Qatar 2022 World Cup: Get to Know Each Group and Team

The 32 teams of the 2022 World Cup will play 48 matches in the group stage, ending on December 2. Only the best 16 teams in the championship will make it to the knockout round.

Only two teams in each group make it to the next round. In a World Cup, there are always surprises, but the favorites have an emotional drive that can help them during the competition. Which teams will be the favorites in Qatar?

Qatar, the host, will probably make it to the Round of 16. Small details like motivation or playing in a familiar setting can go a long way in these short tournaments.

The Netherlands should be the first team in the group. The squad comes from a streak of 15 games undefeated and in great form. Stars like Memphis Depay, Van Dijk, and De Jong provide hope, and the emotional toll of Van Gaal's diagnosis with prostate cancer can provide a high drive.

Senegal has a very competent team that championed Africa. But their star Sadio Mané injured a ligament during a league game in Germany and won't be able to play in the first matches of the World Cup. It is uncertain how this will affect the squad.

Ecuador, the dark horse of the group, had an excellent qualifying round. The team has a young, high quality block and an impressive physique, enough to scare anyone.

For the first time in years, England entered the World Cup as one of the top teams, in 5th position in the FIFA ranking. Harry Kane, Foden, and the rest of the team should easily make it to the Round of 16 and further.

Iran has qualified for the last three World Cups, this time with solvency, led by veteran coach Carlos Queiroz. The team has the experience and is ready to fight a complicated group and reach Round 16 for the first time.

The United States is the most considerable soccer power in Concacaf right now. After missing the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the team needs revenge and has a young core playing in major European leagues. For example, Fulham's defense Antonee Robinson (in the picture).

Wales qualified for Qatar 64 years after its last (and only) World Cup participation. Gareth Bale will captain a team that plays loosely, has fun, and has nothing to lose. They will deliver more than one surprise.

Leo Messi faces his last World Cup at 35. It is the last chance for La Pulga to establish himself as the best player in history, lifting the only relevant cup he has not won yet. He will try to achieve this alongside Lionel Scolari, who has proven to be the perfect coach for Argentina.

It will be the sixth World Cup for the Green Falcons. Their mission is to qualify for the Round of 16 for the first time in its history. To achieve this, they listed the help of soccer globetrotter Herve Renard (in the picture).

El Tri struggled during the qualifying season but finally entered its eighth consecutive World Cup. The Mexican team has the goal of reaching the quarterfinals, a task they only managed to complete twice in 15 participations.

If Robert Lewandowski maintains his average goal per game, Poland will be a complicated contender for its three groupmates.

France seeks to revalidate their 2018 championship and has the team to achieve it. Players like Mbappe, Griezmann, Tchouameni, Camavinga, and Pavard give the team a chance to advance to the final rounds of the competition. However, in the last three World Cups, the previous winners have fallen in the group round.

Australia will play in a World Cup for the fifth consecutive time and has taken one step forward in each championship. There are no irrelevant teams in this World Cup.

Denmark has become one of the best teams in recent years, even reaching the semifinals at the 2020 Eurocup. They know they play well and are not afraid to dominate the ball. They are fierce competitors.

Tunisia has competed in five World Cups in the last seven editions. That is not easy to achieve when fighting for qualification on the thriving African continent. They don't have any pressure, which can be liberating in these tournaments.

Coach Luis Enrique is the star of Spain. That is an advantage the country already witnessed this year with Sergio Scariolo at Eurobasket 2022. When the plan is clear, Enrique will make the team perform correctly despite who is playing on the field. Asensio is a player to watch.

A saying goes around every championship: "Soccer is a simple game. 22 play in the field, and Germany always wins." Despite the position in which the four-time World Cup champions arrive, they are always a favorite. Muller always excels at big tournaments, and Ruediger (in the photo) is confident.

Japan has not missed a World Cup since the 1998 cup in France. They have improved in every aspect: technique, physique, confidence, and speed. Their goal is clear: getting past Round 16 for the first time in history. Their coach, Hajime Moriyasu, has complete confidence.

Costa Rica lost in the group face in Russia in 2018. They will be in the mood for revenge this time. Keylor Navas is the soul and captain of the Ticos.

Belgium has been the perennial favorite for a decade, but this time it is. The team is second in the FIFA ranking. De Bruyne is in colossal form, and Eden Hazard (in the photo) gives the sensation that he will shine again. They opt for the win.

Canada finished first in the Concacaf qualifications. The team has a core of emerging players and a world-class figure like Alphonso Davies, who could snatch the crown in this championship.

Morocco has swept the qualifiers and will arrive plethoric to Qatar. They will try to win a World Cup match for the third time in history and reach the Round of 16. All thanks to their bulwark: Achraf Hakimi.

Croatia wants to say goodbye, in the best way, to Luka Modric, the player who led them to the 2018 World Cup final in Russia (they lost to France). They have played five championships and reached a final and a semifinal. Croatian all-or-nothing strategy is always admirable.

Brazil hasn't made it to the podium since they won the World Cup in 2002. It has been 20 years, but now they qualified as the favorites, topping the FIFA ranking. Neymar and Vini Jr. will attract a lot of attention.

Serbia kicked Portugal out of the direct qualification, showing they know how to compete. They will seek to reach the knockout round for the first time in their history. If they succeed, it will be thanks to star Nemanja Radonjic (in the photo).

Switzerland is ready to compete for first place in a group against Brazil. They have played five World Cups in a row and eliminated Italy in the group stage of the UEFA qualifications, so their confidence is at its maximum. Shaqiri (in the photo with coach Murat Yakin) is their star.

Cameroon qualified in the 120th minute of extra time thanks to a goal from Ekambi, so their presence in Qatar is a gift they will not take for granted. At least, that is what fans expect from coach Rigobert Song (in the photo).

Cristiano Ronaldo faces his last World Cup while fighting with his club, Manchester United, with his teammates and almost with the whole world. That creates the perfect scenario for no one to expect anything from Portugal while they snatch the cup as they did in the 2016 Eurocup.

Uruguay qualified for Qatar without making much noise. But they should pass to the next stage, with a new generation led by Valverde and Araújo and experienced veterans such as Godín, Suárez, and Cavani.

South Korea has participated in ten World Cups in a row and has improved its weak point: defense. That allows Son Heung-min (the masked man in the photo) to focus on his purpose: scoring goals.

Some people may perceive Ghana as a team that will leave early, but this might be a mistake. The team has players like Thomas Partey, Gideon Mensah (in the photo), or the Ayew brothers, who can surprise during any game.