The FIFA World Cup makes history this month as the famous soccer tournament comes from Qatar. November is the first time the quadrennial competition has been played in the Arab World, with organizers in the cash-rich nation eager to put on a show for the watching world. Qatar wants to leave behind a sustainability, carbon-neutral, and environmentally friendly World Cup legacy.
The host nation has done its bit to help us celebrate the World Cup. Now it’s time for the fans, officials, coaches, and players to do their part. The best sports betting sites are also involved, allowing soccer fans the opportunity to make predictions. Have your say on the winner of the final played a week before Christmas. You don’t have to wait until the fixture has been confirmed. The earlier you pick a nation, the more value you will be given.
Brazil is the top dog
Who will be the stars of 2022, etching their name into the history books before the curtain comes down on what has been a crucial year for professional sport? Brazil is the most popular pick with pundits, while France arrives as the holders, having won in Moscow four years ago. England reached the final of Euro 2020 before losing on penalties to Italy which failed to qualify for this competition. Gareth Southgate’s side wants to go one better in winter.
Will you go with one of the popular picks, such as Brazil or France? You’d prefer to take a chance on a dark horse with the potential to pull off an upset. Germany has been written off by many respected names in soccer journalism, but they have a better chance than most give them credit for and will want to prove it in Qatar. Could this be the year that German football returns as world champion? They certainly have a strong chance of achieving that over the next four weeks.
The stats help support Germany’s cause, with the former champions being this tournament’s second most successful side behind Brazil. And there’s not much in it, either. Just one trophy. That means if Germany wins in Qatar next month, they will pass the Samba Boys into pole position and top the charts. There’s everything to play for here, and side battles like this help make the schedule more interesting.
Harry Kane is your main man
The experts have passed judgment and made predictions on how the most famous players will perform at the World Cup. Who will be named the player of the tournament, the young player of the tournament, or the leading goalscorer? There’s much more to think about here than simply taking a stab at calling the winning team.
Tottenham Hotspur is holding its own in the English Premier League this season, and that’s down to star striker Harry Kane. Many followers of the EPL thought Kane would have left Spurs by now, taking on a new challenge at the likes of Manchester City or Real Madrid. A team with more chance of winning major trophies, like the UEFA Champions League. But he remains in London, and that stability appears to have helped his game.
Kane is the pick with many European soccer fans to win the Golden Boot in Qatar for top scoring. He is certainly good enough to do that and will be encouraged by his past performances in the colors of his national side. Kane will lead the attack for the Three Lions and is sure to get plenty of minutes on the pitch and almost as many chances to score.
Stars are out to shine
England shares Group B with the USA, Wales, and Iran, so Kane has a great chance to hit the ground running. He’ll fancy a few against Iran in England’s opening game, that’s for sure. But Kane isn’t the only player with his sights set on lighting up the World Cup.
Kylian Mbappe of France wants to show he is the future of the sport, and he’ll surely take some beating. Then we have two greats of the game playing in their final World Cup. Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are the two biggest names in Qatar, and it’ll be a joy to watch them strut their stuff for Portugal and Argentina on this stage one final time.