Who has a good chance of winning the title? Who is already over in the group stage? 32 short forecasts from the kicker editorial team.
View towards the World Cup: A mural in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
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Group A
Train: Home advantage or Asian champions – Qatar should be over in the round of 16 at the latest. Surviving the group will be difficult enough.
Netherlands: Oranje is strong enough to challenge the favourites. The quarter-finals is a realistic goal. A top scorer is missing for the big hit.
Ecuador: For Ecuador, participation is already a success. You can’t expect much from the Tri. An early end in the group phase is likely.
Senegal: Mané’s failure is a severe weakness, but the Africa Cup of Nations winner has the potential to surprise – and at least to survive the group.
Group B
England: World Cup semi-finals 2018 and European Championship final 2021: England is again very likely this time – despite a few individual weaknesses.
USA: The US team has some strong talent, but the performance gap is wide. The round of 16 is possible, nothing more.
Wales: The quality of the team is limited. Bale won’t fix it alone. In the group, the round of 16 is in there, at the latest then comes the end.
Iran: Up front, Iran have some quality players to offer. But that’s not enough. With a bit of luck it goes to the round of 16, not further.
Group C
Argentina: World star Messi obviously makes a big difference. But he is not alone. This time the names may be less evocative, but this team is strong – and has title chances.
Poland: Apart from Lewandowski, Poland mainly has average to offer. It could still be enough for the round of 16, but not for more.
Mexico: The Mexicans have a subscription to the round of 16. They are good enough to achieve that again. The quarterfinals should remain a dream.
Saudi Arabian: The Saudis are among the biggest underdogs at the tournament. More than a respectable success is not to be expected. They fail in the group stage.
Group D
France: In terms of individual potential, the team is the top favourite. If you find a unit, you can get the title again. The only concern is the list of injuries.
Denmark: What this eleven can do, they proved at the EM 2021. Should she show this form in Qatar too, she’s in for a big surprise.
Australia: Australia are likely to field the weakest team in the tournament. Anything other than an end in the group phase would be an absolute sensation.
Tunisia: Having some technically good players will not be enough to be successful. The team should not survive the group stage.
Group E
Deutschland: The game is more dynamic again, the team has experts for special moments – but also vacancies. It’s strong, but not a top favorite.
Spain: Spain is extremely difficult to assess this time. The potential for winning the title is definitely there, despite some doubts about the details.
Japan: The Japanese are an uncomfortable opponent and always good for a surprise. For greater success, however, an efficient offensive is missing.
Costa Rica: Veterans lack experience and talent is not ready to shine. The Ticos don’t survive the group.
Group F
Belgium: Belgium still have world-class players in their ranks who can take the team far. But it’s not enough for the title this time either.
Croatia: Croatia have great quality and are difficult opponents for anyone. The team is to be expected, probably up to the quarter-finals.
You have: Despite great people like David and Davies, the internationally inexperienced team will learn the hard way and fail in the group phase.
Morocco: Those who underestimate Morocco can experience their blue miracle. But the team has to be in top form to do that. It’s probably not enough for the round of 16.
Group G
Brazil: This Brazil is much more than Neymar. This time it’s not a bunch of individuals, but a real team. That plays into the title.
Switzerland: The team definitely has what it takes to reach the round of 16. If things go well, we’ll go to the quarter-finals. If things go badly, the group threatens to end.
Serbia: This team with its class strikers should not be underestimated. Reaching the round of 16 is doable, with a bit of luck even more.
Cameroon: Overall, Cameroon is too weak to put up more than pinpricks at this World Cup. It doesn’t go beyond the group stage.
Group H
Portugal: Cristiano Ronaldo will probably not win the World Cup this time either. But the team is so well staffed that a place in the quarter-finals seems realistic.
Uruguay: Traditionally, Uruguay are uncomfortable opponents who can be very dangerous on good days. But it doesn’t go any further than the quarterfinals.
Ghana: However, with all the talent in the squad, there is not enough potential to progress beyond the group stage at this level.
South Korea: The team as a whole is not enough to make more than a few exclamation marks. The end is therefore already threatening in the group phase.
