Viewer’s guide for this year’s World Cup in Qatar
A final probability for Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Kylian Mbappé again on the largest stage of all. Brazil bidding for a record-extending sixth title.
One of the eagerly anticipated World Cups in reminiscence — as a lot for off-the-field causes as these on it — is simply across the nook in Qatar and pleasure is constructing after the qualification interval was wrapped.
Thirty-two teams, 64 matches, 28 days. The primary World Cup within the Center East.
Right here’s a couple of issues to observe when the event will get going within the smallest nation ever to host a World Cup:
TOP TEAMS
Brazil (No. 1 in FIFA rating). Neymar, Vinícius Júnior and the remainder of the flair-filled Selecao are peaking on the proper time. Is a primary World Cup title since 2002 on the horizon?
Belgium (No. 2). The “Golden Technology” is progressively breaking apart however there’s nonetheless Kevin De Bruyne main the Belgian cost.
Argentina (No. 3). No World Cup title for the reason that days of the good Diego Maradona. This would be the first World Cup since his demise in November 2020 and Argentina is bettering, with Messi nonetheless at its core.
France (No. 4). The defending champions. Nonetheless the nation with probably the most depth to its squad. Now with Mbappé AND Karim Benzema main the assault. No staff has retained its World Cup title since Brazil in 1962.
England (No. 5). Semifinalist on the World Cup in 2018, finalist on the European Championship in 2021. Soccer’s most underperforming nationwide staff is trending in the suitable route.
BIG STARS
Lionel Messi, Argentina. The seven-time world participant of the 12 months might need been saving his 35-year-old legs for one final push at a World Cup winner’s medal that, to many, would solidify him as soccer’s best participant.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal. He has received the European Championship however the main scorer in males’s worldwide soccer hasn’t performed in a World Cup last, not to mention received one. He is 37 years previous now — take advantage of him when you can.
Kylian Mbappé, France. The star of the final World Cup on the age of 19 and he’s solely getting higher. The speedy striker may match Brazil nice Pelé in being a champion at his first two World Cups.
Kevin De Bruyne, Belgium. Broadly thought to be the world’s greatest midfielder, his driving runs are among the many greatest sights in soccer. Belgium simply has to hope he arrives wholesome.
Neymar, Brazil. More and more overshadowed by Mbappé and Messi at Paris Saint-Germain, nonetheless the primary man for Brazil. Be careful for tips and flicks, and a few histrionics, too.
HOW IT WORKS
Prepare for a feast of soccer. There are eight teams of 4 groups, with the highest two advancing to the 16-team knockout stage.
There might be 4 video games back-to-back per day — sure, 4! — for every of the primary two units of group video games, then simultaneous kickoffs for the final two video games in every group.
There will be no break for the knockout stage, which begins the day after the group stage ends. The primary day with out soccer comes on Dec. 7 — the seventeenth day of competitors.
MUST-SEE GAMES
Senegal vs. Netherlands, Nov. 21. The primary match of the event and all the time a date to avoid wasting on the calendar. With Sadio Mané and Virgil van Dijk on the sector, it is an attention-grabbing one, too.
Argentina vs. Mexico, Nov. 26. The primary of the large continental rivalries within the group stage, with Messi doubtlessly sealing his and Argentina’s spot within the final 16.
Spain vs. Germany, Nov. 27. Certainly there cannot have been many larger group-stage matches than this at a World Cup? Two current champions, two giants of European and world soccer.
Iran vs. United States, Nov. 29. It has been labeled as “ The Mother of All Games Part II.” Identical to on the World Cup in 1998, the 2 nations will meet within the group stage in a politically charged matchup. Diplomatic relations have but to be restored between the nations since being severed in 1980.
Ghana vs. Uruguay, Dec. 2. Anybody keep in mind the evening of July 2, 2010? Within the final minute of additional time in a World Cup quarterfinal match between Uruguay and Ghana, Luis Suarez intentionally stopped the ball together with his hand on the goalline, acquired despatched off, just for Ghana to overlook the penalty and lose in a shootout as Suarez celebrated on the sideline. Revenge could be candy for Ghana.
UPCOMING FRIENDLIES
With this World Cup happening in the course of many nations’ home seasons, there is not going to be the standard pre-tournament build-up of friendlies.
Certainly, for the European nations, the Nations League qualifiers happening from Sept. 22-27 will characterize the groups’ last matches earlier than the World Cup.
Among the many massive video games are Italy vs. England (Sept. 23), Netherlands vs. Belgium (Sept. 25), England vs. Germany (Sept. 26), and Portugal vs. Spain (Sept. 27).
The US will play Japan on Sept. 23 and Saudi Arabia on Sept. 27, with each friendlies happening in Europe.
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Extra AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Steve Douglas, The Related Press
