The 22nd FIFA World Cup kicks off on November 20th in Qatar, with 32 nations competing to meet in the final on December 18th at the Lusail Stadium in Doha. One of the greatest global sporting occasions, the finals are expected to be watched by 5 billion people worldwide. List of predictions in FIFA 2022 world cup favorites for golden ball, boot, glove, and team to lift the trophy in qatar.
Qatar has a population of just under three million people, and was a controversial choice when it was chosen to host the competition. It’s human rights record, treatment of migrant workers and lack of infrastructure and intense summer heat, were just some of the many concerns.
Those extreme summer temperatures are the reason this year’s World Cup is so different to all the others, with the tournament being played in the winter for the first time in its history, in order to negate the stifling heat. Eight brand-new air-conditioned stadiums have also been built, with estimates putting the total amount spent to host the tournament at a staggering $220 billion.
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Who are the FIFA 2022 World Cup favorites?
FIFA 2022 World Cup favorites includes france, england, brazil and denmark among the list, which had covered their bases right with the squad strength. Here’s why each team is one among the favourites this year.
France
France goes into this year’s tournament as favourites with Betway, as the current World Cup holders look to repeat their 2018 feat and lift the trophy for the third time in their history.
Coached by long standing manager Didier Deschamps, they have the talent and experience necessary to become only the third team ever to win back-to-back titles. A feat not achieved since Brazil did it back in 1958 and 1962.
Of the squad that won back in 2018, a lot of players remain, giving the team much needed experience and continuity. Captain and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, Benjamin Pavard, Paul Pogba, Kylian Mbappe, Raphael Varane, Samuel Umtiti, Lucas Hernandez, N’Golo Kante, Antoine Griezmann, Nabil Fekir and Olivier Giroud all remain.
France can also call upon Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, who at the age 34, continues to get better and better, helping Madrid to the La Liga and Champions League titles last season.
On top of that, RB Leipzig winger Christopher Nkunku is currently one of the hottest French players in the world, with the 24-year-old highly thought of by Europe’s leading clubs. 7 goals in 6 champions league appearances and 20 in 34 Bundesliga games highlight his talent.
England
A semi-final appearance in 2018 World Cup and losing finalists in last years European Championships, there is no doubt that England are on an upward curve. Manager Gareth Southgate has got his players believing in themselves and the experience of their last two tournaments will stand them in good stead.
A constant accusation towards England at big tournaments is that the players are exhausted after a long, hard premier league season. With Qatar taking place in the winter, there are high hopes that England will benefit, with weariness and heat no longer a factor.
Much of the squad remains the same, with Captain and talisman Harry Kane the key player if England are going to progress. England are blessed with exciting attacking talent with the likes of Raheem Sterling, Jack Grealish, Foden, Mount, Sancho, Smith-Rowe and more. If Southgate can learn to throw of the shackles and try and win games rather than not lose them, then the sky is the limit for this team.
Brazil
Brazil is always a threat when the World Cup comes around. They are the most successful national team in the history of the tournament, with five titles to their name and two runners up spots. However, their last victory was back in 2002 in Japan.
This year, Brazil arrives with their best squad of players for a long time. Names such as Gabriel Jesus, Neymar, Vinicius Junior, Richarlison, Rafinha and Martinelli, offer an attacking threat like no other. In goal they are spoilt for choice, with Liverpool’s Alisson and Manchester City’s Ederson competing for the goalkeeper’s jersey.
While the defence is martialled by the experienced Thiago Silva and Marquinhos, with Fabinho, Casemiro and Bruno Guimaraes protecting the back four. The squad is an exciting blend of experience and youth and history tells us that you can never rule out Brazil.
Denmark
Traditionally, underdogs do not win the World Cup, certainly not in the modern game. France was 8/1 to win the 1998 World Cup, but before that you have to go back to the “Miracle of Bern” in 1954, when West Germany won.
Denmark has underdog history however, having won the 1992 European Championship after being called in at the last minute to replace war torn Yugoslavia. While they may not have the star names of some other nations, there’s no doubting the quality of a side that reached the Semi-finals of last year’s Euro’s, before being knocked out by the hosts England in extra time. All this after their best player Christian Ericson collapsed on the pitch in an earlier round and nearly died.
Their team spirit and togetherness are unmatched and a run to the final with Ericson back in the ranks would be a fairy tale story. Denmark lifting the World Cup would be one of the biggest shocks of all time, but sport has a way making magic happen.
FIFA 2022 World Cup Golden Boot Favorites
First awarded to the top goal scorer of the tournament in 1982, England’s Harry Kane took home the award in 2018, scoring six goals for England in Russia. The favourites for this year’s award are:
Kylian Mbappe (France)
Scorer of 27 goals in only 57 appearances, the young Frenchman is blessed with pace and skills that will terrify any defence. Already a World Cup winner and with France expected to go deep in the tournament, he’ll have plenty of opportunity to add to his tally.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
189 national-team games and a world-record total of 117 goals. He may be 37 but Ronaldo is a goal scoring phenomenon. He may not play every minute of every game, but he’s guaranteed to score goals.
Harry Kane (England)
Winner of the last Golden Boot, the England man boasts 50 goals in 71 appearances and he’s hungry for more. Capable of scoring from anywhere and determined to break the all-time England record held by Wayne Rooney, Kane will be on a mission. He’s also England’s penalty taker.
FIFA 2022 World Cup Golden Ball Favorites
The ‘Golden Ball Award’ is presented to the outstanding player at each FIFA World Cup finals and was first introduced in 1982. The winner is selected from a shortlist drawn up by the FIFA technical committee, as voted by representatives of the media. Croatia’s Luka Modric won in 2018, but the winner has come from Brazil 7 times, so don’t be surprised to see Brazilian names among the favourites.
Luka Modric (Croatia)
Still at the top of his game and a leader of his team. He’s won it before and it would be no surprise to see this classy midfielder win it again.
Declan Rice (England)
Often overlooked thanks to his more defensive role, Rice is a skilful midfielder that makes the team tick. Incredible work rate and capable of a goal. If England go deep, expect Rice to be in the running.
Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium)
Regarded as one of the best players in World football, De Bruyne has won plenty of accolades during his career. The Manchester City player is capable of wonder goals and incredible assists, and his, almost inevitable, eye-catching performances will no doubt catch the eye of the judges.
FIFA 2022 World Cup Golden Glove Favorites
In the 1994 World Cup, goalkeepers were finally given their own award, with the Golden Glove given the player with the most clean sheets. Belgium’s Thibaut Courtois won it in 2018.
Thibaut Courtois (Belgium)
Winner of the Champions league and La Liga with real Madrid last season, the formidable figure of Courtois will again be in the running for the Golden Glove, with his Belgium team ranked number two in the FIFA world rankings.
Hugo Lloris (France)
World Cup holders and favourites France will be hard to beat, and Lloris will benefit from the experience and talent ahead of him, ensuring he will have a far quieter time in goal than many others.
Alisson (Brazil)
A Premier League and Champions League winner in his time with Liverpool, the keeper has proven all the old stories about dodgy Brazilian goalkeepers wrong. He’s even capable of scoring too, having netted a last-minute winner for Liverpool in 2021.
