The 2022 World Cup kicks off Sunday in Qatar, the first ever played this late in the year and a tournament packed with intriguing storylines. Will Argentine star Lionel Messi finally win his first World Cup trophy? Can defending champion France repeat? Is the young, inexperienced U.S. squad good enough to make a run? Can Spain and Germany redeem themselves after recent disappointments? And will Brazil win a sixth World Cup championship?
Here is a look at the eight groups and who is favored to advance to the knockout rounds …
GROUP A: Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal, Netherlands
Netherlands is the likely group winner with a loaded roster that breezed through its World Cup qualifying group, scoring 33 goals in 10 matches, and losing just one game. Virgil Van Dijk, the 6-4 Liverpool center back, anchors the Dutch defense. Midfielder Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona) has great vision and skill and his Barca teammate Memphis Depay is among several attackers who can score. Ecuador and Senegal are expected to battle for second place. Ecuador has the edge because South American competition is stronger than the teams Senegal faced in Africa. But watch for Senegal’s Sadio Mane, the Bayern Munich forward who is one of the best African players of all time. Qatar will have the home crowd but lacks talent and experience.
GROUP B: England, Iran, USA, Wales
England is not only favored to win the group, it is a contender for the World Cup title. The English team has elite talent at every position and a stingy defense that allowed just three goals in 10 qualifying matches. Twenty five of the 26 players are from the English Premier League, including goalkeepers Jordan Pickford (Everton) and Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal), defenders Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Kyle Walker and John Stones (Manchester City), midfielders Mason Mount (Chelsea), Decler Rice (West Ham), Phil Foden (Man City), and forwards Harry Kane (Tottenham), Raheem Sterling (Chelsea), and Bukayo Saka (Arsenal).
England was runner-up to Italy in the Euro final last summer, reached the semifinals of the 2018 World Cup, and advancing to the knockout rounds in Qatar is a foregone conclusion. The only question is whether Wales or Team USA will join them, as Iran is a long shot. The U.S. is inexperienced on the world stage after failing to qualify in 2018 and finished third in CONCACAF, but has a new crop of talented players, many of whom make a living with some of Europe’s biggest clubs. Wales has Gareth Bale, Dan James, Kieffer Moore and has been battle-tested.
GROUP C: Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland
Lionel Messi’s resume is missing only a World Cup trophy, and Argentina has what it takes to win it. The “Albiceleste” are on a 35-match unbeaten run, went undefeated in 17 qualifying matches (including a 0-0 tie with Brazil) and beat Brazil in the Copa America final. All but one of the players are Europe-based, including Messi (PSG), Angel DiMaria (Juventus), and Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan). Mexico has advanced from the group stage in its eight World Cup appearances but has questions after struggling against Team USA and Canada in qualifying. Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski leads a talented Poland squad that has speed and toughness. Saudi Arabia might get a win, but not enough to advance.
GROUP D: France, Australia, Denmark, Tunisia
Defending champion France is the heavy favorite in this group and could win the whole thing again with top talent, speed and experience. Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Kylian Mbappe (PSG), N’Golo Kante (Chelsea), Raphael Varane (Manchester United), and Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid) are among the French players to watch. Denmark is also strong, having outscored opponents 30-3 in qualifying. The Danes beat France twice this year in the UEFA Nations Cup, for what that’s worth. France and Denmark were in the same group at the Russia World Cup in 2018 and both advanced, which doesn’t bode well for Australia and Tunisia.
GROUP E: Spain, Costa Rica, Germany, Japan
Spain and Germany, the favorites to advance to the knockout stage, both have something to prove. Spain, winners of the 2010 World Cup and the 2008 and 2012 Euros, have not been as strong in recent years as the “Golden Generation” moved on. They suffered a group stage exit at the 2014 World Cup and lost in the Round of 16 in the 2016 Euro and 2018 World Cup. But things look brighter after a semifinal run at the 2020 Euros and a close loss to France in the 2021 Nations League final. The roster is Barcelona heavy with Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, Pedri, Ansu Fati, and Gavi.
Germany lost in the group stage at the 2018 Cup and lost in the Round of 16 at the 2020 Euros. The resurgent Germans went 9-1 in World Cup qualifying and outscored opponents 36-4. Their top players include Thomas Muller, Manuel Neuer, Lery Sane, Jonas Hoffmann and Serge Gnabry. Japan and Costa Rica will advance only if Germany or Spain underperform, which they both have done in recent Cups.
GROUP F: Belgium, Canada, Morocco, Croatia
This is perhaps the most balanced group with no clear winner. Croatia is the 2018 World Cup runner-up and is led by Real Madrid midfield magician Luka Modric. The always-talented Belgian squad has Real Madrid’s Eden Hazard, Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne, and Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku (on loan from Chelsea). Belgium lost to eventual champion France in the 2018 World Cup semis. Canada was the surprise first-place finisher in CONCACAF qualifying, ahead of Mexico and the USA. Canada is led by Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich), Haitian/American/Canadian Jonathan David (Lille), and Junior Hoilett (Reading). Morocco has potential, but likely won’t advance.
GROUP G: Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon
Five-time World Cup champion Brazil is the top-ranked team in the world, should cruise into the knockout round and is a heavy favorite to win it all again for the first time in 20 years. The Brazilians were undefeated in 17 qualifying matches and have just one loss since 2019, to Argentina in the Copa America final. Their roster is stacked with one-named wonders — Neymar, Vinicius, Marquinhos, Casemiro, Firmino, Danilo, Raphinha, Alisson, Ederson, Fred — and the likes of Thiago Silva.
Serbia has a few standout players but look for Switzerland to take second place. The Swiss were in the knockout stage of the 2018 World Cup and the quarterfinals of the 2020 Euros. Xhaka (Arsenal) and Shaqiri (Chicago Fire) are Swiss players to watch. Cameroon is always entertaining, but it will be tough to finish top two.
GROUP H: Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay, South Korea
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo is the most famous player in the group, but South Florida fans will recognize Uruguay coach Diego Alonso, previously of Inter Miami. Alonso’s team is a blend of old (six players 35 and older) and new, known for its grit and has a dangerous attack with Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani and Darwin Nunez. Lucas Torreira and Rodrigo Betancur man the middle and Diego Godin was around when Uruguay reached the World Cup semis in 2010.
Uruguay and Portugal are expected to advance, but Ghana and South Korea both have elite players who could pose a threat to the favorites. Will Ronaldo find glory after his struggles with Manchester United? The world’s about to find out.
