In any other year, we’d be just a few months away from the next FIFA World Cup, a summertime tournament watched by people all over the world. But the 2022 World Cup is being held in the blistering desert heat of Qatar and has been moved back to November/December to make it more bearable.
That gives us over 7 months to prepare, but most of the teams have already qualified and we also have a good idea of how things will play out. So, to start the ball rolling and get everyone excited for Qatar, let’s make some early predictions.
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England Will Struggle
During the 2020 European Championships, Harry Maguire was still regarded as one of the best defenders in England, Pickford was an in-form goalkeeper, Kane was unstoppable, and Luke Shaw was finally showing his class.
Today, Maguire has turned into a living meme, Shaw has gone back to being average, Pickford is involved in a relegation clash, and Kane is no longer the EPL king. England still has great players coming through the ranks, but it doesn’t have homefield advantage in this major tournament and the players will be forced to play in conditions they’re not familiar with.
It’s not going to be England’s year.
Spain Has Another Golden Generation
Spain has disappointed at the last few tournaments, despite being the best team in the world in the late 2000s. But it could have another golden generation on its hands, and we’ll get to see it in action in 2022.
Gavi, Rodri, Pedri, Fati, Ferran Torres, and Bryan Gil are all amazing young players and they will be supported by a few experienced players, including De Gea, Azpilicueta, Laporte, Busquets, and Morata. It might not be Spain’s year, but the Spanish will go far.
Belgium’s Chance Has Gone
2022 is one of the first major tournaments in years in which Belgium isn’t one of the three favorites, and it’s easy to see why.
In the past, Belgium has always had the best team on paper, and while there are still many superstars here, they are not the threat they once were.
Eden Hazard is a shadow of his former self and may not even make it to the tournament. Lukaku is very inconsistent. Batshuayi and Januzaj never realized their potential. As for Vermaelen and Alderweireld, a previously formidable pairing, they will have a combined age of 71 by the start of the tournament.
The golden age is coming to an end and their chance of winning a big tournament has gone.
France Will Be Unstoppable…If They Players Can Work Together
France is our pick for the 2022 World Cup. If the French team can work together and play as well as they should, they will be unstoppable.
Not only does France have the brilliant Mbappe, Coman, and other young talent, but it can also look to experienced and in-form stars like Benzema, Varane, Lloris, Griezmann, and countless others. It’s a selection that would make any manager jealous, and it will make France hard to stop.