Many people are curious about what will happen in Qatar during the next month as the 2022 FIFA World Cup draws closer. Work locations for our genuinely international staff include the USA, UK, Australia, Spain, and Japan. We’ve banded together to offer some World Cup insights, covering everything from victors and flops to stars and goal scorers. Let’s dive in about World Cup 2022 predictions and winnings.
World Cup 2022 Winner?
Simon Borg – Argentina
Argentina is a terrific squad with a supporting cast finally deserving of their superstar captain, and Messi winning the big one in his final World Cup is a great narrative. It is not a coincidence that they will approach the World Cup undefeated in 35 games. They have a strong team with individual difference-makers who play with confidence and cohesion in pursuit of Messi’s win. They have an advantageous route to the final, which only helps.
Juan Estévez – Brazil
I believe Tite’s team is prepared to win their sixth trophy in Qatar, despite generally underwhelming in prior World Cups. In addition to their regular outstanding attackers, they also boast some of the best defenders and defensive midfielders in the world.
Mike DeCourcy – Brazil
Investing in a team with Neymar on it gives me extreme jitters. His Brazil lost the World Cup semifinal match at home in 2014 7-1. His Brazil was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the 2018 tournament and had to come back to lose, 2-1. Without a doubt, despite the team’s immense attacking potential, he still drives it. Yet there is a tonne of skill. In spite of the uninspiring names on the defense, they only gave up five goals in 17 CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying games. Brazil has not been our champion in 20 years. Neymar has the opportunity to join Ronaldo, Romario, and Pele in his country’s World Cup history. What a possibility.
Mauricio Codocea – Argentina
The Finalissima vs. Italy match demonstrated the players’ (and the staff’s) readiness, despite the fact that the team hasn’t routinely faced up against top-tier European contenders. There is a crew ready to back Messi unlike ever before and not rely solely on him. The best player in the world is then present, together with a team that may be more hungry than any of the other 31 teams.
Nobuto Tanji – Serbia
The likes of Dusan Vlahovic and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic are among their elite athletes. Vanja, Sergej’s brother, has also made some superb saves for Torino this year. Serbia’s most recent game was against Norway, where Erling Haaland was shut out. When everything works out, I think they make a pretty strong team.
Pete Marshall – Argentina
The setting is set for the most appropriate of farewell performances since Lionel Messi has already determined that this World Cup will be his final one. La Albiceleste is now on a tremendous unbeaten streak that might see them exceed Italy’s record of 37 straight victories in Qatar. The GOAT will triumph and take home the grandest trophy of them all because the stars are in his favor.
Kyle Bonn – Brazil
I am aware that picking a favorite is tedious, yet this team is superior to all others. The world’s deepest and most talented team is also fairly healthy, which is unfair at this stage. This team doesn’t have any weaknesses, unlike every other team on the pitch. Even the Best XI made up of players who didn’t make Brazil’s roster would perform well in this competition.
The Shocking Teams of World Cup 2022?
Simon Borg – Senegal
There is little doubt that Sadio Mane and company can advance from Group A and then challenge anyone in the knockout rounds. They have a strong defensive play, as they demonstrated during AFCON and qualification, and they have a player in Mane who can make or break a game.
Juan Estévez – Netherlands
They have as much attacking strength as any team in the tournament, even though they are a little bit under the radar this time. Memphis Depay is the closest thing they have to a superstar striker they need to win it all, but under Louis van Gaal they have shown they can fight with and often defeat the top teams in the world.
Mike DeCourcy – Japan
The 2-0 thrashing the USMNT team received in a pre-World Cup friendly in September shocked many USMNT supporters, in part because Japan lacked the precedent to imply they could be this good. In any previous World Cup, Japan has failed to advance past the round of 16. And they came in second place behind Saudi Arabia in their World Cup qualification group. How good can they possibly be? Just observe. Japan will likely make it through a tough field to the knockout rounds before pulling off an unexpected result in the round of 16.
Mauricio Codocea – USA
The USMNT arrives at its peak in shape after failing to earn a spot in the 2018 tournament; perhaps not now, but considering the previous two years. They had a good chance of making it to the round of 16, as the draw seemed to be in their favor.
Nobuto Tanji – Serbia
One of the biggest shocks in World Cup history would occur if Serbia were to triumph. Although they are flying under the radar, they have the potential to produce quite a few surprises.
Pete Marshall – USA
Regarding the potential of this World Cup, USMNT supporters appear to be divided, but I wholeheartedly believe that this is the start of an exciting new journey. Few teams have as much potential for future success, and players like Aaronson, McKennie, Dest, and Reyna seem like they could have a breakout tournament. I believe the US will advance far into the knockout rounds.
Kyle Bonn – Canada
The U.S. and Mexico will be the focus of all North American attention, but the Canadians will dominate the competition. Even though they were given a highly challenging group, John Herdman and his team won’t be deterred. The manager of Canada is bound for a position in the Premier League, but not before leading Canada to a few surprising victories. Herdman is a master-man manager; he recently discussed how he wants his team to play in terror, acknowledging the event’s surreal atmosphere. His guys will be prepared.
Which team will flop at the World Cup?
Simon Borg – Mexico
In a group with Poland, Argentina, and a risky Saudi Arabia team, it is difficult to imagine them becoming healthy and establishing their rhythm in time to inflict damage. The scoring problems El Tri is having are not easily fixed. For years, the knockouts were a guarantee, but not this time.
Juan Estévez – France
Even if Kylian Mbappé and Karim Benzema are widely expected to advance at least to the semifinals, I have a nasty feeling about them. Even though Aurélien Tchouaméni is prepared to step in for N’Golo Kanté, losing him will be a major setback.
Mike DeCourcy – France
Since Brazil 2006, no team that won the previous tournament has progressed past the group stage, and even that incredibly talented squad suffered a heartbreaking loss in the quarterfinals. It’s tough to see why carrying the title into the next competition has become a burden. Perhaps the squad is simply changing from cycle to cycle.
Italy, Spain, and Germany all had plenty of talent in 2010, 2014, and 2018, respectively. The midfield engine of Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante, the two players most crucial to France’s championship run, will be absent due to injury, despite the country having some of the best young talents in the world. Although there are talented alternatives, France might continue the pattern of early exits.
Mauricio Codocea – France
The defending World champions had a dreadful Nations League season, winning only one of six games and narrowly avoiding relegation. They will succeed in making it to the round of 16, but it won’t be easy, and they might run into Argentina there. Mexico or Poland might possibly cause them problems.
Nobuto Tanji – Brazil
Brazil is considered to be the clear favorite this year, therefore it would be very disappointing if they lost. Simply put, expectations are too high for them.
Pete Marshall – France
The statistics are unambiguous: defending champions do poorly at World Cups. The latest in a long line of tardy hangovers for previous winners was Germany’s group stage exit in Russia, where they finished dead last in Group F. Injuries to star players like Paul Pogba and France’s troubles throughout 2022 imply that the same may be in store for them.
Kyle Bonn – France
I find it astounding how highly this team is still regarded. Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante, the two starting midfielders, are both sidelined with injuries, in addition to a number of other fitness difficulties. It will be difficult for Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema to share the attacking load because Mbappe has shown he wants the attention all to himself. Despite having a weak group, I don’t think Les Bleus will advance past the quarterfinals.
Topping with Goals at World Cup 2022?
Simon Borg – Karim Benzema
The winner of the Ballon d’Or should be a well-liked selection with a chance to make a good impression against Australia, Denmark, and Tunisia in group play. Additionally, he ought to have a shot in a few knockout games, such as a likely meeting against Poland in the round of 16 and games against England, the United States, Senegal, or the Netherlands in the quarterfinals. No one is frightened by those defenses outside of Senegal.
Juan Estévez – Cristiano Ronaldo
Although Ronaldo’s performance for Manchester United over the past few months has been far from stellar, I predict Portugal will advance late in the competition by scoring a lot of goals. And if that’s the case, Ronaldo will probably get five or six of them.
Mike DeCourcy – Harry Kane
Erling Haaland comes to mind, despite the fact that Norway was disqualified from the Qatar 2022 Olympics. No one else in the world scores goals with such regularity. But if Haaland hadn’t scored an outrageous 18 goals for Manchester City, wouldn’t we be astonished by Kane’s equally absurd 11 goals in only 14 games? That equals a season-long pace of 30 goals. In the 30 seasons prior, only 12 players had achieved that milestone. Kane has also excelled in major tournaments, taking up the Golden Boot at the 2018 World Cup with six goals and coming up just short in the Euro 2020 with four goals.
Mauricio Codocea – Harry Kane
Kane will take advantage of the fact that England has all the tools necessary to easily move to the quarterfinals. There is a potential that the squad will play seven games and its primary scorer will be prepared to contribute, even if they cannot win much more than that.
Nobuto Tanji – Dusan Vlahovic
With Milinkovic-Savic providing first-rate support, Vlahovic, who already averages a goal every two games for Serbia, might score a tonne of goals.
Pete Marshall – Vinicius Jr.
Neymar is the topic of conversation everywhere in Brazil, but his Selecao teammate Vinicius Jr. might be the better bet. He is in excellent form, as evidenced by his four goals in six UEFA Champions League games this season, and with Group G poised to provide a lot of goals, he might advance quickly into the knockout stages as the player to catch.
Kyle Bonn – Neymar
Despite having a strong attacking unit, Neymar steals the show the best. Neymar will rule supreme and guide Brazil to the championship if he can, admittedly, maintain his health. He’s been in outstanding form for PSG, and that should translate well.
The Golden Ball Winner this World Cup?
Simon Borg – Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi ought to be awarded the Golden Ball as the Albiceleste’s finest player if you believe Argentina will prevail in the competition. He’s getting back into shape just in time for the World Cup, and he’s finally settled in with his country’s team. He will pick his opportunities to make a difference, whether it’s with a goal, an assist, or a skillful free kick.
Juan Estévez – Vinicius Junior
Since Romario in 1994, none of the champions have received the Golden Ball. I anticipate that tend to come to an end in Qatar, where the young Real Madrid player will defeat Neymar and other worthy competitors.
Mike DeCourcy – Vinicius Junior
Neymar will undoubtedly control the action for Brazil, but if this is the side that wins the championship, then the best player must perform at his peak. This season, Vini Jr. has scored 10 goals for Real Madrid in all competitions. He defeated Liverpool 1-0 in the Champions League final in June, and Kylian Mbappe of France may have been the only player on the planet with the pace and talent to complete that transition strike. For a side with plenty of attacking options during World Cup qualifying, he only managed one goal. But unless this 22-year-old is out front, both literally and figuratively, they won’t win this tournament.
Mauricio Codocea – Lionel Messi
Yes, we did say that Messi would not be Argentina’s only source of strength, but the brightest star is still the brightest star. And it seems as though Argentina will win its third World Cup title, with Messi taking home not just his most sought trophy but also an important personal honor twice.
Nobuto Tanji – Sergej Milinkovic-Savic
The 27-year-old has been causing havoc at the club level for Lazio this season, and he will be the star performer if Serbia advances further in the World Cup.
Pete Marshall – Lionel Messi
Imagine the scene: Golden Ball in one hand, World Cup trophy in the other. And Leo Messi was declared the winner of the argument over who was the best player of all time.
Kyle Bonn – Lionel Messi
Can you picture the final featuring Argentina and Brazil? The Golden Ball generally goes to the highest scorer, especially if Brazil wins the tournament, but because this is Messi’s final World Cup, voters won’t be able to resist giving him the prized prize. Fans’ emotions are constantly tugged by “The Flea,” therefore even if Argentina doesn’t win the tournament overall, he should be given this award if he can lead Argentina to at least the semifinals.
For more World Cup 2022 Predictions and Insights, keep your eye on this space.
