World Cup 2022 questions about all 32 teams in Qatar

The World Series is simply barely in the rearview. The NBA season is rolling and dramatic, whereas American soccer is as intense as ever. The European membership soccer season hit pause solely about two minutes in the past. Thanksgiving is approaching rapidly, and it’s important to make plans. The election was loads. And hey, work’s simply been a beast currently.

The FIFA World Cup snuck up on you, in different phrases. It’s superb to confess it. It was sure to occur. This wonderful occasion was completely dropped into simply about probably the most inconvenient attainable time of the 12 months, and whereas you know the way vital it’s, and also you positively need to get probably the most out of it, you have come to understand you are operating out of time.

Needless to say, ESPN has you coated from an general protection standpoint. We’ve advised you about the 50 finest footballers on the World Cup. We’ve predicted each recreation (E+). We’ve ranked earlier tournaments. We’ve talked about “sportswashing” because it pertains to the host nation, Qatar.

We’ve tried to introduce you to the Qataris and migrant staff who truly comprise the nation too, however as an example you are feeling such as you simply need to know a little bit extra about every staff taking the sector in the approaching days: storylines, key gamers, the unusual paths to get right here and the favorable event attracts.

Allow me to fill in that hole. Let’s stroll by means of the sector of 32 one final time in the beginning will get underway.

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GROUP A

Odds to advance to knockout rounds (per Caesars Sportsbook): Netherlands -1200 (equal to 92%), Senegal -105 (51%), Ecuador +105 (49%), Qatar +400 (20%)

Louis van Gaal’s final go-round. Netherlands like familiarity. Over the previous 30 years, they’ve employed Dick Advocaat as supervisor 3 times and Guus Hiddink twice. They’ve employed former Dutch stars like Marco van Basten and Frank de Boer, and when the staff upset with De Boer at Euro 2020, they pulled the storied Van Gaal, now 71, out of retirement for his third stint in cost.

– O’Hanlon: Predicting each single World Cup recreation (E+)

They have not misplaced since. They’ve crushed Belgium twice this 12 months and made quick work of their Nations League group. Forwards Steven Bergwijn (Ajax) and Memphis Depay (Barcelona) have scored 11 objectives and created 27 probabilities — principally for one another — in worldwide play over the previous calendar 12 months. The absurdly gifted again line of Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Matthijs de Ligt (Bayern Munich) and/or Nathan Ake (Manchester City) is put below strain at instances due to their possession-heavy type, however they’re sturdy sufficient to normally make it work.

This staff are benefiting from Van Gaal’s possession type and have gotten a strong draw: in the event that they win Group A as deliberate, they would not face a mega-contender till the quarterfinals (Argentina or France). This is a large alternative for them.

What are Senegal with out Sadio Mane? Senegal have had a tremendous 2022, beating Mohamed Salah‘s Egypt on penalties to win the Africa Cup of Nations for the primary time, then doing it once more to qualify for the World Cup. They’ve received sturdy veterans all through the lineup, from goalkeeper Edouard Mendy (Chelsea) to defender Kalidou Koulibaly (Chelsea) to midfielders Nampalys Mendy (Leicester City) and Idrissa Gueye (Everton). But their assault runs by means of Bayern star Mane, and his World Cup is over earlier than it began due to a tibia harm. Horrible timing.

The Ecuador Seagulls. Ecuador had by no means certified for a World Cup till 2002, however have now finished so 4 of six instances, albeit with eligibility controversy this time. Unlike a variety of teams in Qatar, most of their highest-level expertise is on the again. Numerous them play for a selected Premier League membership, too: rising midfielder Moises Caicedo, full-back Pervis Estupinan and winger Jeremy Sarmiento are all plying their commerce at Brighton.

If Ecuador make noise, Caicedo, Estupinan and center-back Piero Hincapie (Bayer Leverkusen) are the almost definitely causes.

Continuity is vital for Qatar. By any measure of pure expertise, Qatar are one of many weaker teams in the sector. But amongst some shaky outcomes in opposition to high-level teams like Portugal, they’ve proven hints of durability, drawing with Chile in September and reaching the semifinals of the 2021 Gold Cup.

Their highest quality: They’ve received a high-level membership in their yard and so they use it. Half of their roster comes from two-time Asian Champions League winner (and 16-time home champion) Al Sadd. Familiarity can compensate for expertise at instances.

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GROUP B

Odds to advance to knockout rounds: England -1200 (equal to 92%), USA -120 (55%), Wales +120 (46%), Iran +400 (20%)

How a lot does kind matter? Asking for England. England may need extra uncooked expertise than any staff in this area. A staff of gamers snubbed from the 26-man roster could be favored to qualify for the World Cup(!), however outcomes have vanished of late. England went winless in the summer season and fall Nations League slate, outcomes that included a sweep by Hungary. Some of supervisor Gareth Southgate’s favorites — defender Harry Maguire, winger Raheem Sterling — have not been in nice kind, and confidence is low.

Does any of this truly matter, although? This staff made the World Cup semifinals 4 years in the past and practically gained the delayed Euros in 2021. And once more: TALENT. SO MUCH OF IT. And what occurs if they do not?

Knock on wooden, however … the U.S. are wholesome? The U.S. have additionally struggled to encourage confidence in 2022. Of the six World Cup teams they’ve performed in the previous calendar 12 months, they’ve crushed only one. Their performances in two September friendlies have been dreadful and betrayed a scarcity of both creation means or regular passing in protection, two staples of the possession type supervisor Gregg Berhalter has spent 4 years making an attempt to construct.

Vibes: low. Health, nevertheless: good. The younger quintet of attackers Christian Pulisic and Gio Reyna, midfielders Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams and full-back Sergino Dest have performed collectively as soon as, ever, as a consequence of accidents, however in the meanwhile they all seem able to go. So are Berhalter favorites Antonee Robinson and Yunus Musah, and rising star Brenden Aaronson, Adams’ teammate at Leeds United. We technically do not know the way this American staff would possibly carry out as a result of we actually have not seen it … and that may be the perfect accessible motive for optimism.

Gareth Bale’s curtain name. Wales are taking part in in their first World Cup in 64 years, qualifying in half due to sturdy protection and an thrilling younger core of gamers like midfielders Neco Williams (Nottingham Forest), Ethan Ampadu (Spezia) and Harry Wilson (Fulham) and forwards Brennan Johnson (Nottingham Forest) and Daniel James (Fulham). But Gareth Bale stays the headliner. The Welsh legend netted all three objectives in opposition to Austria and Ukraine in the qualification playoffs and, at 33, is quickly nearing the tip of his profession. Does he have sufficient magic left in him to drive Wales to the knockout rounds?

Iran: Advanced CONCACAF. According to the scores at EloRatings.web, neither the U.S. nor Wales are the second-best staff in Group B: Iran are. Carlos Queiroz helms a staff that does the “defend with everything you’ve got and hit a couple of counter-attacks” routine in addition to anybody. It’s a mode that gave the U.S. suits in World Cup qualification, and Iran are higher at it than any CONCACAF squad moreover maybe Canada.

This staff are a spectacular ache in the butt, and if veteran attackers Mehdi Taremi (Porto) and Sardar Azmoun (Bayer Leverkusen) can present any kind of ending — and if the staff aren’t dragged down by home unrest — they may advance. (That makes these qualification odds above slightly fascinating in case you’re betting-inclined.)

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Group C

Odds to advance to knockout rounds: Argentina -1000 (equal to 91%), Mexico -135 (57%), Poland +100 (50%), Saudi Arabia +650 (+13%)

The final dance for Lionel Messi (and Robert Lewandowski). There’s loads of thrilling, younger attacking expertise in the soccer universe in the meanwhile, from Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Vinicius Junior on down. That’s good as a result of we will be shedding a variety of storied expertise in the approaching years, too. The most storied expertise, in truth.

– Argentina, Uruguay take 4,000 kilos of meat to World Cup

Lionel Messi enters his ultimate World Cup with a spectacular Argentina staff round him. They are the No. 2 betting favorites behind Brazil, and it isn’t onerous to see why. Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan), Julian Alvarez (Manchester City) and, if wholesome, Paulo Dybala (Roma) complement Messi up entrance, and Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United) and Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur) are sturdy in the again. Argentina gained the Copa America final summer season and have not misplaced since July 2019. The draw is tough — they’ll probably play both France or Denmark in the spherical of 16, then maybe Netherland or England in the quarterfinals and Brazil in the semis — however the staff are excellent.

This is kind of probably Robert Lewandowski‘s final World Cup as properly. The 34-year previous Barcelona star has scored 76 objectives for Poland and practically 600 in membership play, and whereas his supporting forged lacks in comparison with Messi’s, Poland aren’t bereft of expertise: Napoli’s Piotr Zielinski is a strong attacking complement, and the Aston Villa duo of Matty Cash and Jan Bednarek are strong in protection. They received knocked round by Belgium and Netherlands in Nations League play (4 matches, one level), however they’re examined and gifted.

Tata’s redemption? The U.S. allegedly checked out Tata Martino earlier than selecting Gregg Berhalter as supervisor 4 years in the past; Martino as an alternative landed with Mexico and, for some time, he seemed just like the much better alternative in cost. But then Mexico misplaced 3 times to the U.S. in 2021; since final October they’ve performed eight matches in opposition to World Cup teams and have not crushed a single one (4 attracts, 4 losses.)

Star attacker Raul Jimenez (Wolves) has barely performed since August as a consequence of harm, and veterans Hirving Lozano (Napoli) and Andres Guardado (Real Betis) are the one gamers on the 26-man roster who presently play in Europe’s Big Five leagues. Have Mexico fallen deep right into a down cycle? Will the World Cup set off a rebound?

Goals are unicorns for Saudi Arabia. Journeyman supervisor Herve Renard helms a roster that, like Qatar’s, calls completely on home league expertise, together with 12 gamers from Saudi heavyweight Al-Hilal, winner of the Asian Champions League in 2019 and 2021. That has paid off in the type of defensive stability: in the previous calendar 12 months, they’ve allowed simply seven objectives in 12 matches.

Of course, they’re now in a gaggle with Messi and Lewandowski. Also, they scored simply six objectives in these 12 matches. Their finest hope of advancing is a run of scoreless slogs.

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Group D

Odds to advance to knockout rounds: France -1400 (equal to 93%), Denmark -275 (73%), Australia +350 (22%), Tunisia +350 (22%)

France: An enormous (and massively gifted) wildcard. It’s a really disorienting expertise speaking about France in the meanwhile. On one hand, they’re the defending champions and a favourite in any event they enter. On the opposite hand, they gained simply considered one of six Nations League matches this summer season and fall. On one hand, they’ve misplaced some extremely high-caliber gamers to harm — midfielders Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante and ahead Christopher Nkunku, for example — and different stars are coping with at the least nagging accidents. On the opposite hand, they nonetheless have Mbappe, Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema and a great deal of each seasoned veterans (Hugo Lloris, Antoine Griezmann) and precocious children (Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, William Saliba.)

They’re loaded and harmful. They’re taking part in second-teamers and are in a stoop. They may repeat as World Cup winners or lose early, and it would not be a complete shock. All of which makes them one hell of a wildcard.

Dynamite Danish darkish horses, half deux? Last we noticed Denmark on a giant stage, they needed to work by means of a virtually unfathomable tragedy — Christian Eriksen‘s on-field collapse and close to loss of life by way of cardiac arrest at Euro 2020 — however after shedding their first two matches, rallied to not solely attain the knockout rounds however come inside an extra-time Harry Kane purpose of the finals. They have been widespread sleeper picks and lived as much as it.

A 12 months and a half later, Eriksen is again in the fold and … they’re widespread darkish horse picks! They’ve nonetheless received veterans like Eriksen, midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and defenders Andreas Christensen and Joachim Andersen, and optimistic, 22-year-old midfielders Jesper Lindstrom (Eintracht Frankfurt) and Andreas Skov Olsen (Club Brugge) have been absolute delights in the Champions League this 12 months. The group is form exterior of France, and Denmark may both win the group or, as runner-up, function a large round-of-16 problem for probably Group C champions Argentina. Either means, they could possibly be a narrative once more, and this time for less than good causes.

Are both Australia or Tunisia able to disruption? Six gamers in Scotland. Two in Japan. Two in Denmark. Two in Italy. One at Hamburg St. Pauli. One for the Columbus Crew. Australia may need probably the most diasporic roster in the World Cup. Tunisia, in the meantime, haven’t got the person standouts of different African qualifiers, however they have the outcomes. They made the Arab Cup finals final December and for the reason that summer season they’ve crushed Chile, Japan, Iran and misplaced solely to Brazil. They neither try nor permit many photographs, and simply typically make issues annoying.

Do both have sufficient to prime France or Denmark, or are they only neat tales? Oddsmakers definitely lean towards the latter. But they’re positively neat tales.

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Group E

Odds to advance to knockout rounds: Spain -900 (equal to 90%), Germany -700 (88%), Japan +350 (22%), Costa Rica +850 (11%)

Do Spain have finishers? Even in an period in which the perfect teams try to dominate the ball greater than ever earlier than, nobody does it like Luis Enrique’s Spain. Barcelona teenager Pedri runs the present with loads of assist from Manchester City’s Rodri, the ageless Sergio Busquets and the different teenage Barca midfield star, Gavi. They have the ball on a string.

They do not at all times put the ball in the web, nevertheless. In their first two video games at Euro 2020, in opposition to Poland and Sweden, they loved 80% possession(!), tried 29 photographs value 5.4 xG … and scored as soon as. In the quarterfinals and semis: 70% possession, 44 photographs, 4.4 xG, two objectives. Alvaro Morata and Pablo Sarabia are strong attackers, however Spain lack the depth of elite ending expertise that a lot of the different favorites have.

This complicated period of German underachievement. From 2006 to 2016, a brand new technology of Germany gamers, taking part in a brand new model of soccer, completed third or higher at six straight main tournaments. It was an absurd run … after which it very a lot ended. They did not advance in the 2018 World Cup, then bowed out to England in the Euro 2020 spherical of 16. Since the Euros, they’ve performed three matches in opposition to World Cup teams and drew with all three.

Looking on the roster, this run of relative mediocrity makes completely no sense. They have seven key Bayern gamers, and Bayern are superior! Defender Antonio Rudiger has gained two straight Champions Leagues! They have among the brightest younger expertise in the sport — Jamal Musiala, Nico Schlotterbeck, Kai Havertz, if he nonetheless counts! — so is that this the event the place the entire turns into better than the sum of the components once more?

A custom-made darkish horse (with a steep hill to climb). Spain and Germany make this an apparent “Scary Bad Group.” That’s actually unlucky, as a result of I had lengthy dedicated to naming Group E mate Japan a darkish horse utilizing the “I just love this roster” precept.

– Ian Darke’s World Cup prediction: Who lifts the trophy?

I simply love this roster. Takehiro Tomiyasu (Arsenal) and Ko Itakura (Borussia Monchengladbach) are high-effort defenders with passing means. Daichi Kamada (Eintracht Frankfurt) is an effective attacking midfielder who’s getting higher rapidly. Ritsu Doan has been an vital new attacking piece for a robust Freiburg squad. Takuma Asano (Bochum) runs himself into the bottom in each match. Veterans Wataru Endo, Junya Ito and Takumi Minamino are nonetheless sturdy contributors. Young attacker Takefusa Kubo is fascinating.

This Japan staff rule. But we’ll see if they will overcome the Group of Death.

Costa Rica aren’t going to make one other run, proper? Eleven of the 26 gamers on Costa Rica’s World Cup roster are 30 or older, and 6 have been on the 2014 World Cup squad that rattling close to made the semifinals. Joel Campbell? Still the first purpose scorer. Keylor Navas? Still a rock-solid goalkeeper.

They’re additionally smoking scorching. They’ve performed 13 matches in the previous calendar 12 months and misplaced as soon as. They defend and defend, and so they provide Campbell with one strong scoring probability per match. That’s not going to maintain working … is it?

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Group F

Odds to advance to knockout rounds: Belgium -900 (equal to 90%), Croatia -187 (65%), Morocco +225 (31%), Canada +310 (24%)

Are Belgium and Croatia previous or completely seasoned? Four years in the past, Croatia made the World Cup finals with a veteran-laden squad — 13 of 23 gamers have been at the least 28 years previous, together with stars like Luka Modric (32), Mario Mandzukic (32), Ivan Rakitic (30), Ivan Perisic (29) and Dejan Lovren (28).

Modric, now 37, continues to be there. Perisic is taking part in nearly in addition to ever. Lovren, Andrej Kramaric (31) and Domagoj Vida (33) all took half in the finals and are all on the 2022 roster. Of the 11 gamers who’ve recorded at the least 325 minutes for Croatia over the previous 12 months, 9 are at the least 27. This is a “Run It Back” staff that could possibly be as artful and tough to remove as ever.

Belgium, in the meantime, are simply as previous and nonetheless making an attempt to achieve the promised land. Of their prime 16 gamers over the previous 12 months, 12 are at the least 29. Belgium’s golden technology — Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Thibaut Courtois, Eden Hazard, et al — reached the quarterfinals of 4 straight main tournaments and took third in the previous World Cup, however it seems like that is the final probability at one thing even better for some time. They’ve remained reliant on Jan Vertonghen (35) and Toby Alderweireld (33) in protection, and losses normally stem from defensive breakdowns. Over the previous 4 calendar years, they’ve misplaced seven matches; these losses featured 19 objectives allowed.

To even attain the finals, Belgium may need to beat Spain or Germany in the spherical of 16, then England or France in the semis. The street to a cheerful ending for the “Golden Generation” is a tough one.

Morocco vs. the sum of their components. Two issues have outlined latest Moroccan soccer: high-end expertise and a scarcity of event success. Achraf Hakimi (PSG) and Noussair Mazraoui (Bayern) are among the many most fun and versatile full-backs in the sport. Hakim Ziyech (Chelsea) is a cranky creator. Forward Youssef En-Nesyri (Sevilla) is not far faraway from a 24-goal season in LaLiga. But they have not made even the semifinals of the Africa Cup of Nations since 2004.

The 2018 World Cup was their first in 20 years, and so they earned one level in three matches. This is an enigmatic squad with a great deal of potential and a minimal observe report.

The begin of the story for Canada. Few worldwide teams know themselves like Canada. They have been comfortable to offer teams the ball if requested; counting on the ridiculous pace of gamers like Alphonso Davies (Bayern), Jonathan David (Lille) and Tajon Buchanan (Club Brugge), and the creativity of Davies and Stephen Eustaquio (Porto) to create sturdy counter-attacking alternatives. It earned them their first World Cup bid since 1986. They haven’t got the items to function properly from behind, however they’re assured and able to making noise with the correct recreation state.

The better part: Davies, David and Buchanan are all 23 and below. They’re going to be at this for some time.

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Group G

Odds to advance to knockout rounds (per Caesars Sportsbook): Brazil -1200 (equal to 92%), Switzerland +105 (49%), Serbia +125 (44%), Cameroon +300 (25%)

What weaknesses would possibly Brazil have? The numbers love Brazil. The sportsbooks love Brazil. The eyeballs love Brazil. They’ve misplaced as soon as in the previous three calendar years. They have Neymar, Real Madrid’s Champions League-winning Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, Tottenham’s Richarlison and Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus (and Manchester United’s Antony if wholesome) in a loaded assault.

– Vickery: World Cup dream and Pele‘s Brazil purpose report loom over Neymar, will he seize each?

Brazil begin the event on the entrance of the pack, in different phrases. But the World Cup is way too random for any single staff to be a “them vs. the field” sort of favourite — they’re nonetheless extra more likely to fall quick than win. And in the event that they certainly fall quick, it most likely begins on the again. They’re nonetheless extremely reliant on 38-year-old captain Thiago Silva at center-back, to not point out defense-minded midfielders like Casemiro (30), Fred (29) and Fabinho (29).

For all of the younger attacking vitality they convey to the desk, a equally speedy assault may make their protection look gradual. It hasn’t occurred in some time — they’ve performed 9 matches in the previous 12 months and allowed simply three objectives — however that does not imply it could’t.

A serious alternative for Serbia and Switzerland. As is the case with most gentle heavyweight European teams, each Serbia and Switzerland are blessed with loads of thrilling expertise that performs for main golf equipment — Serbia have forwards Dusan Vlahovic (Juventus) and Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fulham) and midfielder Filip Kostic (Juventus); Switzerland have veteran midfielders Granit Xhaka (Arsenal) and Denis Zakaria (Chelsea), defender Manuel Akanji (Manchester City), ahead Breel Embolo (Monaco) and about 17 sturdy goalkeepers.

They are additionally blessed with an intriguing draw: The second-placed staff in Group H may draw one of many event’s weaker group winners (probably both Portugal or Uruguay.) Switzerland got here achingly near a semifinal run in final summer season’s Euros, and it would not take a lot luck for both of those teams to achieve the quarterfinals in the event that they’re dialed in.

An intriguing Cameroon assault. Cameroon have one of many extra storied histories in African soccer — this can be their eighth World Cup look since 1982, and so they famously reached the quarterfinals in 1990 — however it took a shocker for them to qualify this time round. Lyon’s Karl Toko Ekambi scored vs. Algeria in the 124th minute of their ultimate qualification match, simply six minutes after Algeria had seemingly clinched development with a purpose of their very own.

This is not probably the most gifted squad Cameroon have delivered to a World Cup, however they have simply sufficient intriguing items to problem. Lyon’s Toko Ekambi, Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo and Bayern’s smoking-hot Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting are key up entrance, and whereas depth is problematic in the again, they’ve at the least received high-level gamers in defensive midfielder Frank Anguissa (Napoli) and goalkeeper Andre Onana (Inter Milan). It could be a shock in the event that they superior, however solely a lot of 1.

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Group H

Odds to advance to knockout rounds: Portugal -600 (equal to 86%), Uruguay -225 (69%), South Korea +240 (29%), Ghana +280 (26%)

Portugal vs. the worst of vibes. Act I: Cristiano Ronaldo waits till Manchester United start to play properly with out him, then decides to burn each attainable bridge with the membership (which nonetheless employs Portugal teammate Bruno Fernandes) on his means out the door to Qatar.

Act II: This unusual interplay between Ronaldo and Fernandes.

Bruno Fernandes catching up with Cristiano Ronaldo in the Portugal camp 👀🇵🇹

(by way of @selecaoportugal) pic.twitter.com/D1UFlfBlwG

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 15, 2022

Act III: Whatever the heck this interplay was between Ronaldo and one other Portuguese star, Joao Cancelo.

What’s happening right here between Cristiano Ronaldo and João Cancelo? 🧐 pic.twitter.com/KG6BrKbvxF

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) November 15, 2022

These clips, in fact, lack a great deal of context. We’re not in the Portugal camp. We don’t have any inside info as as to whether the Piers Morgan saga has affected something. (And if it hasn’t, then we’re speaking about a staff with a ridiculous quantity of expertise and potential.) All I’ll say is, if we’re speaking about Portugal as this event’s “Horrible Vibes Team” in just a few extra weeks — and each main event at all times has one — it would not be a lot of a shock.

Finishers ‘R’ Us. More from the “Last Dance for Aging Strikers” theme: Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani are each 35 years previous and certainly taking part in in their ultimate World Cup. They are amongst 5 Uruguay gamers with over 100 caps and 10 gamers aged 29 or older. They are a veteran squad with just a few key, younger items — forwards Darwin Nunez (Liverpool) and Facundo Pellistri (Manchester United), midfielder Fede Valverde (Real Madrid), defender Ronald Araujo (Barcelona) — and have been in fairly good kind in 2022.

If Portugal are in something lower than fifth gear, Uruguay may be the favourite to win the group.

Sonny’s staff. Here’s a enjoyable tie: Ronaldo’s previous teammate at Sporting CP, Paulo Bento, may find yourself knocking Ronaldo out if Portugal underachieve. Bento has been in cost in South Korea for greater than 4 years and has misplaced solely seven of 53 matches. They won’t have the defensive chops for a prolonged run in Qatar, however they’ve thrilling potential in assault due to the mixture of a face-masked Son Heung-min (Tottenham Hotspur) — he is coming off of a facial fracture — Hwang Hee-chan (Wolves), Hwang Ui-jo (Olympiacos), Jeong Woo-yeong (Freiburg) and maybe Lee Kang-in (Mallorca.)

Ghana’s subsequent technology. Like Cameroon, Ghana are a well-known face and shock qualifier. They hit a dreadful run of kind early in 2022, rapidly exiting the Africa Cup of Nations, however upset Nigeria to advance to Qatar.

Older faces like captain Andre Ayew (Al-Sadd), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace) and Thomas Partey (Arsenal) are nonetheless round, however youthful stars like Daniel-Kofi Kyereh (Freiburg) and new nationwide additions Inaki Williams (Athletic Club) and Tariq Lamptey (Brighton) have given a struggling staff a lift of upside. Can new faces assist to offer some improved outcomes?