12 teams that could contest the final
The world’s biggest sporting event (in terms of international watchers and betting) is about to kick off in Qatar and, while this particular iteration of the FIFA world Cup is certainly in the news, it’s not always for the right reasons.
Qatar won the bid to host the FIFA World Cup 2022 but has since been the centre of a storm of controversy. Accusations of corruption from within FIFA in the awarding of the host nation, allegations of human rights abuses, the deplorable history of civil rights within the State (especially women’s rights and the LGBTQ+ community), and the shifting of the traditional June/July dates to November due to the insane summer heat in the desert nation where the average June/July temperatures hover around 42 degrees Celsius.
Add in the AIR-CONDITIONED STADIUMS to combat the heat and the associated climate crisis uproar and you can see why the event is being looked on with great scepticism.
But we’re really here for the football and the fans of the beautiful game and the teams that will be showcasing all the deft touches, iron defence, and scintillating goals so we will be focusing on what actually makes the game so great – the teams that will be carrying the hopes and dreams of nations into the FIFA World Cup 2022.
Bets on Brazil
It’s been three years since Brazil lost to anybody other than Argentina, and with a front line of Neymar, Richarlison, Vinícius Júnior and Raphinha, which is considered strong enough to exclude Gabriel Jesus out of the recent friendly wins over Ghana and Tunisia, signs are that Brazil is definitely a favourite going forward. One defeat in 29 games is an outrageous record with the only doubt being that they haven’t played a European team since losing to Belgium at the last World Cup. We’ll be betting on Brazil to make at least the semi-final stage of Qatar 2022.
Argentina hardly a dark horse
Whilst Argentina have had to put some of their biggest star forwards of the last decade to rest, the South Americans are looking more formidable than they have for a very long time. Lionel Scaloni’s side may not be as glamorous as most recent versions of the team, but this Argentina side are dynamic and have created a system that flows and works together as a coherent unit, getting the best out of Lionel Messi. With an unbeaten record of 35 games on the trot they are a force to be reckoned with and worth a bet for the final four.
The reign of Spain
Luis Enrique announced his final pre-World Cup squad in hilarious fashion on social media and, unfortunately, it led to some humiliation as La Roja slumped to their first home defeat in almost four years against Switzerland. But despite the Spain manager saying that Portugal have a better chance of success in Qatar, it was his side who claimed top spot in their Nations League group after Álvaro Morata’s late winner in Braga against a very strong Portuguese side that were given no room to operate by the Spanish. A mix of youth and experience makes Spain a dangerous team going into the World Cup.
Don’t doubt the Dutch
Whilst none of Holland’s goalkeeping options are worth getting excited over, the 71-year-old Louis Van Gaal turned around a qualifying campaign that had begun badly and has put together a balanced squad that’s been playing exciting football. Maybe they rely too much on the goalscoring prowess of Memphis Depay, but if he keeps scoring who really cares? The team seems fired up, well organised and, with a win over Belgium last month, they could be the most promising Dutch side since 2014.
Germany’s got guts
Germany have the potential to win in Qatar but, like many of their traditional rivals, they’ve got some serious work to do. Hungary downed Deutschland in Leipzig which was Hansi Flick’s first defeat in charge and ,although they were largely controlled against England, they allowed a 15-minute blitz to get the better of them. One can never bet against Germany in a World Cup setting having won the tournament with weaker sides than the one they’re boasting now so it will be interesting to see how Flick can tactically re-jig a side with all the potential to go the distance.
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Denmark can hit the mark
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Denmark were downed by an impressive Croatia a few weeks ago but they didn’t let that get to them. Three days later they beat current World Champions France – against the odds – with an outstanding performance, and they are playing with the dynamism and cohesion that garnered them so many admirers at Euro 2020. Consider the manner in which Christian Eriksen has returned with such superb form for club and country: he scored a beautiful goal in Zagreb and then completely dominated his French opposition in the midfield. Could Denmark push for a medal is the question? We think they seriously could.
Blues for Les Bleus
No other national side boasts nearly as much depth as France does in every position, but that may be the root of their problem. Politics, scandals and an array of off-field nonsense has resulted in a distracted, disjointed French team that looks like they’re running out of gas at the wrong time. Didier Deschamps is also favouring big names that are out of form as opposed to some slightly smaller ones that are prepared to put in the hard yards for their country. Betting on France to crash out early would be unwise – they’re simply too talented – but something has to change if they’re looking to come home from Qatar with a medal.
Croatia are on the mend
There were chats that Croatia were starting to show irreparable cracks after a horrible run of form. That was until the 2018 World Cup runners-up dominated a Nations League group featuring Denmark and France. Luka Modric was untouchable in a 2-1 win over Denmark and scored in a convincing victory against Austria. The experienced old dogs of Croatia seem to have a lot of fight still fight in them and will be hoping to cruise as far as the quarter-finals and hopefully far further.
Football probably isn’t coming home
The English media are a tiresome bunch. They hate their team when they lose and think they’re the best in the world when they win – even if it’s against teams like San Marion. Semi-finalists at the World Cup and finalists at the Euros, England should go to Qatar with a level of optimism, but they’ve won zero of their last six games. Manager Southgate has been making some strange calls and naming out of form players in his starting team on more than one occasion, perhaps because of their status rather than their current play. He has a squad that runs deep and I don’t envy his selection headaches, but his managerial acumen has been the topic of discussion not just in England, but worldwide.
Serbia is ice cold
Never in my life have I had to consider Serbia as a team that could show up on the international stage, but they are in outstanding form. This month’s resounding wins over Sweden and Norway suggest that Dragan Stojkovic has created a balanced and positive side. Their two world class strikers Aleksandar Mitrovic and Dusan Vlahovic were on the scoresheet in Oslo, and the former scored a hat-trick against Sweden. Their group in Qatar is impossibly tough, but so are the Serbians.
Nothing neutral Swiss
We’re positive that all the favourites should be a little watchful of Switzerland, who beat Portugal and triumphed in Spain with a tactically sound display. They then toppled the Czech Republic with heroic goalkeeper Yann Sommer coming to their rescue with a fine penalty save from Tomas Soucek. This is the finest Swiss side we’ve seen since they defeated eventual champions Spain in the group stages of the 2010 edition of the tournament.
Belgium need to be better
It’s not so long since Belgium were the number 1 ranked side in the world, and justifiably so, but the Red Devils only just brushed passed a Welsh side that doesn’t usually offer much resistance. They then dropped points in a narrow defeat to the Netherlands which was well contested, but defensive woes continue. Belgium has some of the finest footballers on the planet, but that means nothing without structure and poise. Our unpopular opinion? Bet on Belgium to fall out in the round of 16.