Many have taken to social media on more than one occasion Friday, following the conclusion of the draw for the 2022 FIFA World Cup which will be played in Qatar later this year.
Some of the biggest names in international football royalty will be jetting out to the Middle East in November, with more sides than ever capable of fighting it out for trophy glory over the duration of the three-week tournament.
WORLD CUP DRAW BREAKDOWNS:
Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D
Group E | Group F | Group G | Group H
Defending champions France, competition veterans Germany, and Lionel Messi's Argentina will be just some of the familiar adversaries that will be looking to go all the way to the final and light up the world stage from a footballing perspective.
Sporting News takes a look at some of the teams that are being tipped for World Cup glory on social media.
Brazil
Holding the record for the most World Cups ever with five to their name, it is no surprise that Brazil is being touted as one of the favorites to lift the trophy once again. Following their performances at the 2014 and 2018 World Cups, Brazil has undoubtedly fallen foul of extremely high expectations from their supporters and the general footballing world despite previously being in a transitional period.
They were on the end of a famously embarrassing 7-1 defeat to Germany on their own turf eight years ago, whilst crashed out at the quarter-final stage in 2018 to Belgium in a disappointing collapse. Fast forward four years, there is real optimism that they can avenge these failures and regain their dominance on the global stage.
In CONMEBOL qualification, Seleção scored 40 goals and conceded just five in 17 fixtures. Their imperious forward line has taken the pressure solely off the shoulders of Neymar, with clinical offensive players such as Gabigol, Raphinha, and Vinicius Junior coming to the fore for Tite's men. If Brazil can keep up their consistent performances, they could have a real chance of bringing a sixth World Cup back to the soccer-crazy nation.
Brazil will win that World Cup.
— Shimane (@_Shimane_) April 1, 2022
Brazil will win the World Cup! pic.twitter.com/9FJOAHDPaW
— Lucas Albuquerque ♖ (@Lucas_A09) March 30, 2022
Brazil the biggest team in the world will win again. Thiago Silva will be World Cup champion
— Diller Felicio (@DILLER62068951) March 29, 2022
France
Currently the holders of the FIFA World Cup, Les Blues has a team that is stockpiled full of world-class talent. Kylian Mbappe is heralded by many as the best player in the world in current form, whereas Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kante continue to patrol the midfield to great effect on a frighteningly consistent basis.
Didier Deschamps' side was knocked out of UEFA EURO 2020 at the quarter-final stage, though bounced back straight away winning the UEFA Nations League after impressively disposing of Belgium and Spain.
Even up against the quality of some of the potential opponents they will face at Qatar 2022, it wouldn't be surprising if France were to delve deep into the tournament this time out.
France will win their 3rd World Cup titles and become a second nation in European to win World Cup consecutive back to back after Italy.🇮🇹
— Samuel Ferky Ferisals (akun resmi tanpa centang) (@SamFerkyFer10) April 1, 2022
Allez Les Bleus 🇫🇷 vive France 🇫🇷
France will destroy all great nations like Brazil, Germany, England, Spain and Argentina in Qatar 💪🏆🏆
France will once again win the World Cup🇫🇷💪
— Sophia🇩🇿🇫🇷 (@reine_daulnay) April 1, 2022
France will win this world Cup again
— Stunnă 🧘🏽 (@OJ_Stunner) March 31, 2022
England
Gareth Southgate has overseen a major improvement in the fortunes of the Three Lions since beginning his tenure, leading them to the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup in 2018.
MORE WORLD CUP 2022:
Full draw results | TV schedule | Latest news
Harry Kane has been one of the key components of their rise, whilst young stars such as Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden will surely breathe fresh ideas into a side that is increasingly getting themselves to the latter stages of tournaments.
Of course, Southgate guided his side to within inches of glory at the UEFA EURO 2020 Championships, agonizingly losing to Italy on penalties after drawing 1-1 in normal and extra time. England will be desperate to go one better in Qatar and win the World Cup for the first time since their only triumph in 1966.
England will win the World Cup!
— Manuel Veth (@ManuelVeth) April 1, 2022
England *will* win the World Cup this time around. It’s inevitable.
— Rob Phillips (@robbyyy) April 1, 2022
If England beat France in the QF then they will win the World Cup. Beating the World Cup holders in a knock out game will give them confidence to go and win it
— Dipesh Shah (@mrdipeshashah) April 1, 2022
Argentina
Wherever South American international teams go, World Cup glory is usually not too far away. Argentina has been responsible for some of the most iconic moments in the history of the prestigious competition, winning it on two occasions as well as finishing as runners-up three times.
Lionel Messi has been a mercurial presence for La Albiceleste in the last decade and a half and will be absolutely crucial to their chances of success in Qatar. Defensively, they have a shrewd record against quality opposition and conceded just eight times in CONMEBOL qualification which will come as a huge boost to manager Lionel Scaloni.
There are not many teams who will fancy taking on Argentina at the FIFA World Cup 2022.
Argentina will win World Cup 2022❤️mark this tweet💕
— Faizo🇺🇬 (@Faizokiymba) April 1, 2022
Argentina will not only win this group but they will win the World Cup
— Diana Mas (@DianaMas5) April 1, 2022
Argentina will win the world cup. Place that bet. Bet all you have. https://t.co/tirhNTCH4z
— The Engine Shall Provide (@keyboysteve) April 1, 2022
USA
They couldn't, could they? In what might come as a surprise suggestion to some, there is no question that soccer in the United States has severely increased in quality in the last few years. The Stars and Stripes are producing elite talent like never before, with the likes of Christian Pulisic, Sergino Dest, and Weston McKennie all featuring for some of the biggest club sides in the world at the moment.
Gregg Berhalter's men will be confident of reaching the knockout phase, having been drawn against England, Iran, and one of Wales, Scotland, or Ukraine in FIFA World Cup 2022 Group B.
Should the draw be kind to the US if they make the Last 16 and beyond, would it really be that crazy to dream of lifting the trophy in Qatar on December 18?
The USA will win the World Cup and anyone who says otherwise just doesn’t know ball 🤷🏼♂️
— YACOB (@yacobfn) April 1, 2022
USA will win the World Cup. I guarantee it.
— Ethan💖💜💙 (@_CFCEthan) April 1, 2022
If USA wins the World Cup I will get a tattoo of @cpulisic_10 face on my back
— Reese Gorman (@reesejgorman) April 1, 2022