What?! No Way: Five Wild World Cup Predictions

Fans of the beautiful game from around the globe have been counting down the days until the start of the 2022 World Cup. It’s been a lengthy 1589 days since the end of the 2018 World Cup Final and the beginning of the next. The wait is nearly over, the tournament kicks off on Sunday, and players and fans alike are raring to get going. 

Every 4 years this tournament brings moments that we will one day tell our children all about. The World Cup introduced the Cruyff Turn to the world in 1974, the ridiculous Maradona “Hand of God” goal in 1986, and how could we forget the jaw-dropping headbutt from Zidane in 2010? Football fans live for this event and the memories they forge into their minds. Here are the top 5 moments that may happen in the 2022 World Cup.

5- South Korea tops Group H

Ronaldo this, Ronaldo that. Most of the experts predict Portugal to top Group H, and this is more than fair. They have to play Ghana, Uruguay, and South Korea. The last of those teams, South Korea, is clearly a huge dark horse, but with a bit of luck they have every chance of winning this group. Out of the 4 teams, I believe that South Korea has the best attacking player in Hueng-Min Son, and behind Ruben Dias of Portugal, the best defensive player in Kim Min-Jae. Expect this team to put up a strong fight in every group stage match.

4- Denmark Conquers the World Champions

In 2018, Kylian Mbappe led an exquisite French national team to a World Cup Trophy. However, the French midfield from 2018 has changed massively in the past 4 seasons. The center of the park that used to be dominated by Pogba, Kante, and Matuidi has regressed to Fofana, Tchouameni, and Rabiot. This French team is much weaker. Denmark on the other hand has excelled. They’ve won 9 out of their last 10 matches, and beat France home and away in the Nations League. Don’t doubt Denmark to finish over France in this World Cup. 

3- The Dutch Go All the Way

The Netherlands has been blessed with talent over the years. Players such as Johan Cruyff, Dennis Bergkamp, Marco Van Basten, Edwin Van Der Saar, and Ruud Gullit have all dressed in the orange kits. Nowadays, more stars play for this side: Virgil Van Dijk, Frankie De Jong, Memphis Depay and more. These Dutch players failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup and are Hungry to make up for that. They will top their group easily and cruise towards the final.

2- Pedri Wins the Best Young Player Award

Whether you love Baracelona or hate them, football fans have to agree on the stellar academy product they produce. Experts are calling Pedri this generation’s Xavi. Although this may be a bit of a stretch, they are right to speak highly about the 19-year old. Pedri has continued to impress on every stage he’s played on, and that won’t stop at the World Cup. The young star loves to play the killer ball for the Spanish National Team. If Alvaro Morato has learned how to finish since his Chelsea days, I can see Pedri notching upwards of 5 assists this tournament.

1- Gareth Southgate gets the Sack

The English are not happy with their manager, Gareth Southgate, heading into the 2022 World Cup. Whether it’s due to the lack of goals scored, the struggles in midfield, or the decision to leave Ivan Toney to watch the games instead of participate in them, Southgate is heavily disliked. With the stars they have, it’s difficult to not root for England, but with a first knockout round matchup against Senegal or Holland, it’s not looking too hot. If it’s not “coming home”, is Southgate going home for good? It seems likely.