Qatar 2022: Group F Preview

After four and a half years the 2022 World Cup is almost upon us. This edition is perhaps the most controversial ever with host nation Qatar’s human rights record and treatment of migrant workers a serious issue in the buildup. The awarding of the tournament to the Middle Eastern country meant a traditional summer World Cup was out of the question due to high temperatures spawning the first ever winter World Cup. Nevertheless the month long festival of football looks set to thrill us with some of the biggest stars in the game hoping to lead their nation to glory.

Here’s a comprehensive look at Qatar 2022’s Group F, with Belgium, Canada, Morocco and Croatia looking to book their place in the knockout stages of the tournament.

BELGIUM

Belgium’s golden generation faces one last shot at glory when they head to the Qatar World Cup this winter.

While Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois and Romelu Lukaku are still in their prime, others once thought of as world-class have already begun to decline or are retired, leaving the Red Devils markedly weakened.

Failure to defeat a top 10 country for more than a year has seen Belgium lose their grip on top spot in FIFA’s world rankings. This is not the same side that beat Brazil and England on the way to finishing third at the last World Cup in Russia four years ago.

Captain Eden Hazard’s place in the team has been questioned over his lack of playing time for Real Madrid and injury record. He has started just 41 matches for Los Blancos since signing from Chelsea in 2019. Head coach Roberto Martinez has put his full backing behind the 31-year-old but admits it is unlikely he will be able to play all the games.

Former Tottenham pair Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld, now 35 and 33, remain key pillars of Belgium’s defence. But it remains to be seen if they – playing for Benfica and Royal Antwerp respectively – can still perform at the required standard to keep Belgium competitive in the latter stages. Two clean sheets in the last 13 suggests maybe not.

Although some of the protagonists of Belgium’s golden generation are on the wane, there is a new wave of players vying to compete. Leandro Trossard, admittedly not young at 27, has blossomed at Brighton and started the season in fine fettle. He is certainly knocking on the door for Hazard’s starting spot in Qatar. Meanwhile, Everton’s Amadou Onana and AC Milan’s Charles De Ketelaere are fresh options.

It’s a case or now or never for Roberto Martinez and his men.

Belgium are expected to progress from Group F, but they face an uphill task against Croatia, Canada and Morocco.

Croatia, World Cup finalists in 2018, represent the biggest challenge for Belgium and their bid to qualify top of the group. Since being knocked out of the Euros at the last-16 stage by Spain in 2021 in an eight-goal, extra-time thriller, Zlatko Dalic’s side have lost just once and could be formidable opponents for the Red Devils in Qatar.

The scene is set for Croatia and Belgium to battle it out for top spot on the final matchday of Group F. However, it will be key for Belgium not to slip up in the two matches beforehand, otherwise they could be fighting for their tournament survival on December 1.

Although Canada’s World Cup experience is minimal, the likes of Lille’s Jonathan David and Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies represent a tough challenge for Belgium. Morocco, meanwhile, are one of the strongest African teams with Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech, PSG’s Achraf Hakimi and Bayern’s Noussair Mazraoui among their key players.

Finishing first is unlikely to help Belgium avoid a top side in the last 16, with Spain or Germany their likely opponents regardless of position. However, it would probably take the Red Devils into the half of the draw without favourites Brazil.

Player to watch: Kevin de Bruyne

Kevin De Bruyne could be playing at his final World Cup this winter. At 31, he is at the peak of his powers and one of the most consistent performers in world football.

The midfielder has won nearly everything at club level, with the Champions League the only missing piece from his trophy cabinet. But he is yet to taste glory in the red of Belgium.

Asked by Forbes which trophy he would prefer, De Bruyne said: “I think winning the World Cup because that only happens every four years.”

Injuries hampered De Bruyne at the Euros in 2021. He said it was a miracle he was on the pitch for the 2-1 quarter-final defeat to eventual winners Italy in Munich as he played through ankle ligament damage. De Bruyne’s desire helped him overcome the pain barrier such was his determination to see Belgium progress. They were agonisingly close.

It is not an unfamiliar feeling for Belgium and De Bruyne at major tournaments. Nearly four years ago, they were edged by France in a fiercely close-fought World Cup semi-final in Russia. The Man City playmaker will carry those disappointments with him to Qatar hoping to write a new script. But this time he carries even more responsibility.

In years gone by he was just one of a number of glittering stars in Belgium’s golden generation. De Bruyne is now by far and away the Red Devils’ only hope of achieving something at this World Cup.

De Bruyne has the quality to unlock Romelu Lukaku and bring the best out of the misunderstood striker. Lukaku thrives when he has a partner alongside him and he and De Bruyne have shown they flourish when working in tandem. But with captain Eden Hazard no longer the player he once was – or, at least, not able to show it – the reliance on De Bruyne in the spaces out wide and in behind the striker grows.

Just as he is for Man City, De Bruyne is a production machine for Belgium. His 71 goal involvements in 93 caps showcase that. Whether he is able to deliver that rate of return in Qatar will decide Belgium’s fate. Should he take Belgium to the final – and feature in every game – he could lift the World Cup after winning his 100th cap for Belgium.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois, Simon Mignolet, Koen Casteels

Defenders: Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld, Leander Dendoncker, Zeno Debast, Arthur Theate, Wout Faes

Midfielders: Hans Vanaken, Axel Witsel, Youri Tielemans, Amadou Onana, Kevin De Bruyne, Yannick Carrasco, Thorgan Hazard, Timothy Castagne, Thomas Meunier

Forwards: Romelu Lukaku, Michy Batshuayi, Lois Openda, Charles De Ketelaere, Eden Hazard, Jeremy Doku, Dries Mertens, Leandro Trossard

Fixtures:

  • November 23rd v Canada
  • November 27th v Morocco
  • December 1st v Croatia

CANADA

Canada are back at the World Cup for the first time in 32 years after finishing top of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying, level on points with Mexico, having won eight and drawn four of their 14 matches.

Qualification for the World Cup finals was sealed for just the second time, beating Jamaica 4-0 to book their ticket to Qatar and end 36 years of failure and heartache.

After sealing qualification, Canada coach John Herdman said: “We just qualified for the World Cup, this is a legit football country.”

Now, they will look to make even more history and improve their World Cup record after the team at Mexico 1986 suffered three defeats and exited at the group stage.

All the talk about Canada heading into this World Cup will revolve around Alphonso Davies, but it’s worth noting that Herdman’s side clinched their place in Qatar with the Bayern Munich star on the sidelines.

Davies was recovering from an inflammatory heart condition as he watched the celebrations in Toronto after Canada achieved what many thought wasn’t possible.

Herdman is out to show Canada can compete with the world’s best.

However, Canada, who upset the odds by finishing above both Mexico and USA, will be in Qatar and they want to show they belong there as the prepare to face Belgium, Croatia and Morocco.

It certainly won’t be easy for the Canucks when they face Belgium and Croatia, who finished second and third respectively, but with arguably the best squad they have ever assembled, they want to prove football is really on the up in Canada.

“Not many people think of Canada as a footballing country, because all they think about is hockey,” Davies said.

“We want to shift that mindset.”

After all they’ve achieved recently, you wouldn’t back against them causing a few more shocks in Qatar.

Player to watch: Alphonso Davies 

There is no doubt about who Canada’s player to watch is!

Alphonso Davies’ rise from the MLS to Bayern Munich’s starting line-up has been phenomenal.

The 21-year-old has helped Bayern win the Champions League and four consecutive Bundesliga titles since joining from Vancouver Whitecaps in 2019.

He already has 34 caps for his country, and he’s shown his importance with 12 goals already so early in his international career.

Bayern team-mate Thomas Muller has described him as “a phenomenon” and “one of the hardest players to stop I have ever seen”, and now, at his first World Cup, he will be looking to showcase his blistering speed and lethal left foot as he looks to make a huge impact on the world stage.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: James Pantemis, Milan Borjan, Dayne St. Clair

Defenders: Samuel Adekugbe, Joel Waterman, Alistair Johnston, Richie Laryea, Kamal Miller, Steven Vitoria, Derek Cornelius

Midfielders: Liam Fraser, Ismael Kone, Mark-Anthony Kaye, David Wotherspoon, Jonathan Osorio, Atiba Hutchinson, Stephen Eustaquio, Samuel Piette

Forwards: Tajon Buchanan, Liam Millar, Lucas Cavallini, Ike Ugbo, Junior Hoilett, Jonathan David, Cyle Larin, Alphonso Davies

Fixtures:

  • November 23rd v Belgium
  • November 27th v Croatia
  • December 1st v Morocco

MOROCCO

Morocco enjoyed an excellent qualification campaign after winning all six of their group games in the second round of qualifying.

They were the drawn against DR Congo in a two-leg knockout tie for a place at the World Cup.

The tie was firmly in the balance after the first leg following a 1-1 draw in Kinshasa.

However, Walid Regragui’s side showed their class in the second leg as they cruised to a 4-1 victory in Casablanca to seal their place in Qatar.

Morocco made their World Cup debut in 1970 and this will be their sixth appearance at the tournament.

After group stage exits in 1970, 1994, 1998 and 2018, they have only made it past the group stage once, reaching the round of 16 in 1986, losing 1-0 to West Germany.

Walid Regragui has impressed since taking charge.

Morocco came away from the 2018 World Cup in Russia without a win after defeats to Iran and Portugal and a 2-2 draw with Spain.

That is something they will certainly want to improve upon when they head to Qatar.

The Atlas Lions will face Belgium, Croatia and Canada in Group F, and while it looks like it will be a difficult group to escape for Morocco, they certainly have enough players with plenty of experience for both club and country to have an impact in Qatar.

Youssef En-Nesyri, Romain Saiss, Yassine Bounou, Sofyan Amrabat and Achraf Hakimi all have plenty of experience plying their trade across Europe, but it could be the return of Chelsea forward Hakim Ziyech to international football that could prove crucial.

Ziyech was recalled to the Morocco squad during the last international break seven months after quitting international football.

The 29-year-old announced his retirement in February after falling out with Vahid Halilhodzic, who was dismissed in August, but coach Regragui wasted little time in recalling the winger, and he could turn out to be a potential match winner for his country in Qatar.

Player to watch: Achraf Hakimi

Achraf Hakimi has experience beyond his years at international level.

Making his debut at just 17, the PSG wing-back has 53 caps to his name and eight goals for his country.

He is the most expensive defender in Ligue 1 history and a key figure for Morocco, both in defence and in attack.

You can expect most of Morocco’s attacks to be built down the right and then Hakimi is also a huge threat from dead-ball situations.

With Belgium and Canada also in Morocco’s group, you can expect Hakimi to be in key battles against Eden Hazard and Alphonso Davies as he looks to help his country reach the knockout stages for just the second time in their history.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Bono, Munir El Kajoui, Ahmed Tagnaouti

Defenders: Nayef Aguerd, Yahia Attiyat Allah, Badr Benoun, Achraf Dari, Jawad El Yamiq, Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui, Romain Saiss

Midfielders: Sofyan Amrabat, Selim Amallah, Bilal El Khannous, Yahya Jabrane, Azzedine Ounahi, Abdelhamid Sabiri

Forwards: Zakaria Aboukhlal, Sofiane Boufal, Ilias Chair, Walid Cheddira, Youssef En-Nesyri, Abde Ezzalzouli, Abderrazak Hamdallah, Amine Harit, Hakim Ziyech.

Fixtures:

  • November 23rd v Croatia
  • November 27th v Belgium
  • December 1st v Canada

CROATIA

The 2018 World Cup runners-up will be hoping for a similar campaign in Qatar – if not one better.

Croatia topped Group D in Russia, qualifying for the knockout rounds alongside Argentina with a 100 per cent record and conceding just one goal in the final group game against Iceland.

However, they needed extra-time in all of their remaining knockout games to reach the final. Croatia beat Denmark and hosts Russia on penalties in the last 16 and quarter-finals respectively.

Another extra-time period followed in the final four match against England, with Mario Mandzukic scoring in the 109th minute to see Croatia through. However, they were beaten 4-2 by France in their first World Cup final, with Mandzukic scoring an own goal as well as Croatia’s second.

This year’s tournament comes shortly after a disappointing European Championships, with Croatia knocked out in the round of 16 at Euro 2020, losing 5-3 to Spain after extra-time.

However, they recently reached the finals of the Nations League ahead of Denmark, Austria and 2018 final opponents France to make the final four, in a pre-World Cup boost of confidence.

Croatia’s run to the final in Russia four years ago marked their best ever finish at a World Cup. Previously, they had finished in third place at the 1998 tournament, which was their first as an independent nation.

Croatia are hitting form at the right time after disastrous Nations League and Euro 2020 campaigns following the last World Cup. They have lost just once since being knocked out in the last 16 by Spain last summer.

Zlatko Dalic began to change the set-up of his side, particularly in age, and goes into this tournament with a blend of seasoned internationals and impressive youngsters who have already begun to grab the headlines.

Zlatko Dalic has a proven track record on the international stage.

Rennes attacking midfielder Lovro Majer scored a sensational goal against Denmark in the Nations League in September – describing it himself as “one of the best I’ve scored in my career” – and has attracted Premier League transfer interest.

24-year-old Borna Sosa has also impressed at left-back and has ousted Josko Gvardiol – himself only 20 – in the position for Croatia. Bayern Munich’s Josip Stanisic and Sassuolo defender Martin Erlic have also impressed in defence as Dalic continues to bring through the next generation of talent

For much of their old guard, this will likely be their last World Cup. Luka Modric – although still one of the world’s best players – is 37 with Ivan Perisic, Domagoj Vida and Dejan Lovren all in their early 30s too.

It’s a tricky group for Croatia to navigate as well. They face Belgium – third place finishers in 2018 – Canada and Morocco in Group F.

As a fellow UEFA team, the task of Belgium will be well known. The Red Devils won the most recent meeting in 2021 with a Romelu Lukaku strike beating Croatia 1-0.

However, there has been minimal experience against Canada and Morocco – but this does not mean they will be easy games.

Canada will play at their first World Cup since 1986 and are coached by Englishman John Herdman. They have a good mix of players at MLS and European sides, including Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies.

It’s a second successive World Cup for Morocco – the first time they have featured in consecutive tournaments – and also have a talented squad capable of reaching the knockout rounds.

But Croatia will still be one of the favourites to make it out of Group F and aim once again for a deep dive into the 2022 World Cup.

Player to watch: Lovro Majer

Having missed out on Euro 2020, Lovro Majer is ready to shine at his first major tournament for Croata.

He grabbed the headlines with his superb goal against Denmark just a few months ago, putting other teams at the World Cup on alert. He has earned seven of his 10 international caps in 2022, and has scored three goals so far.

The 24-year-old is known for his creativity and defence-splitting passes, which could be crucial in a deadlocked World Cup fixture. Some have already appointed him as Luka Modric’s successor, with Arsenal one of the teams linked with a move for the Rennes midfielder.

He is yet to secure regular 90 minutes for the Ligue 1 club, he does feature in every game either as a starter or off the bench. However, a star turn for Croatia could see him nail down a starting spot, or even a move elsewhere.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Dominik Livakovic, Ivica Ivusic, Ivo Grbic

Defenders: Domagoj Vida, Dejan Lovren, Borna Barisic, Josip Juranovic, Josko Gvardiol, Borna Sosa, Josip Stanisic, Martin Erlic, Josip Sutalo

Midfielders: Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic, Marcelo Brozovic, Mario Pasalic, Nikola Vlasic, Lovro Majer, Kristijan Jakic, Luka Sucic

Forwards: Ivan Perisic, Andrej Kramaric, Bruno Petkovic, Mislav Orsic, Ante Budimir, Marko Livaja

Fixtures:

  • November 23rd v Morocco
  • November 27th v Canada
  • December 1st v Belgium

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *