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Tick Tock: 40 days to Qatar 2022

Photo of Interns Interns12/10/2022 - 12:00 pm

November is on the horizon and the FIFA World Cup is fast approaching. Now inside six weeks until the 22nd instalment of the most coveted tournament in world football we analyse several nations with high expectations, as well as some players to keep an eye out for.

This time next month clubs across the globe will complete a final round of domestic league matches before the season goes on pause to accommodate an unusual winter World Cup in Qatar. The 2022/23 campaign comes to a halt on November 13, seven days before the event kicks off at Al Bayt Stadium.

All 32 participating teams are required to submit their preliminary squads by latest Friday, October 21 and final squads must be confirmed on November 14.

The FIFA World Cup Trophy.
(Photo by FIFA via Getty Images)

Now to delve into some of the contenders at the upcoming showpiece event:

Belgium (15.00)
Despite occupying the #2 world ranking, the Belgian Red Devils are not necessarily favoured to stake much a claim in the backend of the tournament. Roberto Martínez was trusted with Belgium’s ‘golden generation’ but the 49-year-old has so far failed to deliver with a handful of Europe’s best players at his disposal.

Although there is an obvious attacking threat in Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Eden and Thorgan Hazard, the imbalance in the side is blindingly obvious as the aging Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen remain vital components in the Belgium spine. The pair play club football in the local Pro League and for national team they pose a vulnerability, particularly when faced by another strong outfit.

A lack of top-level defenders means there are no clear-cut successors to the veteran centre-back duo. Last year Belgium lost to Italy in the Euro quarter-finals before going down to France in the UEFA Nations League semi-finals, and again to Italy in the UNL third place play-off, of which Vertonghen, 35, and Alderweireld, 33, started in a back three in all three matches.

Belgium reached the WC semis in 2018, losing to eventual winners France, and they picked up the bronze medal over England. Euro 2020 saw the Red Devils beaten again, this time in the quarters to Italy who went on to lift the trophy.

Martínez prepares to take charge at a second World Cup and third tournament overall, but an underachievement in Qatar may see the Spaniard relieved of his duties by the Royal Belgian FA.

Belgium are in Group F with Croatia, Canada, and Morocco.

Netherlands (13.00)
Die Oranje return to the World Cup after failing to qualify for the 2018 edition. Louis van Gaal guided his nation to the semis in Brazil 2014, albeit a losing effort to runners-up Argentina, and they claimed the bronze medal over the tournament hosts.

Van Gaal is now into his third stint in charge of the Dutch national team and the 71-year-old looks to make another strong showing with a new breed of talent. Cody Gakpo, 23, has the joint-most goal contributions in Europe this season with 12 goals and 10 assists, while Memphis Depay was the joint-top scorer with 12 goals in WC qualifiers.

Ranked 8th in the world, Netherlands will be eager to take maximum points from the group and progress deep into the knockouts. The men in orange are in Group A alongside Ecuador, Senegal, and hosts Qatar.

Portugal (13.00)
Since becoming European champions six years ago, the Portuguese has seen heaps of younger players filtered into the Seleção. The blend of youth and experience in Portugal’s ranks is one of the strongest around and it could take them far into the tournament.

Portugal has never won a World Cup but could be about to embrace a golden generation with players such as Rafael Leão, João Felix, Diogo Dalot, Nuno Mendes, Renato Sanches, and Vitinha all aged 23 or below. Said players possess bucket loads of top-level experience at some of the best clubs in Europe.

João Cancelo, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva Ruben Dias, and Diogo Jota are among the best players in the Premier League and greater Europe, and they have gradually become integral for their country as well.

Of the squad from their most recent UNL outing against Spain, only five players – Cristiano Ronaldo, William Carvalho, Danilo Pereira, João Maria, and Rui Patrício – were in Portugal’s squad at Euro 2016. Ronaldo, 37, is adamant to remain active into his 40s though this may prove a final World Cup bow for the Portuguese skipper.

Portugal are ranked 9th by FIFA and they share Group H with Ghana, South Korea, and Uruguay.

Cristiano Ronaldo is set to play at a fifth World Cup.
(Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)

Germany (11.00)
The 2014 champions seek to make amends for their shortcomings four years ago, when Die Mannschaft finished bottom of its group and crashed out of the World Cup in the first round, for the first time since 1938.

Hansi Flick succeeded Joachim Löw following Euro 2020 and this will be a first major tournament under the ex-Bayern boss.

The Bavaria-based quintet of Leroy Sané, Serge Gnabry, Thomas Müller, Jamal Musiala, and Joshua Kimmich would presumably be pivotal to Germany’s chances of a successful showing in the Middle East, however the talent doesn’t lie exclusively among the Bayern players. Other crucial ingredients include Chelsea’s Kai Havertz and Ilkay Gündogan of Manchester City.

In recent years Germany have endured tough luck with group draws and the four-time WC winners headline Group E with fellow heavyweights Spain, in addition to Japan and Costa Rica. At the Euros last year they were grouped with France, Hungary, and Portugal, of which the Germans won a single game.

Spain (9.00)
Another with heaps of fresh young talent are 2010 winners Spain. Aged 19, Pedri has already earned 14 caps for his country and he is determined to augment his importance to La Furia Roja. Fellow Barcelona prospects Ansu Fati, Ferran Torres, and Gavi also look set for sizeable contributions under Luis Enrique.

Spain have been sub-par in the months leading up to the World Cup, winning just half of their six UNLexposure encounters with Portugal, Switzerland, and Czechia, but it was enough for the Spanish to advance to the final four of the competition.

As mentioned, Spain are in Group E with Costa Rica, Germany, and Japan.

England (8.00)
Time appears to be running out for Gareth Southgate, who could not have endured worse preparations for the World Cup. England ended winless in their six UNL clashes with Germany, Hungary, and Italy, culminating in the Three Lions finishing bottom of their group and being relegated to League B.

Southgate must properly harness the limitless potential in his ranks, and the England boss has come under scrutiny for sticking with the same chunk of players irrespective of form and confidence levels.

Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham, and Bukayo Saka are likely to make England’s final squad and all three should realistically feature in Southgate’s strongest side. Bellingham, 19, is making waves at Borussia Dortmund where he has become the first Englishman to score in four successive games in the UEFA Champions League.

Harry Kane won the 2018 Golden Boot with six goals in Russia and the England skipper is two goals away from equalling Wayne Rooney’s record 53 goals for the national team.

Southgate came agonisingly close to ending England’s wait for a championship, first reaching the semis in 2018 before losing to Italy in the Euro final. An underwhelming outcome in Qatar could mean the end of the 52-year-old’s time with the Three Lions.

England are ranked 5th in the world and they share Group B with Iran, USA, and Wales.


Argentina (8.00)
Lionel Messi continues the hunt for an elusive WC winner’s medal and the 35-year-old has all but confirmed this will be his last chance at conquering the world. Argentina were snubbed of World Cup success in 2014, losing to Germany in the final, and La Albiceleste have yet to redeem themselves.

Messi is primed to give it everything and there is a strong support system in place to bring an end to Argentina’s 36-year wait for World Cup glory.

Lautaro Martínez, Angel di María, Alexis Mac Allister, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, and Emi Martínez are all raring to go for their country. Paulo Dybala recently picked up an injury playing for Roma and the 28-year-old is in a race against time to be fit for the World Cup.

After taking over as manager in 2018, Lionel Scaloni oversaw Argentina lose four times in his first 14 outings in charge. Since then La Albiceleste are undefeated in 35 and in range of equalling Italy’s record spell of 37 matches unbeaten. Scaloni was previously assistant to ex-boss Jorge Sampaoli who was dismissed following the last World Cup.

Ranked 3rd in the world, Argentina are clear favourites to top Group C which also houses Mexico, Poland, and Saudi Arabia.

Messi has one last shot at World Cup glory.
(Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

France (7.00)
One of the greatest obstacles for the French will be avoiding the same curse which has struck four of the previous five World Cup champions. After their triumph on home soil in 1998, France were dumped out from the 2002 tournament in the group stage, and likewise happened to Italy in 2010, Spain in 2014, and Germany in 2018.

Part of the problem does come down to a substantial injury crisis which saw several high-profile names miss Les Bleus’ final preparations before the World Cup. Karim Benzema, Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kanté, Hugo Lloris, Kingsley Coman, Presnel Kimpembe, and brothers Lucas and Theo Hernández have all been unavailable in recent weeks.

By no means do France lack firing power in front of goal however it is almost impossible to accommodate Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembelé, Christopher Nkunku, and Antoine Griezmann in the same team, not forgetting Benzema.

Didier Deschamps has not fully integrated the next-generation of French players and the World Cup-winning manager may lose his job in the event of an unfavourable return in Qatar, with ex-teammate Zinedine Zidane seemingly waiting in the wings.

France won just once in their last six games leading up to Qatar 2022, which sees them unable to defend their Nations League crown. The World Cup holders are ranked 4th according to FIFA and they are joined by Australia, Denmark, and Tunisia in Group D.

Brazil (5.00)
Several factors point towards Brazil becoming champions of the world for the first time in two decades and for a record sixth time. In March this year the men in yellow climbed to the summit of the FIFA world rankings to occupy top spot for the first time in five years.

Head coach Tite boasts a star-studded squad which includes the likes of Neymar, Vinicius Junior, Gabriel Jesus, Rodrygo, Raphinha, Casemiro, and Antony just to name a few. Two very talented individuals in Vinicius Jr, 22, and Rodrygo, 21, ought to stamp their mark on the international stage having already done so at club level with Real Madrid.

Brazil is the only country to appear at every WC finals and they are naturally aiming to capitalise on an easy path to the final, on paper at least. The five-time world champions find themselves in Group G with Cameroon, Serbia, and Switzerland.

Croatia, Denmark, and Uruguay are considerable dark horses and any (or all) may progress to the latter stages at the event. Croatia, currently ranked 12th in the world, came runners-up to France in 2018 whilst Denmark (10th) remarkably reached the semis at Euro 2020. Uruguay (14th) made the last four in South Africa 2010 and their new generation squad is one to behold.

At the opposite end of the spectrum there are just two nations ranked lower than the hosts in 50th: Saudi Arabia (51) and Ghana (61).

FIFA announced Tuesday it would pay out in excess of $200million USD to clubs releasing their international players for the 2022 World Cup. Each club will receive in the region of $10,000 USD every day the relevant player is with his national team for the tournament, including final preparations in the week leading up to the opening ceremony.

Host nation Qatar get the tournament underway on Sunday, November 20 when they face Ecuador in the Group A opener. The knockout phase commences early December and the final is on December 18 at the Lusail Stadium.

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Photo of Interns Interns12/10/2022 - 12:00 pm

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