The 2022 FIFA World Cup finally kicks off in Qatar on Sunday with world-class footballers headlining their respective country’s hopes of etching their names into the history books and taking the beautiful trophy back to their homeland.
There can only be one winner, find our who our writers have tipped to lift the gold.
Jesse Nagel says Brazil – 4/1
If football is as honest of a sport as I think it is, Brazil should have very little trouble claiming their sixth FIFA World Cup trophy. They’re streets ahead of any other participating nation as well as those left at home. Brazil have been the course and distance and know exactly what it takes to grind out against the very best. Generally, the best team usually wins the cup, or at least that has been the case since 1998, where Brazil were the best nation but lost in the final to France. They’ve shown that those demons of yesteryear are behind them and they can get back to their usual spot and dominate the football world again. Tite’s men are ranked number one, now they have to show for it – which they will in Qatar!
Desh Parthab says Netherlands – 12/1
Netherlands to take it! Shot stopper Remko Pasveer will get the nod in the nets, having kept both of Holland’s clean sheets in the Nations League. I think Bayern Munich based Matthijs de Ligt is going to have a World Cup to remember. He will be paired with Virgil van Dijk (who is simply different gravy when he drapes his Netherlands cape) and probably Stefan de Vrij (4 clean sheets in 11 league appearances for Inter this season) with Nathan Ake possibly called upon. The wing backs of Denzel Dumfries (above average shooting ability) and Tyrell Malacia (endless energy reserves) will provide an outlet to progress the ball. The midfield general that is Frenkie de Jong offers more options than a Swiss army knife. I am inclined to say he will operate a double pivot alongside Berghuis, with De Roon or Davy Klaassen stepping in. I anticipate the attacking trio of Gakpo, Bergwijn and Depay will combine to devastating effect. Watch this space. The tutelage of Louis van Gaal should guide his countrymen into the deep stages of the competition and I think they will be the last team standing.
Mcebo Mpungose says France – 6/1
I expect France to retain their glory in this year’s FIFA World Cup in Qatar when the tournament concludes. Italy and Brazil are the only nations that have won the World Cup back-to-back. France could be the third. Despite notable absentees like Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante, who were vital to their previous success, France has enough in its arsenal to launch a solid campaign. Their defence boasts an in-form William Saliba and Ibrahima Konate, who’s returned from injury and improved Liverpool’s backline. There’s also Barcelona’s Jules Kounde and Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano. They have a youthful midfield with Real Madrid duo; Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga. Upfront, they have Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema, who’ll have a point to prove in Qatar. His partnership with Kylian Mbappe will light up this tournament!
Jason Dewey says Argentina – 11/2
This edition of the World Cup definitely feels like a two-horse race between CONMEBOL giants Brazil and Argentina. I’m leaning more towards Argentina here. Yes, Brazil are the more fancied side, but I’m struggling to look past Argentina’s most well-rounded World Cup squad since 2006. And how can you ignore the resurgence of Lionel Messi? The little magician is back to his very best after an underwhelming first season at PSG. In addition to Messi, there are a number of Argentinian stars who have impressed in the first half of this season – Lisandro Lopez and Cristian Romero have been transformative presences at their respective clubs, Enzo Fernandez has been at the heart of a Benfica side who have swept almost all before them domestically as well as on the continent, and Lautaro Martinez has found form after a quiet start to the campaign. The Copa America champions will be desperate to send Messi off on a high, and I’m all over them claiming their third World Cup.
Venal Naidu says Belgium – 16/1
The Belgium team finished third in the 2018 World Cup. They played fantastically, knocking out the Brazilians in the quarter-finals. They are currently ranked number two in the world and I believe that they have what it takes to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup. They have the best midfielder in the world in the form of Kevin De Bruyne, they have a formidable front-line in the form of Romelu Lukaku and Leandro Trossard. When you look at what they have to offer at the back, we don’t need to look further than Thibaut Courtois. The Real Madrid goalkeeper was instrumental in his team’s Champions League triumph earlier this year and he should be the backbone that his team need in order to go all the way. With all that being said, I believe that the Belgians are the team to be with, especially at 16/1, they do look the value bet in this tournament!
Ryan Liberty says Argentina – 11/2
The FIFA World Cup is truly a global showpiece, one which captures the attention of the whole world! Now, whilst this edition might not have enjoyed the marketing or coverage usually associated with the iconic tournament – from a purely football perspective it has still garnered the usual attention and intrigue. For me, Argentina wins the tournament this year. They have sort of remained under the radar for the most part of the build-up, but they have a complete side, who know how to win, with creativity and natural ability all over the pitch which is all held together by a coach brazen enough to let their talent loose on the world. At 11/2, there is plenty of value – get on!
Ayanda Vezi says Brazil – 4/1
It’s been 20 years now since Brazil last lifted the prestigious FIFA World Cup. The Samba Boys came close to winning it in 2014 as they were the host nation. But their star man suffered an injury in the quarter-final which saw the Brazilians end up getting smashed 7-1 by Germany which broke many people’s hearts. Coach Tite will be leading Brazil once again as they hope to claim their sixth World Cup. The Selecao are one of the nations that have the strongest squad, especially in attack, with the likes of Neymar, Vinicius and Gabriel Jesus to name a few. The five-time champions will go all the way and claim this year’s showpiece as they arrive in Qatar with top players who want to go down in the great history of Brazilian football books.
Joshua Gaillard says England – 8/1
Can England end 56 years of hurt? I believe so. A steady progression in major world tournaments sees the Three Lions enter their second World Cup under Gareth Southgate. Progressive finishes in the Russia 2018 World Cup followed by a penalty shootout loss in the 2020 European Championships finals against Italy means there’s only one more step for the English. A prolific goal scorer in their captain Harry Kane, experience in the engine room from Jordan Henderson, alongside sprinklings of youthful quality like Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka, all backed by a sturdy defensive block led by Harry Maguire, there’s only one thing to say… 🎵 Looking back on when we first met. I cannot escape, and I cannot forget. Southgate, you’re the one, you still turn me on “Football’s coming home again! 🎵
Chad Nagel says Brazil – 4/1
I genuinely tried to make a case for other top sides to avoid selecting the favourite, but quite honestly, there’s just no team that can match up to Brazil at the moment. Perhaps France will pose the biggest threat to Tite’s men, but they just aren’t the same without their midfield duo of Pogba and Kante. The Selecao have won five previous World Cups and will boast a star-studded squad as they once again go searching for a sixth. The Brazilians are stacked with so much talent that Tite didn’t have place for Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhaes and Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino. Even without the Premier League duo, Brazil still have arguably the strongest squad in the tournament. Neymar, Vinicius, Casemiro, Marquinhos, Antony, Silva… the names just roll off the tongue.