Qatar 2022 possible returnees or debutantes USA Canada Jamaica Venezuela Algeria Ivory Coast Italy Holland Turkey Wales Ukraine Iraq New zealand
My predictions for the 32 teams that will be in Qatar in 2 years time Europe (UEFA) (13 teams) 1- France (defending champion) 2- Croatia 3- Germany 4- Portugal 5- England 6- Spain 7- Belgium 8- Netherlands (return first time since 2014) 9- Italy (return first time since 2014) 10- Russia 11- Ukraine (return first time since 2006) 12- Sweden 13- Poland Big countries that miss out: Switzerland, Serbia, Denmark, etc. Asia (AFC) (5 teams) 1- Qatar (hosts) (debutante) 2- Japan 3- South Korea 4- Australia 5- Syria (debutante) Big names that miss out: Iran, Saudi Arabia, etc Africa (CAF) (5 teams) 1- Nigeria 2- Algeria (return first time since 2014) 3- Egypt 4- Senegal 5- Ghana (return first time since 2014) Big countries who miss out: Morocco, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, etc. CONCACAF (North America) (4 teams) 1- USA (return first time since 2014) 2- Costa Rica 3- Mexico 4- Jamaica (return first time since 1998; beat New Zealand in inter continental playoff to get to Qatar) Countries that miss out: Panama, Honduras, Canada, etc. CONMEBOL (5 teams) 1- Uruguay 2- Brazil 3- Colombia 4- Argentina 5- Venezuela (debutante; beat an Asian team in inter continental playoff but as for the team they beat...I predict Iraq who come close but lose to Venezuela in playoff) Big countries that miss out: Chile, Ecuador, Peru, etc
For me this would be my Final Group Draw of the 32 teams AFC (6)- Qatar (hosts), Syria, Iran, Australia, South Korea, UAE UEFA (13)- France, Spain, England, Portugal, Croatia, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden, Poland, Ukraine, Wales CAF (5)- Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria, Algeria, Morocco CONCACAF (3)- USA, Mexico, Jamaica CONMEBOL (5)- Colombia, Uruguay, Brazil, Argentina, Chile Group A 1- Qatar (hosts) (1 point) (4th) 2- Sweden (5 points) (advance goal diff) (2nd) 3- Ghana (5 points) (3rd) 4- Uruguay (7 points) (1st; win group) Group B 1- France (4 points) (2nd; goal diff; curse broken) 2- Netherlands (9 points) (1st; win group) 3- Morocco (4 points) (3rd) 4- Japan (0 points) (4th) Group C 1- Belgium (9 points; 1st; win group) 2- Iran (0 points) 3- Chile (4 points; 3rd) 4- Italy (4 points; 2nd; goal diff advance) Group D 1- Brazil (6 points; 1st; win group on goal diff) 2- Ukraine (1 point; 4th) 3- Nigeria (6 points; 2nd) 4- Wales (4 points; 3rd) Group E 1- Argentina (6 points) (1st; goal diff) 2- Poland (4 points) (3rd) 3- Croatia (6 points) (2nd; goal diff) 4- USA (1 point) (4th) Group F 1- Spain (2 points) (4th) 2- Mexico (5 points) (2nd) 3- Senegal (5 points) (1st; win group goal diff) 4- South Korea (3 points) (3rd) Group G 1- Portugal (9 points; 1st; wins group) 2- Colombia (3 points; 3rd) 3- Algeria (6 points; 2nd) 4- Syria (0 points; 4th) Group H 1- England (7 points) (1st) 2- Germany (6 points) (2nd) 3- Jamaica (3 points) 4- Australia (0 points) Matchday 1 Qatar 1-1 Sweden Ghana 0-0 Uruguay Netherlands 2-1 France Morocco 1-0 Japan Belgium 3-0 Iran Chile 1-1 Italy Brazil 2-0 Ukraine Nigeria 0-1 Wales Argentina 1-2 Poland Croatia 3-1 USA Spain 2-2 Mexico Senegal 3-2 South Korea Portugal 1-0 Colombia Algeria 2-1 Syria England 1-0 Germany Jamaica 2-0 Australia Matchday 2 Qatar 1-2 Ghana Uruguay 0-2 Sweden France 1-1 Morocco Netherlands 3-0 Japan Belgium 3-2 Chile Italy 4-0 Iran Nigeria 2-1 Brazil Wales 1-1 Ukraine Argentina 2-0 Croatia Poland 1-1 USA Senegal 0-0 Spain Mexico 2-0 South Korea Portugal 2-1 Algeria Colombia 3-1 Syria England 3-0 Jamaica Germany 4-0 Australia Matchday 3 Ghana 1-1 Sweden Uruguay 3-0 Qatar France 2-1 Japan Netherlands 1-0 Morocco Belgium 2-1 Italy Chile 3-0 Iran Brazil 2-0 Wales Nigeria 2-1 Ukraine Argentina 4-2 USA Poland 0-2 Croatia South Korea 2-1 Spain Senegal 1-1 Mexico Portugal 4-1 Syria Algeria 2-1 Colombia England 0-0 Australia Germany 2-0 Jamaica Round of 16 Uruguay vs France Netherlands vs Sweden Belgium vs Nigeria Brazil vs Italy Argentina vs Mexico Croatia vs Senegal Portugal vs Germany England vs Algeria Uruguay 1-1 France (90 minutes plus into 30 minutes of extra time; no one scores; penalties to decide it; Uruguay beats France 5-4 on PK) Netherlands 2-0 Sweden Belgium 1-0 Nigeria Brazil 2-2 Italy (90 minutes plus into extra time 30 minutes; no one scores; PK to decide it; Brazil beats Italy 5-3 on PK) Argentina 2-1 Mexico Croatia 3-1 Senegal Portugal 4-3 Germany England 2-0 Algeria Quarter Finals (Last 8) Uruguay vs England Netherlands vs Belgium Brazil vs Argentina Croatia vs Portugal Uruguay 0-1 England Netherlands 2-1 Belgium Brazil 0-0 Argentina (90 minutes plus into 30 minutes of extra time; no one scores; PK to decide it; Argentina beats Brazil 5-4 on penalties) Portugal 1-0 Croatia Semi Final (Final 4) England vs Netherlands Argentina vs Portugal England 0-0 Netherlands (90 minutes plus 30 into extra time; no one scores; PK to decide who goes to the 2022 World Cup Final; England beats Netherlands 8-7 in PK sudden death; England in first Final since 1966) Argentina 2-1 Portugal Third Place Match Portugal vs Netherlands Portugal 3-2 Netherlands (Portugal wins 3rd place in the tournament; Netherlands get 4th) 2022 FIFA World Cup Final Argentina vs England Argentina 2-1 England (in extra time...who scores the winning goal in extra time for Argentina? None other than Lionel Messi...Messi wins his first World Cup title; Argentina win their first World Cup since Mexico 1986) 2022 FIFA WORLD CUP CHAMPIONS- ARGENTINA
The last two times USA didn't win their group, the winner of their group won the World Cup. They were Italy in 2006 and Germany in 2014. You're predicting that to happen again. That excludes 2010 when USA won their group and 2018 when USA didn't qualify. In 2002, Korea Republic won USA's group and finished fourth. In 1998, Germany won USA's group and lost to Croatia in the Quarterfinals. In 1994, Romania won USA's group and lost to Sweden in penalty kicks in the Quarterfinals. In 1990, Italy won USA's group and lost to Argentina in penalty kicks in the Semifinals. USA missed all nine World Cups from 1954 through 1986. During USA's appearance streak from 1990 through 2014, the six times USA didn't win their group, the winner of their group won in the Round of 16.
I predict all four semi-finalists will be UEFA teams, once again turning the final week of the WC into a version of the European Championship. I think people around the world underestimate the work UEFA does in close cooperation with its 55 members, particularly regarding the Hattrick programme - UEFA expects to have invested 2.6bn euros in European football by the twentieth anniversary of the start of that programme in 2024 - and regarding the UEFA Grow programme which aims to ensure that football not only maintains its position in European countries but also enhances it through the development of expertise, image and popularity. A remarkable amount of work has and is being done through these two programmes and the accomplishments on the pitch are and, I think, will be evident for years to come.
No one understimates that. UEFA is doing a fantastic job for all their member nations. That being said, it is looking likely that Argentina and Uruguay will have stronger, more well-rounded squads in 2022. Brazil is always very strong and it doesn't seem to be lacking young talent either (quite the contrary), it was already very undeserved that they didn't make semis last time. IMO the nations that seem to be pulling away from the pack looking towards 2022 are France, Germany and England. The rest will have to fight it out.
I'm not following these things very closely. Is it your opinion that Uruguay has enough talent coming up right now to replace Suarez and Cavani (both are 33)? I have heard about a few talents like Torreira, but superficially it would seem that it would be pretty hard not to downgrade from what Uruguay has had at its disposal in the last decade or so.
Lots of young talent in midfield for Uruguay. Other than Torreira, there is Valverde and Bentancur. Others less known (for now) like Nandez (Cagliari) and Brian Rodriguez (LA FC). Mark my words, those last two will be playing for UCL clubs in two years. In defense they have a talent like Araujo from Barcelona who will take over for Godin. Uruguayan defense is always solid. Cavani and Suárez will be old but not too old that they won't score anything. Cavani at least is still perfectly fine, PSG wanted him out just because of the wages.
Not happening. Europe does much worse outside of Europe. Brazil 2014 you had 2 south American teams in the semis. Europe had an all time low number of teams make the second round. The heat played its toll, and things will be just as bad if not worse in the middle east. The South Africa world cup was a COLD one, with temperatures colder than most europe at that time of year. I just dont see 4 european teams in the semis. Not in the middle east. Sorry.
2002 was rigged but the clear best team won. How much can they rig it to get Qatar as far as possible? With VAR its a bit tougher to blatantly rig it.
Yeah, with VAR the ridiculous disallowed goals due to inexistent off-side in favor of Korea in 2002 wouldn't have happened, for example.
Meh, VAR will magically not work during Qatar matches. Or they will hire some billion dollar special effects company to intercept the video being sent to the VAR studio and manipulate it.
Don't be ridiculous - they don't just randomly tell the VAR booth to take the night off. **sweeps Brazil-Argentina from the last Copa América under the rug**
I take your points, but I don't think the competition in Russia will be that different to the one in Qatar given that it will be played in the autumn. Also UEFA NTs will have their players less than half-way through their seasons, which should mean they are fresher viz-a-viz players from elsewhere. With the introduction of the NL, UEFAs NTs have been playing fewer friendly games and more competitive ones, this could be beneficial when faced with tight GS and knock-out games in Qatar.
With the exception of Australia, I cannot think of a more neutral sight for all 32 teams in a world cup than Qatar. You can make a case for South Africa and Korea/Japan, but Qatar is unique. The "Duel In the Desert" is going to be alot more interesting and intriguing than Russia 2018. Now as far as predictions are concerned, there is no way that France is going to repeat as world champions. Just remember what has happened to the last three world champions in defense of their title: Italy, Spain, and Germany were bounced in the group stage, and there is no reason to expect otherwise for France. Due to the remote location and potential weather extremes, we are going to be in for some very signifiant upsets in this tournament. Specifically, I will predict that there will two longshots in the semi final in 2022, not just one like we had in 2018, Croatia. This means there could be a 50% chance, that for the very first time in the FIFA world cup, there could be a champion that was considered a longshot or Cinderella when the tournament began. It could be considered the biggest upset in the history of the tournament, unless you consider Uraguay over Brazil in 1950. But Brazil was not a world power at that time. There first title would not take place for another 8 years.
Yes, there is: France's core is young, and arguably won the WC ahead of schedule. They won't be long in the tooth come 2022 like their European predecessors were.
Another thing that is unique for Qatar as the host nation is there will be little to no travel burden for any of the teams. Every venue or stadium for matches are so close together that some teams may elect to walk from one venue to the next, let alone bus rides or airline flights. We are talking about an overall area that is about the size of Rhode Island, the smallest U.S. state by area. This will play to the advantage of all 32 teams. This could have a dramatic effect on not only the final result, but where certain teams will be listed on the overall final 32 power ranking at the end of the tournament.
Here are my predictions for the teir 1 world powers in Qatar 2022: 1) Brazil. This is the only team I will predict to make the semi final. This team may not be the most talented side they have ever had, but Brazil is Brazil. The expectations alone for this team should be enough to propell them into the semi final. A desert climate plays to their advantage as well. 2) Germany. They have a score to settle with themselves after the embaracement of 2018. There is no way they will get bounced in the group stage two times in a row. Of course their performance at the Euros next year should be a predictor for 2022. This will be their first opportunity to respond to 2018 to proove that their last place group finish in 2018 was a fluke. 3) Italy. Talk about a world cup hang over from 2006! Will they still be celebrateing their 2006 victory in 2022? Based on their performance over the last three wotld cups, they need to sober up! It is highly irregular for Italy to fail to qualify for a world cup, so they actually need to qualify first before I make any predictions for them. 4) France. Not gonna happen! No repeat! History has a way of repeating itself, three times to be exact. I believe France will make it out of the group stage, but the previous three champions were bounced in the group stage as defending champions. 5) Argentina. It depends on which Argentina team shows up. If it is the 2010 team they will not go far. But if 2014 shows up, they will be contenders. Now, 2022 will probably be Messi's last world cup, and there may be extra motivation on his part and his ream to end his international career on a positive note. 2018 was good for Argentina, so I will predict a spot in the round of 8, but remember, there is only one team on this list that is more unpredictable than Argentina..... 6) The Netherlands. This nation has had some of the greatest teams and players of all time, but they have failed to qualify for 11 world cups, including 2018. Their inconsistancy in the world cup era is a mystery that will never be solved. So I will hold off on my prediction for them until they qualify, but if they do get in they will advance deep into the knockout stages like they always do. 7) England. New coach and change at goalkeeper position contributed to their success in 2018. Only bad luck prevented them from going deeper into the tournament. I predict that they will be the most consistant team in 2022 compared to other teams that also participated in 2018. They will make the round of 8, but luck, good or bad, could again decide their fate in 2022. 8) Belgium. A team that has recently achieved teir 1 status based on very high FIFA rankings since their performance in 2018. But Iam not sold on this team yet, I do not know if they are for real or not. They probably have the future world number one at goalkeeper though. They could be a complete flop in 2022, or they could win it all. Iam going to play it safe and predict a spot for them in the round of 8. 9) Portugal. Granted, they won the Euros on 2016, but they are notorious as under achievers in the FIFA World Cup, even with great play from Ronaldo. I can only predict for them a place in the round of 16. BUT, like Messi, this will probably be Ronaldo's last world cup, so there may be a higher motivation by him and his team mates to end his international career on a positive note. 10) Spain. Their time has passed, but that only pertains to their dominance from 2008 to 2012. This team is not one of those "from first to worst" type situations. They seemed to have recovered well in 2018, after their melt down in 2014. Of course, their 2018 campaign ended with very bad luck. There is no telling how far they would have progressed in 2018 if luck was on their side. They will make it to the knock out stage, but exactly which stage is to hard to predict. 11,12) Uraguay and Colombia. They certainly round off the top four teams from South America. But these two teams are very hard to predict, and their status as teir 1 world powers is also debateable. 13) Mexico. Traditionally the best team outside of Europe and South America, but they have never been expected to win a world cup, and they never have. So placeing in them in a teir 1 status is debateable. I predict a spot in the round of 16, but Qatar's warm climate could work to their advantage. No one expects Mexico to make the semi final, but Mexico is my "Upset Special" to do just that.
In Tite I trust Belgium had to play the game of their lives to drop Brazil last time. The big question is how much more patience the DFB will have with Löw.
Yes, England was unlucky in the match with Croatia. Kane missed a sitter right in front of the near post. I still cannot believe that ball did not go in! His patience with that tap in was the reason it did not go in. One touch instead of two would have made the difference for England here, and they would have been in the World Cup final for the first time since 1966. England was obviously the most improoved team from 2014. .
But as I alluded to in my post "luck" goes both ways. They were lucky that they played a Colombia team missing arguably their best player in history. So one can say they were lucky not to get knocked out in the first round too,