The 2022 Qatar World Cup : Who Are The Best Teams?
Next year’s World Cup will be a tournament like no other. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place in December 2022 in Qatar for the first time in history. For a start, it is taking place at a different time of year to every World Cup that has gone before it. Not only that, but it will also happen in what will be mid-season for most of the key players involved.
How this will affect the tournament, only time will tell. Even with those factors in play, we still think that the below list will be the key teams involved in the business end of Qatar 2022. Here we update all the teams that have qualified for the World Cup and will be going to Qatar in November 2022.
Germany
Is it even a World Cup if somebody is not writing an article tipping Germany to go all the way and win the tournament? They were the first European side to confirm their qualification and they look like a side ready to play themselves into contention for another trophy.
Italy
Italy may have just won the Euros, but there are some questions hanging over this side, particularly on their defence. The likes of Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci aren’t getting any younger and the side did recently lose their impressive 37 game unbeaten streak against Spain in the Nations League. That being said, this is an incredible team, with an impressive manager in Roberto Mancini. Update: The team were eliminated from the competition having been beaten by North Macedonia in the playoffs. One of the favourites to win the competition are not even involved.
England
Is football finally coming home? Who knows, but England do have an excellent side full of star players. That being said, Harry Kane is their star man and he hasn’t looked himself since being forced to stay at Tottenham during the last transfer window. If they are going to repeat their performance in the Euros and reach the final, he will have to be back to his best. See availability of all England National Football tickets here.
Spain
Spain is knocking on the door, with a team that holds some of the best young players in world football. Pedri would make any starting 11 out there and when Ferran Torres is on form, there is no stopping him. They fell just short in the recent Nations League final, but that may be the opening act for their efforts at this, their main event.
France
France picked up another trophy, defeating the Spanish in the Nations League final. When this team is on song, they are unstoppable. The likes of Pogba, Mbappe and Benzema, seem to have found a rhythm that will be difficult to stop at next years’ World Cup.
Belgium
Very few sides hold the star power that Belgium has. That being said, they have flattered to deceive at tournaments, consistently being knocked out before the final. If Qatar is to be different, then they’ll have to figure out a way to combine both Hazards, De Bruyne and Lukaku to good effect.
Portugal
Ronaldo would love to add the World Cup to his illustrious list of accolades. Portugal has been decent in qualifiers, but not brilliant. They were lucky to beat both Serbia and the Republic of Ireland. At the same time, you would not rule out the Man Utd man and his side from surprising us all.
Brazil
With more World Cup trophies than any other nation, it would take a fool to rule out Brazil on the list of potential winners. With Neymar and company, they will compete with any side. The Liverpool triple threat of Firmino, Fabinho and Alisson also gives them a solid spine that is used to playing together and winning.
Argentina
In what could be Messi’s last ever tournament, Argentina stand out as an interesting side. On paper, they may not have the star power that they used to have, but they did win the last Copa America and they have something to fight for in this, the last World Cup of their talismanic hero.
We don’t know who’ll pick up the trophy, but for our money, it will be one of the sides listed above.
