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A32 sports
Diahuebs 29 september 2022

Viewer's guide for this year's World Cup in Qatar

(AP) – A last chance for en Generation" is gradually winner's medal that, to many,
Lionel Messi and Cristia- breaking up but there's still would solidify him as soccer's
no Ronaldo. Kylian Mbap- Kevin De Bruyne leading the greatest player.
pé back on the biggest Belgian charge.
stage of all. Brazil bidding Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal.
for a record-extending Argentina (No. 3). No World He has won the European
sixth title. Cup title since the days of the Championship but the lead-
great Diego Maradona. This ing scorer in men's interna-
One of the most eagerly will be the first World Cup tional soccer hasn't played in
anticipated World Cups in since his death in November a World Cup final, let alone
memory — as much for off- 2020 and Argentina is im- won one. He's 37 years old
the-field reasons as those on proving, with Messi still at its now — make the most of
it — is just around the corner core. him while you can.
in Qatar and excitement is
building after the qualifica- France (No. 4). The de- Kylian Mbappé, France. The
tion period was wrapped. fending champions. Still the star of the last World Cup at
country with the most depth the age of 19 and he is only
Thirty-two teams, 64 match- to its squad, despite a grow- getting better. The speedy
es, 29 days. The first World ing injury list. Now with striker could match Brazil
Cup in the Middle East. Mbappé AND Karim Ben- great Pelé in being a cham-
zema leading the attack. No pion at his first two World
The tournament starts on team has retained its World Cups.
Nov. 20 and the final is set Cup title since Brazil in 1962.
for Dec. 18. Kevin De Bruyne, Bel-
England (No. 5). Semifi- gium. Widely regarded as the
Here's a few things to watch nalist at the World Cup in world's best midfielder, his
when the tournament gets 2018, finalist at the European driving runs are among the
going in the smallest country Championship in 2021. Soc- best sights in soccer. Belgium
ever to host a World Cup: cer's most underperforming just has to hope he arrives
national team is trending in healthy.
TOP TEAMS the right direction at major
tournaments but is winless in Neymar, Brazil. Often over-
Brazil (No. 1 in FIFA rank- its last six competitive games. shadowed by Mbappé and
ing). Neymar, Vinícius Messi at Paris Saint-Ger-
Júnior and the rest of the BIG STARS main, still the main man for
flair-filled Selecao are peak- Brazil. Watch out for tricks
ing at the right time. Is a first Lionel Messi, Argentina. The and flicks, and some histri-
World Cup title since 2002 seven-time world player of onics, too.
on the horizon? the year might have been sav-
ing his 35-year-old legs for
Belgium (No. 2). The "Gold- one last push at a World Cup MUST-SEE GAMES

Just like at the World Cup in
Qatar vs. Ecuador, Nov. 20. 1998, the two countries will
The first match of the tour- meet in the group stage in a
nament and always a date to politically charged matchup.
save on the calendar. Diplomatic relations have yet
to be restored between the
Argentina vs. Mexico, Nov. nations since being severed
26. The first of the big con- in 1980.
tinental rivalries in the group
stage, with Messi potentially Ghana vs. Uruguay, Dec.
sealing his and Argentina's 2. Anyone remember the
spot in the last 16. night of July 2, 2010? In the
last minute of extra time in
Spain vs. Germany, Nov. 27. a World Cup quarterfinal
Surely there can't have been match between Uruguay and
many bigger group-stage Ghana, Luis Suarez deliber-
matches than this at a World ately stopped the ball with
Cup? Two recent champions, his hand on the goalline, got
two giants of European and sent off, only for Ghana to
world soccer. miss the penalty and lose in a
shootout as Suarez celebrated
Iran vs. United States, Nov. on the sideline. Revenge
29. It has been labeled as "The would be sweet for Ghana.
Mother of All Games Part II."