The 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar will open on November 21st. A soccer festival once every four years where the great powers selected from each continent gather. Speaking of topics before the opening of the World Cup, there are predictions of countries that will break through the group league and predictions of elected members of each country. But I think the biggest concern is the prediction of the winning country.
For the Qatar World Cup, Brazil, which boasts the most wins in the World Cup. Besides, other countries that have won the championship in the past, excluding Italy, have decided to participate properly. There is no doubt that the first name to be mentioned in the prediction of a winning country is the winning country of all time. However, although he has never won the World Cup, there are of course some countries where expectations are gathered from his past achievements and current strength.
Netherlands
World Cup record high: 2nd place (1974, 1978, 2010)
The Netherlands has won the second place in the World Cup three times in the past. It is an unmistakable powerhouse with the experience of climbing to the top of the FIFA rankings.
At the 1974 World Cup West Germany tournament, which was the first runner-up, Johan Cruyff dominated the tournament with a fluid and dynamic tactic called total football. In addition to the high offensive power of 14 points by the final, he has a record of only one own goal.
In the following 1978 World Cup Argentina tournament, the Netherlands lost to Argentina in the final. But they broke through the group league by defeating the powerful countries of West Germany and Italy.
After that, he won the Euro 1988 (UEFA European Championship) with Marco van Basten and others, but he will stay away from the World Cup final for a while. The next chance came at the 2010 World Cup South Africa, which is new to our memory. Although the Netherlands made it to the finals for the first time in 32 years, Spain, which was proud of the strength of the invincible fleet at that time, stood out. I wasn’t honest for the third time.
And the Qatar World Cup to welcome you. The Netherlands, who made a straight-in in 1st place in the European qualifying, is sharpening their fangs for this tournament. The offensive team, which is comparable to the representatives of the past, and the strong defense centered on Virgil van Dijk are well-balanced. It can be said that it is a perfect team for the long-awaited first victory of the World Cup.
Belgium
World Cup record high: 3rd (2018)
In recent years, Belgium has seen the rise of players called the golden generation, such as Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku. In 2015, it is growing rapidly, such as reigning at No. 1 in the FIFA ranking as the 8th country in history.
In the 2018 Russia World Cup final tournament, he defeated Brazil, starting with a deadly battle with Japan, and defeated England in the bronze medal match to take third place.
The strength is still alive in the Qatar World Cup European qualifying. He has fought the same Group E as Wales and the Czech Republic and has decided to participate in this tournament with eight undefeated races and a straight-in. However, it is a fact that even now, which is recognized as a powerful country, neither the World Cup nor the UEFA European Championship has won the title yet.
Belgium is heading towards Qatar, where the golden generation has reached maturity and the players are perfect. The “Red Devil” is ready to win the long-awaited World Cup first victory.
Portugal
World Cup record high ranking: 3rd place (1966)
Portugal’s World Cup record high of 3rd place dates back to 1966 (England) when it first appeared.
Since then, Portugal has been seen as a candidate for the World Cup victory. In particular, the 2002 Japan-Korea World Cup, which was centered around the golden generation such as Luis Figo and Manuel Louis Costa, who won the 1989 and 1991 FIFA World Youth Championships, is probably the best. However, after a difficult fight in the group league, many players announced their retirement. It has become a shocking defeat to expectations.
In recent years, he has won the 2016 UEFA European Championship, led by Cristiano Ronaldo. He is one of the world’s best players alongside Lionel Messi. Ronaldo, who symbolizes Portugal, is 37 years old, and it is no wonder that he retires from the national team at any time.
Now in the Qatar World Cup European qualifying, Portugal lost to Serbia in the group league and missed the straight-in. I got entangled up to the playoffs, but I won the main tournament safely. If I look at the player base, it is not inferior to other powerful countries. Expectations are high for winning the highest title of the World Cup with Ronaldo.
Croatia
World Cup record high ranking: 2nd place (2018)
Croatia is the runner-up in the last 2018 Russia World Cup. It is not difficult to imagine that this tournament has a strong feeling that the first final advance was also defeated by France.
Speaking of Croatia, he suddenly came in 3rd place at the 1998 France World Cup, which was his first appearance. Davor Šuker, who was the main player, became the top scorer and showed remarkable performance. Although his history as a representative of Croatia is not old. There is no doubt that he is recognized as a strong man from the results of subsequent international competitions.
Luka Modric has been a leader in Croatia for a long time. He may be the last World Cup in his age at 36 years old. The fan follower expects that he will show what kind of game make-up as a culmination.
