2022 World Cup in Qatar Preview (11-10-22)
By: Victor Herrera
Headline Photo Credit: Marca
After four years we are ready for the 2022 edition of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. This World Cup has not been an easy project. The FIFA administration has been under fire for the “fixing” of the tournament’s locations. There was just a documentary released on Netflix about this issue called “FIFA Uncovered.” While there has been much skepticism over this year’s World Cup, there are some storylines that you, as a viewer, need to be aware of.
In the past 8 years, this will be the first time that the United States of America will participate in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. After taking a defeat to Trinidad and Tobago 4 years ago, leaving them out of the World Cup, the USMNT has been waiting for their opportunity to make a run in the tournament. Although it will be a long shot, as for Group B is stacked with talent. This group consists of the USA, Wales, Iran, and England. Many questions surround this young and inexperienced team. Will they make it out of the group stage? One thing to get excited about, if you are a USA fan, is that the team from Wales has not done good, as of late. They have only collected 1 win in their last 6 matches. I fully expect that the USA will edge out a tie or victory with Wales and claim the second seat. Although I see them advancing out of the group stage, I believe they get beat in the first round.
The Mexican National team, better known as “El Tri,” will be without a significant player on their roster. A shock came from the team’s manager Gerardo “Tata” Martino who decided to leave Mexico’s all-time scorer Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez off the roster for the World Cup. Instead, he has added others such as Rogelio Funes Mori, Alexis Vega, Henry Martin, and Jesus Corona. There has been speculation that this is because Javier has received preferential treatment in the past when playing for Mexico, such as staying in separate hotels and private transportation. Javier is off the team simply because special treatment does not align with Martino’s vision for the team. The decision to treat everyone as equals and keep Javier off of the team does not make it easier for El Tri as team Mexico has been paired in an interesting Group C. While it will be competitive, Mexico will make it out of the group stage. However, if they wish to avoid a tough France team in the round of 16, they will have to win the group stage. This means beating a tough Argentina team led by, the one and only, Lionel Messi. I simply don’t see them doing either of those things. The run will come to an end for El Tri in the round of 16.
The biggest storyline heading into this year’s FIFA World Cup involves the two top soccer players of this generation. This is expected to be the final appearance for both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. These two have been competitors since they were teenagers and have always had an enormous amount of pressure on them. One thing is for certain, Messi will not have the pressure of winning with his national team for the first time. He accomplished this feat last year. He was able to lead his team to the 2021 Copa America championship where the Argentina team defeated Brazil. The simulation, which has successfully picked the winners of the last 3 World Cups, has predicted these two teams battling it out for the gold, again. However, I think it may be a little different. I am predicting a matchup for the ages; a matchup that only soccer fans could dream about. My 2022 World Cup Finals prediction is Lionel Messi and the Argentines vs the Portugal team, led by a rival, Cristiano Ronaldo. Argentina will win 2-1.
