Lights! Cameras!! Sportswashing!!!
We’re finally here. It’s taken us a dozen years, FBI investigations, suspensions, annulled suspensions. Summer promises. And Winter truths. But the 2022 FIFA World Cup is finally about to happen. Thank goodness, as six weeks from now, it will be all be over, and the World Cup will never be hosted by oppressive states that punishes immigrants and jails protesters ever again. Never.
But this isn’t about the political undertone, or overtone, of Qatar 2022; we’ll leave that for the western media and then the actual journalists. Rather, this is a ranking of all the participants, in ascending order, of who’s likely to win the World Cup when the music stops on December 18:
32. Ghana
After missing out in 2018, Ghana are back on the world stage after seeing out neighbours Nigeria on away goals in the CAF play-offs. But all is far from well for the Black Stars; so much so that the result in Lagos can be seen as an anomaly. They had a thoroughly disappointing African Cup of Nations tournament in January, which led to the appointment of former defender Otto Addo ahead of the World Cup play-offs. The lowest-ranked of the 32 teams in the tournament (61), the days of being quarter-finalists in South Africa have become faint in the memory, and in a group containing Uruguay, Portugal, and South Korea, an early exit is expected.
31. Australia
Like with Ghana, it’s not quite rosy in the Australian camp. Since replacing Bert van Marwijk in 2018, Graham Arnold – the record-breaking A-League manager – has fluttered between being under pressure and earning some respite in the past four years. They needed the intercontinental playoffs to see off Peru in qualifying, and in their past four appearances in the tournament, they’ve only gone past the group stage once. Don’t bet on this being the second.
30. Saudi Arabia
The second-lowest ranked team to have qualified for Qatar 2022, Saudi Arabia are under the tutelage of Herve Renard, who has a reputation for success on the African soil, but has never translated those riches beyond those shores, with underwhelming stints at Auxerre, and a disappointing World Cup showing with Morocco in 2018. Tending to be overly relaint on Salem Al Dawsari up front, they will be the least fancied side in Group C, and with good reason.
29. Costa Rica
Costa Rica saw off New Zealand in an intercontinental play-off to make a third World Cup in a row. But despite the improvements under Luis Fernando Suarez (8 wins in 11 games), and the injection of youth into the team, Los Ticos are still reliant on their old guard, who thrilled in 2014, but were brought back down to earth four years after. Keylor Navas is far and beyond their best player, but the goalkeeper has spent most of the past two years on Paris St. Germain’s bench, and is a fitness doubt. If Costa Rica get past a group that involves former champions Spain and Germany, it would be an even bigger shock than 2014.
28. Qatar
Hosts Qatar are in their first ever World Cup, have never been higher than 42nd place in the world rankings, and, when announcement was made in 2010, were touted by many to be only the second host nation to fail to go beyond the group stage, and probably still are. But The Maroon are no duds, having won the Asian Cup in 2019, participated in the Copa America, and reached the semi-finals of the Gold Cup since Felix Sanchez took over in 2017. They haven’t quite cut their teeth on the world stage, but Qatar have garnered enough international experience to not look so out of place at home. Start well against Ecuador, and the possibility of the knockout stage gets real.
27. Japan
Japan have built themselves as a bastion of consistency of World Cup appearances, having never missed one since 1998. Coached by former midfielder Hajime Moriyasu, the Samurai Blue have made a habit of switching between Last 16 appearances and bottom-of-the-group finishes in the World Cup since 1998. Japan have crafted a more youthful side since the last World Cup, but still struggle up front. They reached the Last 16 in 2018 – suffering that cruel defeat to Belgium – and the stats and presence of Spain and Germany might mean their tournament likely ends after three games.
26. Tunisia
Jalel Kadri has made no secret of his ambition with the Carthage Eagles. After being promoted from assistant to head coach following January’s AFCON, Kadri oversaw the play-off win over Mali to get to Qatar. Such is his sense of confidence over this side that he has spoken of resigning if Tunisia don’t make the Last 16, and they will fancy their chances in Group D.
25. South Korea
For South Korea, there is some sweat over the fitness and form of star man Heung-Min Son, who didn’t play for Spurs in the final month before the break, and hasn’t met last season’s high standards yet. There’s no doubt what their captain and talisman brings to Paulo Bento’s side, and they’ll need him fit and firing if they’re to make it past Group H.
24. Iran
Iran are in a third successive World Cup. But unlike 2014 and 2018, they’re not there because of Carlos Queiroz; rather he’s there because of them. Queiroz is still the key figure in how far they can go, though, and his ability to make Team Melli solid is why they’ve entered the final group games of the past two tournaments with a fighting chance of making the last 16. Their chances haven’t been made any easier this time around, having being drawn with England, Wales, and USA.
23. Morocco
Whether on the African front, or the international scene, Morocco have spent much of this century flattering to deceive. Since reaching the AFCON final in 2004, the Atlas Lions haven’t reached the Last 8, and on the world stage, their first World Cup in 20 years (2018) saw an underwhelming outing, where they lost to Iran, and finished with just a point. Under Walid Regragui, the talented Hakim Ziyech has returned to the national fold, after his fallout with previous manager Valid Halihodzic, although he’s barely appeared for Chelsea this season. This is a talented squad, in a relatively open group, but the absence of Amine Harit could be telling.
22. Ecuador
Things were not looking in good shape for Ecuador until Gustavo Alfaro came in. Spells of Hernan Dario Gomez, Jorge Celico, and Jordi Cruyff didn’t do much on the pitch, but the former Atletico de Rafaela manager came in and introduced some young blood into the squad, and led them to the World Cup; albeit with the tiny Byron David Castillo controversy. Led by young talents like Moises Caicedo and Pierro Hincapie, and pitted in Group A, Ecuador won’t be shy to aim for the next round. Start with a win against hosts Qatar, and so much is possible.
21. Poland
Poland have qualified for a fourth tournament in a row. Yet, they’ve barely produced any conviction in three previous tournaments proper. The discussion of a team being overtly reliant on Robert Lewandowski might be a touch overblown, but the skipper has scored 45% of all their tournament goals since EURO 2012. Coach Czeslaw Michniewicz is charged with fashioning a more rounded team, and taking them past the group phase, a feat they haven’t achieved since 1986.
20. Wales
After decades of failing to make their way into international tournaments proper, Wales have now qualified for three of the last four, booking a first World Cup appearance in over 60 years after play-off victory against Ukraine. The Dragons have created a reputation of defying expectations in the Euros of the past, and Rob Page hopes his men will carry that sense of adventure onto the world stage.
19. Cameroon
For Cameroon, ambition is not lacking. Legendary former striker Samuel Eto’o has put down his country as one of the teams likely to win the World Cup, and there is a sense of – if not expectation – optimism surrounding the side coached by Rigobert Song, the most capped player in the history of the nation. A tough group with Brazil, Serbia, and Switzerland is their reward for beating Algeria in the play-offs, but for the first time in a while, Cameroon go into the World Cup without a sense of utter dread.
18. Mexico
Since 1994, Mexico have been the bastion of World Cup consistency; they’ve always made it out of their group, but never past the Last 16. For fans, that ‘fifth game’ remains their elusive prize, but there isn’t that much optimism back home about this tournament. Mexico will go into the World Cup without some significant experienced figures of past tournaments, and Raul Jimenez still hasn’t found his pre-injury form, which doesn’t bode well for their attack.
17. USA
After failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, the first tournament without them since 1986, the USA needed a shakeup. They found one in former defender Gregg Berhalter, who has since reshuffled the old guard and brought in youth since his appointment in 2018. The USA can boast an energetic side that involves the likes of Tyler Adams, Timothy Weah, Weston McKennie, and Sergino Dest, led by relative veteran Christian Pulisic, who’s still only 23. The lack of experience, though, might tell, particularly if they find themselves in the latter stages.
16. Serbia
For Serbia, the plan is simple: Attack. It’s this daring and uncowering style that led Dragan Stojkovic’s side to victory against Portugal in their final qualifying group game, which brought them here. Serbia are once again pitted against Brazil and Switzerland, two teams they faced and lost to in 2018, and have players who possess the quality and the form to make getting past the group phase a realistic plan.
15. Canada
For coach John Herdman, the aim is for Canada to be taken seriously as a footballing side – become a ‘legit football country’. And what better way to do that than steamrolling through CONCACAF qualifying, where they lost none of their first 11 games, and only suffered defeat after qualification was wrapped up. Canada have a squad with talent and immense potential; but more importantly, they have a manager capable of making a side look solid and formidable. They’re very inexperienced in terms of tournament football, but this youthful team should fear no one.
14. Switzerland
If the win against Spain in autumn showed anything, it’s that Switzerland are transitioning from solid team to attacking outfit under Murat Yakin. It’s that approach that earned them qualification to the World Cup at the expense of Italy, and qualification to the Nations League finals next summer. For so long, particularly under Vladimir Petkovic, the Swiss have exhibited traits of a side whose attacking sense is being stifled. Now, it looks to be set free, and who knows how far that might take them?
13. Senegal
Senegal have been riding on a wave lately, and can lay claim to be the best team in Africa right now, after finally securing a first AFCON title earlier this year. But Sadio Mane’s injury has thrown a huge spanner in their works. ‘A lion cannot be afraid’, said Senegal Head of State Macky Sall of the team, and the Teranga Lions, in successive World Cups for the first time in their history. still possess a formidable squad, with or without Mane (though his impact is immeasurable), and a great manager to go with it. The first game against the Netherlands has the potential to make Group A dicey for the African champions, but Senegal should fear no one right now.
12. Belgium
Shocking position? Maybe. But all is not well regarding Belgium’s golden generation, which is not so much approaching its last chance in Qatar as it slowly fading away. A kind of staleness has set in, the defence is old and slow, and there are key players who are struggling for form or fitness, or both. Asides Kevin de Bruyne, their best player at the moment is Leandro Trossard, but there’s every chance he’s dropped for skipper Eden Hazard, who’s struggled for games with Real Madrid. Facing three teams in the group stage with rapid attackers won’t bode well for an ageing backline. The quality remains, of course, but there are warning signs for this squad.
11. Portugal
Yes, really. 11th. Portugal have an undoubtedly talented squad, so much so that there are some players unlucky to be left out, and that the injured Diogo Jota might not be missed. But there are still questions about whether Fernando Santos is best equipped to manager this side. And there’s the issue of their star man and skipper having dropped a bombshell interview about Manchester United in the lead up to the tournament, setting off rumours of discontent in the national setup. Portugal have a talisman whose sheer willpower could take them far in Qatar, or whose ego could see them collapse. Anything is possible.
10. Uruguay
There was a touch of sadness in the football world when Uruguay sacked veteran manager Oscar Tabarez, after 16 years in charge. But La Celeste’s World Cup hopes were hanging in the balance when they ditched Tabarez for former Atletico Madrid and Malaga striker Diego Alonso. Four wins in four helped set them on their way to Qatar, and helped Alonso gain a foothold as head coach, and while veterans Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani are still key men, this is a squad that has gone through a significant shakeup and added some young blood lately.
9. Croatia
For Croatia, a lot still goes through Luka Modric, which might be a tad worrying as he’s closer to 40 than 30. But make no mistake, their talisman still possesses the ability to dominate the middle of the pitch, and if age has slowed him down physically, it hasn’t mentally. Plus, he has hardworking and ball-winning midfielders to do much of the running around in the middle if he can’t. And therein lies the reason the 2018 World Cup finalists can’t be discounted. They have experienced and complement them with youth, particularly the likes of Joskvo Gvardiol and Josip Sutalo in defence. They remain a thoroughly capable side, and will harbour expectations of going far in Qatar.
8. Denmark
Denmark have all the makings of a World Cup dark horse. They qualified for the tournament with 9 wins out of 10 group games. They have a talented in-form squad, so much so that they finished their Nations League campaign with a comfortable win over France, and were unlucky not to qualify for next summer’s finals. Kasper Hjulmand’s side have been making strides since he took over, having reached the Euros semis last year. With Christian Eriksen in the middle, and formidable attacking wing-backs, the Danes have what it takes enter the final week of the tournament
7. England
England were semi-finalists in the last World Cup, and then reached the Euros final, before losing on penalties. Yet, they go into this tournament with less faith in them than the previous two. Form has dipped for the European finalists, and some form of staleness has set in to match the sterility under Gareth Southgate. England no longer look as effective as they have done for much of Southgate’s tenure, and the allegations that they look significantly second-best against quality and tactically drilled opponents haven’t gone away. They still have eyes on a long tournament in Qatar, but beset by injuries, and with key players off form, what happens is anyone’s guess.
6. Germany
Germany’s improvements under Hansi Flick has been notable, particularly in comparison to the final years of Joachim Low. But conviction is still lacking; they come into the tournament with only two wins in 2022, and one in their last seven games. Flick has injected some freshness into this squad, but while improvements have been undeniable, they haven’t marked them out as formidable as they have looked in the past.
5. Netherlands
This is surely Louis van Gaal’s last act as manager, and his last tenure as manager of the Dutch team showed a man capable of making a side look better than the sum of its parts. The opposite was the case in the Euros, where the Netherlands won three out of three group games, but never convinced, and crumbled at the first sign of discomfort against Czech Republic in the first knockout game. The dip in form from Virgil van Dijk isn’t helpful, neither is a line-up of inexperienced goalkeepers, but they’ve looked significantly better, particularly without the ball, than they have done in the past few years.
4. France
Every tournament, France demonstrate the potential star players to go far, or potential disagreeing egos to go home early. And this is no different. Talk of squad unrest and conspiracy theories may have died down, but the holders haven’t had it smooth sailing lately. They had a torrid Nations League showing, will be without the midfield that won them the World Cup in 2018, and could potentially lose the in-form Karim Benzema. This is still a talented squad, particularly up front, but the midfield will make for interesting watch, with a significant lack of experience in that area.
3. Spain
It’s the dichotomy of Spain that they could well rank 3rd or 14th in this list. Under Luis Enrique, Spain have the look and feel of a league team. Luis Enrique is committed to players who fit the current tactical structure of his team ahead of anything else, even form at times, and Spain remain more likely to grow into a tournament than set the pace in it. Getting out of the group might be trickier than expected, but they get out of the group and there’s a distinct possibility of going all the way.
2. Brazil
One probably says this a lot in almost every World Cup, but Brazil feel imperious right now. They qualified top of the CONMEBOL section, unbeaten, bagging 13 clean sheets and setting the record for most points on the way. Just as important, this is a side with the talent and responsibility more spread out. It’s not all on Neymar’s shoulders anymore, and Tite having the longest single spell as manager shows stability and growth in the national setup. You could argue they should be top of this power ranking…
1. Argentina
…But Brazil’s rivals Argentina are just as in the mood as Brazil are. It’s not that Argentina have an untouchable setup – they have a strong one, anyway. It’s that, for the first time in a while, Argentina enter the World Cup without a glaring hole that urgently needs plugging. Success in last year’s Copa America (achieved in Brazil, ironically) has eased some of the weight off Lionel Messi’s shoulders, and the captain is less burdened, in superb form with PSG, and has a squad to bank when things are far from smooth. Lionel Scaloni inherited a mess – and was only initially hired because he was a cheap option – but has transformed this team into something nigh-on untouchable. They haven’t lost in 35 games, and look well-equipped for a first World Cup triumph since 1986.
Комментарии