| Host nation: Qatar Dates: 20 November-18 December Protection: Reside on BBC TV, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 5 Reside, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport web site and app. Day-by-day TV listings – Full protection particulars |
The World Cup begins in Al Khor’s Al-Bayt Stadium on Sunday and finishes at Lusail Iconic Stadium in Doha on 18 December.
Thirty-two groups will contest the event, which might be performed out in 64 matches over 28 days, together with hosts Qatar, holders France and five-time winners Brazil.
Who will get their fingers on the well-known gold trophy this time? Who’re the opposite essential contenders? And the way will England and Wales do?
BBC Sport’s TV and radio soccer presenters and pundits predict what’s going to occur over the subsequent 4 weeks…
Who will win the World Cup?
Alan Shearer: Argentina. It will likely be a good way for Lionel Messi, the most effective participant on the earth, to exit. It might be a defining second for him – he has in all probability been the best participant we have now ever seen, however the factor that’s at all times chucked at him when comparisons are made between him and Diego Maradona is that he has by no means gained the World Cup. If he was to win this one, that will just about be the tip of that debate – and what a narrative it could be.
Micah Richards: It is Brazil for me. I perceive why there’s a buzz about Argentina, however that is Neymar’s time to shine. He scored eight targets in qualifying and has taken his sport to the subsequent degree this season. There’s the burden of the nation on his shoulders and he has to cope with what Brazil anticipate from him, however he would be the star of the present.
Chris Sutton: France are the holders and have arguably obtained the most effective ahead line with Karim Benzema and his Ballon d’Or, Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele, even Antoine Griezmann too. Sure, they’ve some accidents in midfield, however they’ve two younger stars in Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga of Actual Madrid who’re already completely prime class. It is not a precise science however whenever you consider France at World Cups, they’re both all in or all out. This time? I am saying they are going to be all in. In the event that they click on like they did in Russia, why not?
Alex Scott: I’m going with Brazil. Their squad has an ideal mix of expertise with thrilling and in-form younger gamers who might have nice tournaments, like Vinicius Jr. Neymar is in nice type too and, with each crew having so little preparation time earlier than the event to get key organisation proper, it might come all the way down to particular person brilliance to settle some video games.
Ashley Williams: Your crew is at all times somewhat reliant on how a lot firepower you’ve got obtained and Brazil have gotten a wealth of attacking choices. It will likely be nice for soccer in the event that they win too. We’re all followers of Brazil, aren’t we?
Fara Williams: My head is telling me that with the squad Brazil have, they’ll win it – the depth of their attackers is the most effective out of all of the squads. However my coronary heart is telling me in a different way. I’ll predict an England v Brazil remaining… and we’re bringing it residence.
Jermaine Jenas: Everyone seems to be at all times obsessive about the attacking facet of issues, however defensively Argentina look actually stable and, off the again of successful a Copa America in 2021, they’ll have discovered a rhythm of what works for them. Within the remaining they beat Brazil, who might be their largest competitor in Qatar too, however I’ve a sense Messi goes to get it achieved.
Karen Bardsley: Traditionally, it appears as if clear sheets and conceding the fewest targets is the important thing to successful World Cups. So which crew has probably the most stable defensive unit, with goalkeeper? Then additionally their potential to handle moments within the event and the way they’ll collect momentum within the group phases. My prime two are Brazil and Argentina – and I might say Brazil will win as a result of they’re absolutely loaded in each place and defensively they’re the strongest I’ve seen them in lots of, a few years.
Rio Ferdinand: Brazil have gotten depth of their squad and expertise too – as in, during the backbone of their crew is expertise of successful issues.
Rob Inexperienced: They’ve some younger thrilling skills to go along with that have of successful. It is Brazil for me.
Gabby Logan: I am not going to be sentimental and say Messi will triumph however a South American crew will win. Vinicius Jr might be a extremely essential participant and the World Cup winners will put on yellow shirts.
Danny Murphy: I am unable to see previous Brazil or Argentina. Each are stuffed with high quality and expertise and can take some stopping. Perhaps Argentina will do it this time, because it appears written within the stars that the best ever participant will win the World Cup.
Danny Gabbidon: I fancy France. Total they’re a extremely well-balanced facet with a lot high quality up entrance, and the largest drawback for supervisor Didier Deschamps is to search out the most effective system and resolve on his beginning XI.
Jurgen Klinsmann: With Argentina, the massive driving pressure is Messi. All soccer followers know his scenario and the way this must be his second if he desires to win his first World Cup on the age of 35. He is aware of that too, and so do his crew – so they’ll do the whole lot doable to get that World Cup win. Brazil, although, have gotten a lot high quality in each place. They’re a crew I’ve watched so much over the previous couple of years and I’ve been very impressed – they’re coming to Qatar to win the World Cup and I imagine they’ll.
| Brazil (7): | Micah Richards, Alex Scott, Ashley Williams, Gabby Logan, Jurgen Klinsmann, Rio Ferdinand, Karen Bardsley, Matthew Upson, Rob Inexperienced |
| Argentina (3): | Alan Shearer, Jermaine Jenas, Danny Murphy |
| France (2): | Chris Sutton, Danny Gabbidon |
| England (1): | Fara Williams |
What about England’s probabilities?
Alan Shearer: I do not see us doing what we have now achieved within the earlier two tournaments. Defensively we might wrestle within the latter phases, towards the massive hitters.
Harry Kane is the important thing, as he has been in any respect the tournaments we have now achieved effectively at. If England are going to go deep within the event, he’s going to have to attain 5 – 6 targets once more, and he might be wanting to return to again with World Cup Golden Boots.
One phrase to sum up England’s prospects in Qatar? Intriguing – as a result of I’m am intrigued whether or not Gareth Southgate goes to play 4 or three on the again, and I’m intrigued who he’s going to play with Kane up prime.
Alex Scott: We will be like Brazil in 2002, who went into that World Cup in horrible type and with everybody writing them off however managed one thing particular. Nicely, that is the hope with England this time – it appears no-one has actual expectations from this crew regardless of being the one European crew to succeed in the semi-finals in every of the previous two main tournaments. One other semi-final, a minimum of, is what I am hoping for.
Rob Inexperienced: England will match 2018, and attain the final 4.
Micah Richards: We’d get to the quarter-finals or semi-finals however I do not assume we’ll win it. In case you are going right into a event with so many accidents and quite a lot of gamers off form, plus some uncertainty over which system will work greatest, there are quite a lot of questions concerning the crew. I’m positive Southgate will type quite a lot of it out, however there are higher nations than us.
One phrase to sum up England’s prospects in Qatar? Cautious. That is positively the best way I’m feeling and that’s in all probability going to be the best way Southgate goes to play too.
Jermaine Jenas: Now we have the standard to get to the semi-finals – it’s simply whether or not we will acquire that confidence within the group phases. If we scrape by the group, I do not see us getting previous the quarter-finals.
| 21 November | Iran | Khalifa Worldwide Stadium, Doha |
| 25 November | United States | Al-Bayt Stadium, Al Khor |
| 29 November | Wales | Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan |
Rio Ferdinand: England will get to the quarter finals after which something can occur. It will be exhausting, although.
One phrase to sum up England’s prospects in Qatar? Excited. I’m excited for England as a result of I would like them to do effectively. We have been to a semi-final and a remaining beneath Southgate, so are we going to have the ability to go one step additional now?
How will Wales do?
Ashley Williams: We’re humble sufficient to say we’re glad to be right here after going 64 years since we had been final at a World Cup, however getting out of the group stage is unquestionably doable.
The entire squad goes to should play its half, with gamers coming off the bench and having an impression in video games. I am taking a look at Brennan Johnson to do this. He won’t be within the beginning line-up however he might play an enormous function if we have to change the momentum of a sport.
One phrase to sum up Wales’ prospects in Qatar? Assured. I used to be going to say ‘hopeful’ however I would wish to assume we have now a bit extra perception than that. I’m quietly assured, as a result of I believe we will get out of our group.
Chris Sutton: England ought to beat each crew in Group B however, if Wales win their first sport towards the US, they’ll get by too. I simply do not see it taking place, although. They have not obtained the depth of high quality of their squad you want at a World Cup, and I’ve obtained them down as ending fourth, behind Iran.
| 21 November | United States | Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan |
| 25 November | Iran | Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan |
| 29 November | England | Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan |
Danny Gabbidon: There are health doubts over a few of our key gamers, with Joe Allen a selected concern as a result of he performs such a key function in midfield, defensively and beginning strikes once we go ahead. We’ve not obtained one other participant who does what he does, so he’s the important thing to the whole lot.
We’re in probably the most troublesome group primarily based on the Fifa rankings – the one one with all 4 groups within the prime 20 – so attending to the final 16 could be an ideal achievement and our first sport towards the US is vastly essential. If we will get one thing from that, it actually units us up.
One phrase to sum up Wales’ prospects in Qatar? Optimistic – primarily based on what we have achieved on the previous two European Championships, the place we began every event effectively and obtained out of our group.
Matthew Upson: Wales are positively able to getting out of their group, however it does rely so much on their first sport. The US are bodily very sturdy and have one of many youngest squads on the event. They’ll have quite a lot of vitality so they are going to be tough opponents to start out off with.
Gabby Logan: Wales are my shock bundle. They’ll get out of the group, after which something might occur.
Who else would possibly spring a shock?
Jermaine Jenas: Brazil and Argentina will not be the one South American groups who’re harmful – Uruguay are very a lot darkish horses on this event. From Europe, I’m taking a look at Denmark, and I might by no means low cost Germany, who persistently know what they’re doing at these tournaments.
Rio Ferdinand: Portugal will do bits; everybody has missed them a bit. From Africa, Senegal will pose groups just a few issues and can Alphonso Davies make just a few waves with Canada? We’ll see.
Jurgen Klinsmann: The large European groups should reside with the truth that Brazil and Argentina will each be extremely motivated, however they’ll arrive with the identical mission. I’m wanting ahead to watching a brave Germany facet that may assist us neglect the catastrophe that occurred in Russia, once we had been defending champions however went out within the group stage. There’s nonetheless some restore work to be achieved for Hansi Flick’s facet after what occurred 4 years in the past, however they’re a younger crew and I would like them to be stuffed with vitality and brave with their play. Something however the last-four for us is disappointing, primarily based on our historical past at World Cups.
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