The complete World Cup 2022 schedule has been out for some time now, so everyone should have had enough time to mark their calendars for the games they are most eagerly anticipating during the group stage.
But if you haven’t done so yet, here are SBOTOP’s picks for the five biggest group-stage matchups that you should not miss.
England vs USA
Will the third time be the charm for England against the United States? Despite their status as one of the world’s top footballing nations, the Three Lions have not defeated the USMNT in their two prior meetings in the World Cup. The US famously beat England in the 1950 World Cup, and they held them to a 1-1 draw in 2010.
Gareth Southgate has England to the World Cup semi-finals in Russia and the final of Euro 2020 in his two major tournaments, but there is increasing pressure on him to lead this talented Three Lions team to victory in Qatar.
But the USMNT has come a long way since their last meeting in 2010. They also possess quite a talented young side, one that could be capable of keeping their undefeated record against the English intact.
France vs Denmark
The World Cup 2022 odds have reigning world champions France as one of the favourites for the title. But a poor performance in the Nations League – no wins in four matches – has raised some concerns surrounding Les Bleus.
Denmark contributed to France’s downward slide as they beat Les Bleus 2-1 in France in the Nations League opener. And after the two sides meet for the return leg in September, they will once again collide in the World Cup group stage.
The Danes had an impressive World Cup qualifying campaign as they won nine out of 10 games with 30 goals scored. With Christian Eriksen healthy and back in the fold, they will pose the biggest threat to France in Group D, so their matchup could go a long way toward deciding who ends up winning the group.
Belgium vs Croatia
Belgium vs Croatia will be a Group F battle between two of the top midfielders of the last decade as Kevin De Bruyne goes up against the great Luka Modric.
Modric will be 37 by the time the World Cup begins, and this could very well be the last time he features in this tournament. But as he showed when he helped Real Madrid win yet another Champions League crown, there is still a lot left in the legendary Croatian’s legs as he looks to make another run at the World Cup final.
Modric and Real Madrid got the better of De Bruyne’s Manchester City en route to the title, but KDB’s Red Devils will be significantly favoured against Modric’s Croatia when they meet in this much-anticipated matchup of midfield maestros.
Poland vs Argentina
Without question the biggest superstar showdown in the World Cup 2022 group stage will be Lionel Messi leading Argentina against Robert Lewandowski’s Poland in Group C.
Messi may not have had the best season with Paris Saint-Germain, but the reigning Ballon d’Or has shown in recent performances with Argentina that he still has a lot left in the tank and will look to take one last shot at winning the World Cup in Qatar.
But Poland pose perhaps the biggest threat to Argentina in Group C, in large part due to Lewandowski’s goalscoring ability. The 34-year-old remains one of the deadliest strikers in the world, and if anyone can produce more World Cup 2022 highlights than Messi during their marquee matchup, it’s him.
Germany vs Spain
While Messi vs Lewandowski is the premier player-vs-player showdown in the group stage, Spain vs Germany is undoubtedly the marquee team-vs-team matchup of the group stage.
The two recent former world champions – Spain in 2010 and Germany in 2014 – are not the truly elite contenders that they were in past World Cups, but they are still talented sides and are quite capable of making a run at the title.
Luis Enrique led La Roja to a semi-final berth at Euro 2020 and lost on penalties to eventual champions Italy. Meanwhile, Hansi Flick’s Germany crashed out in the round of 16 to England and will be keen to make up for their humiliating group-stage exit in 2018.
This will be the first World Cup meeting between the two European giants since 1966, and the Germans will be eager to get some revenge after La Roja humiliated them 6-0 in their most recent meeting in the Nations League in 2020.
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