Qatar 2022, the opening match of the World Cup is only a few minutes away: here are the main favourites.
We are less than seven days away from the most “atypical” World Championships ever. In the sense that never before has an edition of the eagerly awaited world championships been held in the autumn months. A decision, that of assigning the World Cup to a predominantly desert country like Qatar – it would have been impossible to organise it in the middle of summer for obvious climatic reasons – which has had the first effect of disrupting the calendars of the main national tournaments around the globe. Club football has stopped and will only return after Christmas (Serie A and Bundesliga, for example, will not start until January 2023).
Hoping that the temperatures will not be too high – an average of 23° is expected from 20 November to 18 December – the 32 qualified selections are ready to do battle. The dream is only one: to lift the most coveted cup to the skies of Lusail. Remember that from the next World Cup, which will be organised in North America by Canada, Mexico and the United States, the number of participants will rise to 48. This will be the last with the formula of eight groups of four with the first two teams qualifying for the round of 16, which debuted for the first time in France ’98. It will be the turn of Didier Deschamps’ Bleus to defend the title won in Russia in 2018. On the other hand, there was a new absence for Italy, who, like four years ago, failed to snatch a pass to the final stage.
Qatar 2022, Brazil narrowly ahead of Argentina
Tite and Neymar
Will France’s Mbappé, Benzema and various other stars be able to repeat their Moscow triumph? The reigning champions, despite being without two protagonists of last year’s edition such as Kanté and Pogba (both injured) are certainly among the favourites. But according to the odds of the main bookmakers, this World Cup will see the return to success of a South American national team after four consecutive victories by federations affiliated to UEFA. And at the top of their favourites is Brazil, which has been chasing what would be its sixth title for the past 20 years – the last claim dates back to Korea/Japan 2002.
The Seleçao selector has a long and complete squad in all departments. In short, it is not just Neymar who is pulling the strings. Brazil, in our opinion, is a slight favourite over Argentina, another possible big player. Albiceleste coach Lionel Scaloni can count on a group that is perhaps less talented than in previous editions, but very united and close-knit after their victory in the Copa America 2020. Besides, it is Leo Messi’s last World Cup. Behind the two South Americans – who, should they pass their group as first, could find themselves in the semifinals – as mentioned, there is France. Following them, we find England, Germany and Spain, other ‘bigs’ who are perhaps less conspicuous but who have everything, blazon and quality, to aim for the breakthrough.
