Doha, Qatar
CNN
—
In simply over 24 hours, Qatar 2022 will burst into life because the host nation takes on Ecuador within the opening sport of the World Cup.
It’s a event that has prompted controversy ever because it was awarded to the Gulf nation in 2010 however, after years of ready, the gamers are making the ultimate touches to their preparations.
Whereas off-field points proceed to make headlines, from the deaths of migrant employees and the situations many have endured in Qatar, to LGBTQ and girls’s rights, and the actual fact no alcohol can be offered at stadiums, the on-field motion guarantees to be unpredictable and thrilling.
Right here is all you want to know in regards to the 32 nations competing and the gamers who may dazzle.
Solely eight nations have ever gained the lads’s World Cup, lots of that are among the many favorites this time round.
Brazil holds the data for many titles, having lifted the trophy 5 instances, and the brand new technology has an actual probability of including one other for what could be the nation’s first in 20 years.
The attacking choices communicate for themselves. As he has finished since stepping onto the world stage, Neymar will carry the expectations of a nation however can have Actual Madrid’s Vinicuis Jr. and Barcelona’s Raphinha to help him.
There’s high quality everywhere in the pitch, not least in protection, the place Chelsea’s skilled Thiago Silva and Paris Saint-Germain’s Marquinhos will doubtless kind a defend for Liverpool’s goalkeeper Allison.
Brazil additionally has a formidable document to boast, successful or drawing 28 of its previous 29 matches, the one loss coming in opposition to Argentina within the Copa America remaining in 2021 and can really feel assured of reaching the knockout rounds. It faces a comparatively simple group stage, in opposition to Switzerland, Cameroon and Serbia.
Alongside Brazil, you may’t ignore France.
The reigning world champion breezed by qualifying with out shedding a sport and has Kylian Mbappe maturing into a world celebrity.
Nonetheless, plenty of accidents in key positions may hurt its possibilities. Star striker Karim Benzema has been dominated out on the eve of the event, whereas the midfield duo of Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante – so pivotal to its success in 2018 – miss out. Nonetheless, central defender Raphael Varane has been included within the squad after recovering from damage.
Nielsen’s Gracenote predicts Brazil has a 20% probability of successful the competitors, with Argentina, boasting the nice Lionel Messi in its squad, the following most definitely to elevate the trophy with an 18% probability.
Simon Gleave, head of research for Gracenote Sports activities, stated: “No different groups have been wherever close to as constant during the last 4 years as the 2 South American giants and this consistency means that there’s a good probability of one in all them prevailing.”
It’s uncommon that an underdog wins the World Cup however it’s not not possible.
Denmark has its new golden technology. After being knocked out by England within the Euro 2020 semifinals, the group waltzed by World Cup qualification, successful 9 of its 10 matches and conceding solely three objectives.
Manchester United playmaker Christian Eriksen is arguably its most vital participant and his return to the group is nothing wanting a miracle.
Eriksen collapsed throughout Denmark’s sport in opposition to Finland at Euro 2020 and acquired life-saving therapy on the pitch earlier than being fitted with a Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) gadget.
Such trauma appeared to unite the group and the Danes can be a tricky proposition for anybody in Qatar.
Elsewhere, Senegal is arguably the most effective African group on the event – even with out Bayern Munich’s Sadio Mane, who misses out by damage.
‘The Lions of Teranga’ gained the African Cup of Nations for the primary time earlier this yr and have a bunch of star names taking part in in Europe’s high leagues.
Though Mane can be an enormous loss, the group is not simply reliant on its captain.
Chelsea’s Edouard Mendy is a high class goalkeeper and Kalidou Koulibaly is used to coping with the perfect attackers in Europe. It additionally has the scary tempo of rising star Ismaila Sarr to lean on.
No African group has ever made it to the semifinals of a World Cup however this Senegal facet has an opportunity, albeit very slim, ought to the draw be form.
A number of the finest gamers on this planet can be on present in Qatar and, for a lot of, it’s probably the final probability they must get their palms on the well-known trophy.
Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are two of the best gamers to have performed the sport, however neither have had success on the most important worldwide stage.
Messi has already confirmed this can be his final World Cup and, given he’ll be over 40 when the following event comes round, it’s protected to say Ronaldo is unlikely to play one other.
Each are already their nation’s high goalscorers and each have an affordable probability of going far within the event.
Away from the established superstars, although, this is also a event that reveals some lesser-known abilities.
Along with making its World Cup debut, Qatar is a comparatively unknown amount with most of its gamers spending their careers within the nation’s high league. The exception is attacker Akram Afif.
The wideman spent temporary spells in Belgium and Spain earlier than returning to Qatar and signing for Al Sadd in 2020. The 25-year-old has since developed into an thrilling playmaker and backs up his trickery with effectivity.
Afif made 11 assists in the course of the group’s Asian Cup win in 2019 and at the moment has eight assists in simply seven appearances in Qatar’s high division. He’s one to look at within the opening sport.
One other rising star is Japan’s Takefusa Kubo.
The playmaker, 21, has learnt his commerce at a few of soccer’s most prestigious faculties, spending time in Barcelona’s youth academy earlier than becoming a member of Actual Madrid in 2019.
He’s since left the Spanish capital however has excelled at Actual Sociedad this season. He can be an vital participant in Japan’s World Cup marketing campaign and has already been dubbed the ‘Japanese Lionel Messi’ again dwelling. No strain, then.
American star Gio Reyna may additionally develop into a world star.
The 19-year-old, whose mom and father each performed worldwide soccer for the US, joined German membership Borussia Dortmund in 2019 from New York Metropolis’s youth academy and has made massive strides, getting loads of sport time in latest weeks after lacking plenty of video games final season with damage.
Talking to CNN in 2020, Ghana’s supervisor and former Dortmund youth coach Otto Addo stated Reyna’s potential was clear from an early age.
“It’s his approach underneath strain,” he stated. “To make no errors underneath strain, to alter path underneath strain and to speed up within the midfield.
“He additionally has sport intelligence, to place himself at all times between the strains, to learn the sport and he is aware of what’s subsequent. He brings loads, far more than different gamers from his age group.”
The event kicks off on November 20 with Qatar going through Ecuador on the Al Bayt Stadium. The knockout levels then begin on December 3, earlier than the ultimate takes place on December 18.
US: Fox Sports activities
UK: BBC or ITV
Australia: SBS
Brazil: SportTV
Germany: ARD, ZDF, Deutsche Telekom
Canada: Bell Media
South Africa: SABC
Listed below are a number of the key dates, together with Messi and Ronaldo’s first video games of the event and all USMNT group fixtures.
Nov 20: Qatar vs. Ecuador – 4pm, Fox Sports activities 1
Nov 21: USMNT vs. Wales – 7pm, Fox
Nov 22: Argentina vs. Saud Arabia – 10am, Fox Sports activities 1
Nov 24: Portugal vs. Ghana – 4pm, Fox
Nov 25: England vs. USMNT – 7pm, Fox
Nov 29: Iran vs. USMNT – 7pm, Fox
Dec 18: World Cup Ultimate – 3pm, Fox
