The 2022 World Cup is now less than a month away and the speculation around which teams will thrive in Qatar is reaching fever pitch, so it’s worth taking a look at Group F for a couple of good outside bets.
Belgium, Croatia, Morocco and Canada made up the group and we’ll see some pretty spectacular World Cup 2022 highlights from that quartet, with Roberto Martinez’ Red Devils boasting some of the best players on the planet. The World Cup 2022 betting odds say Belgium is one of a group of the nine teams most likely to lift the trophy and Croatia are not far behind.
Both European sides are expected to get through to the knockout phase but Morocco and Canada both have some dangerous players who might help their teams to upset the Group F applecart; so let’s have a look at the SBOTOP choice of four of the brightest stars to look out for in Qatar.
Kevin de Bruyne: Belgium
Manchester City were without top scorer Erling Braut Haaland for their trip to Leicester at the weekend, but no matter for boss Pep Guardiola who knew that his team has plenty of firepower elsewhere. And it was De Bruyne who won the three points with a trademark free-kick curled into the corner of the net, off the inside of the post from all of 25 yards. He’s one of the best dead ball specialists in world football but that is just a small part of De Bruyne’s game. The Belgian ace simply glides across the surface with incredible close control, and he has the eye and the ability to deliver the perfect pass as one of the most prolific assist makers in world football.
De Bruyne has been named in the UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season five times and has been the Sky Blues’ player of the year four times. His medals cabinet is pretty full but this Red Devil also deserves some international success.
Luka Modric: Croatia
At 37 years of age and with 154 caps to his name the Real Madrid playmaker has been one of the standout stars in world football over the last decade. While the debate around who has been the best player in modern history between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo has raged on, Modric is one of a small group of stars who have been within touching distance of the big two.
He is widely regarded as one of the most complete midfielders in world football, equally effective in breaking up play as launching attacks and with a superb array of passing and shooting skills. He’s a highly intelligent operator who has been likened to such greats as Paul Scholes, Xavi and Andre Pirlo. Following the departure of Casemiro to Manchester United, Modric has remained at the Santiago Bernabeu as one of the first names on Carlo Ancelotti’s team sheet. He was on target in Los Blancos’ recent 3-1 win over Sevilla, a result which confirmed Madrid’s dominance in the 2022/23 La Liga race, and Croatia will not be the same team when Modric eventually hangs up his boots.
Youssef En Nesyri: Morocco
The Atlas Lions will provide plenty of entertainment in Qatar, as well as flying the flag as one of Africa’s biggest hopes, and Sevilla striker En Nesyri is one player who can get under the skins of the bigger boys in the group.
The 25 year old has spent his entire senior career in Spain and most of it in the Primera Division, representing Malaga, Leganes and Sevilla, and he has represented Morocco at Under 20 and Under 23 levels, debuting for the full international side at the age of 18, and starring in the last three African Cup of Nations.
En Nesyri is a versatile player, equally able to operate as a lone striker, a number ten or out wide, and he has scored 14 goals in 49 caps for Morocco and 27 in 87 appearances for Sevilla.
Alphonso Davies: Canada
Canada head coach John Herdman has put together an exciting team which qualified for its first World Cup finals since 1986, having won the North American group leading Mexico and USA throughout the campaign.
While Herdman has striking options in the form of the experienced Cyle Larin and promising youngster Jonathan David; FC Bayern’s 21 year old wingback Alphonso Davies is the one player with true world class star quality. He struggled with injury last season and was missing for some of Canada’s qualifying campaign but he will be welcomed back on the big stage. Usually operating as a wing-back, Davies’ explosive pace and exquisite dribbling skills make him a player you can’t afford to take your eyes off.
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