FIFA World Cup 2022 Group Analyses & Predictions

The 2022 FIFA World Cup is going to be the last to feature 32 teams. The next one will have 48 national soccer teams competing for the trophy.

The World Cup in Qatar will separate those 32 teams into eight groups, from A to H. In this post, we’re going to analyze each group, as well as share our predictions for which teams will advance to the knockout phase. So, let’s start with Group A.

Group A – Netherlands and Senegal to Advance

• Qatar
• Ecuador
• Senegal
• Netherlands

This is arguably the easiest group in the 2022 World Cup. Qatar got there not by qualifying for the tournament, but by being the host nation. Ecuador got there after finishing fourth in the South American qualifications (the final spot to get a direct ticket to the World Cup).

Those two probably won’t do much this fall, meaning that it’s very likely Netherlands and Senegal will advance to the next stage of the World Cup. We think the Dutch will go there from the first spot in Group A, while Senegal will finish second in the group.

Group B – England and the United States to Advance

• England
• Iran
• United States
• Wales

The Three Lions are winning this group. Anything other than that would be a huge upset. The real question is which team will finish second in Group B?

Our vote goes to the United States. It’s just that this team hasn’t been this strong in a while. With players like Christian Pulisic (Chelsea), Sergino Dest (AC Milan), and Weston McKennie (Juventus), the USMNS should be good enough to finish above Iran and Wales.

Group C – Argentina and Mexico to Advance

• Argentina
• Saudi Arabia
• Mexico
• Poland

It’s a similar situation here as in Group B. Argentina will win this group, but who’s gonna finish second? It’s going to be a real battle between Mexico and Poland, but we think the Mexicans will do better.

Oddsmakers think otherwise, but the fact is that Mexico’s players always show up in big competitions. And you can’t go bigger than the World Cup!

Group D – France and Denmark to Advance

• France
• Australia
• Denmark
• Tunisia

The champions of the world – France – will win this group. The team we think will finish second in Denmark and oddsmakers agree with us. In fact, they see the Danes as the no.10 favorites to win the trophy in Qatar.

Group E – Spain and Germany to Advance

• Spain
• Costa Rica
• Germany
• Japan

Spain and Germany are so much better than the other two teams from Group E that we’re almost 100% certain they will advance to the knockouts. The only question is which team will finish in the #1 position? Our pick is Germany, although this really seems like a coin toss.

Group F – Belgium and Canada

• Belgium
• Canada
• Morocco
• Croatia

We predict Belgium to finish first in Group F. When it comes to the #2 place in Group F, oddsmakers think it’s going to be Croatia. Their reasoning (probably) is that this is the runner-up of the 2018 World Cup.

However, we think Canada will do better. The thing is that all the key men from Croatia’s 2018 squad are already in their mid-to-late thirties. Canada’s key players, on the hand, are still in their 20s (e.g., 22-year-old Jonathan David or 27-year-old Cyle Larin).

Group G – Brazil and Serbia to Advance

• Brazil
• Serbia
• Switzerland
• Cameroon

Brazil, Serbia, and Switzerland played in the same group four years ago. Unsurprisingly, Brazil finished top of the group, which we think will be the case in Qatar as well. Switzerland ended in the second spot four years ago, but this time, we think it’s going to be Serbia.

It’s just that Serbia’s crucial men are playing amazing soccer in 2022 – Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fulham), Dusan Tadic (Ajax), Dusan Vlahovic (Juventus), and so on.

Group H – Portugal and Uruguay to Advance

• Portugal
• Ghana
• Uruguay
• South Korea

Portugal looks like a possible dark horse of the 2022 World Cup. This team is incredibly strong in literally all positions on the pitch. Plus, Portugal has a very good bench. That said, we can’t see any other scenario than Portugal winning the group.

The team we think will finish second in Group H is Uruguay. It’s not going to be easy, but Uruguay has enough talent to do better than Ghana and South Korea.