Fifa World Cup Preview

There is no bigger sporting event in the world than the World Cup. It is the pinnacle of the sport, football's marquee occasion. Hundreds of millions from around the world will follow the World Cup. This is when legends are made.

To preview what I believe will be the most balanced and intriguing World Cup yet, I will cover some of the most interesting storylines to follow as the tournament unfolds. I will also pick dark horse candidates, teams that are overlooked but you could bet on to make a deep run and maybe even win the whole thing, as well as players to watch and finally predictions for the tournament overall.

Storylines

1) The Biggest One Yet - 48 teams will take the field this summer, marking the biggest field in the history of the tournament. For the past 7 tournaments the field had consisted of 32 teams, but now 16 extra teams will participate. What will that mean? Will a team that wouldn't have qualified under the past format, a team such as Congo, Scotland, or Turkey, make an unexpected push and become a factor? Will the group stage become more diluted by all the extra teams, and see less competitive matches? If the expanded format is received positively, will Fifa look to further expand the World Cup to 64 teams?

2) Not 1, Not 2... - This will be the first World Cup to have 3 host nations. Previously only the 2002 World Cup had seen more than 1 host, with Japan and South Korea sharing hosting duties that year. Canada, Mexico, and the USA will all share host nation status. Though most of the tournament will take place in the USA, Canada and Mexico will play all of their group stage games at home. Historically, being the host gives a massive boost to your chances. Uruguay, Italy, England, Argentina, and France all won their first World Cup title as host, and more recently Japan and Russia made unexpectedly deep runs as hosts of their respective World Cups. Each of the 3 host teams have solid squads- if they get off to a strong start and gain confidence, that home field advantage could see one or two of the hosts make a push deep into the tournament.

3) Swansong for Legends - This will surely be the final World Cup for many of the sport's biggest names, most notably all-time greats Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. These two remain the biggest stars in world football, even as they are no longer at the top of the sport. Messi is a reigning World Cup champion, having dramatically lifted the trophy in Qatar, while Cristiano seeks the only trophy that has managed to elude him during his all-conquering career. Other stars such as Neymar, Son Heung Min, James Rodriguez, Kevin De Bruyne, Luka Modric, Manuel Neuer, Sadio Mane, and Mohammed Salah will also play in what will likely be their last World Cup.

4) Parity - The World Cup has historically been dominated by a small select group of nations, all based in Europe and South America. No nation outside of Western Europe and South America has ever won the World Cup; no team from North America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania has even made the final. There are signs, however, are shifting. At the last World Cup, Morocco became the first African nation to reach the semifinals. More upsets have taken place in the earlier rounds, with outsider nations pulling off upsets of established football royalty. There are several possible candidates that can make history, some of which I will go through in the following section.

Dark Horses

Odds according to Draftkings

Senegal(+4900) - One of Africa's most successful football nations, Senegal most recently won the African Cup of Nations in a final marred by controversy against hosts Morocco. Senegal enjoyed an undefeated qualifying campaign, and conceded only 3 goals. Led by veterans Sadio Mane and Kalidou Koulibaly, Senegal has a strong balance of experienced veterans and talented youngsters. This nation has been on the cusp of breaking through for several years. They have fallen short against the likes of England, Holland and Ecuador, but the talent is there, and this could be the year Africa's champion puts it all together and makes history.

Turkey(+4900) - This will be the first World Cup for the group of players that is referred to as Turkey's "Golden Generation", led by Real Madrid's Arda Guler and Juventus' Kenan Yildiz. The Turks flirted with disaster during the qualifiers, barely getting past Kosovo in the playoff. Turkey famously made it to the semifinals in 2002, and this could be an opportunity to make another memorable run.

Ecuador(+4900) - Outside of Brazil and Argentina, no nation in the Westen Hemisphere has produced more talent in recent years than Ecuador. This team is physical and features a defense led by world-class defenders Piero Hincapie and Wllian Pacho that is capable of shutting any rival down. Their midfield is also strong, with Chelsea's Moises Caicedo providing relentless pressing and work rate all over the field. This is Ecuador's best team ever, one that is capable of making a run.

USA(+3233) - The primary host will play its most important World Cup to date, under pressure to deliver before the home crowds. One can argue that this is the most talented USA team ever, though they have not shown it in recent tournaments. Led by stars Christian Pulisic, Weston Mckennie and Tyler Adams, this group of players and Argentine manager Mauricio Pochettino are more than capable of catching fire and putting together a strong tournament. They have a manageable group, and after that it's one game at a time. They could have a run similar to Japan and Russia.

Colombia(+3233)- It's hard to call a team as talented as Colombia a dark horse. They have one of the sport's best players in Luis Diaz, and veteran playmaker James Rodriguez is back for his last World Cup. Colombia has historically underachieved in tournament play, but they should make it to at least the Round of 16, and on their best day they can beat any team in the world.

Japan(+3233) - The Samurai Blue has implemented one of the most impressive long-term projects in world football. For so long a backwater in the sport, ever since its historic run as host in 2002, Japan has impressed neutrals with its highly technical and organized style of play. In recent editions they have put together brilliant displays, beating both Germany and Spain in the last world cup. They have gone out in agonizing fashion: in 2018 they blew a 2-goal lead to Belgium, and in 2022 they lost on penalties to Croatia in a match they were the better side. Japan won all its qualifying matches, and led by star midfielder Takefusa Kubo, they will look to go further this time.

Iran(+9900) - Western Asia's strongest footballing nation has never made it past the group stage, falling short several times. This team always manages to put up a fight, giving more talented opponents all they can handle. This time Iran has been drawn in a group that allows it to realistically dream of making history. Led by their talisman goalscorer Mehdi Taremi, Iran will look to defy the odds and provide a major boost to its people, who have been subjected to an aggressive bombing campaign that has killed thousands of civilians. Under unprecedented conditions, don't count out the possibility of Iran using this adversity to their advantage. They could very well emerge as the darlings of the tournament.

Players to Watch

Lamine Yamal - Spain: The best young player in the world, Yamal has already claimed a Euro title and several Spanish titles with Barcelona. Yamal is relentless, carving out a path of destruction on the right wing. A strong performance throughout and winning the whole thing would elevate Yamal to rarified air, and give credence to the notion that he is the successor to Messi as the face of the sport.

Kylian Mbappe - France: Mbappe had a statistically successful season with Real Madrid, yet he was dogged all year by off-the-field distractions. He is surely relieved to be away from Madrid and back at the World Cup, where he has enjoyed the best moments of his young career. Mbappe has played in 2 World Cup finals and won 1, famously scoring an unprecedented hat trick in the last final. He will look to continue building his legacy at the World Cup and secure his status as best player in the world.

Luis Diaz- Colombia: The Colombian winger won the Premier League with Liverpool, then moved to Bayern Munich, where he enjoyed the best season of his career. Diaz plays with purpose, and is fearless when taking on defenders. He has a ruthless competitive spirit, and this inevitably rubs off on his teammates. Winning the World Cup, or even just making it to the final four would make Diaz a national hero.

Erling Haaland-Norway: The giant lumbering striker is a force of nature. His arrival at Manchester City helped them make history and win the Champions League, and he has had a similar impact on Norway, who hadn't qualified for the World Cup since 1998. Haaland is as strong a bet to finish as top goalscorer, and him going on a tear and carrying his nation to the quarterfinals or beyond cannot be dismissed.

Achraf Hakimi - Morocco: The star right-back who last month won his second straight Champions League title with PSG arrives at the World Cup with an opportunity to make further history. Having already become the first team from Africa to reach the semifinals, Hakimi will look to inspire his nation to even more unprecedented air. If Hakimi keeps up his world-class play and Morocco does well, don't be surprised to hear Hakimi's name be brought up for the Ballon d'Or.

Christian Pulisic - USA: The unquestioned star for the host, Pulisic will be under pressure to back up the hype in the biggest stage of them all. Having come off a difficult season with AC Milan and a series of shaky friendly matches with the national team, Pulisic will relish the opportunity to be a star in the World Cup and become a household name for sports fans in general.

Cristiano Ronaldo - Portugal: Arguably the biggest sports star ever seen, CR7 is often a force bigger than the sport itself. Every Portugal match will be fraught with online chatter about Ronaldo's role, whether it's too big or too small. The truth is that the superstar will start, as he is Portugal's captain and their unquestioned leader. He is still scoring goals, although the World Cup will be a step up in quality compared to the Saudi league and qualifiers against the likes of Hungary and Armenia. How Ronaldo handles the last massive moment of his career will be fascinating. Lifting the World Cup trophy would be an incredible way to cap off his legendary career.

Predictions

1) All 3 hosts will do well - Canada and Mexico will each make it to the Round of 16, while the USA will reach the quarterfinals, falling just short of an historic semifinal appearance.

2) The legends won't turn back the clock- Messi and Neymar will have very limited to no impact on the field, while Cristiano Ronaldo may score a goal and be useful in a penalty shootout but be limited nonetheless. In a sport that has become increasingly fast and ruthless when it comes to athleticism, these legends and their respective national teams will have some hard choices to make.

3) At least one "dark horse" team will shock the world- I am confident that, of the seven teams previously mentioned in the "Dark Horses" section, at least one will manage to reach the quarterfinals, if not the semifinals. There will be a major upset along the way, similar to Morocco beating Portugal and Russia beating Spain.

4) Argentina will struggle - Repeating is hard - the last repeat champion was Brazil, in 1962. From 2010 until 2018, 3 straight World Cup champions crashed out in the group stage. Argentina has a great team, but with Messi and other veterans in decline and rival teams far hungrier, replicating the magic of 2022 will be a challenge. Argentina will have a decent campaign, but they will go out in the quarterfinals.

5)Spain will Hit a Wall - Though Spain are currently the betting favorites alongside France, I do not foresee them winning the tournament. Spain has suffered stunning upsets in the last couple editions to Russia and Morocco, both times in penalties. Though they won the most recent Euro in dominant fashion, they lost the Nations League to Portugal, also on penalties. Spain has a talented team, but they are young and they do not have a goalkeeper who will inspire confidence in tight games. Spain's struggles in penalty shootouts may end up costing them yet again.

6) Don Carlo will cook - Every expert seems to be counting out Brazil, but this is still a very talented roster led by a proven winning manager in Carlo Ancelotti. Brazil was awful during qualifying, but things seem to have improved since Ancelotti took charge. With La Liga stars Raphinha and Vinicius leading the attack, and PSG captain Marquinhos helming the defense, I see Brazil returning to form and taking the tournament by storm. America is the place where O Selecao won its 4th star, back in 1994. The hot weather and supportive crowds should favor them, helping to recreate the magic of the past. I wouldn't be shocked to see them win it all. I have them going to the final, but they won't. Who will they lose to?

7) Party like it's 1966 - For a footballing nation as storied as England, their trophy case is nearly completely barren. The World Cup they won as host back in 1966 remains their sole success story. There are several reasons though I believe why this England team is a strong bet to win. They have one of their most talented and deepest teams ever, led by Harry Kane and Declan Rice. Kane had a historically dominant season with Bayern, while Rice was the star midfielder for an Arsenal team that enjoyed its most successful year in decades. They are managed by Thomas Tuchel, who has proven to be an excellent tournament manager. He is able to get his team to adapt to the changing circumstances that come with a tournament, and this tactical flexibility from a Champions League-winning manager like Tuchel will be a major positive for England. With how strong the Premier League is and this World Cup marking the 60th anniversary of the first and only triumph, this World Cup feels like it could be a demonstration of England's strength in the game.