2022 Qatar World Cup Preview: Groups A-D
Josh Xue
The 2022 World Cup is less than a week away with the hosts, Qatar playing Ecuador on November 20 in the opening match. Who will be playing in this tournament? Who has the best chance to reach the final? How will the United States Men’s National Team do? Soccer Fútboll fan or not, all of your questions will be answered here. This is your official guide to the 2022 Qatar World Cup Charger Press Edition. Part 1.
(*) - denotes club team
GROUP A
Netherlands
Key Players: Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool), Frenkie De Jong (Barcelona), Memphis Depay (Barcelona), Steven Bergwijn (Ajax)
Overview: The Dutch are loaded with talent all across the pitch. Building the iron curtain in the defense is Captain Virgil Van Dijk, whose leadership and presence will hopefully guide this experienced team to glory. They will be missing Gini Wijnaldum due to a tibia fracture he suffered in training days after arriving in Roma on loan from Paris Saint-Germain. The Oranje Legioen also boasts a fierce attacking threat scoring 33 goals in 10 matches during the qualifying stage. Watch out for 19-year-old Cody Gakpo as he is in form for PSV Eindhoven in the Eredivisie (Dutch League) with 21 goal involvements in 13 games! The Dutch will probably top this group with ease, barring any unforeseen circumstances. I think they can make the quarterfinals at the very least.
Senegal
Key Players: Sadio Mané (Bayern Munich), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli), Eduoard Mendy (Chelsea), Idrissa Gueye (Everton)
Overview: Sadio Mané’s Senegal qualified for the World Cup on penalties against Liverpool-teammate Mohammed Salah’s Egypt in controversial fashion. Nonetheless, this Senegalese team has every right to be on the world’s biggest stage. The 2021 African Cup of Nations’ champion has a handful of stars that they will rely on heavily in order to progress further than they did in ‘02 (quarter-finals). A big question mark does loom over their head on whether or not their squad has enough depth behind the starters, but head coach Aliou Cisse has done a phenomenal job of developing the next generation of young talent. This team should not be overlooked. EDIT: As of November 9, Sadio Mané is confirmed to be OUT of The World Cup. I don’t see enough firepower for Senegal to make it past this group. EDIT: November 11, Sadio Mané has been included in the Senegal squad. It is unclear when his timeline for return is.
Ecuador
Key Players: Piero Hincapie (Bayer Leverkusen), Enner Valencia (Fenerbahçe), Pervis Esupinian, and Moises Caiceido (Brighton).
Overview: South America is notoriously known to have the most competitive world cup qualifying group in the whole world. With only four nations having the right to qualify, in that mix are the footballing giants: Argentina and Brazil, making it to the final stage is an achievement in itself. Ecuador has done just that. They beat out 2018 qualifiers Peru and Colombia which surprised everyone; however, the question remains if they can continue to work their magic. This is a tough team able to match anyone of any level. Don’t be surprised if they manage to upset the Dutch or hammer Qatar because they absolutely have the capabilities to do so. Ecuador makes the round of 16 in my books.
Qatar
Key Players: Almoez Ali (Al-Duhail), Hassan Al-Haydos (Al-Sadd), Abdelkarim Hassan (Al-Sadd).
Overview: It’s time to talk about the host nation. It’s their first appearance at a world cup and it could not have come at a better time. They won the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, beating many world cup qualifiers including Japan, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia. The talent is there, but are they able to replicate that? Host nations do have the tendency to perform well at home so no one should underestimate Qatar. I don’t see them making any sort of noise, though. Qatar sits at the bottom of Group A.
GROUP B
USA
Key Players: Christian Pulisic (Chelsea), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Brenden Aaronson, and Tyler Adams (Leeds United).
Overview: I could type out an entire article on the USMNT because that’s how much there is to talk about this squad. From injuries to club playing time, and from Gregg Berhalter mishaps to current form, this team has all the headlines. This is THE youngest squad at the WC. Does this team have enough experience to play at their best on the world’s biggest stage? They have proven to be able to do so at the continental level, winning the CONCACAF Nations League and the Gold Cup in the last two years. Recently, however, the team hasn’t been in form, losing 2-0 to Japan and drawing Saudi Arabia 0-0 in friendlies. Will they be able to rebound before the grand tournament? Making it out of this sneakily tough group would be considered a major achievement. Can Captain America and Co. make it happen?
England
Key Players: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Jude Bellingham (Dortmund), Raheem Sterling (Chelsea), Declan Rice (West Ham).
Overview: Is it coming home at last? England made it to the semifinals in 2018, losing to Croatia. Harry Kane also grabbed the Golden Boot with six goals. It was their best result since 1990 when they were in fourth place. 2021-2022 has been quite the story. First of all, the 2022-23 Nations League has been BRUTAL for the English. They went 0-3-3, failing to pick up wins against Germany, Italy, and…Hungary? This team has all the talent to win the whole thing, but they always seem to fall short of the big teams. 2021? Lost on penalties to Italy. Many fans have been calling for manager Gareth Southgate to be sacked. Injuries to Reece James and Ben Chilwell certainly don't help either. The back line has had its problems because of the three-center-back system but that shouldn’t be an excuse. With rising stars like Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka on the wing, a strong midfield pairing of Rice and Bellingham England are clear favorites to win Group B. The USA and Iran might give them the run for their money but the Three Lions should have no problem… right? They should be able to make the quarter-finals.
WALES
Key Players: Gareth Bale (LAFC), Brennan Johnson (Nottingham Forest), Aaron Ramsey (Nice), Kieffer Moore (Bournemouth).
Overview: Unless you’re a geography enthusiast, chances are you probably don't know where Wales is. In the footballing world, Wales is a solid team composed of many solid players. The headline for this team? Are Wales going to replicate their Euro 2016 Cinderella story? In early June of this year, the small nation of Wales from the United Kingdom qualified for the world cup for the first time in 64 years! 64! Led by ex-Real Madridista Gareth Bale, Wales pose as a formidable opponent for any team. They did manage to squeeze by Ukraine and Austria during qualifying despite having significantly less possession and shots on goal, but that didn’t stop the almighty Bale from scoring a hat-trick of goals. With the way that Wales is set up and the style of play they use, I can really see the USMNT struggling in their opening match. This Wales side has proven time and time again that they found the formula to tournament success. Round of 16 for the Welsh.
IRAN
Key Players: Mehdi Taremi (Porto), Sardar Azmoun (Bayer Leverkusen), Ehsan Hajsafi (AEK Athens).
Overview: Iran vs U.S. [World Cup Edition] should be a really fun match to watch, eh? Jokes aside, in my opinion, Iran is the underdog of this group. In 2018, they were placed in one of the most competitive groups at the last world cup alongside Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. They finished third with four points behind Spain and Portugal’s five points. This means that they can be a tough side to play, especially for the bigger teams. They were also one of the first countries to qualify for the WC by sweeping the Asian teams. Iran: the force not to be reckoned with. Will the U.S. be able to match strength to strength? Look for Mehdi Taremi to bag most if not all goals for Team Melli; however, it might not be enough for them to advance.
GROUP C
ARGENTINA
Key Players: Lionel Messi (PSG), Angel Di Maria (Juventus), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan).
Overview: There isn’t any other country hitting its stride just in time, other than Argentina. They are 35 games unbeaten since July 2019! Their odds are currently 13-2 to lift the trophy behind Brazil and France. Argentina features one of the G.O.A.T. 's in Messi as well as his usual international accomplices such as Di Maria and Martinez in the attack. Argentina will be, however, without one of their usual starters in the midfield which is Giovanni Lo Celso due to injury in club play, but that shouldn’t hinder the overall team play and chemistry. On paper, this is probably the strongest Argentinian world cup squad the nation has ever fielded, thus giving them the best chance to win it all this year. After all, Messi did confirm that this would be the last world cup he would be playing at, so could this be the fairy-tale ending he deserves? I certainly hope so.
MEXICO
Key Players: Raúl Jimenez (Wolves), Edson Alvarez (Ajax), Hirving Lozano (Napoli).
Overview: The big question for Mexico is the status of their star striker Raúl Jimenez who suffered a serious groin injury back in September and hasn’t featured for the Wolves since August. If he is able to play, Mexico has a very good chance to continue their insane streak of making it to the knockout stage at every world cup dating back to 1986! Like the U.S. many fans have been calling for Tata (head coach) to be sacked after this world cup for the inability to win continental competitions (U-S-A! U-S-A!) and the poor use of their skilled players. At the international level, Mexico has fared pretty well against the big sides, finishing second in their group in 2018 ahead of 2014 world cup winners Germany. Their first match vs Poland will determine who will advance. I’ve got El Tri.
POLAND
Key Players: Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona), Piotr Zieliński (Napoli), Arkadiusz Milik (Juventus), Sebastian Szymański (Feyenoord).
Overview: This is the fourth time Poland has qualified for the world cup since 1990. They have not been able to advance to the round of 16 in each of those times. Despite having arguably the best striker in the world, Robert Lewandowski, at their disposal, the rest of the squad lacks the necessary qualities to support him to be able to win big matches. Poland likes to keep games close in hopes that Lewandowski can produce some magic along with other key players. Recently, however, they finished last in their group at the 2021 Euros. As mentioned earlier, their first match vs Mexico will decide second place. Expect Poland to throw everything on the line for this game. This is one critical match to watch. I see them falling just short.
SAUDI ARABIA
Key Players: Salem Al-Dawsari (Al-Hilal), Firas Al-Buraikan (Al-Fateh).
Overview: I'm going to be honest here, I know nothing about them. If you look up some stuff about the world cup you’ll find a lot of sports analysts not even talking about this team just because it’s Saudi Arabia and they’re supposed to be bad. Are they though? I feel that everyone is sleeping on this team because they don’t have any players playing internationally, but this team is no joke. During the qualifiers, they finished first in their group, ahead of Japan and Australia! Can they continue their run of form? The national team has also been training together every since June because every player plays domestically in the Saudi Pro League. On top of that, they are probably accustomed to the weather in Qatar, so I guess the Saudis have an advantage? Who knows.
GROUP D
DENMARK
Key Players: Christian Eriksen (Man. United), Simon Kjær (AC Milan), Jesper Lindstrøm (Frankfurt), Joakim Mæhle (Atalanta).
Overview: This. This is one of the teams to watch, and, honestly, a team you should root for. Why? Do you want a comeback story? Christian Eriksen. Do you want to see a team who earns their respect? 2021 Euros. Do you want to see a team able to break french hearts? You’ve got it all right here. The Danish have great players all around the pitch. Kjær’s leadership presence in the defense and Eriksen’s creative output for the forwards are the foundation of this team. Kasper Hjulmand’s 3-4-3 system which can be converted to a 5-3-2 has been the key to their success. A strong backline able to play off the counter quickly as well as the ability to keep control of the ball demonstrates the flexibility they have. This squad made the semi-finals of the Euros last year before being beaten by England, and they have only come back better than ever before in the Nations League. Beating France TWICE by a combined score of 4-1. Why not make it three in a row? I think Denmark is the dark horse of the whole tournament. Here comes the Danish Dynamite.
FRANCE
Key Players: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Kylian Mbappe(PSG), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), Raphael Varane (Man. United).
Overview: Will the world cup curse continue for Les Bleus? Winners of the last three have crashed out at the group stage. Italy in 2010, Spain in 2014, and Germany in 2018. Well, things aren’t looking too well for France as they have lost several key members from the 2018 squad. Injured are the workhorse N'golo Kanté and midfield magician Paul Pogba. They are replaced by 2 wonder kids, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga, who have yet proven themselves at the international level. Didier Deschamps is taking a big risk in the heart of the midfield in hopes that their front line can cover up their weaknesses. As recent forms suggest, that plan has not been working. In the Nations League, France has only picked up a measly win against Austria. Losing to Denmark twice as well as going 0-1-1 against Croatia. Could this be a sign of things to come?
AUSTRALIA
Key Players: Ajdin Hrustic (Hellas Verona), Aaron Mooy (Celtic), Mathew Leckie (Melbourne City).
Overview: The Socceroos have managed to make their fifth straight world cup in dramatic fashion. They finished third in their group behind Japan and Saudi Arabia which wasn’t enough to guarantee qualification because then they would have to play two knockout games in order to book their tickets to Qatar. The first match was against the United Arab of Emirates which saw a late goal from Hrustic to seal a 2-1 victory. They moved on to the intercontinental playoff where they beat Peru in penalties to secure a spot in Qatar. If Australia wants to progress to the round of 16, they have to continue their heroics from qualification. A result against Denmark or France might do the trick.
TUNISIA
Key Players: Ellyes Skhiri (FC Köln), Wahbi Khazri (Montpellier), Montassar Talbi (Lorient).
Overview: New manager Jalel Kadri has made this Tunisia side hard to break down. Utilizing a 4-5-1 formation in order to play off the counter and catch opponents slacking. This team is the literal definition of all defense and zero offense as they scored the second-fewest goals during the qualifying round with a total of 12 goals. In 2018, they beat Panama and trifled England to a near 1-1 draw until Harry Kane scored the winner in added time. Tunisia may not be the most flashy team but they do have the ability to hold France or Denmark to a draw. They will not, however, progress out of this group.
