It has been more than 4 years since France was proclaimed World Champion in the Russia 2018 World Cup achieving a great victory against Croatia in the final. This means that, as we all know, we are in the year of the World Cup and, unlike usual, this time it will not be played in July due to the extreme temperatures that the host country has during those months.
It is the first time in history that a World Cup will be played in Qatar, and as we mentioned, due to the high temperatures in summer in this country, the World Cup was postponed to November and December.
The opening match of the Qatar 2022 World Cup will be on Sunday, November 20, 2022, between Qatar and Ecuador, and will be played at the Al Bait Stadium. From this day until December 2, we will have the actions of the group stage. Then, we will have the following schedule:
- Round of 16: December 3 – 6
- Quarterfinals: December 9 – 10
- Semifinals: December 13 – 14
- 3rd – 4th Fourth place: December 17
- Grand Final: December 18
As always, the best 32 teams of the world’s best countries will meet in this Qatar 2022 World Cup, which will be into 8 groups of 4 teams.
In the group stage, the teams that finish first and second in each group will advance to the round of 16.
The groups for the Qatar 2022 World Cup
- Group A: Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal, Netherlands.
- Group B: England, Iran, United States, Wales.
- Group C: Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland.
- Group D: France, Australia, Denmark, Tunisia.
- Group E: Spain, Costa Rica, Germany, Japan.
- Group F: Belgium, Canada, Morocco, Croatia.
- Group G: Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon.
- Group H: Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay, South Korea.
Group of death
The World Cup draw has a lot of balance in the groups. This has made it difficult for some specialists and fans to determine the “group of death”.
But, without a doubt, the group that most journalists and media have agreed on as the Group of Death is Group E, which has two teams that have been world champions, Spain and Germany, the maximum winner of the Asian Cup, Japan, and one of the most important teams in CONCACAF, Costa Rica.
Both the Germans and the Spaniards arrived at this World Cup with rejuvenated squads, with young players who are stars in their teams such as Pedri and Kai Havertz but led by the experience of Sergio Busquets and Toni Kroos.
Undoubtedly, Costa Rica and Japan are seen as the underdogs in this group, but we must remember that in Brazil in 2014, Costa Rica advanced as the leader of the Group of Death where teams like Italy, England, and Uruguay were included.
Favorites to win the World Cup
In many bookmakers, we can see how the favorites to win the Qatar 2022 World Cup are already beginning to emerge. It is worth remembering that all World Cups are different and anything can happen in them, if not, let’s ask Brazil in the World Cup held in their country in 2014 when they were crushed by Germany with a terrible 1-7 in the semifinals.
Now, for this edition, we have several teams that could win the champion’s trophy, and we will show them to you below (the source of the Odds is CBS):
- Brazil (+400)
The Brazilian soccer team is currently the best in the world by the FIFA World Ranking and the most likely to win the championship trophy.
- France (+600)
As reigning champions, France hopes to retain its title won in 2018, with a player base virtually unchanged from 4 years ago. However, they’ll have to deal with the World Cup champions’ curse.
- Argentina (+650)
Argentina was the last Copa America champion and, what seems to be Leo Messi’s “Last Dance” in the national team, could be the ideal moment for them to become champions.
- England (+700)
In recent years, the English national team has proven to be at a highly competitive level, reaching the final of Euro 2021 and achieving several important victories in the Nations League.
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- Spain (+800)
Spain has been going through a generational change since some time ago, with names like Pique, Ramos, Busquets, Alba, and more, losing spaces in front of the likes of García, Laporte, Rodri, and Gayá. It has taken time, but they are looking solid once again
- Germany (+1000)
The Germans come with a solid team but lack options in the center of the attack, as Timmo Werner has not shown his best face in that position and he is injured. They rely upon the leadership of their captain Ilkay Gündogan and figures such as Kimmich, Sané, and Gnabry. Manuel Neuer is still in doubt, and in his absent Ter Stegen will be the first choice.
- Belgium (+1200)
The Belgium national team has been the rising star of the last decade, putting itself in front of the five European greats. However, their golden generation started to grow old, and now they lack quality options in defense.
- Portugal (+1200)
Many have dreamed of seeing Cristiano Ronaldo rising a World Cup in his hands, but Portugal keeps staying a little far from the task, not even reaching a semi-final with the Astro. This will be his last chance, and many hope that his teammates help him.
Dark Horses of the World Cup
As we have mentioned, the most important teams that have shown the best level in their respective regions are coming to this World Cup, so we will be watching the best of the best. But there are always some teams that could surprise, as Croatia did in Russia 2018 reaching the final, so we will give you a list of the teams that could surprise in this edition of the World Cup.
- Netherlands (+1200)
- Denmark (+2800)
- Croatia (+5000)
Major absentees at the Qatar 2022 World Cup
Speaking of absences, we can highlight some selections and, the most important ones, players who will miss this World Cup due to different circumstances.
Teams:
- Italy
- Colombia
- Chile
- Perú
- Ivory Coast
Players:
- Mohamed Salah – Egypt
- Erling Haaland – Norway
- N’Golo Kanté, Raphael Varane and Paul Pogba – France – Injuries
- Diogo Jota – Portugal – Injury
- Timo Werner and Manuel Neuer (in doubt) – Germany – Injury
- Georginio Wijnaldum – Netherlands – Injury
- Reece James – England – Injury
- Ronald Araújo – Uruguay – Injury
- Kalvin Phillips and Ben Chilwell (in doubt) – England – Injury
- Heung Min Son (in doubt) – Korea- Injury
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