FIFA World Cup in Qatar: the chances of each country, who wins, the golden boot

There has never been such a world championship.

For the first time in the history of the competition, the 2022 World Cup will be held during the winter months in the Northern Hemisphere due to the soaring temperatures in Qatar when the tournament is normally played in the summer.

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Thus, the national leagues are forced to take a break of 6 ¹/₂ weeks while the World Cup ends. Previously, the World Cup was held during the off-season of most major national leagues, New York Post reports.

This means that national teams and their players have less time to prepare and warm up than usual before the start of games. Injuries in the middle of the season knocked the stars out of the tournament, and managers chose to pick the players with the best fit at the moment, rather than the players with the most impressive resumes. All this is a serious challenge to conventional wisdom regarding the field of the World Cup.

Here’s a look at the favorites, the sleepers, and the rest of the teams competing in the 2022 World Cup.

FAVORITES

Traditional leaders are leading the top contenders, including recent winners and family forces hell-bent on overcoming the recent drought.

Brazil

A winning country in the competition with five titles, Brazil has not been top in four tournaments since winning the 2002 World Cup, a trend that is certainly taking its toll on the team. One of the most experienced groups on the pitch – especially in the backbone of the team in defense and midfield – Seleção are rising to prominence with a roster of brilliant young talents in attack around superstar Neymar. Brazil’s health, especially Neymar’s, has been a concern for the team in recent matches, but this year should be enough to endure adversity. On paper, there is no better universal composition.

France

The defending champions enter the title defense notably without key members N’Golo Kante, Paul Pogba, Prenel Kimpembe and, as they found out just days before their first game, Karim Benzema, but their absence paved the way for some of the next generation. from Les Bleus. France is led by phenom Kylian Mbappé (whose reception to French fans is worth watching after high-profile reports in recent months of his interest in leaving the country’s biggest club, Paris Saint-Germain), while new faces such as William Saliba , Aurelien Chuameni and Yussouf Fofana will have to stuff massive shoes. How quickly they can team up with their veteran teammates could decide the fate of France.

Spain

This is a new era for Spain. No more partnership of Gerard Pique and Sergio Ramos in the back. No more Xavi, Iniesta and Isco in midfield. No more David De Gea in goal and Diego Costa at the top. Fernando Hierro is no longer a manager. As a result, one of the youngest squads of the tournament was chosen under manager Luis Enrique, as evidenced by the debuts of Pedri, Gavi and Ansu Fati. Apart from their triumph in 2010, Spain have historically lost in World Cups, finishing in the top three only once (1982). Does the new era bring new results?

Argentina

With the 2021 Copa América title his only trophy with Argentina, international glory is the only missing honor in Lionel Messi’s illustrious career. He retired from the national team and retired from the national team several times out of frustration and ridicule, never being able to match Diego Maradona’s iconic triumph for the country – most notably as a runner-up at the 2014 World Cup. Everything can change with one magical run, and there’s a good chance this will be his last chance to achieve what has eluded him the most. It returns with a strong supporting cast led by Lautaro Martinez, Paulo Dybala and Angel Di Maria.

England

England, the most infamous underdog in the history of the competition, has not won a World Cup since 1966. Fans have been chanting “He’s coming home” for years, waiting for the title to actually return home to the sport’s birthplace. After their heartbreaking Euro 2020 runner-up final (played in 2021), the Three Lions are taking one of their most competitive squads to the tournament in years. Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden and Raheem Sterling will lead one of the tournament’s most popular teams, made up almost entirely of Premier League players. Manager Gareth Southgate’s roster decisions will be scrutinized.

Germany

Hansi Flick takes part in his first World Cup as a replacement for Joachim Löw and hopes to breathe new life into the German team that didn’t make it out of the group stage in 2018. Do veteran stars Thomas Müller and Manuel Neuer, who helped the team to the 2014 world title, have another run in them? Leroy Sane and Kai Havertz gave the team a new spark at this departure. Joshua Kimmich and Ilkay Gundogan are likely to see even more important roles in midfield for a team now bereft of long-term players Toni Kroos and Mesut Ozil.

SKINS

Featuring top level players but perhaps not deep enough to be a favourite, these sleepers can be a lot bigger if things go wrong.

Portugal

This team is much more than just Cristiano Ronaldo, who enters the tournament by walking scorched earth in his Manchester United club team. Will this affect his chemistry with co-star and Manchester United teammate Bruno Fernandez? Despite the absence of Diogo Jota due to injury, Joao Felix and Bernardo Silva complete an attack that should scare any defense. Rafael Leao is a name to watch out for as a possible breakthrough candidate.

Netherlands

The talented Netherlands are returning to the World Cup after a disgraceful failure in qualifying in 2018. Stars Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt are looking to make their mark at their first World Championships, while veterans Virgil van Dijk and Memphis Depay ensure a veteran presence. 19-year-old Javi Simons can make a name for himself on the international stage.

Belgium

Belgium’s “Golden Generation” went from dark horses to favorites and disappointments, reaching third place at the 2018 World Cup. Led by midfield maestro Kevin de Bruyne, aging stars Eden Hazard, Dries Mertens, Romelu Lukaku, Thibaut Courtois, Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen and Axel Witsel use their last opportunity to create a big international sensation together.

Croatia

He may be 37 now, but as long as Croatia has Luka Modric, this will be talked about. The Real Madrid star took Vatreny to the final in 2018 and is likely to return for his last World Cup. The cruelty of the Croats always makes them a difficult opponent.

United States

The roster of the youngest team at the World Championships, the USMNT roster, has undergone a dramatic change from the group that did not qualify in 2018. Gregg Berhalter’s new core of young talent playing at the highest levels of club football in Europe won the Gold Cup. and regional tournaments of the CONCACAF Nations League in 2021 and have generally participated in World Cup qualification. The buzz around star Christian Pulisic and a supporting cast that includes Weston McKenny, Tyler Adams, Giovanni Reyna and Brendan Aaronson is real.

Uruguay

Luis Suarez, who has left both famous and infamous (biting) marks at the World Championships throughout his career, will once again be in the spotlight, with Edinson Cavani returning for the last time. But young stars Federico Valverde and Darwin Nunes provide enough power to sustain a significant run.

Serbia

Aleksandar Mitrovic’s resurgent season in the Premier League gave Serbia a legitimate shot. He will be joined in attack by Dusan Vlahovic and Dusan Tadic, while Sergiu Milinkovic-Savic has become one of the best central midfielders in Europe.

Canada

Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David lead the young team to the second World Championship in Canadian history – and the first since 1986. Having demonstrated their danger during the qualification, the Canadians can become the favorites of the tournament.

Denmark

After Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch due to cardiac arrest during the Euros last summer, Christian Eriksen’s return to the national team and international scene is inspiring. Eriksen is currently a beacon of consistency in a troubled Manchester United squad and will now be accompanied by Pierre-Emile Hoybjerg and Joachim Male. This core alone is enough to cause trouble for anyone.

REST OF FIELDS

Entering the tournament, these teams are largely ignored and they look to play spoilers with teams ready to run. Where is Cinderella hiding?

Mexico

Fan favorite Javier “Chicarito” Hernandez stayed at home, while Hirving “Chucky” Lozano leads a young Mexican team that has been playing unevenly in the tournament.

Wales

Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey have led Wales in recent years and that figure is set to continue. There will be an uphill battle with the United States to get out of Group B.

Switzerland

Granit Xhaka – in the midst of a resurgence season with Arsenal – and Xherdan Shaqiri lead a group of veterans that includes young knockout candidates Brel Embolo and Denis Zakaria.

Senegal

Sadio Mane was excluded from the World Cup at the last moment due to a leg injury. His absence will mean a lot to the Senegalese.

Poland

Arguably the best striker in the world right now, Robert Lewandowski is capable of taking control of any game on his own.

Ghana

Thomas Partey supports a young team with a chance to advance from Group H.

South Korea

If Son Heung Min can play with a broken face, he will lead a fun team in the wide open group H.

Ecuador

Hoping to transfer the courage shown in the South American qualification to the World Cup.

Morocco

Can Ashraf Hakimi and Hakim Ziyech do enough to make this team significant?

Cameroon

He left the group stage only once in the history of the team.

Japan

Takehiro Tomiyasu maintains a strong defensive group that is difficult to break.

Costa Rica

The best goalkeeper in the world, Keylor Navas, keeping the team in low-scoring games, offers the most hope.

Australia

One of the oldest teams in the tournament enters after a tumultuous qualifying campaign was reduced to a penalty shootout.

Iran

Never made it past the group stage.

Tunisia

Constantly overcome the country’s financial and infrastructural constraints to qualify.

Saudi Arabia

Lucky to get a point.

Qatar

Included only because it is the host country.

This article originally appeared on New York Post and has been reproduced with permission.

Originally published as World Cup distribution: favorites, sleepers and those who have no chance