World Cup Qatar Predictions

The biggest tournament in the world will go to the Middle East for the first time this year. The small but rich country, Qatar, will host the World Cup. There is plenty of scrutiny around this edition of the World Cup. Human rights issues for labor, social differences between the West and Qatar, and how the country was awarded the biggest event on the planet. The World Cup has always been played in the Summer months. The best solution for this problem was to move it to the Winter. I think it's pretty obvious this World Cup was bought and paid for by the government. Those are all topics, that although serious, I don't feel well versed enough to get into those topics here. I want to focus on the field and look at my World Cup Qatar predictions.

Brazil comes into the tournament as the betting favorite at +450. Defending World Cup champions France bring back a very strong squad. Legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are likely going to take their final World Cup kicks at some point over the next month. the United States are back in the tournament after missing out in 2018. USA fans have been optimistic about this version of the Red, White, and Blue. However a poor run of form has tempered those expectations. Although the squad is still talented by our standards. England is always a story line entering a World Cup. Most of their premier players feature for the biggest clubs in the world, on the biggest soccer stage in the world, The English Premire League.

Before I get to the World Cup Qatar predictions, I want to highlight some of the best players lacing up their boots. The best striker going to Qatar is either Kylian MBappe with France, Robert Lewandoski of Poland, and Harry Kane of England. The reigning Ballon d'or winner (best player in the world" is Luka Modric with Croatia. Croatia fell to France 4-2 in the 2018 World Cup Final. the best goal scorer in the world right now is Erling Haaland of Manchester City. He will not be in Qatar as his Norwegian side failed to qualify. Let's get into my World Cup Qatar predictions.

Group A is usually the easiest group of the tournament. Host countries are always selected into the Group A. Qatar would not have qualified on their own, so be definition it has 25% of the group that is not up to snuff. The Netherlands are far and away the best team in this group and should win easily. It then comes down to Senegal and Ecuador. I side with Senegal over the South American side.

Group A

Group B is the group with the most eyeballs on it in the English speaking world. One of the tournament favorites, England, features top-tier talent at nearly every position. But can Gareth Southgate let that talent showcase itself? The United States have a good young roster with talent at some of the biggest clubs in Europe including Juventes, Burussia Dortmond, Chelsea, and Arsenal. Their form has fallen off recently, but they should get a shot of energy once they kickoff in Qatar.

Group B:

Group C is a very deep group. I am donning the group "The Group of Death". Argentina, Mexico, and Poland are all good teams. Saudi Arabia rounds out the group, and they played the US to a 0-0 draw. But they looked the better side in that matchup. Mexico has had a difficult time scoring, but they have a good defense and always show up on the globe's largest stage. Poland features Robert Lewandowski, one of the best goal scorers in the world to go with a solid roster.

Group C:

Group D is where defending the defending World Cup Champions start their defense. France is in a group along side Australia, Denmark, and Tunisia. France is undoubtedly the strongest side in this group. There is a legitimate argument as to who should be favored to go through to the knockout stage with France.

Group D

This is the other group that was in the running to be the Group of Death. Germany knows the style they play, and the implement it well. Spain does the exact same. I think the difference is Germany has a bit more talent in their prime. I like Germany and Spain to go though, but Japan and Costa Rica are not push overs by any means. Japan is disciplined and will not give up any cheap goals. Costa Rica got through CONCACAF as the  4th team and beat New Zealand in a playoff held in Qatar last summer.

Group E

Belgium headlines Group F. Their "golden generation" has failed to deliver any major trophies, and this is one of the final tournaments where their best players will be in their prime. They have one of the best Midfielders in the world in Kevin De Bruyne and the best Goalkeeper in the word in Thibaut Courtois. Canada won CONCACAF in convincing fashion. But star Alphonso Davies is dealing with a hamstring injury. He should be ready to play, but any soft-tissue injury can come back if not fully healed. That would be a huge blow to the Canadian squad. Croatia is a very good team, they made it to the Finals last time in the World Cup. They are not as strong of a side as in 2018, but they are still a very good side.

Group F

Brazil is the betting favorite entering the 2022 World Cup. They feature stars at virtually every position. They are so deep they left Roberto Firmino off their roster they are so stacked up front. They are as stacked of a roster top to bottom that the tournament features. Beyond Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, and Cameroon all boast good but not great rosters. I do think Switzerland is the second best side in this group.

Group G

Group H is home to one of the 2 biggest stars in the tournament, Cristiano Ronaldo. There aren't many names that resonate in America like Ronaldo. Portugal is a good side, but I don't think they are in the elite category. Ghana always performs well in the World Cup, Uruguay is a very talented side, and South Korea is a good team with Tottenham striker Son Heung-min.

Group H

The way the knockout stages worked in my scenario: Netherlands beat the USA and Argentina, who beat Denmark, to reach the semifinal while Brazil went through Uruguay and Germany, who beat Croatia in the round of 16. As I have said, Brazil is the most talented squad. I think that is what separates these 2 sides. Brazil goes through 3-1.

France gets through Poland and England who knocked out Ecuador in the round of 16. Belgium has the toughest 2 game stretch to reach the semi's with Spain and Portugal, who knocked out Switzerland. France is a better side than Belgium, although the Belgian midfield might be stronger at this point with Paul Pogba out for France. France goes through 2-0.

I've got Brazil winning it all. This is always one of the best teams in the world, but the 20 year drought is the second longest stretch without winning it all for the Brazilian side. They just have too many attacking options with Neymar, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr., and Anthony. They feature 2 of the best goal keepers in the world in Alisson and Ederson. Their midfield is strong with Casemiro, Fabinho, Fred and Lucas Paqueta. The defense features stalwarts like Thiago silva, Danilo, Daniel Alves, Alex Sandro, and more.