World Cup 2022: Early predictions for the Group Stage and the Round of 16

The 2022 Qatar World Cup is all set to begin, with the hosts taking on Ecuador in the opening fixture. After the group stage is played to a conclusion, the knockout fixtures will begin with the top two teams from each group qualifying for the Round of 16. 

32 teams will take part in the group stage, in eight groups of four. Here are the eight groups participating in the tournament: 

Group A: Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal, Netherlands

Group B: England, Iran, USA, Wales

Group C: Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland

Group D: France, Australia, Denmark, Tunisia

Group E: Spain, Costa Rica, Germany, Japan

Group F: Belgium, Canada, Morocco, Croatia

Group G: Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon

Group H: Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay, South Korea

The favourites to make it to the Last 16 of the World Cup 

Groups F, G and H in particular are the tightest to call, with it being anybody’s guess as to who makes it from the three groups. Group D, in particular, can be named the ‘easiest’ group considering the difference in quality between Denmark and France, compared to Tunisia and Australia.

However, for the sake of prediction, here are the expected last 16 in the World Cup:

1. Argentina
2. Brazil 
3. France 
4. Netherlands 
5. England 
6. Portugal 
7. Senegal 
8. Croatia
9. Belgium 
10. Uruguay
11. Denmark 
12. Switzerland
13. Germany 
14. Spain 
15. Wales 
16. Poland 

The Round of 16 will start on December 3, and will lead to the final being played on December 18. There will also be a third placed match on December 17 between the defeated teams in the two semi-finals.