The final international break before the 2022 FIFA World Cup is over. In less than two months, host nation Qatar will face Ecuador in the tournament’s curtain raiser.
So, what did we learn from the recent international break? Are France ready defend their crown? How will the other favourites fare in Qatar? Could we see a new name on the trophy this year?
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Let’s go over all the key talking points ahead of the hotly anticipated tournament.
France, England, Spain, Germany, Belgium and Portugal are all among the bookmakers’ favourites to win the World Cup. However, many of the elite European nations have struggled for consistency of late.
Defending champions France managed to win just one of their six Nations League games, suffering three defeats along the way. Meanwhile, England failed to win any of their Nations League games – resulting in relegation.
Germany have struggled in recent times, too, winning just one of their previous seven games in all competitions. As for Portugal, they head into the World Cup on a run of two losses in three outings.
Spain look like the most consistent European nation at the moment, having suffered a solitary defeat in their past ten games across all competitions. But have La Roja got what it takes to go all the way in Qatar? Time will tell.
By contrast, Brazil extended their winning streak to seven games with a 5-1 victory over Tunisia during the international break. When you look at the bigger picture, the five-time World Cup winners have avoided defeat in each of their last 15 clashes.
Believe it or not, Argentina are enjoying an even longer unbeaten streak. The 1978 and 1986 World Cup champions last tasted defeat all the way back in July 2019 – 35 games ago!
Lionel Messi has bagged nine goals and two assists in his last four appearances for Argentina. Since the start of the 2021 Copa America, the 35-year-old has racked up 18 goals and seven assists in 20 games for his country.
Brazil (2002) were the last non-European winners of the World Cup. Having watched Italy (2006), Spain (2010), Germany (2014) and France (2018) triumph since then, both South American powerhouses will be desperate to buck the trend.
If the recent international break is anything to go by, Brazil and Argentina will be difficult to stop in Qatar. Still, you’d be foolish to write off European giants such as France, England and Germany.
The Netherlands and Belgium will also fancy their chances of securing the silverware in Qatar, as will Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal. Outsiders like Denmark, Croatia and Uruguay stand a fighting chance, too.
At this moment in time, it is difficult to predict who will win the 2022 FIFA World Cup. With several teams in contention to lift the trophy in Lusail on December 18, we are set for a thrilling tournament.