Looking forward to the next world cup Qatar 2022

When Qatar was announced as the country to host the next World Cup, quite a few eyebrows were unsurprisingly raised, considering that Qatar itself doesn’t have a very competitive team and of course, the weather conditions. It will be the last World Cup wherein 32 teams will compete, with the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico set to host 48 teams. Also, it will be the first World Cup not to be held in May, June or July; the tournament is scheduled for late November until mid-December. It is to be played in a reduced timeframe of around 28 days, with the final being held on 18 December 2022, which is also Qatar National Day. Worker conditions and bidding corruption allegations aside from a footballing point of view, there is a lot to look forward to.

Many young teams at this World Cup will have evolved by the time 2022 comes around, and the team dynamics will have changed completely. Argentina, for example, may no longer be considered a top team, with the majority of their core attacking players already around the age of 30, including Higuain, Di Maria, Aguero, and Messi. Paulo Dybala would be the only World Class option unless more player emerges in that time.

English, French and Brazilian fans will have a lot to look forward to, with their young teams already performing so well. The likes of Raheem Sterling, Jesse Lingard, Marcus Rashford and Harry Kane will be in their primes by the time the tournament in Qatar rolls around. With the right coach, this team could possibly be the best in the world. The same can be said about France, with the likes of Paul Pogba, Ousmane Dembele, Kylian Mbappe and Anthony Martial all fairly young, and with a lot to prove. Brazil’s defense will almost fully have evolved, likely centered around Marquinos, but the forward line will be formidable, with the likes of Jesus, Coutinho, and Neymar in their primes as well.

It is unlikely that Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi will be at the World Cup, with both being more than 35 years of age by the time the tournament begins. Nevertheless, with the number of teams competing, coupled with the interesting and new dynamic and format, there will be no shortage of surprises in Qatar.