Before continuing make sure to check out part 1 of this new article series. If you have already done that, then continue reading for a detailed description of what to look for in Groups C and D.
Group C:
Argentina: Contenders
Group C's first team is probably that which will draw the most attention. Argentina will continue their streak as perennial contenders, mainly due to the fact that Lionel Messi is once again playing for the Argentinian National Team. Although this is most likely his last World Cup, Messi is still a competitor with a hunger to win. Being the greatest of all time, Messi has the potential to lead his team to victory. In their qualifying games, Argentina dominated the South American continent en route to the number one qualifying spot. The top four advanced, and Argentina beat all of them at least once during qualifying. Messi and the Argentinians look to make a splash in Qatar during possibly his last World Cup.
Image via Sports Illustrated
Saudi Arabia: Pretenders
The second team detailed from the Middle East actually does deserve to be in Qatar. This was a tough pick but the Saudis just do not have the depth make it out of pool play. Saudi Arabia was surprisingly solid during their qualifying run and definitely deserve a spot in the 2022 World Cup. This is a solid team who could be a dark horse pick for the Round of 16 but definitely not beyond there. After their qualifying stint, the Saudis have dropped two friendlies to nations not qualified for Qatar. Saudi Arabia has never made it past the Round of 16 and this year will be no different.
Image via Arab News
Mexico: Contenders
The 1986 World Cup champions are in their 8th consecutive World Cup, one of only six nations to accomplish that feat. That being said, Mexico is a legitimate contender to not only make it out of Group C, but also to compete for another championship. The only team to even pull a draw with Mexico in qualifying was the USA. That is a spectacular sign for the Mexicans, they were able to pull a draw with the number one North American team and win every other game. Mexico is a very likely winner of the 2022 World Cup, it all hinges on whether they show up to compete with the Europeans.
Image via Reuters
Poland: Pretenders
It is at this point that I would like to point out that very few teams are true pretenders. Poland is not one of those but they just do not reach the standard set by the other teams of Group C. Poland was solid throughout qualifying, but suffered a disappointing loss at the hands of Hungary. They still earned a spot in Qatar, even with that slip up. Poland is a quality squad and if they can avoid silly mistakes they may be an unlikely advancer.
Image via LA Times
Group D:
France: Contender
Teammate of Messi and one of the brightest young stars in soccer, Mbappe looks to lead France to back to back World Cups. As is to be expected from the reigning champions, France dominated during qualifying, including an 8-nil victory over Kazakhstan. However impressive their resume, history is against the Frenchmen. Only twice in history has a team won back to back World Cups, Italy in 1934 and '38 as well as Brazil in 1958 and '62. The French are by far the most solid team in Group D, but will they prevail against history. If they do win they will etch their names in the history books and Mbappe will improve his already impressive resume.
Image via Daily Sabah
Australia: Pretenders
As per usual, the Australian side qualified for the World Cup but are not one of the best there. It took the Aussies until the last possible game to qualify for Qatar. They won in a thrilling 5-4 penalty shootout against a decent Peruvian team. However, that level of play will not cut it in the World Cup, especially being in the same group as the defending champions. Australia's best ever World Cup finish came in 2006 when they were defeated in the Round of 16. This will not be the year they break that and will fall during pool play.
Image via Al Jazeera
Tunisia: Pretenders
The Tunisian national team should not even be in Qatar. During qualifying, they faced Mali to secure a spot and did not even score. They won 1-0 on aggregate purely because of a slip up on the Mali side. Defender, Moussa Sissako, scored an own goal during the first leg of the two game series that ended up deciding who is in Qatar and who is not. A tough way to to go for Mali, but if it eases their pain, Tunisia will not advance past pool play, the sixth time in a row for Tunisia.
Image via Goal.com
Denmark: Pretenders
As the third pretender in Group D, Denmark is the most likely to advance. The only reason they are labeled pretenders is because they do not seem to have the capabilities of making a deep run in the 2022 World Cup. They were in the same group as both Australia and France during 2018 and they will achieve similar results. Their best finish ever was a loss in the quarter-finals, this year it will be in the Round of 16. Denmark will advance, but their joy will be short-lived as they will lose their very next game.
Image via EuroSport
These groups are are both highlighted by players of Paris Saint-Germain. The biggest storyline is Messi's possible retirement from the Argentinian Nation Team. Meanwhile, Mbappe looks to lead a nation across the pond to back to back World Cup victories. Don't count out the Mexicans though, they have a solid team that could put an end to a powerhouse's run.
Comments