The 2022 FIFA World Cup set in Qatar is quickly, and figuratively, looming on the horizon with this year’s rendition sure to be the most hyped sporting event across the world due to the many talents that will be on display throughout the footballing world leaving many to question on who is more likely to win the World Cup later this year.
The World Cup is arguably the greatest sporting competition on the planet due to its vast build-up and palpable excitement that the event draws from countries all across the world.
The competition only comes around every four years as a variety of ‘football mad’ nations look to earn qualification into the event which will also offer the hosting nation a free qualification bye into the competition.
Following on from the incredible and monumental moments that fans were treated to in Russia during the 2018 FIFA World Cup, 2022 will mark the event’s return and for the first time in the competition’s vast history, it will be hosted in the providence of the Middle East in the developing country of Qatar.
Sports fans will be marking their calendars for the 20th of November 2022 as this date will officially kick start the event with the opening contest featuring the hosting nation Qatar taking on Ecuador, a game that will be televised across the world and is sure to be met with great jubilation from the hosting nation’s fanbase as this will be the first time that Qatar have ever competed at the World Cup.
Whilst there will be widespread attention directed towards the opening game of the event, fans will also be pondering as to who they believe will be the favoriting nations heading into the competition and which teams are the most prepared to lift the prestigious World Cup trophy this year.
Here are some of the most highly touted and vastly prepared nation’s for the 2022 FIFA World Cup:
- Brazil:
When it comes to discussing as to who is the outright favorites to win the World Cup this year, Brazil stand as the clear-cut contenders which is greatly reflected in the latest World Cup odds with the five-time winners ranked at +400 to win the World Cup.
Brazil have seen their fair share of struggles since their last fabled World Cup trophy celebration that came way back in 2002, with their biggest humiliation coming at the hands of the 2014 winners Germany during a 7-1 semi-final thumping in front of their own hosting fans.
Since that calamitous showdown, Brazil have now acquired an array of youthful talent that have blossomed into genuine world class players including Neymar Jr., Vinicius Jr., Marquinhos, Alisson Becker, Ederson, Richarlison, Gabriel Jesus and Roberto Firmino amongst many other high-profile names.
Alongside the nation’s immensely talented squad of players, Brazil have also impressed during their many encounters leading up to the World Cup with their last defeat on the international stage coming way back in July of 2021 when they narrowly lost to rivals Argentina in the Copa America final, leaving Brazil as arguably the most well-prepared team ahead of the 2022 World Cup.
- Argentina:
This maybe the final opportunity for Lionel Messi to claim the one major trophy that has forever eluded him, and given his recent success on the international stage with their aforementioned 1-0 win over Brazil in the 2021 Copa America final, there is still a great consensus that Messi could be lifting World Cup glory for the first time in his illustrious career (which will surely give him greater leeway in the infamous Ronaldo or Messi debate).
Alongside the legendary Argentine attacker, the former two time winners also bolster a much more balanced squad compared to their usual attack-orientated team that the nation has produced in recent years, with many pundits sighting that Argentina’s worries have so often resided at the back compared to their illustrious attacking tandem.
Whilst a number of legendary names have either announced their retirement from international duty or have dropped off in form, Argentina have entered the World Cup in great spirits and could be likely contenders to win the entire competition.
- Spain:
Whilst the likes of England, Germany and France all bolster squads with greater talent or experience at the international stage, Spain have emerged as a lively contender given their recent run of form heading into the World Cup and the vast development of various young stars.
With a greatly experienced manager at the helm, in the form of Luis Enrique, mentoring some of the world’s most renowned and highly coveted younger talents, Spain could be amongst the most exciting teams to watch at the World Cup and could potentially stake their claim as the perennial dark horse to keep a watchful eye on for all spectators.
With the 2022 World Cup veering ever closer, fans are sure to be booking their plane tickets to Qatar in the hopes of watching their beloved nation reign as one of the greatest footballing destinations that the sporting world has to offer.
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