World Cup preview

This will be the most unique world cup possibly ever, having been held in Qatar and the warm weather conditions that would occur during the summer. FIFA made the decision to have it take place mid-season in November and December.

Not only has the timing of the tournament brought controversy to the footballing world. With the human rights violations that are apparent over in the middle east, a lot of footballing governing bodies are very much against the idea if Qatar hosting the tournament. With Jurgen Klopp saying "When it got announced that Russia and Qatar are the next places for the next two World Cups, I think it was the first time in history that they announced two in one. We all know how it happened and how you can still let it happen”.

But it’s the World Cup and despite all the controversies surrounding the tournament, anticipation is high among the footballing world, so today we are going to be looking at predictions for Winners, flops, and dark horses for the tournament.

Winner: Brazil

Following their underwhelming performance at the last World Cup, losing the quarter finals to Belgium in Russia, the Brazilian national team have taken an upwards trajectory only missing out on the Copa America to Argentina on penalties in 2021. But I am backing them to go one further in Qatar and bring the trophy back to Little Canary. Players like Vinicius Junior, Bruno Guimarães and Gabriel Jesus have all had outstanding seasons at club level and are looking to carry that form into the tournament.

Then there’s the main man in Neymar. The PSG forward has been nothing short of outstanding for The Parisians this season with 11 goals and nine assists in just 14 Ligue 1 games. Supplement that with a team full of talent like Fabinho, Richarlison, Antony and the previously mentioned Jesus, Bruno and Vinicius. Adding all this talent on top of them being able to deal with sweltering heat and we could be looking at this team of superstars lifting the trophy come December 18th.

Biggest flop: France

Looking at the French squad its full of some of the world’s best players. Ballon Dor winner Karim Benzema, Kylian Mbappe, two of the best young midfielders in the world, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga. If you just looked at the squad on paper, then you would easily back them to retain their trophy. But the feeling around France isn’t as high as it was in 2018.

Their previous victory was highly orchestrated by the midfield two of Ngolo Kante and Paul Pogba, both who will be missing the tournament through injury. And yes, they have the two aforementioned Tchouaméni and Camavinga, whilst they are both top players, I am wondering if they have the experience to deal with a tournament of this magnitude.

Their run in the tournament could lead to a quarter final march up with England, and I would not be shocked if we saw their run being ended by Gareth Southgate’s three lions. And that would be a massive disappointment for the people of France given the amount of talent on show in their squad.

Dark horses: Denmark

The Danish had a mixed bag the European championships, whilst they had to deal with the tragic of the Christian Eriksen and his cardiac arrest then they manged to galvanise as a nation and get to the semi final only to lose to a controversial penalty at Wembley vs England.

This tournament I expect them to go far, with a fully fit and health Christian Eriksen, which si the good feel story of the tournament. But not only is Eriksen fit and healthy, but he is also on great form for Manchester United. His four assists this season as well as their player of the month award for September the Dane is the man who they will look for if they are to go far.

As well as an on-form Pierre Emile Hoibjerg who has been outstanding for spurs this season. Being a standout and keeping summer signing Yves Bissouma out the team. Whilst Andreas Skov Olsen has been in top form for Club Brugge this season, getting six goals and three assists in 15 games and helping them qualify from their champions league group including Atletico Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen. Whilst they shouldn’t be expected to meet the semi final heights of Euro 2020, they would be a dark horse to make maybe the quarter finals with a bit of luck.