World Cup ever-presents Brazil are the red-hot favourites to pick up the trophy in Qatar this year. The South American side have gone home with the trophy five times in their history, but this year marks two decades without a win since they picked up the trophy in 2002. The number one FIFA ranked team have a star-studded team of famous names and bags of talent going forward. If 2022 is to be the year for Brazil, then Neymar will certainly be at the heart of it all. The PSG winger has spearheaded Brazil’s attack for years already including at two World Cups, leaving him just two goals of legend Pele’s record of 77 goals. Can the 30-year-old create history this year by breaking the record and lifting the trophy? Many certainly believe so.
Brazil are not the only team, however, with an array of talent in their attacking options. They face Serbia in their group opener on Thursday who will be hoping to go further than their early exit in 2018. This attack involves the likes of Luka Jovic, Dusan Vlahovic and Dusan Tadic, all world-renowned stars. Despite this, the main name being talked about right now is Fulham’s Aleksandr Mitrovic. The 28-year-old has been in fine form for his club this season, helping them defy expectation with nine goals leading them to ninth in the table. The striker was included in their squad despite an ankle injury and has been back in training in the run up to their opener. The Eagles' fans will certainly be hoping he can bring his fine form into the competition to help them out of a tough group.
Group G this year consists of something seemingly highly unlikely – three teams in the same group for the second year running. Switzerland will once again face off with Brazil and Serbia in a battle for a knockout spot. The Nati secured second place in Russia going unbeaten, with a win over Serbia and a draw with Brazil along the way. Qatar 2022 marks the fifth successive time they have qualified for the World Cup, and they seem to be getting better each year. The Switzerland squad is looking strong this year, but will it be Xherdan Shaqiri who produces the goods for his nation once again, or will we see the revelation of someone like Denis Zakaria on the biggest stage of all?
Group G is completed by the Indomitable Lions Cameroon, back in the competition after missing out four years ago. Cameroon will certainly be up against in their attempts to qualify for the knockouts, but players like Vincent Aboubakar and Eric Choupo-Moting can certainly give Rigobert Song’s side a chance of throwing a spanner in the works. We will have to wait and see how things pan out for the African side, but a strong start in Thursday's opener against Switzerland could give them a foothold to start a memorable group stage phase for Cameroon.
Who will finish top of the group?
Brazil
Serbia
Switzerland
Cameroon
By Scott O'Neill
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