World caught soccer fever as FIFA World Cup 2022 considered the world’s most popular sport, takes off for the first time in the desert of Qatar on 20 November. 

This is going to be the first time World Cup is to be played in the winter so that players and soccer worshippers can escape the soaring high summer temperature of Qatar. It is also the first FIFA World Cup to be held in the middle of the club football season. 32 teams divided into eight groups will represent all the continents of the world. France is the reigning champion having won the World Cup 2018 held in Russia beating Croatia in the final. 

This first-ever FIFA World Cup was held in 1930. Uruguay was host as they celebrated 100 years of independence and had also won gold at the 1924 and 1928 Olympics. Uruguay went on to lift the trophy at home, beating Argentina 4-2 in the final to be crowned the first FIFA World Cup champions.

Italy then won the next two FIFA World Cups - in 1934 and 1938 - and became the first nation to defend their title. World War interrupted staging world cup in 1942 and 1946. When resumed again 1950 Uruguay won their second title in 1950. West Germany lifted their first FIFA World Cup trophy in 1954.

Brazil is the most successful team at the FIFA World Cup, having won the title five times. They are also the only country to qualify for all 21 editions of the FIFA World Cup. They won championship in all continents where the 21 world cup has been played so far. Germany and Italy won the Cup 4 times each. Argentina, France and Uruguay won twice each. England and Spain won once. All the winners of the past excepting Italy will feature in the world cup 2022.

Role Of Honours 

FIFA World 2022 is going to be most expensive soccer world cup and for that matter the most expensive sports event ever. The matches will be played at 8 purposefully built ultramodern stadiums. These are Al Bayt Stadium, Al Janoub Stadium, Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium, Al Thumama Stadium, Education City Stadium, Khalifa International Stadium, Lusail Stadium and Stadium 974. These were built mostly air conditioned for the comfort of the players and spectators. The energy rich city country will have its population doubled during the tenure of the world cup. Qatar has left nothing unturned for making the world cup comfortable. However, being a Muslim country there will be some restriction about use of alcohol and attires of fans. 

Brazil as favourites as ever will have its hexa mission with one of the strongest team in recent times. It won its last cup in 2022. Hence many of younger generation have not seen the yellow magic. They have grown with the magic of Maradona and Messi But has the world’s top ranked players in all positions. The other teams considered among the favourites are Argentina, France, Germany and England. Some observers are also considering Belgium and Netherlands among the favourites. World Cup is a tournament like long distance run. The team, which gathers momentum with the passage of the tournament, will win the laurels. 

The climate of Qatar may create some issues for the teams from cold countries. As such teams of Europe may need time to adjust. For that matter, South American and Africans may have an edge over the rest. 

FIFA Top Ten Teams

Of the above European Champion Italy is missing World Cup 2022. None of the Asian, North American and African teams are among the top ten. This world cup will definitely change the rankings as Africans are set to perform much better than before.  Following teams 

The groups are so evenly matched that apart from few top contenders it is extremely difficult to forecast which teams will make into group of 16. However, from knowledge gathered through forms, fittings and records it appears to the writer that the following teams may be in top 16.  

Netherlands and Qatar from Group A, England and USA from Group B, Argentina and Mexico from Group C, France and Denmark from Group D, Germany and Spain from Group E, Belgium and Croatia from Group F, Brazil and Cameroon from Group G, Portugal and Ghana from Group H.  

Only parrots or monkey can predict what will happen next. Brazil, Argentina, Belgium and England may move to the semis unless they meet each other in the quarterfinal. Off course the possibility for France, Spain, Portugal and Netherlands causing upsets cannot be ruled out. Few observers even consider that Ghana may turn out as surprise package. Whatever happens possibly war at Ukraine may lose attention during the world cup as Football brings the world community in same level. Let us hope that the team playing consistently better brand of football win the cup. 

BDST: 1346 HRS, NOV 19, 2022
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