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Qatar World Cup 2022: Football pundits make Qatar predictions

Facts

  • World Cup starts on Sunday as hosts Qatar take on Ecuador
  • England vs Iran, Wales vs USA on Tuesday 
  • Sky Sports pundits – Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, Karen Carney and Jamie Redknapp delivered their verdicts
  • Brazil and Argentina favourites to win amongst the pundits
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Analysis

Qatar World Cup 2022: Football pundits make Qatar predictions – winner, surprise package and how far England will go 

The Qatar World Cup 2022 kickoff on Sunday, with hosts Qatar taking on Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor.

England plays Iran on Monday, and Wales will take on USA for an action-packed day. 

Ahead of the opening game, Sky Sports pundits have made their predictions. 

The 32 best teams in the world have arrived in Qatar to battle it out on football’s biggest stage – in the hope of lifting that iconic trophy. 

France won the last world cup – in 2018, but Brazil, Argentina and England will be challenging hard for the trophy. 

Brazil, Argentina are favourites to win

Ex-Manchester United defender Gary Neville is backing Brazil to win the 2022 World Cup, telling Sky Sports: ‘We always feel we have got great players in this country and we do, but when you look at the Brazil squad you think, “Oh my God – where have they come from?”

‘It was the same when I was playing in tournaments. They had incredibly special players. I’m quite confident they will win it.’

Ex-England midfielder Jamie Redknapp agrees, adding: ‘Neymar’s in great form again – I have gone with Brazil as I feel it could be their time again.’

Lionel Messi’s last World Cup – the greatest of all time

Support for Brazil also came from former England Lionesses star Karen Carney, who said: ‘I’ve got a soft spot for them, to be honest – but if you look at their attacking players, they are just a joy to watch.

‘Everyone talks about Messi’s last one, but it could be Neymar’s as well. I think Argentina could meet Brazil in the semi-final so it comes down to whoever wins that.’

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher, meanwhile, has gone for Argentina in what looks set to be Lionel Messi’s final World Cup.

‘It was either Brazil or Argentina for me,’ he said. ‘They are the two favourites, but I would love to see Messi win the World Cup. I feel that would cement his position as the greatest player of all time.’

The Sky Sports pundits, Neville, Carragher, Carney and Redkhapp have predicted: the World Cup 2022 runners-up, surprise package, player of the tournament, golden boot winner and how far England will likely go. 

Qatar World Cup - Meet the pundits

Jamie Redknapp

Jamie Carragher

Karen Carney

Gary Neville

jamie redknapp sky sports
Karen Carney
jamie carragher sky news
jamie redknapp sky sports

World Cup Winners: Brazil 

World Cup Runners-up: France

England’s run: Quarter-finals

‘It’s dangerous to predict where the pathways of teams are going to go, but it looks like England are going to do what they think they will in the group, and France do the same, they would meet in the quarters and I just don’t think they would beat France.

‘But this is the one manager and one group of players who I think can put a performance together and hang in there – and they can also win on penalties. I do think there’s a chance, but I think France will be stronger in the quarters.’

Surprise package: Denmark

Surprise early exit: Uruguay

Top goal-scorer: Kylian Mbappe

Player of the tournament: Neymar

World Cup Winners: Brazil 

World Cup Runners-up: Spain

‘In the Euros, they went out to Italy, and I think it’s their possession of the ball which will take them close. They eventually lost to Italy on penalties, and their young players are phenomenal in midfield.

‘Their manager Luis Enrique is really experienced so they only thing that concerns me is goalscoring, but I back them to keep the ball.’

England’s run: Semi-finals

‘I think this is the most we can hope for. With (Paul) Pogba and (N’Golo) Kante out, I feel this is why we might progress past France.

‘After then, it’s pot luck but we’d be happy. Of course, we would want to get to the final but realistically getting to the semi-finals would be good.’

Surprise package: Spain

Surprise early exit: Belgium

Top goal-scorer: Lionel Messi

Player of the tournament: Neymar

World Cup Winners: Argentina 

World Cup Runners-up: Portugal

England’s run: Quarter-finals

 

Surprise package: Denmark

‘Denmark are in France’s group, and they played each other not so long ago and beat them. If Denmark finish top of that group, France could then play Argentina in the first knockout stage.’

Surprise early exit: Belgium

‘They have been a great team and Roberto Martinez has done fantastically well – they finished third in the last World Cup but I just feel it’s a step too far.

‘Romelu Lukaku hasn’t played for weeks, even months. I’m not sure he’s played this weekend for Inter Milan either. I feel they could be the surprise package to go out.’

Top goal-scorer:Lautaro Martinez

Player of the tournament: Messi

World Cup Winners: Brazil

World Cup Runners-up: Spain

England’s run: Quarter-finals

‘I think England’s performance in the Nations League has dampened everybody’s expectations. I just hope I’m wrong and we get a bit of momentum and start to play.

‘I hope we can get that belief and real confidence in these players, then anything is possible because I do believe it’s a wide-open tournament.’

Surprise package:  Senegal

‘I like them and I feel they have got some talented players with pace in the team. They are exciting. I don’t think they will go deep into the tournament but it’s not really a surprise if Spain do well.’

Surprise early exit: Belgium

Top goal-scorer:Lautaro Martinez

Player of the tournament:Neymar

World Cup 2022

Football news 24/7

Where is the FIFA World Cup 2022 schedule?

Following a dazzling Final Draw for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, the final tournament match schedule has been published on FIFA+.

Given the compact nature of Qatar, event organisers were able to assign, for the first time ever, group stage games to a stadium and kick-off time for each matchday after the final draw, optimising the match schedule for the benefit and comfort of spectators, teams, media and the global audience.

A total of 64 games will be played to decide the winners of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. See when and where the action will take place.

Follow the schedule here

 
The 2022 FIFA World Cup begins on Nov. 20 in what will be the first winter edition in the history of the competition. The best players in the world will take center stage in Qatar as the action runs through the final on Dec. 18.
 
 
The cost might be of the ticket is an estimate for a group match ranging from $105 to $210, and the ticket for the final ranges from $455 to $1,100. All tickets are sold in Qatari riyal (QAR) to both residents of Qatar and internationals. Here are list of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Ticket Prices below with detailed price
 
The 2022 World Cup starts on November 20 in Qatar when temperatures generally start falling heading into winter. Early group games will likely be the hottest with highs of 26-28°C (78-82°F) possible
 
Yes, alcohol will be sold in Qatari stadiums at the World Cup. Beer will be sold and available for fans three hours before and one hour after kick-off. It will not be available during the games

2022 World Cup

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