(Football) The much awaited (and controversial) World Cup in Qatar is finally underway with the month ahead promising some action packed football in arguably the biggest sporting event in the world. A total of 32 teams will be playing in 64 matches across 28 days with the usual suspects such as France, Spain, Germany, England, Brazil, Argentina, Belgium, Netherlands being the favourites to go all the way and lift the prestigious Jules Rimet trophy. Speculation is rife about which teams will be the standout performers in the tournament with Brazil and Argentina looking like the most likely candidates.

Having won five World Cups (more than any other country), Brazil have one of the best attacking lineups in the tournament. The Seleção haven’t won the World Cup in two decades but are widely considered to be the favourites due to their squad, experience and their form heading into the tournament. Analyst Opta Million has predicted Brazil to be the most likely candidates to win followed by Argentina, France, Spain, and England. Mathematical modeller Joshua Bull has also predicted Brazil will win the World Cup using the Oxford Mathematics 2022 World Cup predictor. Brazil has also been listed as the favourites by Caesars Sportsbook at 4-1 followed by Argentina (11-2), France (13-2), England (15-2) and Spain (15-2). 

However, FiveThirtyEight Soccer Power Index has predicted that Argentina are favourites over Brazil, giving Lionel Messi’s team a 13% chance of lifting the trophy. Spain manager Luis Enrique reaffirmed that Brazil and Argentina are the favourites by saying “I see Argentina above the rest and Brazil too – well above the rest.” Since the evening in Yokohama in 2002 when Ronaldo scored two goals to win the fifth World Cup trophy for Brazil, the balance of power in international football shifted with the likes of Italy, Spain, Germany, France doing considerably better. 

However, both Brazil and Argentina have been in rampant form heading into the World Cup, wrapping up CONMEBOL qualification early with neither team losing any of their 17 matches. Brazil topped the group with considerable ease, winning 14 of their 17 matches and scoring 40 goals in the process while conceding only five. Brazil defeated Uruguay 4-1, Chile and Paraguay 4-0 and Bolivia 5-0, displaying impressive defensive discipline under manager Tite while capitalising on their attacking flair. Alisson is undoubtedly one of the three best goalkeepers in the world while the likes of Thiago Silva and Dani Alves are showing that they can continue performing at an elite level despite their age.

Fabinho, Bruno Guimarães, Fred and Casemiro comprise of an extremely impressive midfield while Neymar, who has eight goals in qualifying, is Brazil’s spearhead in attack along with Richarlison, Vinicius Jr, Raphinha, Rodrygo, Antony and Gabriel Martinelli. As for Argentina, they have a real shot at the World Cup, possibly for the first time since 1986. Manager Lionel Scaloni and the Argentinean FA are looking to make use of all the talent at their disposal. They have the perfect blend of youth and experience with Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria, Lautaro Martinez and Spurs defender Cristian Romero being the veterans in the squad while Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez adding some firepower in attack. Should both Brazil and Argentina top their respective groups, they will face each other in the semifinals in a blockbuster clash.

Also read: Gareth Southgate expected to be pragmatic in opening match against Iran