The 2022 FIFA World Cup roars to life on Sunday, with Qatar taking on Ecuador, writes Tlalane Phahla.
So much has been said about the controversy surrounding the competition, and because it takes place in the middle of the season, many notable names have been ruled out due to injuries.
The FIFA World Cup is a spectacle, and the discussions are always lively.
FARPost writers have made their predictions on who will be crowned world champions in Qatar.
MTHOKOZISI DUBE, EDITOR
Winner: Brazil: They have a solid squad brimming with talent. They’ve kept the team’s core from the last FIFA World Cup. I suppose they learnt from their mistakes in the previous FIFA World Cup.
For the longest time, I felt they were too individualistic as opposed to playing as a unit. I get the feeling it’ll be slightly different this time around.
Dark Horse: Argentina: They have a decent team with lots of experience in all departments. Their 2021 COPA America triumph will buoy them. Also, this being Lionel Messi’s last World Cup, they will likely fight for him.
Player: Lisandro Martinez: ‘The Butcher’ has been in top form for Manchester United after switching from Ajax Amsterdam. I feel he’s one of the best defenders in the English Premier League and has a lot to prove at the World Cup after his height was questioned.
African Country: Senegal: When I look at the African countries, Senegal is the most prepared. They have kept the same coach over a long period, he has maintained the same squad, and there seems to be harmony.
All the players ply their trades in top European leagues, and they are proven in their own right. Their AFCON triumph will undoubtedly give them the confidence to do it for Africa.
This is going to be one of the most interesting World Cups in years, from the weather to the action on the field.
TOKELO MOKHESI, SUB-EDITOR
Winner: Germany: This is a redesigned and reinvigorated German side. Well-balanced after going through a rebuilding exercise which started in 2014, and now they have a solid team with a good coach in Hansi Flick, who knows what it takes to win at international level.
Dark Horse: Croatia: They also have a mixture of seasoned stars and exciting new players. With the likes of Luka Modric, Ivan Perisic, Marcelo Brozovic and Dejan Lovren, Croatia are likely to cause trouble and shock many.
Player: Christian Eriksen: There are many, but I’m eager to see Christian Eriksen more, especially after what happened to him at the Euro 2020, collapsing suddenly following a cardiac arrest. He has been arguably the best player for Manchester United this season, and it would be interesting to see how he performs at the World Cup with Denmark
African Team: Morocco: They have the best squad among the African teams. In their ranks, they have players who are capable of winning and changing a game. The likes of Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui, Hakim Ziyech, Youssef En-Nesyri and Abde Ezzalzouli.
OFHANI MUNYAI, SENIOR WRITER
Winner: Argentina: Following their Copa America triumph in 2021, Argentina will come into the 2022 World Cup as one of the firm favourites. Star player Lionel Messi probably playing his last World Cup, would also want to deliver the title to Argentina’s masses.
The two-time Champions last won the World Cup in 1986, through the infamous Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’, and Qatar 2022 is the perfect opportunity for the current crop of players to emulate that generation.
Dark Horse: Netherlands: After missing out on the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the Netherlands are back on the world’s biggest stage. They are in Group A, alongside hosts Qatar, Senegal and Ecuador, and will certainly fancy their chances.
With quality players such as Memphis Depay, Frenkie de Jong, Virgil van Dijk and Matthijs de Ligt, the Dutch may surprise a lot of teams in Qatar.
Player: Kylian Mbappe: After winning his first World Cup at the age of 18, the France and PSG superstar is certainly the best player in the world currently and will be the player to watch in Qatar.
African Team: Morocco: The Atlas Lions making their seventh appearance at the World Cup, have a solid squad. They are in Group F alongside one of the favourites, Belgium, as well as Canada and Croatia. But they are my pick for an African country, and I fancy them to reach the semi-final in Qatar.
RAOPHALA MAUWANE, WRITER
Winner: Brazil: Their recent FIFA rankings say a lot about their performance. Therefore, going into the prestigious tournament flourishing as number one on the FIFA rankings, they are definitely the favourites to win the tournament.
They have a coach that has an excellent philosophy, players with intent and also capable enough to go toe-to-toe with any country in the World Cup.
Dark Horse: Senegal: Senegal can pull a shocker to many people at the World Cup, given the fact that they are the current African champions, so one cannot write them off in the tournament.
The Teranga Lions have a good mentor in Aliou Cissé. He guided the side to the World Cup for the first time since 2002. Cissé’s record since taking over the caching speaks volumes.
With the likes of Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly, Idrissa Gueye, Cheikou Kouyate and Ismaila Sarr, anything is possible.
African Team: Senegal: As stated before, The Teranga Lions is made of good quality players who are playing for top teams in Europe and the experience will come in handy for Senegal. God willing, I see them reaching the Round of 16.
Morocco is another African country I see reaching the last 16, considering the group they are pitted in. The mere fact that the Moroccan side has won several trophies since they debuted in the football scene gives me a lot of hope that they can progress to the Knockout phase.
TSHEPO RABOTHE, WRITER
Winners: Brazil: Brazil have a good crop of young players who are currently on form coming into this tournament. Players like Neymar, Gabriel Jesus and Vinicius Junior will form a firepower attack for Tite and could perhaps lead the team to World Cup Championship.
Dark Horse: Argentina: Argentina have a fairly balanced team coming into this World Cup, and with a lot of football fanatics not giving them a chance, they might pull a surprise and give Lionel Messi his first World Cup gold medal before he retires.
Player: Neymar Jr: Neymar is a player to watch. This is an opportunity for him to showcase his full potential after having a below-par performance in the previous two World showpieces.
African Team: Cameroon: They have relatively high-quality players who play in top European leagues. I see them going as far as round of 16.
PETER KANJERE, WRITER
Winner: Argentina: Argentina go into the World Cup in their best possible form, having gone unbeaten in over 30 games. Argentina look flawless collectively, and this being Lionel Messi’s last World Cup, it is only befitting they should win it for the little magician.
Dark Horses: Belgium: They have the stars, but luck seems to desert them in most tournaments. If they get their luck this time around, expect surprises.
Player: Lionel Messi: I expect him to sign off on the biggest stage with a bang considering he has rediscovered his spark for PSG.
African Team: Senegal: They look strong enough to go beyond the group stages with or without Sadio Mane as they have the quality and experience from the last edition held in Russia.
OTIS MWANZA, WRITER
Winner: France: They have some top young talents who are all eager to prove themselves. They have had exposure playing for top European teams. With the likes of Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante out, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga will be eager to step up.
Dark Horse: Netherlands: For a long time, the Netherlands have maintained the same squad and are united. They have the hunger to win a World Cup.
Player: Cristiano Ronaldo: He is arguably one of the best players in recent times, and this could be his last World Cup. With the drama at Manchester United, it would be interesting to see how he fares at the World Cup. Interestingly, Ronaldo may want to excel to get a new club after the World Cup.
African Team: Senegal: The African champions will be eager to avoid a repeat of their Russia 2018 campaign.
In Russia, they became the first-ever nation to be eliminated from the FIFA World Cup group stage via their fair play record, with Aliou Cisse’s charges finishing level with Japan on four points. They are coming from winning the AFCON, Cisse has had the same squad for a while, and I get the impression they are now a unit.
MADYAUTA TERRY, WRITER
Winner: Argentina: They have a very strong squad. They also sit on a sterling unbeaten record going into the tournament. They want it more obviously because this is likely to be Messi’s last World Cup.
Dark Horse: Denmark: For me, the dark in this tournament. Denmark have been consistent more than many teams in this tournament. They are not a star-studded team, combined with their consistency. They could upset many opponents in this tournament.
Player: Vinicius Jr: For me, one player to watch is Vinicius Jr of Brazil. His form from Real Madrid is amazing. He is part of a star-studded team, and that gives him the advantage to perform well and score goals for Brazil.
African Team: Ghana: They will go beyond the knockout stage. I think they can go as far as the semi-finals precisely because they have been here.
They have a point to prove against Uruguay. The 2010 rivalry renewed. Arguably they want it more than any other African team.
NKULULEKO DLADLA, WRITER
Winner: Brazil: This is a tournament that will see big players shining because, mostly, are probably in their last World Cup. I expect Brazil and Argentina to do well, with Neymar leading his team to glory. The South American will win their 6th trophy.
Player: Neymar and Messi: They will be crucial to their teams. They are probably in their last World Cup. This is their last chance to deliver, and for that, I see them shining.
African Team: Ghana will do well. They might finish either on the last 32 or 16. They going there as underdogs, especially after how they qualified and the recent results in the last two years.
Article compiled by Tlalane Phahla.
