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We're less than a year away from the 2022 FIFA World Cup. It will be held in Qatar and will start on the 21st of November. 13 teams have already qualified for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. 19 slots are still remaining and they will be filled over the course of the next six months.
European and CONMEBOL giants have already booked a berth at 2022 FIFA World Cup
Some of the giants in the realm of international football have already secured a berth in the quadrennial competition. With Italy and Portugal both being sent to the playoffs, one European giant is set to be missing from the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
They were both drawn in the same bracket. If they both record wins in their opening playoff matches, they will face off to see who goes to the World Cup.
But let's focus on the teams that have already made a statement in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. Without further ado, let's take a look at the five early favorites to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
#5 Spain
It might not be the 'golden generation' anymore but Spain have looked formidable on the international circuit in recent times. La Roja made it to the semi-finals of Euro 2020 and the final of the UEFA Nations League.
They have a very talented squad and Luis Enrique has got a promising project going. Spain won six of their eight World Cup Qualifiers. They have some exciting attackers like Ferran Torres, Dani Olmo, Pablo Sarabia and Alvaro Morata in their squad.
Their defence and midfield are packed with world-class players as well. The likes of Pedri and Gavi are under 20 years of age but they've already shown that they can stand their own against some of the greats of the game. Fabian Ruiz, Sergio Busquets, Carlos Soler, Thiago Alcantara and Koke add depth to their midfield.
In defence, Spain have Pau Torres, Aymeric Laporte, Jordi Alba, Dani Carvajal, Jose Gaya, Cesar Azpilicueta etc. Unai Simon and David de Gea are great goalkeepers as well.
#4 Argentina
2021 Copa America winners Argentina are yet to taste defeat in their 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifying campaign. They have won eight and drawn five of their 13 qualifiers. La Albiceleste have a squad that has plenty of match winners.
This is likely to be Lionel Messi's last World Cup and he is expected to give it his all in Qatar. He will be ably supported up top by the likes of Angel Di Maria, Lautaro Martinez and Paulo Dybala.
Lionel Scaloni's side also have quite a few efficient midfielders. Rodrigo De Paul, Guido Rodriguez, Giovanni Lo Celso and Leandro Paredes could all be difference makers on their day.
Nicolas Otamendi and Cristian Romero have proven to be a solid pairing at centre-back. There is a fair bit of competition for the full-back spots between Juan Foyth, Gonzalo Montiel and Nahuel Molina on the right and Marcos Acuna and Nicolas Tagliafico on the left.
Emiliano Martinez has proven to be a great addition to the side and Argentina look formidable ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
#3 England
England enjoyed a remarkable run at Euro 2020. Gareth Southgate's men played some exciting football and looked like they could go all the way. They were unfortunate to have missed out on the European championship ultimately, losing to Italy on penalties in the final.
This English squad is filled to the brim with talented players. It will be hard for Southgate to even name the final contingent he will be taking to Qatar. There are so many talented players vying for a berth that the real test will be in finding the right dynamic.
It will take us all day if we're to dive in to take a look at the personnel. Southgate has shown that his pragmatic football can pay dividends.
They have a plethora of match winners. The likes of Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Mason Mount, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Declan Rice, to name a few, are all likely to make the trip. The Three Lions made it to the semi-finals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. This time, they definitely have the quality to go all the way.
#2 Brazil
Brazil have won 11 of their 13 World Cup qualifiers so far. They are also unbeaten in their qualifying campaign and have looked utterly dominant. Tite's men have scored 27 goals in the process while shipping in just four.
Brazil are rich in quality this time around as well. They crashed out of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in the quarter-finals after losing 2-1 to Belgium. Brazil have a considerably stronger squad now than they did in 2018.
Neymar Jr. will be their main man going forward. But he will be ably supported by the likes of Vinicius Jr. and Raphinha, both of whom have been in sublime form this season. The likes of Casemiro, Fred and Fabinho will provide an unreal amount of doggedness in the middle of the pitch.
Brazil fans will be hoping Philippe Coutinho can revive his career during his loan spell at Aston Villa. The early signs have been promising and if he can hit the heights of his Liverpool days, Brazil will have no shortage of creativity either.
Eder Militao and Marquinhos will make for one of the best centre-back pairings at the World Cup. In Ederson Moraes and Alisson Becker, they have two of the finest goalkeepers in the business guarding the sticks. They will also have no shortage of quality on the bench and this Brazil team looks capable of going the distance.
#1 France
Don't let the Round of 16 exit at Euro 2020 fool you. France are the strongest team going into the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Les Bleus made a statement by winning the UEFA Nations League in October. When their players kick into the groove and are on the same wavelength, it's difficult to stop this French side.
Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappe have been in sublime form for Real Madrid and PSG this season. Deschamps will have Antoine Griezmann operating behind the duo. Paul Pogba will be orchestrating play from deep. He will be partnered with N'Golo Kante or Aurelien Tchouameni in the center of the park.
The likes of Theo Hernandez and Benjamin Pavard will be operating down the flanks. France have some world-class centre-backs in their ranks too. Raphael Varane, Lucas Hernandez, Presnel Kimpembe, Jules Kounde and Dayot Upamecano will be vying for a starting berth.
France also have incredible bench strength and they really do look like an all-star team on paper. As things stand, they are the early favorites to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
