HEAVYWEIGHT clashes, old rivalries and new ones too.
The draw for the group stages for Qatar 2022 World Cup has been completed and all the teams that are expected to progress have had a good draw.
To me, the hardest group seems to be the group with Portugal, (Group H). There is no pushover here, while Portugal are strong favourites to top this group, they need to be very careful, Ghana, South Korea and Uruguay are all tough teams and Portugal may have a lot of work to do. This in all likelihood is Christiano Ronaldo’s last World Cup.
The 2022 World Cup Group:
During this century the Europeans have dominated and has won all but one of the world cups that were played. Only in 2002 did Brazil with the original Ronaldo and Ronaldinho were able to lift the trophy. Even in 2014 when Brazil hosted, Germany was able to defeat Argentina in the final and lift the trophy.
World Cup Winners this century:
2002 – Brazil
2006- Italy
2010- Spain
2014- Germany
2018- France
So, can the South American drought be broken in Qatar?
Group A – Holland, Ecuador, Senegal and Qatar.
Only South Africa in 2010 was the only host nation to miss out on going to the second round. All others have progressed. Qatar faces a heavy task and may find it impossible to overcome any of the teams in this group.
Qatar qualified directly and did not play to earn a place in the finals. They were part of the Gold Cup in 2021 and made the semifinals but lost to the USA.
Holland are a rejuvenated team under Louis Van Gaal and boast a young and talented bunch.
Senegal are the reigning African champions and certainly have all the boxes ticked – speed, endurance, skill and a good defence. They will be difficult to topple and do not be surprised if this is the Cinderella team of the tournament.
Group prediction order: Senegal, Holland, Ecuador, Qatar.
Group B- England, USA, Iran, (Wales, Scotland or Ukraine)
England have had a good time in international football in the last couple of years – semifinals at the 2018 world cup and beaten finalist in the last European championship. England are sure to progress from this group – the others will have to fight for second place. The USA have not been in the best of form in the last four years and may find it hard to progress.
Iran will be a team to watch and is my pick for the second spot. They are a well-drilled team with lots of experience and they do have goal scorers.
Group prediction order: England, Iran, USA, (Wales, Scotland or Ukraine).
Group C- Argentina, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Poland
This may well be Lionel’s Messi last world cup too and we all wish him to win this trophy. I am certainly rooting for Argentina. The “world’s greatest player” must put his genius on this trophy. This team have all the qualities and the one missing ingredient for the last ten years – unity and a willingness to play for Messi.
Mexico is a shadow of the great CONCACAF sides of the past. While I expect them to qualify for the next round, I feel that will be as far as they can reach in this tournament. This is probably the weakest that our region has ever been in world football for the last 30 years. The Saudis are a competent side as well as Poland but it will be too much to ask to progress.
Group order prediction: Argentina, Mexico, Poland, Saudi Arabia.
Group D – France, Denmark, Tunisia and (Australia or Peru)
France have the problem that all nations wished they had – who do we leave out? The talent at their disposal is so tremendous that they can be the first team since Brazil to repeat as champions, with Argentina in 1990 being as close as anyone has gotten since Brazil’s amazing feat.
Denmark is a solid team and should do very well even against France. Tunisia will not be pretty to look at but their football is solid and tough. This group will be closer than you expect and France have to avoid draws in order to progress. Hopefully, the champion’s curse is broken.
Group order prediction: Denmark, France, Tunisia, (Australia or Peru).
Group E – Spain, Germany, Japan and (Costa Rica or New Zealand)
This seems a fairly straight group. Japan can be a serious threat to all teams in this group. The two European powerhouses have not been at their best and the Japanese speed and organisation can be a huge difference. In the past, the referees have had many a hand in knocking out Asian teams. Let us hope this time it is different.
Group prediction: Germany, Japan, Spain, (Costa Rica or New Zealand).
Group F – Belgium, Canada, Morocco and Croatia.
This group is not as easy as it seems. On paper, Belgium and Croatia can do the business but Morocco is not to be underestimated. Age will be a factor and as the two of the oldest teams – Belgium and Croatia – in the tournament it will be difficult for them to reach the semifinals again.
Morocco has a lot of talent and skill. The only issue here is – can they play as a team?
Group prediction order: Croatia, Belgium, Morocco, Canada.
Group G – Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon.
The World Cup of 1966 marks the only time Brazil has failed to exit the group stages. It is more than certain that Brazil will to this group and the fight is for second place. Switzerland will be the biggest test for Brazil and should qualify along with them.
The question is can Neymar overcome his childish behaviour and turn in the performances that can win a world cup? Can Neymar do better than Messi and Ronaldo and lift the cup?
Group H – Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay and the Korean Republic
I have already said that this group is a tough one as any of these teams can top this group. It is good to see Ronaldo in his final world cup. After this, we will not be graced with either Messi or him.
Group order prediction: Portugal, Uruguay, South Korea and Ghana.
In conclusion, this will be a wonderful world cup. The teams are more evenly matched than ever before and it may be a champion from another continent outside of Europe or South America. Maybe it is finally the turn of Africa or Asia.
So, follow me as I begin a series leading to the greatest sporting event in the world, exclusively on AZP News.
Predictions for World Cup 2022
By Gerald Lutchman
HEAVYWEIGHT clashes, old rivalries and new ones too.
The draw for the group stages for Qatar 2022 World Cup has been completed and all the teams that are expected to progress have had a good draw.
To me, the hardest group seems to be the group with Portugal, (Group H). There is no pushover here, while Portugal are strong favourites to top this group, they need to be very careful, Ghana, South Korea and Uruguay are all tough teams and Portugal may have a lot of work to do. This in all likelihood is Christiano Ronaldo’s last World Cup.
The 2022 World Cup Group:
During this century the Europeans have dominated and has won all but one of the world cups that were played. Only in 2002 did Brazil with the original Ronaldo and Ronaldinho were able to lift the trophy. Even in 2014 when Brazil hosted, Germany was able to defeat Argentina in the final and lift the trophy.
World Cup Winners this century:
So, can the South American drought be broken in Qatar?
Group A – Holland, Ecuador, Senegal and Qatar.
Only South Africa in 2010 was the only host nation to miss out on going to the second round. All others have progressed. Qatar faces a heavy task and may find it impossible to overcome any of the teams in this group.
Qatar qualified directly and did not play to earn a place in the finals. They were part of the Gold Cup in 2021 and made the semifinals but lost to the USA.
Holland are a rejuvenated team under Louis Van Gaal and boast a young and talented bunch.
Senegal are the reigning African champions and certainly have all the boxes ticked – speed, endurance, skill and a good defence. They will be difficult to topple and do not be surprised if this is the Cinderella team of the tournament.
Group prediction order: Senegal, Holland, Ecuador, Qatar.
Group B- England, USA, Iran, (Wales, Scotland or Ukraine)
England have had a good time in international football in the last couple of years – semifinals at the 2018 world cup and beaten finalist in the last European championship. England are sure to progress from this group – the others will have to fight for second place. The USA have not been in the best of form in the last four years and may find it hard to progress.
Iran will be a team to watch and is my pick for the second spot. They are a well-drilled team with lots of experience and they do have goal scorers.
Group prediction order: England, Iran, USA, (Wales, Scotland or Ukraine).
Group C- Argentina, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Poland
This may well be Lionel’s Messi last world cup too and we all wish him to win this trophy. I am certainly rooting for Argentina. The “world’s greatest player” must put his genius on this trophy. This team have all the qualities and the one missing ingredient for the last ten years – unity and a willingness to play for Messi.
Mexico is a shadow of the great CONCACAF sides of the past. While I expect them to qualify for the next round, I feel that will be as far as they can reach in this tournament. This is probably the weakest that our region has ever been in world football for the last 30 years. The Saudis are a competent side as well as Poland but it will be too much to ask to progress.
Group order prediction: Argentina, Mexico, Poland, Saudi Arabia.
Group D – France, Denmark, Tunisia and (Australia or Peru)
France have the problem that all nations wished they had – who do we leave out? The talent at their disposal is so tremendous that they can be the first team since Brazil to repeat as champions, with Argentina in 1990 being as close as anyone has gotten since Brazil’s amazing feat.
Denmark is a solid team and should do very well even against France. Tunisia will not be pretty to look at but their football is solid and tough. This group will be closer than you expect and France have to avoid draws in order to progress. Hopefully, the champion’s curse is broken.
Group order prediction: Denmark, France, Tunisia, (Australia or Peru).
Group E – Spain, Germany, Japan and (Costa Rica or New Zealand)
This seems a fairly straight group. Japan can be a serious threat to all teams in this group. The two European powerhouses have not been at their best and the Japanese speed and organisation can be a huge difference. In the past, the referees have had many a hand in knocking out Asian teams. Let us hope this time it is different.
Group prediction: Germany, Japan, Spain, (Costa Rica or New Zealand).
Group F – Belgium, Canada, Morocco and Croatia.
This group is not as easy as it seems. On paper, Belgium and Croatia can do the business but Morocco is not to be underestimated. Age will be a factor and as the two of the oldest teams – Belgium and Croatia – in the tournament it will be difficult for them to reach the semifinals again.
Morocco has a lot of talent and skill. The only issue here is – can they play as a team?
Group prediction order: Croatia, Belgium, Morocco, Canada.
Group G – Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon.
The World Cup of 1966 marks the only time Brazil has failed to exit the group stages. It is more than certain that Brazil will to this group and the fight is for second place. Switzerland will be the biggest test for Brazil and should qualify along with them.
The question is can Neymar overcome his childish behaviour and turn in the performances that can win a world cup? Can Neymar do better than Messi and Ronaldo and lift the cup?
Group H – Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay and the Korean Republic
I have already said that this group is a tough one as any of these teams can top this group. It is good to see Ronaldo in his final world cup. After this, we will not be graced with either Messi or him.
Group order prediction: Portugal, Uruguay, South Korea and Ghana.
In conclusion, this will be a wonderful world cup. The teams are more evenly matched than ever before and it may be a champion from another continent outside of Europe or South America. Maybe it is finally the turn of Africa or Asia.
So, follow me as I begin a series leading to the greatest sporting event in the world, exclusively on AZP News.