2022 Men's World Cup: Expert Predictions for the Tournament

The world's biggest sporting event is just hours away.

All eyes will be on Qatar as the 2022 FIFA Men's World Cup begins at an unusual time of year. Favorites, dark horses, sleepers and long shots will all dream of their moment in the spotlight.

Which team will win it all? Who's taking home the Golden Boot? And what traditional powerhouse is going home early?

Our team of B/R world football experts got together to provide their predictions for the tournament.

Disagree with any of their takes? Share your thoughts in the comments section of the app.

Alex Windley: As far as Gregg Berhalter’s tactics take them! It’s the World Cup, and anything can happen, but the setup that Berhalter deploys doesn’t exactly inspire confidence. They do have a talented crop of young players in Gio Reyna, Brenden Aaronson and others, but their group could prove tricky for the Stars and Stripes.

Of course, that could all change once they get into the groove of things, but with questions at center forward and a backline that has trouble defending in transition, a third-place finish seems likely.

Nick Akerman: I think the United States will fail to escape the group stages. It all comes down to the opening match against Wales, as I think Gregg Berhalter’s side will lose to England and beat Iran. The game with the Welsh will be tight, and they certainly have the quality to win it, but Gareth Bale is set up to be the difference-maker.

I have the USMNT finishing third in Group B on three points, with England winning the group on nine and Wales taking second on six.

Shane Evans: For whatever reason, I can't shake the belief that the USMNT will either finish first in its group...or dead last. It all depends on how the first game against Wales goes (obviously), but the confidence and mentality of the young group will be tested from the jump. If they finish first ahead of England, a match with Senegal or the Netherlands would likely be on the cards, and it would be tough to advance past that point.

Meg Swanick: This is the second-youngest team in Qatar but among the most talented generations the U.S. has ever had. That combination of talent and youth makes their success in 2022 hard to predict. Their inconsistent form—particularly away from home—makes various scenarios plausible, including crashing out of the group. I think the United States will reach the round of 16, though, and will depart there with a respectable performance against the Netherlands.

Alex Windley: Wales. Every time they get to a tournament, they play like a team possessed. With Gareth Bale in good form coming off a huge MLS Cup victory with LAFC, Wales will go as far as he can take them.

Similar to their run at Euro 2020, they have a great culture of belief surrounding the squad. That belief could very well propel them into the knockout stages and beyond.

Nick Akerman: It’s a tight one between Uruguay and Croatia, but I think Uruguay have the opportunity to go on an impressive run. Coach Diego Alonso has in-form players such as Federico Valverde, Rodrigo Bentancur and Darwin Núñez at his disposal, backed up by real leadership experience in the squad.

Uruguay are prone to strange results, both positive and negative, but they can settle with an opening win against South Korea before narrowly overcoming Portugal and Ghana to win Group H. From there, they could face Serbia in the round of 16 and Belgium or Germany in the quarters. I wouldn’t be too quick to bet against them making the semis.

Shane Evans: Going with Denmark here. They made it to the semifinals of Euro 2020 and are primed for a similar run in Qatar. A very deep and together squad, the Danish are formidable opponents that no nation would want to face in a knockout game.

Meg Swanick: Given the depth of talent in Europe, it’s likely a “dark horse” would emerge from a less-expected name there. Denmark is one, and after the team's emotional Euro 2020 run after Christian Eriksen's collapse on the pitch after a cardiac arrest earlier in the tournament, they would be a fan favorite should they do so.

Outside of Europe, I’d put Cinderella money on Japan. Like the United States, Japan has elite talent playing at the highest levels. It also has veteran experience and a well-developed playing style executed with ruthless energy. They’re in a difficult group (Germany, Spain and Costa Rica), but if anyone shocks outside Europe, I’d say it’s the Samurai Blue.

Alex Windley: This may come as a shock, but Spain can never seem to convert their dominance in possession into consistent scoring chances.

Yes, they can play some very fluid, lovely football, but oftentimes it does become easy for the opponents to nullify (see their 2-1 loss to Switzerland in September). With Japan and Costa Rica excellent at counter-attacking football, I could see Spain heading out early if they’re not able to convert their possession into goals.

Nick Akerman: I don’t see any of the favourites failing to get out of their groups. In fact, I have the Netherlands, England, Argentina, France, Spain, Belgium and Brazil progressing to the knockouts as winners, with Portugal struggling a little to a second-placed finish in Group H. I think France will top Denmark and Spain will outlast Germany on goal difference, too.

Shane Evans: One of the bigger nations I could see crashing out early would be Portugal. Led by Cristiano Ronaldo, the veteran team seems to be consumed by his ever-growing persona. With the destruction he created at Manchester United just this week, the group may be unable to avoid his self-inflicted black cloud.

Meg Swanick: Don’t tell our friends across the pond but if a tournament favorite departs early in the groups, it’s probably England. They have a history of flummoxing opportunities relative to the weight of their star-powered rosters, and they haven't won in their past six games. Despite the constant assumption of their first-place finish in Group B, I can see multiple scenarios where their challengers throw a wrench into a perceived easy group win.

Alex Windley: If Uruguay finishes second in Group H and Brazil tops Group G, there could be an all-South American round-of-16 matchup between the two sides. Not only will this be exciting as a neutral, but the rivalry between the two sides will make for a great game.

It would be a fierce, intense match, and bragging rights would certainly be on the line.

Nick Akerman: I can’t help but think we’re going to see Brazil vs. Portugal at the earliest possible moment. The former should walk their group with three wins, while Portugal might make things difficult for themselves with a runners-up spot behind Uruguay.

Who doesn’t want to see Neymar vs. Cristiano Ronaldo? It’d be fantastic viewing, especially as a potential semi-final against Lionel Messi and Argentina awaits on that side of the draw.

Shane Evans: This has to be the Group E/F matchup. Whoever has the pleasure of finishing first in Group F will likely end up facing Germany or Spain in the knockout round. That could be Belgium, whose golden generation is slowly fading but still makes up a massively talented squad. The Red Devils versus one of Germany and Spain would easily be the best in the first round of knockouts.

Meg Swanick: The most intriguing matchup in the first knockout round will be Germany vs. Croatia. Croatia were runners-up in the 2018 World Cup, and while they maintain more or less that same roster, the majority of their top players are the wrong side of 30.

The same could be said for some of Germany's stars, though they've balanced their roster with younger emerging players, including 17 year-old Youssoufa Moukoko. Germany is still nursing the wounds from finishing last in its group in 2018 and will be intent on making a deeper run this year. The battle between 2018's ultimate underachiever and the dark-horse finalist will be the most intriguing meeting.

Alex Windley: Youssoufa Moukoko.

The 17-year-old has been a standout for Borussia Dortmund, scoring six goals in 769 minutes of football. His pace and technique make him a special talent. He may not get many minutes, but be sure to watch out when he does come on. His contract with Dortmund runs out next summer as well. Surely, several big clubs will be vying for his signature after the tournament ends.

Nick Akerman: He’s going to move to a big club no matter what happens, but a great World Cup could push an elite side to wrap Cody Gakpo’s signature up at the earliest possible moment. The PSV Eindhoven forward is scoring for fun and racking up assists, but the majority of the World Cup audience likely will never have seen him play live.

He’ll likely feature in a versatile central role for Louis van Gaal’s Netherlands side and will be confident of influencing group matches against Senegal, Ecuador and Qatar with some headline-grabbing performances.

Shane Evans: I really like Kenneth Taylor of the Netherlands. If he's given starting minutes, he could be a real difference-maker for the Dutch, much in the same way that he is for Ajax on the club level. A dynamic midfielder who can do a bit of everything, he's surely due for a big-money move and could be a big benefit to a number of clubs in January.

Meg Swanick: I know I said England could crash out in the groups, but regardless, a safe bet here is Jude Bellingham. The 19-year-old Borussia Dortmund midfielder has scored nine goals for the Bundesliga side this season. His versatility and dynamism look ready for another level, and he looks near assured to leave a mark on this tournament.

Alex Windley: Lionel Messi.

Not only is he in fantastic form with Paris Saint-Germain, scoring seven and assisting 10 times in 13 league games, but the 35-year-old always rises to the occasion for his national team as well.

With Argentina set to face sides like Mexico and Saudi Arabia in the group stage, I expect Messi to carve through defenses with ease, get to the knockout rounds and continue his phenomenal goal-scoring form.

Nick Akerman: It is so incredibly hard to pick between Messi or Kylian Mbappe. I’m going to lean on #narrative and pick Messi. Argentina have relatively straightforward group games against Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland to contend with before potential knockout ties against Denmark and the Dutch. My heart and gut are telling me Leo will produce something special.

Shane Evans: Taking the easy route here: It's going to be Lionel Messi. The vibes are just so right at the minute, and he is scoring bags of goals with PSG at the club level. This is his best chance at a World Cup, and he's going to do it all for Argentina.

Meg Swanick: It feels perhaps obvious to say Lionel Messi, though I do believe this will be the case. His last World Cup feels fated. He’s finally found incredible form with PSG since departing his beloved Barcelona in tears and looks ready to end his international career with another trophy.

Alex Windley: Argentina and Belgium. Yes, this Belgium side has notoriously underachieved, and some of their stars are getting older, but this could be their last chance to win silverware with their golden generation. I see them going all out to win it.

And after winning Copa America in 2021, Messi will be looking to further cement his legacy with Argentina by winning the greatest prize of them all.

Nick Akerman: I’ve got Argentina beating France in the final. I just can’t look beyond a side that hasn’t lost in 35 games and are brushing teams aside while scoring a lot of goals. Argentina have so many huge characters in their squad that you’d be inspired to go to war with, even away from the likely goal-scorers. Emiliano Martínez, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, the list goes on.

Throw in Messi and a little dash of exciting youth, including Julian Alvarez, and you’ve got the recipe for world champions.

Shane Evans: My bracket resulted in a France-Argentina final, with Argentina taking home the whole thing. They are the two best teams in the tournament and seem to be on a collision course. It would make for some excellent viewing. But as far as the winners go, it's Messi's year The Albiceleste takes home the crown for the first time since 1986 (the year before Leo was born).

Meg Swanick: Argentina plays Belgium, providing deserved final runs for Lionel Messi’s Argentina and Belgium’s golden generation. (The semifinals will be a battle of neighbors, with France falling to Belgium and Brazil sent packing by Argentina). A tightly contested match sees victory fall on the side of the Argentinians with a 2-1 win in extra time, and the world is treated to a brace of goals from Messi.