World Cup 2022: France or Brazil, England or Spain? Ranking the favourites to win Qatar finals

Chile’s failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup should have hastened the long-needed national team revamp but, worryingly, the South Americans current squad remains littered with veterans.

Chile will be serious trouble if they are still relying on thirty-somethings Gary Medel, Mauricio Isla, Jean Beausejour, Matias Fernandez and Arturo Vidal in 2022, while it would be a surprise if Alexis Sanchez is still in the reckoning for a starting spot given the 29-year-old has been displaying serious signs of decline since joining Manchester United in January.

Still, youngsters Marcos Bolados, Francisco Sierralta, Victor Davila, Jimmy Martinez and Angelo Araos have all already been capped at senior level, while Marcelo Allende is generating hype at Under-20 level.

Chile’s hopes of finding a forward as effective as Alexis look slim right now, with Nicolas Castillo (three goals in 18 appearances) the man most likely to spearhead the attack in Qatar.

Possible line-up (4-2-3-1): Cortes; Diaz, Roco, Maripan, Vegas; Galdames, Pulgar; Sagal, Valdes, Davila; Castillo.

Possible captain: Roco

Possible star player: Davila

Possible young star: Allende

Previous World Cup finish: DNQ

Having coped fantastically well with the international retirement of their one bona fide superstar, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, there’s no reason for Sweden to approach the coming years with anything but optimism.

The Scandinavians both qualified for the 2018 World Cup and reached its quarter-finals without the striker but that is not to say their current squad could not do with a few fresh faces.

Happily, while Borussia Dortmund striker Alexander Isak has not quite had the impact that many expected at Signal Iduna Park, the teenager has already opened his account for Sweden, and hopes are high that he could form a formidable front two the 20-year-old Viktor Gyokeres.

Elsewhere, Bologna’s Matthias Svanberg, 19, should inject some youthful enthusiasm into a midfield that will likely still contain the talented Emil Forsberg, while Manchester United’s Victor Lindelof obviously has the ability to succeed Andreas Granqvist as Sweden’s defensive leader.

Possible line-up (4-4-2): Dahlberg; Krafth, Helander, Lindelof, Augustinsson; S Larsson, Svanberg, K Olsson, Forsberg; Gyokeres, Isak.

Possible captain: Lindelof

Possible star man: Svanberg

Possible young star: Isak

Previous World Cup finish: Quarter-finals

Could Qatar 2022 be the World Cup at which Mexico finally break the ‘curse of the fifth game’?

A first-ever appearance in the quarter-finals looked a distinct possibility for El Tri in Russia, after their scintillating win over defending champions Germany, which featured a stellar solo goal from Hirving Lozano.

Mexico bowed in the last 16 once again, beaten by Brazil, but at least PSV winger Lozano will be back and probably even better in Qatar.

What’s more he should be aided in attack by ‘The Mexican Messi’, Diego Lainez, who is just 18, while in a big boost for El Tri, Carlos Salcedo should still be in the mix after backing down on his apparent threat to quit the national team.

Possible line-up (4-3-3): Ochoa; Alvarez, Salcedo, Araujo, Gallardo; Gonzalez, Herrera, Gutierrez; Lainez, Jimenez, Lozano.

Possible captain: Herrera

Possible star player: Lozano

Possible young star: Lainez

Previous World Cup finish: Last 16

The United States’ failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup was as shocking as it was improbable, given the quality of their opponents in CONCACAF, and the remarkable sequence of scorelines that resulted in their final-day disappointment.

Still, the Americans have a new coach, Gregg Berhalter, and renewed optimism, not least because they are blessed with an array of preciously gifted players.

Having amassed 23 caps by the age of 20, Borussia Dortmund’s Christian Pulisic is obviously the poster boy for the new generation, but big things are also expected of teenage trio Timothy Weah, Josh Sargent and Jonathan Amon, who could form a formidable forward line in Qatar.

In addition, Manchester City-bound Zach Steffen is destined to take over in goal from veteran shot-stopper Brad Guzan, who was the only player aged over 30 to feature in the squad for the recent friendly against Italy.

Possible line-up (4-3-3): Steffen; Yedlin, Miazga, Brooks, Robinson; Adams, McKennie, Pulisic; Weah, Amon, Sargent.

Possible captain: Brooks

Possible star man: Pulisic

Possible young star: Reyna

Previous World Cup finish: Did not qualify

Few countries suffered a more heart-breaking elimination at Russia 2018 than Nigeria but, on the plus side, few countries have as much reason for optimism ahead of 2022.

The Super Eagles came within minutes of progressing to the last 16 at the expensive of Argentina with the youngest squad at the tournament, with an average age of 25.9 years old.

Remarkably, their panel could be just as youthful in Qatar, given goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, Leicester midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi and Bordeaux’s Samuel Kalu are all aged 22 or under.

Even more encouragingly, Kelechi Iheanacho, 22, is likely to find himself under heavy pressure for a starting spot up front in 2022 from Samuel Chukwueze and Victor Osimhen, both of whom are still only 19.

Possible line-up (4-3-3): Uzoho; Aina, Collins, Troost-Ekong, Ajayi; Ndidi, Etebo, Iwobi; Kalu, Chukwueze, Osimhen.

Possible captain: Troost-Ekong

Possible star man: Iwobi

Possible young star: Chukwueze

Previous World Cup finish: Group stage

The future appears bright for Denmark, whose young squad (average age 27.1) was unluckily eliminated in the last 16 in Russia by eventual finalists Croatia before subsequently earning promotion to Nations League A.

While the Danes remain heavily reliant on the genius of Christian Eriksen, it is worth noting that the Tottenham schemer is still only 26.

Furthermore, while the 32-year-old Kasper Schmeichel has a fight on his hands to hold on to his No.1 jersey, Qatar 2022 should come at precisely the right time for the likes of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (23), Yussuf Poulsen (24), Pione Sisto (23), Christian Norgaard.

Most excitingly of all, by 2022 Ajax attacker Kasper Dolberg (21) should have developed into the consistent goalscorer Denmark have been lacking since Jon Dahl Tomasson.

Possible line-up (4-3-3): Schmeichel; Dalsgaard, Christensen, Vestergaard, Durmisi; Eriksen, Hojbjerg, Delaney; Poulsen, Dolberg, Sisto.

Possible captain: Schmeichel

Possible star man: Eriksen

Possible young star: Skraep

Previous World Cup finish: Last 16

As Belgium recently learned in the Nations League, Switzerland are not a side to be underestimated and that point should certainly still stand in 2022.

The Swiss had one of the younger squads on show in Russia (average age 27.2) and will likely travel to Qatar with a phalanx of players at the peak of their powers.

Indeed, Yvon Mvogo, Kevin Mbabu, Nico Elvedi, Edmilson Fernandes, Denis Zakaria, Breel Embolo, Albian Ajeti and Dimitri Oberlin are all presently 24 or under.

Granit Xhaka, their likely skipper, will only be 30 too, while Xherdan Shaqiri (now 27) and Haris Seferovic (26) should also still have plenty to offer.

Possible line-up (4-3-3): Mvogo; Mbabu, Elvedi, Schar, Rodriguez; Fernandes, Xhaka, Zakaria; Embolo, Ajeti, Oberlin.

Possible captain: Xhaka

Possible star man: Fernandes

Possible young star: Zeqiri

Previous World Cup finish: Last 16

The success of Colombia’s last two World Cup campaigns have essentially hinged upon the form and fitness of James Rodriguez, who inspired them to a fine quarter-final finish in 2014 only to then miss this year’s last-16 loss to England through injury.

The attacking midfielder will be just as integral to his nation’s hopes in Qatar, given he will still only be 31 in 2022.

The raw but immensely talented Davinson Sanchez will likely have developed into a defensive colossus by then and should still be partnered at the back by Yerry Mina, while Juan Quintero’s resurgence will hopefully continue unabated, thus making up for the probable decline of Juan Cuadrado.

Up front, Radamel Falcao will prove a tough man to replace but Colombia fans are extremely optimistic that the 19-year-old Cucho Hernandez can develop into a world-class forward.

Possible line-up (4-2-3-1): Arboleda; Arias, Mina, D Sanchez, Mojica; Barrios, Lerma; Villa, Rodriguez, Quintero; Hernandez.

Possible captain: Rodriguez

Possible star player: D Sanchez

Possible young star: Hernandez

Previous World Cup finish: Last 16

There are those that believe that had Edinson Cavani not been ruled out by injury, Uruguay could have beaten France in their 2018 World Cup quarter-final in Russia.

The Celeste’s primary concern now, though, is planning for a future without both the PSG star and long-time strike partner Luis Suarez, who will both be 35 in 2022.

Still, the 22-year-old Maxi Gomez is impressing at Celta, while the midfield looks in rude health, with Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde, 20, expected to excel alongside Rodrigo Bentancur and Lucas Torreira.

The hope will also be that Jose Gimenez will develop into the same kind of defensive lynchpin as Diego Godin, whom he has been playing alongside for so many years now at club and international level.

Possible line-up (4-1-3-1-1): Campana; Mendez, Gimenez, Lemos, Saracchi; Torreira; Nandez, Valverde, Bentancur; Pereiro; Gomez.

Possible captain: Gimenez

Possible star player: Bentancur

Possible young star: Mendez

Previous World Cup finish: Quarter-finals

The Azzurri’s failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup came as a major shock to a nation that had been present at every tournament since 1958 but, in truth, it had been coming, the culmination of years of gross mismanagement in every facet and at every level of the Italian game.

The attempted recovery has now begun in earnest under new coach Roberto Mancini and while progress has been slow, Italy have, at least, already found a potential heir to goalkeeping icon Gianluigi Buffon in Gigio Donnarumma.

In addition, Alessio Romagnoli could well prove the next great Italian centre-half, Nicolo Barella, Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Zaniolo are midfielders of enormous promise.

Italy do have a worrying lack of options at centre-forward, so the hope is that the 20-year-old Patrick Cutrone will continue to get games and indeed goals at AC Milan in the coming seasons.

Possible line-up (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Florenzi, Bonucci, Romagnoli, Biraghi; Verratti, Jorginho, Zaniolo; Chiesa, Cutrone, Insigne.

Possible captain: Bonucci

Possible star man: Insigne

Possible young star: Zaniolo

Previous World Cup finish: DNQ

Croatia may have a well-earned reputation for consistently producing and honing technically gifted footballers but the assembly line will have to redouble their efforts over the next four years if the 2018 runners-up are to go one better in Qatar.

The retirement of Mario Mandzukic has left a gaping hole up front that, as it stands, only Andrej Kramaric looks remotely capable of filling the void.

The 29-year-old Ivan Perisic may still have the legs for another campaign but Marko Pjaca will hopefully have found some consistency in his game by 2022.

At 32, one wonders how long captain Luka Modric will continue but at least in Mateo Kovacic the Croats have a potentially worthy successor to the Ballon d’Or winner’s midfield berth.

Possible line-up (4-2-3-1): L. Kalinic; Vrsaljko, Lovren, Caleta-Car, Sosa; Brozovic, Kovacic; Brekalo, Rebic, Pjaca; Kramaric.

Possible captain: Lovren

Possible star man: Brozovic

Possible young star: Colina

Previous World Cup finish: Runners-up

At the moment, we don’t even know for sure if the 31-year-old Lionel Messi will return for next summer’s Copa America, let alone Qatar 2022

However, if the Argentina captain stays fit, it seems inevitable that he will still have both the talent and the desire to realise his apparent destiny by leading his nation to World Cup glory.

Much will hinge upon the success of the long overdue renovation of the Argentine squad. Indeed, the hapless Jorge Sampaoli arrived at Russia 2018 with the tournament’s fourth oldest panel of players.

Encouragingly, the Albiceleste should be in a position to surround a 35-year-old Messi with a host of young stars, such as Exequiel Palacios, Santiago Ascacibar and Lauro Martinez, while, by 2022, they should have figured out how to accommodate Paulo Dybala in the same team as the Barcelona No.10.

Possible line-up (4-2-3-1): Romero; Saravia, Otamendi, Funes Mori, Tagliafico; Paredes, Palacios; Messi, Dybala, Lo Celso; Icardi.

Possible captain: Messi

Possible star man: Messi

Possible young star: Colidio

Previous World Cup finish: Last 16

The big issue surrounding the Portugal national team is whether captain Cristiano Ronaldo will continue until 2022.

When asked about the burning issue in Russia, Bernardo Silva said he could see no reason why the 33-year-old could not play on and it is certainly conceivable, given the Juventus forward remains in peak physical condition and has been given a new lease of life by his move to Turin.

The Portuguese will, at least, have a quality back-up should Ronaldo decide to retire, with Andre Silva firing again after joining Sevilla from AC Milan, while the emergence of Gedson Fernandes, coupled with Renato Sanches’ renaissance means the Seleccao should have a quality midfield.

There are, however, major doubts over the centre of the defence, given Jose Fonte and Pepe cannot go on forever.

Possible line-up (4-3-3): Patricio; Cancelo, Dias, Vezo, Guerreiro; Sanches, G Fernandes, Neves; B Silva, Ronaldo, Guedes.

Possible captain: Ronaldo

Possible star man: B Silva

Possible young star: Fernandes

Previous World Cup finish: Last 16

The bad news for Germany is that they still haven’t recovered from the shock of their humiliating first-round exit at the 2018 World Cup, as so painfully illustrated by their relegation from Nations League A.

The good news, though, is that they boast a batch of quality young players who should ensure that there will be no embarrassing elimination in Qatar.

Having been criminally overlooked for Russia, winger Leroy Sane is back in the mix and proving his worth, full-back Joshua Kimmich is pulling a Philipp Lahm by excelling in midfield, while Kai Havertz is one of the most exciting players to emerge in Germany in years.

In a further boost, the increasingly injury- and error-prone Manuel Neuer has a ready-made replacement in Barcelona No.1 Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Possible line-up (3-4-3): Ter Stegen; Sule, Tah, Rudiger, Kehrer; Kimmich, Havertz, Schulz; Gnabry, Werner, Sane.

Possible captain: Kimmich

Possible star man: Havertz

Possible young star: Moukoko

If there’s one thing we can safely predict ahead of 2022, it’s that Spain will try to avoid sacking their coach on the eve of the tournament, given the disastrous nature of his year’s campaign.

However, we also know that La Roja need rejuvenation, particularly in defence, given Gerard Pique’s retirement and Sergio Ramos’ advancing years.

As a result, it’s likely that the evergreen Jordi Alba will be the most senior member of the 2022 backline, which is likely to be built around Yeray Alvarez and Nacho, while Spain will, as ever, be well stocked in midfield, with class acts such as Rodri, Koke, Thiago Alcantara, Carles Soler, Isco and Dani Ceballos to choose from.

However, the fact that the notoriously fragile Alvaro Morata still looks like the most likely candidate to lead the line in Qatar underlines that Spain could really do with an exciting young striker emerging soon.

Possible line-up (4-3-3): De Gea; Odriozola, Yeray, Nacho, Jordi Alba; Rodri, Thiago, Koke; Isco, Morata, Asensio.

Possible captain: Jordi Alba

Possible star man: Asensio

Possible young star: Soler

Previous World Cup finish: Last 16

Netherlands may have failed to qualify for this year’s World Cup but it would take a brave man to bet against them missing out again in 2022.

As Ajax have already underlined during the group stage of the Champions League, the Dutch have unearthed another exciting crop of young players, led by classy centre-half Matthijs de Ligt and versatile midfielder Frenkie de Jong, both of whom are set for lucrative summer transfers to Europe’s elite.

However, there’s also the fact that Virgil van Dijk has developed into arguably the most dominant defender in world football since joining Liverpool in January and, at 27, should still be around to skipper the side in Qatar.

Furthermore, while Netherlands, who have already beaten France and Germany under Ronald Koeman, may lack an out-and-out centre-forward, Memphis Depay is finally realising his full potential at Lyon, after his trying spell at Manchester United.

Possible line-up (4-3-3): Cillessen; Dumfries, De Ligt, Van Dijk, Ake; De Jong, Wijnaldum, Van de Beek; Kluivert, Depay, Bergwijn.

Possible captain: Van Dijk

Possible star player: De Jong

Possible young star: Simons

Previous World Cup finish: DNQ

Belgium’s ‘Golden Generation’ missed their best shot at World Cup glory during the summer, when they were forced to settle for a third-place finish in Russia after being frustrated by France in the semi-finals.

Still, the likes of Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne (both 27) could still be around in four years’ time, while Youri Tielemans (21) and Adnan Januzaj (23) should be at the peak of their powers.

There are obvious concerns over the centre of the defence, as Vincent Kompany, Thomas Vermaelen and Jan Vertonghen will all take some replacing, but at least Thibaut Courtois will likely still be around to protect the Belgian goal.

Putting the ball in the back of the net shouldn’t be too much of an issue, at least, with Romelu Lukaku and Michy Batshuayi both still in their mid-20s.

Possible line-up (4-3-3): Courtois; Castagne, Denayer, Dendoncker, J. Lukaku; Saelemaekers, Tielemans, De Bruyne; Januzaj, R. Lukaku, E. Hazard.

Possible captain: Courtois

Possible star man: De Bruyne

Possible young star: Saelemaekers

Previous World Cup finish: Third place

The usual sense of dread among English football fans that usually manifests itself in hooliganism has happily given way to renewed hope after a summer in which the Three Lions united the nation during a surprise run to the semi-finals of the World Cup.

That optimism has only intensified in recent months thanks to the emergence of a number of exciting young talents, chief among them Jadon Sancho.

Another recent debutant, Lewis Cook, is being tipped to form a classy midfield pairing with Pep Guardiola favourite Phil Foden, while Liverpool duo Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez look set to be team-mates at club and international level for years to come.

In addition, Raheem Sterling’s development into arguably the Premier League’s best player only supports the suspicion that England has another ‘Golden Generation’, who could well surpass the achievements of their predecessors.

Possible line-up (4-4-2): Pickford; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Stones, Chilwell; Sterling, Cook, Foden, Sancho; Kane, Rashford.

Possible captain: Kane

Possible star man: Sterling

Possible young star: Sancho

Previous World Cup finish: Fourth place

The 2018 World Cup may not have been as traumatising as the tournament they hosted four years previously but Russia was nonetheless a trying experience for Brazil, and Neymar, in particular.

Not only did he fail to produce his best for – a season-ending injury played its part – the Paris Saint-Germain superstar was also castigated the world over for has pathetic play-acting.

Still, it would be a surprise if Neymar is not back in 2022, and as captain of a strong Selecao squad bolstered by the likes of Barcelona ace Arthur, the AC Milan-bound Lucas Paqueta and the rapidly improving Everton striker Richarlison, who has moved ahead of Gabriel Jesus in the pecking order.

Certainly, Brazil should not be short on exciting young attackers, with Real Madrid’s recently signed teenage sensations Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo expected to be pushing for starting berths in Qatar.

Possible line-up (4-3-3): Alisson; Danilo, Militao, Marquinhos, Alex Sandro; Arthur, Casemiro, Lucas Paqueta; Coutinho, Richarlison, Neymar.

Possible captain: Neymar

Possible star man: Neymar

Possible young star: Vinicius Junior

Previous World Cup finish: Quarter-finals

The terrifying thing about the France squad that triumphed in Russia is that most of them are young enough to play a part in their title defence.

The 31-year-old Hugo Lloris will probably have made way for Alphonse Areola before the trip to Qatar, while Antoine Griezmann will be wrong side of 30.

But likely replacement Nabil Fakir will only be entering his prime in 2022, just like so many of his fellow World Cup winners. Indeed, Kylian Mbappe will still be only 23 by the Qatar!

What’s more, Les Bleus should have an exciting crop of youngsters to add to their stellar squad, chief among them Matteo Guendouzi, Willem Geubbels and Yacine Adli.

Possible line-up (4-2-3-1): Areola; Pavard, Varane, Umtiti, B Mendy; Pogba, Ndombele; Coman, Fekir, Dembele; Mbappe.

Possible captain: Varane

Possible star man: Mbappe

Possible young star: Adli

Previous World Cup finish: Winners