Group C Predictions 2022
Group C brings together teams from four different confederations. Argentina are among the favourites to win the upcoming tournament, while Mexico and Poland will probably fight it out for second place – although Saudi Arabia will hope to spring a surprise or two.
Here is everything you need to know about the four teams in Group C, including how they qualified and what we can expect from them at the tournament.
Argentina
Record
Argentina are two-time World Cup winners. They first lifted the trophy in 1978 when they were the host nation, before Diego Maradona inspired them to glory in Mexico eight years later. Maradona’s extraordinary performances at that tournament are widely regarded as the best in World Cup history.
Additionally, the Albiceleste have finished as runners-up on three occasions. They were beaten by Uruguay in the inaugural World Cup final in 1930. Argentina then lost to West Germany in the 1990 final, before coming up short to Germany in the 2014 final.
Players to watch
Lionel Messi finally won his first senior trophy at international level last year, as he led Argentina to Copa America success in Brazil. At the age of 35, this will almost certainly be Messi’s final World Cup, and he is desperate to win the only major trophy he has yet to get his hands on.
Lautaro Martinez is the pick at centre-forward and his link-up play with Messi will be a key feature of Argentina’s play. In midfield, Rodrigo De Paul is an underrated but essential part of Lionel Scaloni’s team, while goalkeeper Emi Martinez might have to bail out a defence which still looks vulnerable at times.
Highlights from qualifying
Argentina finished second in South America’s marathon qualification tournament. One of their best displays came in the 3-0 victory over Uruguay on matchday five, with Argentina proving far too strong for their smaller neighbours in Buenos Aires.
Argentina’s trip to Brazil was dramatically abandoned after just five minutes when Brazilian health officials took to the pitch and attempted to force four Argentina players to go into isolation, accusing them of breaching the country’s COVID-19 entry regulations.
Saudi Arabia
Record
The 2022 edition will be Saudi Arabia’s sixth appearance at the World Cup. Their maiden appearance came at USA 1994, when the Desert Falcons exceeded expectations by reaching the round of 16, courtesy of triumphs over Morocco and Belgium.
Saudi Arabia are still waiting for their second showing in the knockout phase, though: they failed to make it out of the group in 1998, 2002, 2006 and 2018, winning just one game out of 12 in that time.
Players to watch
Saudi Arabia have tended to have quite functional sides at World Cups, with defensive organisation and discipline prioritised over attacking invention. Herve Renard has tried to make this side a little more expansive, with the Al-Hilal winger Salem Al-Dawsari central to those efforts.
Abdulellah Al-Malki faces a race against time to be fit for Qatar after injuring his knee earlier this year. If he does make it, he will be an important figure in the centre of the park. At the back, Hassan Tambakti’s pace on the turn could come in handy if Saudi Arabia are forced to push up the pitch and defend with a higher line.
Highlights from qualifying
Saudi Arabia comfortably finished top of their first group in Asia’s World Cup qualification process, amassing more points than Uzbekistan, Palestine, Singapore and Yemen. They also came first in the decisive six-team group in the final round, earning one of two automatic qualification spots.
Their most impressive result there was a 1-0 victory over Japan last October, as Firas Al-Buraikan scored the only goal of the game to earn the Saudis victory in front of more than 50,000 fans in Jeddah. A battling 0-0 draw away to Australia was also impressive, especially as Saudi Arabia followed it up with a 1-0 win in the return fixture.
Mexico
Record
Mexico’s recent World Cup record is remarkably consistent, much to the frustration of fans of the national team. In every tournament since 1994, El Tri have successfully made it out of the group. But on each occasion, their journey has ended in the round of 16. Mexican fans live in hope that their team will one day make it to the ‘quinto partido’ (fifth match).
Mexico did reach the quarters – albeit when the competition was smaller – when they were the host nation in 1970 and 1986. In 1930, 1950, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1966 and 1978, they went home at the end of the group stage.
Players to watch
Mexico have a core of recognisable players from previous World Cups, although there are some doubts over centre-forward Raul Jimenez given his struggles with form and fitness at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Guillermo Ochoa, now 37 years old, is still the go-to choice between the posts, while midfield dynamo Hector Herrera will start whenever he is fit. On the flanks, Mexico will hope that Jesus Corona is able to provide moments of magic with his skill, speed and creativity.
Highlights from qualifying
Mexico finished second in CONCACAF’s eight-team final qualification group, behind Canada on goal difference but ahead of the United States and Costa Rica by three points.
El Tri failed to beat either the Canadians or the Americans, but they were reliable against the rest of the group, triumphing 1-0 Costa Rica away from home before a goalless draw with the same opponents in Mexico City. Tata Martino’s men were solid rather than spectacular throughout the campaign.
Poland
Record
Poland made their World Cup debut in 1938, but they were eliminated after an incredible 6-5 loss to Brazil in their first game (that tournament was held as a straight knockout). The country’s glory era came a few decades later: Poland reached the semi-finals in 1974 and 1982, winning the third-place play-off on both occasions.
In more recent times, the World Cup has not brought Poland much success. Indeed, their last three appearances – in 2002, 2006 and 2018 – have ended with elimination in the group stage.
Players to watch
Robert Lewandowski seems to be getting better with age. The Barcelona centre-forward scores goals for fun at club level and Poland will need him to be at his clinical best in Qatar. Lewandowski is the type of player who can turn a game on its head in an instant.
It is no secret that Poland are heavily reliant on their talisman up front, but it would be a step too far to call them a one-man team. Piotr Zielinski is a creative presence in the No.10 role, while Juventus shot-stopper Wojciech Szczesny keeps goal for one of the biggest clubs in Europe.
Highlights from qualifying
Poland finished second in their World Cup qualification group in Europe. They fared reasonably well against England, the group winners, losing narrowly at Wembley and drawing at home. But their key results came against a team that finished just below them in the standings: Poland did the double over Albania, including an impressive 4-1 win at home.
A second-place finish saw them advance to the play-offs. Poland were handed a bye in the semi-finals after Russia were expelled, before beating Sweden 2-0 in the final.
Key matches
Mexico vs Poland go head-to-head on matchday one and the winner of that game will believe they are in pole position to advance to the knockout phase. It will also be worth tuning in for Argentina’s meetings with Mexico on November 26 and Poland on November 30, as the Central Americans and the Europeans look to cause an upset against Lionel Messi and co.
Group prediction
1. Argentina
2. Poland
3. Mexico
4. Saudi Arabia
