The FIFA Football World Cup has started and all the giants of the football world are in Qatar for the biggest prize. A look at who are the big powerhouses in the football world will create more interest in the 2022 World Cup.
Argentina (World Ranking - 03)
Thirty five games unbeaten on the trot, A Copa America title, and a UEFA Super Cup triumph over Italy recently and a formidable squad that’s in superb form means Leo Messi can really have all the rights to dream to lead his country to a World Cup. One of the most balanced and talented squads going into Qatar, Argentina no more just relies on the magic of Messi to do the job for them as everyone takes up the game to contribute their level best to the team to play.
If Argentina can continue their chemistry and the good run of form, they will be on top of the list to win the title in Qatar.
Brazil (World Ranking - 01)
The real top dogs of the World Cup, Brazil is one of the favourites to win the Gold due to an implacable squad studded with world class superstars from attack to defence in the likes of Neymar JR, Vinicius JR, Allison, Casemiro, Marquinhos and heritage of owning a great brand of attacking football that they continue to play under their brilliant coach Tete.
Brazil is in a form where they will look to destroy any opponent in front of them with a 28-game unbeaten streak just ended in their sole loss against Argentina in the Copa America final. A team with exceptional depth in their squad in every position makes Brazil highly competitive while their superstar Neymar is in the form of his life making their odds even greater for the triumph. The only concern for them will be how Tete is going to keep up the perfect combination for them throughout the tournament to make the best out of this Brazil squad that is destined for greatness.
France (World Ranking - 04)
France the winners of the last edition of the World Cup in 2018 defend their title as one of the best teams that have a greater chance. A formidable squad with great talent and chemistry that has pace, strength and versatility in their attack as well as a midfield that is filled with young talent and depth and finally a solid and experienced defence makes them a team who are able to play an unstoppable brand of football on their day.
French manager Didier Deschamps will have the headache of having too many exceptional options at his disposal which can be a good headache to have but at the same time can be tricky with the combinations they optioned to go. Likes of Kylian Mbappe, Karim Benzema, and Ousmane Dembele make France a formidable team.
Spain (World Ranking - 07)
Spain the 2010 World Cup winners are not with not the best squad in the tournament but yet one of the most competitive squads in the World Cup. Luis Enrique and company have been on the point when it comes to utilizing their strengths in midfield and holding on to their traditional style of Tiki Taka to play good yet competitive football all around. But the biggest accomplishment of Spain in this run of playing good football with great team synchronization means they will play with a positive mindset.
Portugal (World Ranking - 09)
What can be expected in the last dance of legendary Cristiano Ronaldo on the biggest stage of world football? They are one of the most star-packed and talented squads in the entire tournament with most of their players performing at a good level which gives the whole nation of Portugal a ray of hope if they can wash away all the dark memories where their team has flopped on the biggest stage many times. This Portugal squad can be equivalent to any giant any given day but they sometimes lack results probably due to underutilization of the resources. Cristiano Ronaldo is not at a level that he used to be two or three years back where he could carry his team alone on his shoulder but now at the age of 37 he may still have it but needs his teammates to take the responsibility and end his legendary career with a World Cup triumph.
Netherlands (World Ranking - 08)
The Netherlands is a team that deserves a World Cup the most. The unlucky giants of World Cup history march their squad into the great deserts of Qatar this year after missing out on the World Cup 2018. They were finalists three times in 1974, 1978 and 2010. At the 2022 World Cup, Luis Van Gaal’s men will have much confidence in themselves self-due to the brilliant run of form they experienced recently in the Nations league as well as the quality and combination of the players that they have in the squad. The team with most probably the best defence outlet in the World Cup with the likes of Virgil Van Dijk, Matthijs de Ligt, Nathan Ake, Daley Blind, Stefan de Vrij, and Denzel Dumfries in their arsenal.
England (World Ranking - 05)
Can Gareth Southgate and his men bring it home? A dream that England fans are counting the days to make come true for many years and still the wait is not over. But to give hope of redemption to their fans this year England was able to assemble a squad that is capable of making a difference with the talent and depth they have in their team.
But the real question is do they have what it takes to go all the way? A team that is destined to shine with the light of their superstars such as Harry Kane, Phil Foden, Raheem Sterling and Bukayo Saka makes the England line up strong and indestructible but what really worries them is a team that relies more on possession and team play rather than attacking all guns out.
Belgium (World Ranking 02)
Is this the last chance for redemption for the best Golden generation of Belgium football ever in the World Cup? A formidable team compacted with talent and experience Belgium is capable of competing against any football giant toe to toe.
A golden generation that paved the way for a revolution in Belgium football in the likes of Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bryan, Romelu Lukaku, Thibaut Courtois and many more took the world by shock and led the country to the top of the football world where they were ranked number one for so long and now sitting just one behind the top.
Germany (World Ranking - 11)
Germany are the big boys of the World Cup. Associated with a highly aggressive and physical brand of football, the Germans display with them all attack maneuvers that is usually a buildup through the strong and world-class midfield they have most of the time.
In Germany’s history under Joachim Law it was expected to work all uphill for the Germans. But so far that is not exactly what was expected from the Germans in this transition as they found it a bit difficult to carry out their chemistry in the team and to stick to their strength which resulted in a bit of catastrophe where they found themselves third in their Nations league group and just one sole win in their last five encounters.
Denmark (World Ranking - 10)
Denmark is a success tale of a team that was raised through the ashes. A team with quality talent and a spirit to fight regardless of being the underdog against the strongest teams in the world but yet competing on a level that shocks the world is regarded as that Dark Horse team that can run well in any World Cup. Denmark will be a team worth watching in this World Cup because of the way they play to beat any team on their day with the quality of football they displayed recently.