to see them finishing with anything less than 7-points and a +5 goal differential (minimum). Luckily, two teams advance from the group stage and that second team is anyone’s guess. Serbia and Switzerland are both very talented 2nd tier international football teams, and Cameroon (like most African nations) is an underrated, physical squad that could break some hearts.
Brazil (Canarinha - Little Canary)
FIFA World Rank: 1
Predicted Group G Finish: 1st
The most successful national team of all time has a very real chance to add their 6th World Cup title this year. Brazil is currently ranked number 1 in the world by the FIFA world rankings (they’ve been ranked #1 since March) and Vegas has them as the odds on favorite to win the cup at +400. We expect them to cruise through Group G as the top qualifier and they might even slide through the round of 16 with relative ease, but the quarterfinals will be a real test for them potentially going up against a team like Spain or Germany. Fingers crossed we get a rematch of the 2014 semi-finals in which Germany beat Brazil 7-1… in Brazil!
Players to Watch: Like most Brazilian teams, this squad is overflowing with talent. The Brazilian players who didn’t get called up to the World Cup team could form a competitive squad on their own. But let’s focus on those players who will be in Qatar. First and foremost, we are contractually obligated to mention Neymar. He is one of the greatest footballers in the world, and in the open field he’s nearly unstoppable. He can navigate some pretty tight confinements as well, but if slightly brushed against, expect him to roll 30 feet off the ball in agony. Lucky for Brazil, he recovers from these near death experiences almost instantly. Neymar will have help in the attacking third from Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus and Liverpool’s Fabinho. But the Canaries aren’t just a threat up top like many still believe, they have elite goalkeeping in Alisson or Ederson, and they have experienced defenders like 38-year-old Thiago Silva (more like Thiago Silver Hair) and 39-year-old Dani Alves (AKA Dani “Old Bones” Alves).
Serbia (Orlovi - The Eagles)
FIFA World Rank: 21
Predicted Group G Finish: 2nd
In the last two-and-a-half months, Serbia has moved up four spots in the FIFA world ranking from 25th to 21st. A jump that large within the top 25 in such a short period is exceptionally rare, but The Eagles are 100% deserving. In their last five games, Serbia won 4 and drew 1 and has a goal differential of +9. On top of their recent success, Serbia won their World Cup qualifying group which included Portugal (FIFA world rank 9) and Ireland. This team has gotten hotter than a bowl of pasulj at exactly the right time.
Players to Watch: Aleksandar Mitrovic is a can’t miss player in this year's tournament. If Serbia can advance out of the group stage, Mitrovic will be a contender for the Golden Boot. He has 50 goals for Serbia in just 76 appearances. As one of the younger teams in the tournament, Serbia will need big performances out of their veteran midfielders Ajax’s Dusan Tadic (age 33) and Juventus’ Filip Kostic (age 30).
Switzerland (Rossocrociati - Red Crosses)
FIFA World Rank: 15
Predicted Group G Finish: 3rd
Switzerland had an impressive 2020 Euros making it to the quarter-finals which included a win over France in the round of 16. They also impressed during World Cup qualification finishing first in their group over Euro champs Italy and a feisty Northern Ireland team. However, since qualifying, the Red Crosses have taken their foot off the gas. In their last nine games, they’ve only won three and have a goal differential of -6. When Switzerland is clicking, they can beat anyone. But clearly, they’re no strangers to a dry spell and they’re about to enter one of the driest places on Earth.
Players to Watch: If 22-year-old Noah Okafor can get significant playing time, expect some sparks. The forward for Red Bull Salzburg can find the back of the net as well as anyone. Where Switzerland will likely dominate play is in the center of the pitch with midfielders like Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka and central defenders like Newcastle’s Fabian Schar.
Cameroon (Les Lions Indomptables - The Indomitable Lions)
FIFA World Rank: 43
Predicted Group G Finish: 4th
Cameroon missed out on the 2018 World Cup, but this will be their 8th appearance in the big tourney, which is more than any other African country. Unfortunately, that’s about as far as The Indomitable Lions ever get. Of the eight world cups they’ve played in, they’ve only made it out of the group stage once. That being said, like most teams, this Cameroon squad is vastly different from the team they were when last at the big dance in 2014. They were impressive during World Cup Qualifiers beating out teams like Algeria (FIFA rank 37) and Cote d’Ivoire (FIFA rank 49), and they finished 3rd in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Players to Watch: There isn’t an heir to Samuel Eto’o throne on this year's squad, but there’s still a lot of talent. Vincent Aboubakar is currently the 3rd highest scoring player ever for Cameroon with 33 goals (23 goals behind Eto’o). He should add more to his tally in Qatar because he has the benefit of some home field advantage, Aboubakar currently plays for the Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr. But the best player (by a fairly large margin) and the most important player on this Cameroon squad is Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting. If you haven’t heard of Choupo-Moting, get out from under the rock you’re living. Choupo-Moting has played in just about every major league (Premier League, Ligue 1, Bundisliga) and for a couple gigantic clubs - PSG and currently Bayern Munich. This guy’s for real.
Group H
Must Watch Games:
Ghana v. Portugal - November 24th
Uruguay v. South Korea - November 24th
Portugal v. Uruguay - November 28th
At first glance, Group H looks like an easy group to predict. You have two teams who have reached the pinnacle of international success (Uruguay and Portugal) and two teams who haven’t brought home a major trophy in decades (South Korea and Ghana). However, there’s much more to this group than meets the eye. Two of the most interesting players in the tournament come from Ghana (Abdul Fatawu Issahaku) and South Korea (Son Heung-min). These two individuals have the ability to turn this group on its head. Furthermore, the best players on Uruguay and Portugal may be aging out of their prime, providing cracks in the bedrock of our expectations.
Portugal (Os Navegadores - The Navigators)
FIFA World Rank: 9
Predicted Group H Finish: 3rd
Aside from a fourth place finish in 2006 in Germany, Portugal has been pretty underwhelming in the World Cup. They’ve been great at the European Championships, but it’s a coin flip as to whether they’ll advance out of the group stage in the World Cup. They obviously do not lack talent or coaching, but they love putting themselves in uncomfortable positions. During World Cup qualifying, they failed to win their group (as the result of a loss and draw to Serbia and a draw to Ireland) and were forced to win a two game playoff against Turkey and North Macedonia to stamp their ticket. They of course won those games, but they’ve shown how vulnerable they can be. On paper. Portugal is the best team in this group, but their self sabotaging inconsistency should frighten you.
Players to Watch: Is this a statement tournament for one of the most successful players of all-time who has 117 goals on the international stage? Strangely, yes. Cristiano Ronaldo, CR7, El Bicho, Mr. Champions League… whatever you want to call him, has backed himself into a corner in which he has to prove once more that he’s one of the greatest . His lack of play in the last few months leaves us with many questions, and it seems apparent that the 5-time Ballon d’Or winner is past his prime. What does that mean exactly? It’s hard to say. He’ll probably score in this tournament, and he’ll have moments of brilliance, but he might also be inconsistent. Portugal cannot rely on CR7 like they have in the past. Look for RB Leipzig’s Andre Silva to pick up the scoring slack and Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes to open up the field.
Ghana (Black Stars)
FIFA World Rank: 61
Predicted Group H Finish: 4th
Ghana has the undesirable distinction of being the lowest ranked team in this year’s World Cup. Yes, even lower than Qatar! Ghana is currently ranked 61st by the FIFA world rankings below teams like Greece (52nd), Burkina Faso (54th), and Venezuela (57th). But as we’ve mentioned before, these FIFA world rankings are not perfect and greatly undervalue African teams. Still, this is not Ghana’s finest squad. They struggled in the 2021 African Cup of Nations getting eliminated in the group stage and recently have only won 3 games in their last 14. Fortunately, 2 of those 3 wins were their last 2 games. The first against an admittedly bad Nicaragua team (a win is a win) but then they had a very impressive win over Switzerland on November 17th. The Black Stars may shine once more.
Players to Watch: Most international squads typically have at least one veteran goalkeeper, but not Ghana. They’re green between the goal posts. The three keepers they’re bringing to Qatar have a combined 17 appearances for the national team and an average age of 22.3. Lawrence Ati -Zigi (age 25, 11 Caps) looks to have secured the number 1 keeper position. Ati-Zigi will need to mature quickly because he’ll not get the luxury of stretching out some growing pains if Ghana is to succeed. With uncertainty on the backline, the Black Stars will rely heavily on their goal scorers. Luckily, they have Crystal Palace’s Jordan Ayew up top. Ayew is a strong, aggressive attacker who’ll cause problems for any defense. To compliment Jordan Ayew is perhaps the next great player out of Africa. Eighteen year old Abdul Fatawu Issahaku already has 8 appearances with the senior squad and a game winning goal. It may not be Ghana’s year, but they have a very bright future.
Uruguay (Le Celeste - The Sky Blue)
FIFA World Rank: 14
Predicted Group H Finish: 1st
This team is scary. Since the start of 2022, Uruguay has won 7, drawn 1, and only lost 1. In this nine game stretch, the Sky Blue have a +16 goal differential and have beaten teams like Mexico (3-0), Chile (2-0), Canada (2-0), and Panama (5-0). Additionally, in the last nine games, they’ve only allowed 2 goals. The two-time FIFA World Cup champions have made it to the quarter-finals or better in 7 of the 12 World Cups they’ve participated in. And yet, this is an often overlooked squad. So we’re telling you right now, Do Not ignore this team. They’re in a favorable group, they’re gluttonous with talent, and they rarely disappoint on the big stage. Vegas has them at +200 to reach the quarter-finals… seems like a no brainer.
Players to Watch: The Sky Blue’s two greatest goals scorers, Luis Suarez (68 goals) and Edinson Cavani (58 goals), are on this World Cup squad… however these boys aren’t quite the agile magicians they once were. They’re getting a little long in the tooth, which is particularly worrying for anyone guarding Suarez... he bites people. Saurez and Cavani are both 35 years old and in the twilight of their careers, but you should still expect both to score goals in this year’s World Cup just maybe at a slower rate. Fortunately, this Uruguayan squad doesn’t have to rely solely on goal scoring. They have a tremendous defense including Tottenham’s defensive-mid Rodrigo Bentancur, Athletico Madrid’s central defender Jose Gimenez, and Roma’s left-back Matias Vina.
Korea Republic (Taegeuk - Warriors)
FIFA World Rank: 28
Predicted Group H Finish: 2nd
South Korea might consider changing their nickname to the Giant Slayers. In the 2018 World Cup, South Korea beat Germany in the final match of group play eliminating them from the tournament at the group stage for the first time in 80 years… South Korea was also eliminated at the group stage, but still, they took a Giant down with them. Four years later, the Taegeuk are looking to slip back into their role while also advancing out of the group for the first time since 2010. Can they do it? Yes. Will they need to play at the absolute pinnacle of their capabilities? Without a doubt!
Player to Watch: The most important player on any team in this tournament is South Korea’s Son Heung-min. Last year’s Premier League golden boot winner can create scoring opportunities out of thin air. Unfortunately, Sonny is entering the tourney with a Hannibal Lecter mask and fractured eye socket. If this doesn’t affect his play, South Korea has a good chance at advancing out of this tough group. Son can’t do it on his own, and luckily he won’t have to. Expect Olympiacos’ Hwang Ui-jo to contribute some goals and Napoli’s Kim Min-jae to secure the backline.
