(ABC News)
The biggest and most popular competition in the world is back.
After the traditional four-year wait, the World Cup is back.
The 2022 World Cup which is hosted in Qatar commences in in the early hours of tomorrow morning with the group stage matches kicking off. Unlike previous World Cup competitions, the run-up to the 2022 World Cup has been under much controversy with the corruption, cultural and political issues in Qatar.
There have been a number of concerns and controversies regarding both Qatar's suitability as a host country and the fairness of the FIFA bidding process. Criticism from the media and human rights groups have highlighted the existing problems in Qatar.
Back in 2010, Qatar clinched the rights to the World Cup after winning a ballot of FIFA’s executive members, beating bids from other countries such as Australia, Japan, South Korea and the United States. Qatar is the first Arab nation to host the tournament.
Allegations of corruption and human rights violations in Qatar have been the main topic of discussion.
One of the most topical issues of the Qatar World Cup was the treatment of migrant workers hired to build the stadium infrastructure. Stadium construction for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar began in 2014. Since then, there have been a large amount of “work related” on and off-site deaths. Human rights activists claim and believe that there are many more unexplained deaths. Many of the workers were migrants from Asian countries and international non-governmental organisation Amnesty International denounced the “appalling living conditions” for workers, reporting the actions from Qatar as “modern slavery”.
Another issue surrounding the 2022 World Cup is the human rights of LGBTIQA+ fans. Homosexuality is criminalised in Qatar and the punishment could be as severe as the death penalty. Qatar have stated that despite criminalising homosexuality, LGBTIQA+ fans will be welcome to travel and support their nation, and that the host nation will strive to engage with LGBTIQA+ supporters.
Lastly, not so much a controversy, but a serious matter to consider for the health and safety of fans and players is the hot desert climate in Qatar. The hot desert climate and brutal summers have never made it an ideal destination for such a grand event and may cause serious health risks to players. Playing in such humid conditions will dramatically influence performance levels. Despite the cooler temperatures in Qatar this time of year, these conditions would still prove to be very challenging for most competing nations. In preparation for the competition, the Qatar stadiums were all designed to combat the challenging conditions. Games will be played in climate-controlled stadiums with all eight of the venues air-conditioned, designed to benefit both players and fans.
Despite all the controversy, scandal, scrutiny and tragedy, it is a World Cup, and the biggest prize in international men’s football is on the line in Qatar, which is expected to be packed with drama and excitement. This World Cup will be the last 32-team edition of the competition, with an expansion to a 48-team edition in the 2026 World Cup.
Winning the World Cup is every football player’s dream. With the squads all publicly announced over the past few weeks, there are plenty of nations who are all genuine contenders to take home the cup. 2018 World Cup winners France, as well as Brazil, Argentina, England and Spain are all predicted to be the favourites for the 2022 World Cup.
With every World Cup, there always seems to be a sense of sadness with fans coming to terms that certain superstars and legends of the game may be playing in their final World Cup. Football superstars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Neymar, Robert Lewandowski, Karim Benzema, Luka Modrić, Luis Suarez and Dani Alves are just some of the superstars of the game that will all most likely play in their final World Cup for their country.
We’ve all seen so many great historical players who have played in the World Cup, and these players will go down as legends of the game. Will this World Cup be a fairy tale ending for any of these players?
Two of the greatest footballers in the modern era, Messi and Ronaldo have never won a World Cup despite claiming countless amounts of silverware from other competitions over the years. Winning a World Cup would be the cherry on top of a stellar and remarkable career for both these players. All eyes will be on the Portuguese and Argentinian star this World Cup.
Brazil is going into the 2022 World Cup as the hot favourite with a strong squad heading to Qatar. Brazil arguably has the best two goalkeepers in the world in Alisson Becker and Ederson. The attack for Brazil is stacked with quality players who all have flair, pace and creativity with the likes of Neymar, Vinícius Júnior, Raphinha, Antony, Rodrygo. In addition, Arsenal strikers, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli will provide the finishing touch in front of goal and will be expected to score many goals throughout the competition.
2018 World Cup winner, France is going into the 2022 World Cup ravaged with injuries to some important players. These players include N'Golo Kante, Paul Pogba, Mike Maignan, Kimpembe and Christopher Nkunku to name a few.
N'Golo Kante is arguably the most important player in the France team. He is the glue that holds together the midfield. A hamstring injury has left him out of the World Cup and he is expected to be sidelined for months. Paul Pogba is another experienced midfielder who has also been ruled out of the World Cup, due to a knee injury. Despite hopes that he would be fit in time for the World Cup, Pogba is ruled out of the competition. Due to a calf injury sustained in October, Mike Maignan has also been ruled out of the France squad. Maignan won't get the chance to shine on a World Cup stage which will leave more pressure on Hugo Lloris to remain consistent between the sticks throughout the competition. After failing to shake off a recurring injury in time, PSG defender Presnel Kimpembe has also been ruled out which leaves a big hole in the France defence. Days after Kimpembe's injury, France lost RB Leipzig midfielder, Christopher Nkunku after he picked up a knee injury at training. The midfielder was going into the World Cup in fantastic form for his club, scoring 17 goals in 23 games.
In addition to all the confirmed injuries, there are multiple French players who are in the squad, but under injury clouds. Ballon d'Or winner, Karim Benzema has missed 11 games for club and country so far this season as he battles muscular problems. Centre-backs, Raphael Varane and Jules Kounde also may not be able to contribute despite being named in the final squad.
Australia’s qualification for the 2022 World Cup was defined by thin margins. Qualification came from a penalty shootout where the decisive game winning save by Grey Wiggle substitute goalkeeper, Andrew Redmayne sent the Socceroos to their fifth consecutive World Cup.
Australia finds itself placed in Group D alongside France, Denmark and Tunisia. According to Stats Insider, Australia has a nearly one-in-five chance (17.5 percent) of making it out of Group D, and an 0.1 percent chance of winning the tournament. With the chances very slim, Australia will be aiming to salvage as many points as possible to progress to the Round of 16. Australia has never scored more than four points in the group stage in a World Cup before and will be aiming to break this curse.
If Australia can avoid getting blown out by France in their opening game and potentially get a point, win against Tunisia and at least a point against Denmark, then anything is possible, and Australia could escape the group stage. Chances are slim, but football is a funny game, and anything can happen.
ROUND OF 16
NETHERLANDS VS USA
ARGENTINA VS FRANCE
GERMANY VS CROATIA
BRAZIL VS URAGUAY
ENGLAND VS SENEGAL
DENMARK VS MEXICO
BELGIUM VS SPAIN
PORTUGAL VS SERBIA
QUARTER FINALS
NETHERLANDS VS ARGENTINA
GERMANY VS BRAZIL
ENGLAND VS DENMARK
SPAIN VS PORTUGAL
SEMI FINALS
ARGENTINA VS BRAZIL
ENGLAND VS SPAIN
THRID PLACE
BRAZIL VS SPAIN
FINAL
ARGENTINA VS ENGLAND
Which team will win the 2022 World Cup?
Argentina
With Lionel Messi announcing this is to be his last World Cup, the stage is set for thrilling action from the Argentinian. Argentina is heading into this World Cup with a 35-game win streak making it one of the most in-form teams heading into the competition. It just feels like this is the time for Argentina to go all the way. Lionel Messi winning in what is most likely his last World Cup would be such a great story and a perfect way to retire from international football. Argentina is looking very strong entering the World Cup. They have a deep squad with game changers who will all be playing to ultimately win for Argentina and for Messi. Argentina’s road to the final is also not entirely difficult compared to other nations.
Which team will surprise the most in Qatar?
USA
Which team will flop at the World Cup?
France
Who will be the top goal scorer at the World Cup?
Harry Kane
Who will win the Golden Ball?
Lionel Messi
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