World Cup FIFA 2022: guessing the champion

Being already just days from the beginning of the World Cup, and knowing that for those who live in countries where football is much more than just a sport but also a deeply rooted tradition of general interest, I want to propose a game.
The game is to predict before the ball starts rolling in Qatar’s fields, which team will be the champion.
Who guess will win a virtual Cup as big and valuable as it fits in their imagination and of course… a special mention and congratulations from all participants.

Let me start: I vote for Brazil

 

Hmm - I think the climate may have quite a bearing on things.
That being said, along with form and historical experience, though Argentina and Uraguay cannot be discounted, I'm gonna play safe and go ...
.
BRAZIL
.

 

Great Wolf. So Brazil has already 2 votes so far
Argentina was also quite good getting the second place in the clasification. But Brazil has got the first place.

 

I vote Brasil too. Argentina will be a worthy contest though. European countries are just not strong enough this year. England never delivers. Germany, Italy and Spain are not at same level as the others. France is going through a difficult period (+they will miss Kante). Belgium missed their chance 4 years ago, defence is not good enough anymore. Netherlands are ok but not at top level (yet). Marroco and Nigeria are 2 good countries too. With a bit of luck they can go through to quarter finals maybe.

 

There is unanimity that Brazil will be the winner so far.
Some say Qatar's climate will play in their favor.
But this Cup use to give us surprise. I remember fairly well when in the Word Cup of 2014 everybody thought that the winner would be Brazil.
1- Because they were always candidates having won more cups than any one else.
2- Because the condition of local added a great plus.
However, in the semi-final they were beaten by Germany, to the point of being humiliated in front of their own people. I remember I couldn't believe it when in the first half hour of play they were already losing 5-0. By the middle of the first period and the match was already defined.
Germans slowed down to spare them embarrassment. The match ended 7-1 if I remember correctly. Some players like Felipe Luiz did not hide their crying at the end of the game.
Then Germany would be champion by winning the final game against my country's team

 

Saudi Arabia defeated Argentina 2-1. The first big surprise to me. I cannot say how stay people in my country. It is a great shock here.

 

Second big surprise so far. Japan 2- Germany 1

 

Football - wise, it seems that there are a few 'bigger' nations have severly underestimated their lesser regarded opponents,
(Equador made the Dutch look below par too today)
- but these are early days
.

 

The Story so far: (A week's review)
It's fair to say this past week in Qatar has thrown up some interesting results (not to mention the back stories there have been)


Opening game sees the Host Nation beaten

World Cup 2022: Enner Valencia scores double as hosts lose opening game - BBC Sport

 

England enter the fray =


*
England v IR Iran | Group B | FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ | Highlights (No Commentary)

 

SENEGAL 0 NETHERLANDS 2


Senegal v Netherlands | Group A | FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ | Highlights (No Commentary)

USA 1 WALES 1


USA v Wales | Group B | FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ | Highlights (No Commentary)

So far - seems ordinary ....

 

Loved watching the game USA - Wales.

 

DENMARK share the points, with TUNISIA



World Cup 2022: Tunisia hold Denmark to goalless draw in Qatar - BBC Sport

• BEFORE =

SAUDI ARABIA go head over heels



.... with 2-1 victory over one of the Pe-tournament favourites ARRGENTINA



World Cup 2022: Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia highlights - BBC Sport

 

POLAND draw a blank with MEXICO
-
Lewandoski Misses Penalty
.



. . .

Mexico v Poland | Group C | FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ | Highlights (No Commentary)

 

FRANCE stroll home with a 4-1 victory against AUSTRALIA




World Cup: Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Giroud fire France to 4-1 win against Australia - highlights - BBC Sport

 

MOROCCO and CROATIA see out another scoreless draw

. . .

2022 World Cup: Morocco hold Croatia to goalless draw - BBC Sport

Hmm, Another slow day ? ...

 

Before - ...
The GERMANS make their Protest
.

• AND THEN -

JAPAN stun the GERMANS .. any everybody else !! with 2-1 Victory

. . .

World Cup 2022: Japan shock Germany with comeback win - BBC Sport

 

SPAIN Demolish COSTA RICA



World Cup 2022: Spain beat Costa Rica 7-0 - highlights - BBC Sport

 

BELGUIM scrape past CANADA: with a 1-0 Victory

• Canada misses Penalty,

• and Belguim sneak the win

World Cup 2022: Belgium 1-0 Canada - highlights - BBC Sport

 

• SWITZERLAND 1 CAMEROON 0

World Cup 2022: Switzerland earn hard-fought win over Cameroon - BBC Sport

• URAGUAY 0 SOUTH KOREA 0

World Cup 2022: Uruguay play out goalless draw with South Korea - BBC Sport