Group F Predictions 2022
Group F contains two clear favourites in Belgium and Croatia, both of whom will consider a place in the round of 16 the bare minimum objective at the upcoming tournament. But Canada, who are back in the tournament for the first time since 1986, and Morocco will be looking to cause an upset.
Here is our preview of Group F, including which players to look out for and each nation’s record in previous World Cups.
Belgium
Record
Belgium have never won the World Cup before, but they are regulars at the competition these days. Their first appearance came in the inaugural edition of 1930, when the Red Devils were knocked out in the group phase. That was also as far as they got in 1954, 1970 and 1982.
The breakthrough came at Mexico 1986, when Belgium reached the semi-finals before losing the third-place play-off. They went one better four years ago, beating England to the bronze medal in Russia.
Players to watch
Kevin De Bruyne is one of the best players in the world and, at 31 years old, the Manchester City man knows that this is his last World Cup at the peak of his powers. The midfielder brings drive and creativity to this Belgium team, and Roberto Martinez will need him to be at his best in Qatar.
Romelu Lukaku has struggled with injury problems since his return to Inter in the summer, but he is still Belgium’s main man up front. Between the posts, Thibaut Courtois is perhaps the best shot-stopper on the planet.
Highlights from qualifying
With six wins and two draws, Belgium did not encounter too many difficulties in their World Cup qualification group. A 3-1 win against Wales on matchday one was crucial – the Dragons went on to finish second – but Belgium’s most impressive performance probably came in a 3-0 victory over the Czech Republic.
The Red Devils also administered a memorable thrashing to Belarus, winning 8-0 at home (with six different goalscorers). However, the weakness of the opposition must be taken into account.
Canada
Record
Canada’s only World Cup appearance before 2022 came 36 years ago. They earned a spot in Mexico by virtue of their success at the 1985 CONCACAF Championship (the precursor to today’s Gold Cup), beating Honduras and Costa Rica to the continental title.
Canada lost all three group games at the tournament itself, but they did not disgrace themselves in defeats by France (0-1), Hungary (0-2) or the Soviet Union (0-2).
Players to watch
Alphonso Davies is just 21 years of age but he might already be Canada’s greatest player of all time. He plays at left-back for Bayern Munich but could be deployed higher up the pitch at this World Cup.
Jonathan David, who plies his trade at Lille for club level, is the man Canada will look to for goals. The New York-born striker has a phenomenal record for his country, having scored 22 goals in his 34 appearances to date. Atiba Hutchinson is still an important part of this team aged 39.
Highlights from qualifying
Canada’s campaign began two rounds earlier than the likes of Mexico, the United States and Costa Rica. They first had to come through a group containing Suriname, Bermuda, Aruba and the Cayman Islands, which they did in style by accumulating 12 points from a possible 12, and scoring 27 goals in four matches (including 11 against the Cayman Islands). They then beat Haiti 4-0 over two legs to advance to the final eight-team qualification group.
Canada finished above all seven competitors in that stage, a hugely impressive accomplishment. A 2-1 win against Mexico and a 2-0 triumph over the United States will live long in the memory of their supporters.
Morocco
Record
Morocco’s World Cup journey began at the 1970 edition in Mexico, but losses to West Germany and Peru meant they were already eliminated before a 1-1 draw with Bulgaria in their final group game.
They also went out at the end of the group stage in 1994, 1998 and 2018, but the 1986 World Cup was more successful (which means three teams in Group F have fond memories of that tournament in Mexico). Morocco topped a group containing England, Poland and Portugal, before losing 1-0 to West Germany in the round of 16.
Players to watch
One of the main reasons Morocco like to line up with a three-man backline is Achraf Hakimi, who is perfectly suited to a wing-back role. The Paris Saint-Germain star is Morocco’s main source of creativity, so we can expect to see him occupying attacking positions throughout the group stage.
Sofyan Amrabat is likely to anchor the midfield, an important role for a technically proficient team. The 26-year-old, who was born in the Netherlands and represented that country at under-15 level, is a regular for Fiorentina in Serie A.
Highlights from qualifying
Morocco breezed through the group phase of African qualification, winning home and away against each of Guinea-Bissau, Guinea and Sudan while averaging more than three goals per game.
The stiffest test lay ahead, but Morocco were handed a relatively kind draw for the play-offs. They did not have everything their own way against DR Congo, with the first leg in Kinshasha ending 1-1, but a 4-1 win in Casablanca saw the Atlas Lions advance.
Croatia
Record
Formerly a part of Yugoslavia, Croatia’s first World Cup as an independent nation was incredibly successfully: the debutants reached the semi-finals in 1998 after beating Germany 3-0 in the last eight.
Group stage exits followed in 2002, 2006 and 2014, before Croatia reached the final of the World Cup four years ago in Russia. France ran out 4-2 winners in the end, but the Vatreni left with their heads held high.
Players to watch
Luka Modric was named Player of the Tournament at the previous edition of the tournament in 2018. The evergreen midfielder is still going strong at 37, and although this will almost certainly be his last World Cup, the Real Madrid maestro remains among the best players in the world in his position.
Converted into a wing-back by Tottenham Hotspur boss Antonio Conte, Ivan Perisic will play in a more advanced position in Qatar. Elsewhere, Josko Gvardiol is a highly-rated centre-back who will be looking to keep the likes of Romelu Lukaku quiet in Group F.
Highlights from qualifying
Croatia only finished a point clear of Russia at the top of their European qualification group, although the latter’s subsequent expulsion means Zlatko Dalic’s men would have qualified automatically anyway.
A 7-1 victory over Malta was eye-catching, but taking four points from their two meetings with the Russians was more pivotal to Croatia’s safe passage.
Key matches
Croatia vs Belgium is the obvious standout fixture in Group F. The meeting between the two favourites to qualify for the next round takes place on matchday three, by which stage both teams will hope to already have six points to their name.
Belgium vs Canada on November 23 could be an intriguing contest, though. The CONCACAF representatives possess plenty of speed on the counter-attack, which could cause problems for an ageing Belgian backline.
Group prediction
1. Croatia
2. Belgium
3. Canada
4. Morocco
