The countdown to the Men’s FIFA World Cup in Qatar is well and truly on. 32 nations will compete for a chance to take home the highest international honour in football. This is a deep-dive into the top five contenders at the World Cup.
The FIFA World Cup has taken place every four years since being formed in 1930.
The winners list includes eight different countries, with Brazil topping the champions list a record five times. Can the South American heavyweight do it again or will one of the sport’s megastars – Messi or Ronaldo – finally win the tournament that has eluded them all these years? It is time to countdown the top five contenders.
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WHEN IS THE 2022 FIFA WORLD CUP? It will begin on Monday November 21, with Qatar taking on Ecuador at 3:00am AEDT. All games will be live on SBS.
CONTENDERS, ranked 5-1
5. Portugal
In what will be Cristiano Ronaldo’s last World Cup, Portugal are looking to win the tournament for the first time. After just making it into the tournament via the European qualifier playoffs, they are ready to re-create their 2016 Euro win. For the first time in a long time, Portugal will have good squad depth heading into the tournament; they will not have to rely solely on the efforts of CR7.
The Portuguese squad has been likened to the 2006 World Cup team, which included legends Luis Figo and Deco. This World Cup they will be led by Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva in the midfield, while Manchester City teammates Ruben Dias and Joao Cancelo will make up the defence.
Apart from Ronaldo, the player to watch is Joao Felix. Signing with Atletico Madrid in 2019 for seven years for a transfer fee of $220 million (approx.), Felix has failed to live up to expectations. That was until this season. The 23-year-old attacking threat has been both scoring and assisting goals at a decent clip, primed to provide key support to Ronaldo.
Despite having entered his twilight years, Ronaldo always performs in the Portuguese jersey. But as good as he is, he will need support from the rest of his teammates.
4. Germany
The four-time World Cup winners were the first nation to qualify for the tournament apart from host country Qatar. After being crowned champions 2014, they were unceremoniously knocked out of the group stage in 2018. With the shock exit, manager Hansi Flick has picked a very different team, consisting of a lot of young and emerging stars. Jamal Musiala, Thilo Kehrer and Karim Adeyemi are just a few of the players ready to ‘Flick’ the switch.
Since their uncharacteristic effort in 2018, they also went out early in the 2020 Euro, losing to England in the Round of 16. Since then however, Germany has managed to go on a winning streak in their 15 post-Euro matches; scoring 33 goals and conceding just two across World Cup Qualifiers and Nations League encounters.
Under the guidance of Hansi Flick, Germany has a point to prove in Qatar and will feel as much pressure as any of the contenders.
Out of all the young players in Germany’s squad, the player to watch is 19-year old Bayern Munich midfielder Jamal Musiala. Since debuting in 2020, he has already made 71 appearances for Bayern and 17 appearances for the national team. He has continuously proved he is worthy of a starting spot, as an attacking midfielder. Having played for England in his youth from the ages of Under 15s to Under 21s, he is accustomed to performing on the big stage ahead of his first World Cup.
3. France
The reigning world champions are looking to go back-to-back in Qatar. On paper, France has the strongest all-round team and features an impressively versatile squad. From the Hernandez brothers in defence to Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann up top, France are hoping to defeat the World Cup winners curse. Since 2010, the winner of the previous World Cup has gone on to get knocked out in the group stage. After going out in the Round of 16 in the 2020 Euro, they managed to bounce back and win the Nations League. Heading into the tournament in good form, they are one of the favourites.
Unfortunately, they have suffered two huge blows in the lead-up to the tournament. Elite midfielders Ngolo Kante and Paul Pogba will not make the trip to Qatar. After both suffering injuries, coach Didier Deschampes has decided to not take the risk and include them in the squad. As they sit out, it is time for the younger players to step-up and cement their spot in the French national side.
The key player to watch is current Ballon D’or and Champions League winner Karim Benzema. The Real Madrid superstar has hit the best form of his life at age 34. He will provide France with a target up front and will be ready to finish off whatever opportunities are created. Fans should also keep their eye on Benzema’s club teammate Eduardo Camavinga. The 19-year old sensation has transformed into a superstar since joining the La Liga giants. As Kante and Pogba miss the World Cup, he is looking to take their spot and control the midfield.
2. Argentina
The reigning Copa America winners are looking to complete Lionel Messi’s trophy cabinet. The World Cup is the only award that has eluded the Argentinian superstar. It was a maiden Copa crown last year for Messi, but will the stars align in Qatar? The South American nation has played excellent football in the lead-up to the tournament, but have been unable to defeat a significant European nation.
In his last World Cup, all eyes will be on Messi whenever he touches the ball. The fans will be expecting the 34-year old to deliver a glimpse of magic every time he has the ball at his feet. However, Messi can’t do it all on his own. The final 26-man squad consists of a range of veterans and younger promising players. Nicolas Otamendi and Angel Di Maria will provide the team with leadership and experience. While, Cristian Romero and Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez will showcase their talents in this feature tournament for the first time.
Having missed out on representing Argentina in Russia 2018, Lautaro Martinez has made himself the future of Argentina football. Since debuting for Inter Milan in 2018, he has appeared for them 150 times, scoring 65 goals. He possesses a range of good dribbling skill, clinical accuracy on goal and physical strength to get past opposing defenders. As the pressure continues to mount on Messi to perform, Martinez comes into the tournament with no expectations and can back up Messi in attack; a perfect storm.
1. Brazil
The clear favourites of the World Cup are looking to extend their record of most World Cup wins in Qatar. They’re coming off a disappointing campaign in 2018, eliminated in the Quarter Final stage. But Brazil have only been defeated twice since September 2019. One of these defeats occurred in the Copa America, losing to Argentina in the final. However, they have managed to win an impressive 25 games.
Currently second in the FIFA World Rankings, Brazil is ready to once again feel World Cup glory. They will do what they do best and that is attack, attack, attack. The squad boasts a plethora of options from clubs around the world. This includes Neymar from PSG, Gabriel Jesus from Arsenal and Raphinha from Barcelona. And for the first time in a while, their defense and midfield consists of elite superstar players as well; ingredients that have been lacking for them in previous World Cups. If the whole can equal the sum of its parts, no country in the world will beat them.
Although all eyes will be on Neymar this tournament, the player to watch is Champions League winner and fellow attacker Vinicius Jr. Since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale at Real Madrid, Vinicius Jr. has led the team on the outer flanks. Only 22 years old, he is not only capable of scoring goals, but has been useful providing assists as well. If the opposition tries to double-up Neymar when he has the ball, Vinicius Jr will become the most valuable player on the pitch; possessing versatility and a dynamic style of play.
Only Sports will continue producing plenty of FIFA World Cup content.
