FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022: The football world cup or FIFA World Cup is just 147 days away and all the 32 teams are confirmed and placed in their respective groups. This edition of the FIFA World Cup is witnessing more balanced groups for all the minnows and underdogs to showcase their prowess.
Just like previous editions, Brazil, Germany, and France stand in as favourites but the resurgence of Argentina under Scaloni’s leadership has shifted their position from a dark horse to a major contender as they are on a berserk run of 32 unbeaten matches, the last defeating dating back to 2019, a 2-0 loss to then champions Brazil, also adding two silverwares in 11 months (Copa America in July 2021, Finnalisma in June 2022).
FIFA World Cup 2022 Group Of Death
The dark horses are what make the tournament unpredictable and exciting and often lead to the creation of the 'Group of Death'. In Qatar World Cup 2022, Heung-Min Son inspired Korea in Group H can make things tough for 2016 Euro Cup winners Portugal, 2011 Copa America champions Uruguay and Ghana.
One can never undermine or count South Korea out, and the perfect example of this was the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018, where they were placed in the group alongside Mexico, Germany, and Sweden. Everyone predicted Germany to walk out as group winners but Mexico and South Korea had other plans. They handed out defeat to Germany and the defending champions finished bottom of the group.
Portugal and Uruguay are expected to qualify but a spirited South Korea, and a reluctant Ghana, with Thomas Partey and Asamoah Gyan in their ranks, can spoil the party and therefore, we can expect Group H to be the Group of Death.
Another potential 'Group of Death' candidate can be Group F which includes Belgium, Croatia, Morocco and Canada. Besides the established European teams in Group F, Morocco and Canada have seen a rapid rise and boast some of the best and most exciting young talents in the world, namely Alphonso Davies for Canada, Hakim Ziyech and Achraf Hakimi for Morocco.
Both the teams have balanced strength and the rest two teams are the most feared dark horses of recent years, Belgium and Croatia.
Belgium has remained on top of FIFA rankings for the majority of the past 6 years, and Croatia is the last edition’s finalists who have Luka Modric.
Therefore, all the football fans over the world can expect at least two Group of Deaths this time around and just like every edition, Qatar awaits a new inspiring underdog story to be written and witnessed.