World Cup Predictions 2022: Projecting Final Matchup Before 1st Semifinal Game

The final four of the 2022 FIFA World Cup is made up of two powers of the game for decades, the 2018 runner-up and the most surprising semifinalist ever.

Argentina, Croatia, France and Morocco all put in performances in Qatar that make them worthy title contenders.

Only two nations will make it out of Tuesday and Wednesday's semifinal games.

The dream matchup left on the table is France-Argentina. That would pit Kylian Mbappé against Lionel Messi in a World Cup final. France would have a chance to repeat, and Argentina would try to give Lionel Messi his first World Cup title.

Croatia can't be counted out because it reached the title match in 2018 and has displayed its prowess in knockout-round games over the last two World Cups.

Morocco is attempting to become the first African side to reach the men's World Cup.

A France-Croatia final would be the only repeat title match from the World Cup's history.

Any other combination of teams would give the World Cup a unique championship match. France and Argentina have World Cup titles in their history. Croatia and Morocco do not.

History is on the side of Argentina.

The Albiceleste have never lost a World Cup semifinal, and most of their current squad was victorious at the 2021 Copa America.

Argentina has the ultimate difference-maker in Lionel Messi, who has a goal in each of the knockout-round games in Qatar.

Messi can make something out of nothing in any part of the field, and that makes him dangerous even with the slightest bit of space in front of him.

Argentina put away multiple goals in each of its four wins in Qatar. Messi has four tallies and two assists.

Messi is the main man to stop, but Julián Álvarez and others can step up as well. That will be vital for Argentina if Croatia focuses on Messi.

Croatia did a good job, for the most part, denying Neymar chances in the quarterfinal, but he still created one moment of brilliance to score.

That is what Croatia has to guard against with Messi.

Croatia will not get blown out, but it lacks the lethal striker or attacking midfielder that Argentina has.

Luka Modrić is its best playmaker and Ivan Perišić has scored plenty of key goals at the international level, but Croatia is lacking a true striker, like it had at the last World Cup with Mario Mandžukić.

Croatia scored more than one goal once in Qatar, and that came against a wide-open Canada back line.

Argentina proved it is more likely to win a high-scoring game, and if it gets one or two tallies, Croatia may find it hard to come back.

Argentina conceded twice in its last four games, and Croatia could suffer from a lack of chances compared to its South American foe.

The France-Morocco semifinal carries some similarities to the first semifinal in Qatar.

France found the back of the net on two or more occasions in all four of its wins.

Morocco scored four of its five goals in Qatar in the group stage. It relied on its defense to make a deep run to the semifinals.

Morocco can win the semifinal if it remains stout in defense.

The Atlas Lions are equipped to win low-scoring games and concede a small number of shots on target.

France could run the contest, just like Spain and Portugal did against Morocco, but the difference between Les Bleus and the other European teams is that it has been more consistent in the final third.

Kylian Mbappé and Olivier Giroud are first and third in the Golden Boot race with nine combined goals.

France proved it could win without Mbappé involving himself in a goal in the quarterfinals against England.

Morocco can take away Mbappé's influence, but then it still has to deal with Giroud and others.

France's defense has not been perfect, and that could be seen as the one flaw Morocco can exploit.

Morocco has been able to strike in flashes against some of its World Cup opposition, and that could be the formula for beating France.

However, it seems like France just has too much talent in attack to be contained for 90, or even 120, minutes.

France vs. Argentina

France-Argentina was one of the potential dream finals on the board when the World Cup began.

Now it is the only clash of world powers left available in the semifinals.

France and Argentina have been consistent inside the final third, and their respective superstars have shown up in key spots.

Croatia and Morocco have been remarkable in defense, but they do not have the attacking output to match their opponents.

The best players on the field should show up again on Tuesday and Wednesday to set up one of the most buzz-worthy World Cup finals in recent memory.