After previewing every nation taking part in the tournament, it’s now time to see if I can predict what will happen in Qatar.
Group A: Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal, Netherlands
Group A sees the host Qatar take on Ecuador, Senegal and the Netherlands. I see Senegal winning this group. It will be tight between them and the Netherlands but for me, Senegal just edges it. I don’t see either Qatar or Ecuador getting a result against the top 2 in this group but when it comes to who finishes 3rd in the group, I’ve gone with Qatar. 1st game of the tournament, I’ve got to go with the hosts. Also, I don’t rate the Ecuador squad too much.
Group A Results:
Qatar 2-1 Ecuador
Senegal 1-1 Netherlands
Qatar 0-3 Senegal
Netherlands 2-0 Ecuador
Netherlands 2-1 Qatar
Ecuador 1-2 Senegal
Group A Standings:
Senegal: 7 Points (+4)
Netherlands: 7 Points (+3)
Qatar: 3 Points (-3)
Ecuador: 0 Points (-4)
Group B: England, IR Iran, USA, Wales
Group B sees England, Iran, USA and Wales all face off. I expect England to win this group, they are the best team in this group but that doesn’t mean they are going to cruise through their matches. In second place, I have put USA. As much as I would love to see Wales go far in this tournament, I can’t see it happening. In my opinion, USA are the better team. IR Iran come in last; I don’t expect them to really do anything.
Group B Results:
England 2-1 IR Iran
USA 2-2 Wales
Wales 1-0 IR Iran
England 1-1 USA
Wales 1-2 England
IR Iran 0-2 USA
Group B Standings:
England: 7 Points (+2)
USA: 5 Points (+2)
Wales: 4 Points (+0)
IR Iran: 0 Points (-4)
Group C: Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland
Group C sees Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland do battle. I see Argentina winning this group. They will be tested by both Mexico and Poland, but they should have enough to win the group. I then have Mexico finishing second in the group, missing out on top spot-on goal difference. Poland will have to wait another 4 years before they can break the knockout stage curse and I can’t see Saudi Arabia causing too many issues for their competitors.
Group C Results:
Argentina 4-1 Saudi Arabia
Mexico 2-1 Poland
Poland 2-0 Saudi Arabia
Argentina 2-2 Mexico
Poland 1-2 Argentina
Saudi Arabia 0-1 Mexico
Group C Standings:
Argentina: 7 Points (+4)
Mexico: 7 Points (+2)
Poland: 3 Points (+0)
Saudi Arabia: 0 Points (-6)
Group D: France, Australia, Denmark, Tunisia
Group D is almost a repeat of Group C from the 2018 World Cup. France, Australia and Denmark will once again do battle in the group stage whilst Tunisia will join the fold. I expect France to win this group. I could see them having another tight World Cup game with Australia and Denmark are a great team but that won’t stop France from taking all 9 points. I’ve got Denmark to beat Australia in a critical group stage to finish second in the group whilst Tunisia come in in last place.
Group D Results:
Denmark 2-0 Tunisia
France 2-1 Australia
Tunisia 1-2 Australia
France 2-1 Denmark
Tunisia 0-4 France
Australia 1-3 Denmark
Group D Standings:
France: 9 Points (+6)
Denmark: 6 Points (+3)
Australia: 3 Points (-2)
Tunisia: 0 Points (-7)
Group E: Spain, Costa Rica, Germany, Japan
Group E sees Spain, Costa Rica, Germany and Japan do battle for a spot in the Last 16. I have Germany winning this group on 7 points. Spain will do just enough to make it through ahead of Japan whilst Costa Rica come home comfortably last. If you read my preview, you would know that it was destiny for Japan to go out and as for Costa Rica, they really aren’t good enough.
Group E Results:
Germany 2-1 Japan
Spain 1-0 Costa Rica
Japan 3-1 Costa Rica
Spain 2-2 Germany
Japan 1-1 Spain
Costa Rica 0-2 Germany
Group E Standings:
Germany: 7 Points (+3)
Spain: 5 Points (+1)
Japan: 4 Points (+1)
Costa Rica: 0 Points (-5)
Group F: Belgium, Canada, Morocco, Croatia
Group F is really exciting. I expect Belgium to qualify from this group, they are the best team but I’m not sure they’ll be able to breeze through any of these games. Croatia finish 2nd in the group, let's see if that means they make it to the semis. Canada come in third place whilst Morocco finish bottom. However, Morocco become the first team so far to finish bottom of their group yet manage to earn a point.
Group F Results:
Morocco 1-1 Croatia
Belgium 2-0 Canada
Belgium 2-1 Morocco
Croatia 1-0 Canada
Croatia 2-2 Belgium
Canada 2-1 Morocco
Group F Standings:
Belgium: 7 Points (+3)
Croatia: 5 Points (+1)
Canada: 3 Points (-2)
Morocco: 1 Point (-2)
Group G: Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon
In my opinion, this is arguably the best group of the tournament. I’ve got Brazil winning it; there qualifying campaign really impressed me. In second and behind Brazil on goal difference, I have Switzerland. Switzerland are a great team. Serbia misses out on a spot in the last 16 and that feels harsh. I expect them to be competitive in all three of their group stage games. Cameroon come in last. Their ability just simply isn’t on the level of the teams in their group.
Group G Results:
Switzerland 2-0 Cameroon
Brazil 2-1 Serbia
Cameroon 1-3 Serbia
Brazil 2-2 Switzerland
Cameroon 0-3 Brazil
Serbia 1-2 Switzerland
Group G Standings:
Brazil: 7 Points (+4)
Switzerland: 7 Points (+3)
Serbia: 3 Points (+0)
Cameroon: 0 Points (-7)
Group H: Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay, South Korea
I would expect Portugal to win this group. I totally see Portugal struggling against Ghana and South Korea more than they do against Uruguay. Uruguay come in the second; they are a lot better than the teams below them. Ghana actually finishes ahead of South Korea on goals scored. I think Ghana will surprise people when it comes to the amount of quality they possess.
Group H Results:
Uruguay 1-0 South Korea
Portugal 3-2 Ghana
South Korea 2-2 Ghana
Portugal 2-0 Uruguay
South Korea 1-2 Portugal
Ghana 1-2 Uruguay
Group H Standings:
Portugal: 9 Points (+4)
Uruguay: 6 Points (+0)
Ghana: 1 Point (-2)
South Korea: 1 Point (-2)
Last 16:
Senegal VS USA
The first matchup in the last 16 sees Senegal take on the USA. This is a matchup between the reigning African Cup of Nations Champions and the reigning CONCACAF Gold Cup Champions which is pretty exciting. Both teams also come into this game unbeaten in the competition so far. In the end, I’m picking the African Champions to win this battle.
My Prediction: 2-1
Argentina VS Denmark
Argentina won their group with 7 points whilst Denmark finished second in Group D with six points after a loss to France. Argentina and Denmark both possess pretty good squads. This game is very exciting and I expect it to go down to the wire. Argentina pips it on penalties!
My Prediction: 1-1 (3-2 on Penalties)
Germany VS Croatia
Unlike 2018, Germany are playing in the knockout stages of the World Cup. They face 2018 finalists Croatia in a battle between two unbeaten teams. At every World Cup, there are always surprises. Germany has a good squad, there’s no denying that but so do Croatia. I expect this game to have a surprising outcome.
My Prediction: 1-3
Brazil VS Uruguay
If everything goes to plan, I’ll be watching a very exciting battle between two South American teams at my Nan and Grandad’s house. Brazil got threw on 7 points whilst Uruguay only got six after losing to Portugal. In the two meetings the two teams had in the qualifiers, Brazil won by an aggregate score of 6-1. It’s been over 20 years (12 matches) since the last time Uruguay beat Brazil and I don’t expect that to change here. Uruguay just aren’t as good as they once were.
My Prediction: 2-0
England VS Netherlands
England VS Netherlands is an exciting game. Netherlands best asset is their great defensive options whilst England’s greatest strength is their attacking players. Both teams picked up 7 points in the group stage which is also quite interesting. I’d expect this one to be close and I’m going to predict an England win on penalties.
My Prediction: 0-0 (4-3 on penalties)
France VS Mexico
France won all 3 of their group games whilst Mexico picked up 2 wins and a drew against Argentina. There’s no getting around the fact that France are big favourites in this game. Mexico’s squad is solid enough to fight but overall, France have an excellent all-round squad that should see them into the quarter finals. The wait continues for Mexico to play in a fifth match at the World Cup finals.
My Prediction: 2-0
Belgium VS Spain
In arguably the best game of the round, Belgium take on Spain. Belgium are looking to do what Spain have done in the past and that’s win the World Cup. Spain were unconvincing in the group stage whilst Belgium topped a tough group. Spain have a really young squad at the moment and I believe they could be a proper, proper contender in a few year's time. Right now though, I don’t rate their current squad over Belgium’s. For the third successive World Cup finals, Spain aren’t even making it into the last eight.
My Prediction: 4-2
Portugal VS Switzerland
Portugal VS Switzerland promises to be a really fun tie. Portugal managed to win all 3 of their group stage games whilst Switzerland beat Cameroon, Serbia and picked up a point against Brazil. Switzerland are a team that can genuinely beat everyone and the same applies here. However, I have to go with Portugal in this game. It would be a disaster if they failed to make it to the last 8.
My Prediction: 3-2
Quarter Finals:
Senegal VS Argentina
The first quarter final sees the 2021 African Cup of Nations winners go against the 2021 Copa America winners. Neither team had the easiest of runs but I would definitely argue that Senegal’s path has been easier than Argentina’s. Senegal have gone on a brilliant run but unfortunately for them, I believe it is going to come to an end here.
My Prediction: 2-3 (AET)
Croatia VS Brazil
Both Croatia and Brazil have had to fight for their spots in the World Cup quarter finals. Croatia have played Belgium, Canada, Morocco and Germany whilst Brazil have played Switzerland, Serbia, Cameroon and Uruguay. Both teams are really talented and they have a mixture of brilliant players coming to the end of their careers and younger players playing in their prime. This should be really fun, but I believe that Brazil will come out on top meaning Croatia exit the World Cup in the quarter finals for the first time in their history.
My Prediction: 0-1
England VS France
England come into this game off the back of a penalty shootout victory whilst France have won all 4 games that they have participated in. These are also the two teams that have lost the last two European Championship finals so they are desperate to win the World Cup. It should be a good game but for me, France are the stronger team.
My Prediction: 1-3
Belgium VS Portugal
Both Belgium and Portugal had to really fight hard to make it into the last 8. The two teams actually met in the last 16 at last’s year European Championships. Belgium managed to come out on top due to a Thorgan Hazard goal. There is no doubt that Portugal will want some revenge and, in the end, these two squads contain some of the best players in the world. Portugal have won every game they’ve played in this tournament so far but that’s going to end here. In my opinion, they are the better team, but they are just too unreliable in big situations. No World Cup trophy for Cristiano Ronaldo.
My Prediction: 2-1
Semi Finals:
Argentina VS Brazil
The Semi-Final of the World Cup sees two South American heavyweights collide as Argentina take on Brazil. Both Argentina and Brazil went unbeaten in the world cup qualifiers but in the Copa America, Argentina beat Brazil to win the competition. In the end, both teams are incredibly good. Lionel Messi and Neymar JR know each other so well and they will probably be the difference makers in the end. Lionel Messi arguably wants this trophy more than anyone else but, in the end, it isn’t going to be enough for Argentina. I just think Brazil has the slight edge.
My Prediction: 1-2
France VS Belgium
In the 2018 World Cup semi-final, France beat Belgium 1-0 to move onto the final before they eventually won it. In the 2020/21 Nations League semi-final, France beat Belgium 3-2 to move onto the final before they eventually won it. It’s fair to say that Belgium have had enough of losing to France. France have won all 5 of their games so far in this tournament whilst Belgium have won 4 times and drawn once (against Croatia). Both teams have world class players but when you truly look at it, France have a lot more. In my opinion, Kevin De Bruyne is the best player in the world and as much as he can create offensively, France’s attack of Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappe is just going to be too much for this Belgium team. France are once again returning to the World Cup final.
My Prediction: 3-1
Third Place Playoff: Argentina VS Belgium
This is easily the game that no-one wants to be in. However, it’s a game that both Argentina and Belgium will have to participate in. I could see a lot of different players who maybe didn’t get much game time in the tournament playing in this game and it will probably be low scoring. Argentina win on penalties.
My Prediction: 0-0 (3-1 on penalties)
World Cup Final: Brazil VS France
It all comes down to this, the most successful team in World Cup history take on the reigning World Champions. When I did my preview, these were the first two teams I talked about because I expected them to both go very far. Brazil have picked up 5 wins and one draw in this tournament so far and their aggregate score for this year's competition is 12-4. As for France, they have managed to win all six of their games so far and their aggregate score is a whopping 16-4. These two teams met back in the 1998 World Cup final in France and the hosts managed to beat Brazil 3-0 to win their first ever World Cup trophy. They’ll be looking to do that again, but I doubt they’ll be able to walkover them like they did on that occasion. In the end, both teams are incredible and both sides arguably deserve to win it. For me, I am picking Brazil to win the World Cup for a sixth time!
My Prediction: 3-2
Brazil are the 2022 World Cup Champions!
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