The FIFA World Cup is one of the most prestigious competitions in world football and the destination for the 2022 event is Qatar. Set to be the first-ever world cup in the Middle East, the FIFA World Cup 2022 would be a month-long spectacle featuring 32 teams, over a million fans, and many high-profile encounters on the football pitch. But while the anticipation continues to grow around the world as the competition edges closer, the question that lingers in every football fan's mind is, "Who's going to lift the crown this time around?"
Which teams would be the top contenders to win the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar? Will the world cup bring a bolt out of the blue or will the giants of footballing nations rule the crown again? Well, as far as the world cup is concerned, the competition has a history of coming up with some shocking results. So, who'll lift the crowd in Qatar?
Let's take a closer look at the top contenders, the outsiders to challenge, and the underdogs for the upcoming FIFA event in the Middle East.
Top Contenders For The Qatar FIFA World Cup 2022
World footballing giants would take on the field in Qatar in the greatest football event on earth, beginning from 21st November 2022. Let's take a list of the top contenders set to challenge for the ultimate crown.
France
The reigning champions and a team that hasn't backed down since the triumph in Russia during the last world cup, Les Bleus would be going into the Doha FIFA World Cup as pure 7/1 favorites to defend the title they won in Russia. The French team has been in fine form since the last world cup and still has its stars from the last triumph in Russia. The likes of Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann, and Paul Pogba would be taking center stage in their quest to lift the world cup for France yet again. To make things better, stars like Karim Benzema and Olivier Giroud are back in the mix along with young talents which makes for a formidable French line-up. So, as far as the upcoming Qatar World Cup 2022 is concerned, Les Bleus would be going into the competition as outright favorites to lift the title.
Brazil
One of the most successful teams on the international stage and five-time world champions, Brazil would certainly be a team to watch out for during the Qatar FIFA World Cup 2022. The side comes on the back of a 2019 Copa America triumph and is only second in the list of contenders after France with 11/1 odds to lift the crown. Stars like Neymar, Phillippe Coutinho, Alisson, and Richarlison would be taking the center stage for Brazil as they kick off their world cup campaign in Qatar 2022.
However, Brazil comes with new talents into their ranks with the likes of Vinicius Jr. and Gabriel Martinelli as attacking options while the defensive structure of the team is undergoing transition. Hence, it would be interesting to see how the side would cope up with the greats of world football once the Doha World Cup kicks off in Qatar.
Interesting Fact: It's been 20 years since Brazil was crowd champions of the world and the FIFA World Cup Qatar would be a chance to end this long wait.
Spain
Spain isn't a new name when we talk about footballing greats and the nation has consistently competed in the world cup finals. However, fortune hasn't really favored the Spanish side in recent times and the nation had a rather embarrassing exit during the FIFA World Cup 2018 in Russia as they hobbled their way to the round of 16 only to be eliminated in the tie. This time, however, Spain would be looking to set things right as they come into the Qatar World Cup as one of the contenders with 8/1 odds to lift the world cup. Hence, it would be interesting to see the form of the Spanish side coming into the Doha FIFA world cup in 2022.
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Germany
Much like Spain, Germany is one of the giant nations in world football and has produced some talented footballers over generations. Coming to Qatar as 2022 World Cup favorites, the side would be at the same odds of 8/1 as Spain to win the competition. In fact, the nation would be hoping for a turnaround in fortunes this time. Considering what happened in Russia when the side dropped out of the competition in the group stage itself, this would be a rather ominous task for the German side this time around. Will they be able to pose a challenge? We'll have to wait and see!!
Belgium
The number one ranked side in the world at the moment and featuring international stars like Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Dries Mertens, Axel Witsel, and Thibaut Courtois, Belgium would be another team to watch out for in the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Doha.
The Red Devils have been in fine form recently and had an impressive world cup campaign in 2018 in Russia when the side ended up securing a third-place finish in the competition. This time, however, the Red Devils would be hoping to go all the way as they take on world football's greatest teams in Qatar. But hang on, not everything's the same since the last world cup campaign.
Eden Hazard, the mercurial Belgian, would be turning 33 by the time the world cup kicks off in Qatar and has undergone a rather dry spell compared to his usual standards at Real Madrid. Likewise, Kevin De Bruyne would be 31 when the world cup commences. Hence, it would be interesting to see how the two stars of Belgian football cope up with the pressure coming into the world cup.
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Outside Contenders To Win The FIFA World Cup 2022
Not only the giants in world football but there will be other teams too challenging for the title in Qatar. Here are some outside contenders for the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
Argentina
The 2018 World Cup in Russia brought a moment of embarrassment to Argentina as the Albiceleste dropped out of the competition at the hands of Croatia who were coming into competition as underdogs at the time. The Argentine side which was full of stars could only manage to reach the round of 16 stage.
This time, however, things would be very different and the side would be hoping for a turnaround in fortunes. With new additions into the ranks like Lautaro Martenez, Paulo Dybala, and Giovani Lo Celso, Argentina would certainly be up for the challenge coming into the world cup. As for their star man Lionel Messi, the 2022 Qatar World Cup might well be the last chance for the six-time Ballon d'Or winner to win a trophy for his nation. Hence, it would be interesting to see how Lionel Messi and co cope up with the pressure in Qatar.
England
The FIFA World Cup has been a disappointing story for England so far and the Three Lions Faithful had a heartbreaking exit at the 2018 World Cup when they missed out on a chance to reach the final and lost out the third-place finish at the hands of Belgium.
Stars like Trent Alexander-Arnold, Raheem Sterling, Jadon Sancho, Phil Foden, and Harry Kane would be hoping for a turnaround in fortunes this time around as Gareth Southgate and co come to Qatar as outsiders to challenge for the crown. Recent additions like Mason Mount have certainly added venom to the side and fewer expectations might well allow the stars in the side to flourish. So, it would be interesting to see the English side taking the field at the 2022 Doha World Cup.
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Italy
One side that has certainly seen a change in fortunes recently is Italy. The Azzurri are four-time world champions and can be a lethal side on their day. However, Italy failed to even qualify for the 2018 World Cup and didn't feature in the finals, something that wasn't expected from a team of this caliber.
Having said that though, the arrival of Roberto Mancini has certainly changed the fortunes of the Azzurri as the side has recently seen a complete turnaround in fortunes. Coming as outside contenders to win the FIFA World Cup, Italy might well have the longest shot of winning the competition and the recent additions in their ranks have certainly benefited the side. So, will the Azzurri be crowned champions of the world for the fifth time? We'll have to wait to see!
Portugal
Recent years have brought a smile to Portuguese fans and rightly so, although eliminated at the round of 16 during the last world cup, the Selecao did manage to win the European championship in 2016 and the inaugural UEFA Nations League in 2019.
Probably the world's best footballer, the 2022 World Cup would be the last for Cristiano Ronaldo (37 in 2022) and he would certainly be eager to make his mark. Coming with young talent into their ranks, Portugal would be a dangerous side to watch out for in Qatar and might well spring a surprise or two. However, the Selecao come as outside contenders into the competition and will be heavily depending on their star man CR7 to guide them through.
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The Netherlands
2016 and 2018 was the time to forget for all Dutch fans around the world as the side failed to qualify for the Euro 2016 and FIFA World Cup 2018. Since then, however, there has been a remarkable turnaround in the fortunes of the Netherlands. Although beaten in the final of the inaugural UEFA Nations League at the hands of Portugal, the side has been playing attractive football lately and would be eager to challenge for the crown in Qatar. With star players like Virgil van Dijk, Frenkie de Jong, Memphis Depay, and Matthijs de Ligt, the Dutch side would be eager to get going in the competition. They come as outside contenders to the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar.
Croatia
The 2018 FIFA World Cup came just short of a fairytale finish for Croatia as the side went all the way to the final only to be beaten by eventual champions France. Boasting of stars like Luka Modriç, Ivan Perisic Mateo Kovacic, and Ante Rebic, the Croatian side would again be ready to challenge the heavyweights at Qatar World Cup. Although there has been a dip in the side's recent form, the world cup might well bring a completely different story yet again for the nation.
Interestingly, the side came as underdogs during the 2018 FIFA World Cup but managed to defy all odds. This time, however, the side may well be going as outside contenders to challenge for the crown, and the 2018 FIFA World Cup is anything to go by, Croatian fans are in for a treat.
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Underdogs Coming Into The FIFA World Cup 2022
While the world would be watching the heavyweights compete on the grand stage, the underdogs coming to the Qatar FIFA 2022 would be ready to steal the show. Here are some of the top underdogs who look set to compete at the FIFA Doha World Cup.
Ukraine
The first of the underdogs to get the mention is Ukraine. A nation that has a rich footballing history, Ukraine has a knack for coming up with a surprise result or two and would be coming to the 2022 World Cup as one of the underdogs. However, the nation was crowned under-20 champions in 2019 and the stars from the under-20 side would be looking to make their mark at the senior level. In fact, the nations would be buoyed by the under-20 triumph and would take a lot of positives from the success going into the competition.
The USA
Now the USA might seem a surprise inclusion in the list of underdogs but the nation has seen a turnaround in fortunes over the last few years. Coming on the back of an impressive CONCACAF Nations League triumph where the side defeated Mexico in the final to win the league, the nation would be ready to perform well on the biggest stage of all with stars like Christian Pulisic gearing up to put in a performance. Interestingly, with the rise of football in the country over the last few years, the support might well be massive for the USA.
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Will There Be A Home Advantage For The Host Nation?
Qatar isn't generally regarded for its footballing prowess and the nation is far from being featured as the heavyweights of international football. However, major competitions like the FIFA World Cup have shown in the past how the host nation seems to enjoy the home advantage. Take an example of Russia, for instance. The host nation of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Russia enjoyed an impressive campaign that was majorly backed by the home crowd. Hence, if the home advantage is something to go by, Qatar might end up enjoying the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
As the FIFA World Cup 2022 edges ever closer, the excitement around the Middle East's first-ever world cup continues to grow. Like every edition, there will be some contenders to win the FIFA World Cup 2022 as well and it would be interesting to see how the teams battle it out in Qatar. Whether it'll be France defending the title they won in Russia or it'll be one of the other contenders to go all the way, we'll have to wait and see.
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As for now, if you're excited about the upcoming world cup in the Middle East, then plan your trip, take advantage of the Qatar tour package and witness a month-long football carnival in the region.
FAQs
Doha is home to some fine hotels that offer a true experience of lavish hospitality. Here are some of the hotels you need to know about - Four Seasons Hotel Doha, AlRayyan Hotel Doha, Curio Collection by Hilton, Al Najada Doha Hotel by Tivoli, Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels, Marsa Malaz Kempinski Hotel, St. Regis Doha, etc.
The 2018 World Cup in Russia brought a moment of embarrassment to Argentina as the Albiceleste dropped out of the competition at the hands of Croatia who were coming into competition as underdogs at the time. This time, however, things would be very different and the side would be hoping for a turnaround in fortunes.
The reigning champions and a team that hasn't backed down since the triumph in Russia during the last world cup, Les Bleus would be going into the Doha FIFA World Cup as pure 7/1 favorites to defend the title they won in Russia. The French team has been in fine form since the last world cup and still has its stars from the last triumph in Russia.
Yes, fan zones around the country would be set up in Qatar and alcohol would be served to the fans there at reduced prices. However, it is unclear whether Qatar would allow the consumption of alcohol in the stadiums.
There will be a total of eight stadiums hosting the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar. This will be the first time ever that the world cup will be held at only eight stadiums.
The FIFA World Cup 2022 would begin on the 21st of November 2022 and end with the final scheduled for the 18th of December 2022. This will be the first-ever winter world cup in the Northern Hemisphere.
Recent years have brought a smile to Portuguese fans and rightly so, although eliminated at the round of 16 during the last world cup, the Selecao did manage to win the European championship in 2016 and the inaugural UEFA Nations League in 2019. Hence, the side would be eager to challenge for the title yet again. This will, in fact, be the last world cup for Cristiano Ronaldo.
Qatar houses many top locations that travelers can explore in the world. Here are some top locations to explore in the country - Souq Waqif, National Museum of Qatar, Museum of Islamic Art, Katara Cultural Village, Banana Island, Purple Island, Al Thakira Natural Reserve, Doha Corniche, Pearl Qatar, etc.
