The 2022 FIFA World cup in Qatar is set to become the most expensive edition ever as the reported cost of the whole tournament is a whopping amount of $220 Billion, which is approximately 19 times greater than the 2018 edition.
In terms of viewership, the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia witnessed 3.2 billion people (almost half of the world’s population) stream the tournament via TV or digital platforms and this number could go even higher in November-December.
The most anticipated tournament in the world of sports and the grandest stage of Football – The FIFA World Cup 2022 begins from 20 November with the final staged to take place on December 18. This year’s FIFA World cup will be the 6th edition of the 21st century and for the first time an Arab nation will be hosting it.
Since 2001, Brazil, Italy, Spain, Germany and France have been able to become the world champions and in a few months time we will be getting the 6th World champion of this century.
In this article, Sportzcraazy will discuss about the teams that can go all the way to the semi-finals of the FIFA World cup 2022 on the basis of their performances in the last 12-13 months, rankings, current form and achievements.
- Argentina – The reigning Copa America champions and 2-time FIFA World cup winners Argentina have consolidated a very strong team since their pre-mature exit from the 2018 FIFA World Cup. A lot has changed since 2018; certain players have retired while some have been ruled out from selection. There has been a managerial change as well and if we go by the stats, Lionel scaloni’s arrival has worked wonders for the Argentine team. Scaloni did what Diego Maradona, Alejandro Sabella and Jorge Sampaoli couldn’t do as head coach that is winning a trophy. Scaloni’s tactics is one of the major reasons why Argentina was able to win the Copa America after a wait of 28 years. Moreover, the Argentineans are currently on a run of 35 matches without a loss since 2019 and they are just 3 matches away from equaling Italy’s record of 38 unbeaten matches. This is an impressive stat going into the world cup and the La Albiceleste will look to continue their winning streak and eventually win the world cup. Argentina has plenty of attacking options in their team and they have a good mixture of youth as well as well-experienced players that are capable of changing the complexion of any given match. Players like Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez, Lautaro Martinez, Angel Di Maria, Angel Correa, Leandro Paredes and Rodrigo De Paul are all playing for top European clubs and they can cause problems to their opponents like they have been doing since 2019. 7 times Ballon D’or winner and Argentina’s number 10 Lionel Messi has scored 9 goals in his last 3 matches and his form is a massive plus point for the South Americans. Argentina’s defense looks solid too and they are serious contenders for reaching the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup later this year.
- Portugal – The 2016 UEFA Euro Champions have quality players in almost every single position and also have man to man replacements in case anyone gets injured. Portugal number 7 Cristiano Ronaldo could be playing his last FIFA world cup and he will hope to finish the colossal tournament on a high note. Portugal’s defense is perhaps one of the strongest in World football. They have solidity as well as innovation in their defenders like Ruben Dias, Nuno Mendes, Joao Cancelo, Diogo Dalot, Tiago Djalo and Alex Telles. All of them have good experience and know what it is like to play in high intensity matches. Creative midfielders like Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Neves, Vitinha, Joao Mario and Matheus Nunes can consistently provide goal scoring opportunities to forwards like Cristiano Ronaldo, Diogo Jota, Rafael Leao, Pedro Neto and Joao Felix. If the players don’t get injured then they have strong chances of not only qualifying for the Semi-finals but they can also end up playing in the finals. Their last 24 matches since 2021 have seen them win 14 matches. Head Coach Fernando Santos has managed the team to win 2 major European championships and he will be looking to add a world cup trophy as well.
- Brazil – The Brazilians are the most successful team in the history of FIFA World cup as they have won the tournament 5 times. In every edition of the FIFA world cup, Brazil is considered as favorites to win the tournament because of the type of players they produce. This year, the Brazil national team has got some seriously talented and established players like Vinicious Jr., Raphinha, Richarlison, Gabriel Jesus, Casemiro, Lucas Paqueta, Gabriel Martinelli, Rodrygo, Neymar Jr., Phillippe Coutinho and many more. The squad is filled with superstars that play regular football at top European clubs and have won several silverwares in the last 2 years. Eder Militao, Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Alex Sandro, Danilo, Renan Lodi can form a really fearsome defense and make it hard for the opposition to penetrate and create chances. They are also the number 1 team in the latest FIFA rankings. The Selecaos are undefeated in their last 7 matches and have scored 26 goals while conceding only 2. Neymar Jr. will be making his final world cup appearance later this year and he will look to enter the final stages of the tournament.
- Spain – The 2010 FIFA World Cup winners Spain are the fourth team that can possibly make its way into the Semi-Finals in Qatar. Ever since Luis Enrique took charge as the head coach, the team has been playing decently. The 52-year-old has maintained a winning percentage of 61.6% since his arrival in July 2018 following the world cup. The Spanish national team has got plenty of match winners in their team. They have a good combination of Young and highly experienced players who will be looking to make their presence felt in the World cup. The 2-time UEFA Euro champions have adapted to Enrique’s style of football, which is all about playing direct, quick transitions from defense to attack and lethal counter attacks. La Roja has got some really talented and capable youngsters in the form of Pedri, Gavi, Ferran Torres, Ansu Fati, Brian Gill Pau Torres, Nico Wiliams and Eric Garcia. They will be alongside highly experience player like Serigo Busquets, Dani Carvajal, Jordi Alba, Alvaro Morata, Rodri, Marco Asensio and Marcos Llorente. Under their current manager, Spain reached the Semi-Finals of the UEFA Euro 2021 and the Nations League final earlier this year but the La Roja had to suffer defeat on both occasions. If we look at their performance in the since March 2021, they played 24 matches and have been able to win 19 games.
How Long Sunil Chhetri will carry Indian football on his shoulders?
In every edition of the FIFA World cup, something new and unthinkable happens. In 2018, the Croatians were considered as a weak team but they surprised everyone when they reached the finals of the world cup. This year too we could see a few Dark horses who can prove every prediction wrong. Thus, it will be interesting to see how things unfold as the world cup begins in 53 days.
Also Read:- UEFA Nations League: Spain beat Portugal to clinch spot in Nations League semi-final
