With the 2022 World Cup almost here, HITC Football has taken an early look at predicting the Team of the Tournament. Lionel Messi will be among those hoping to impress in Qatar.
The Argentina icon has already announced that this year’s FIFA tournament will be his last hurrah on the global stage. He has previously featured at four editions of the quadrennial event. But the 35-year-old is yet to lift La Albiceleste’s third title after losing the 2014 final.
- WORLD CUP: PREMIER LEAGUE SETS FIXTURES FOR RESUMPTION AFTER QATAR 2022
- WORLD CUP: ALL-TIME XI OF MESSI’S ARGENTINA WITH ICON TO BOW OUT AFTER 2022
Germany pipped Argentina in Brazil and will head to the Middle East among the favourites to win in 2022. France also head to the Arabian Peninsula as the defending champions. But boss Didier Deschamps will be without a number of his key players after a string of injuries.
Chelsea and France midfielder N’Golo Kante (hamstring) will sit out the World Cup after he required an operation. Deschamps is also sweating over the fitness of his 2018 champions Paul Pogba (knee) of Juventus and Manchester United defender Raphael Varane (leg), too.
France beat Croatia 4-2 in the final in Russia four years ago with Pogba and Kylian Mbappe on the scoresheet. Both will have eyes on repeating their 2018 exploits and playing crucial roles in Les Bleus defending their title. While an array of new names are also set to shine…
Jordan Pickford (GK): England ace can make the World Cup Team of the Tournament
England No.1 Jordan Pickford could make the Team of the Tournament for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The Everton goalkeeper was one of the Three Lions’ star performers through their path to the Euro 2020 final. He is also playing sublimely at Goodison Park this season.
Ben White (RB): Arsenal star could make the Team of the Tournament with England
Ben White may be a centre-half, but the Arsenal defender is delivering a raft of impressive performances at right-back this term. He could emerge as Gareth Southgate’s solution for the World Cup with Reece James (knee) and Kyle Walker (groin) recovering from injuries.
Marquinhos (CB): The rock of Brazil’s backline to make the Team of the Tournament
Marquinhos is the rock of Tite’s Brazil team and will be a key player at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The Paris Saint-Germain captain is the foundation of the Selecao squad. He will be eager to impress after only playing one minute in Russia before they lost in the quarter-final.
Lisandro Martinez (CB): Manchester United star could shine for Argentina in Qatar
Lisandro Martinez has shown since joining Manchester United from Ajax over the summer that he is an uncompromising centre-back. The Argentine will now look to take his form to Qatar and put an obstacle in the paths of Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland in Group C ties.
David Raum (LB): Germany dynamo can make the World Cup Team of the Tournament
David Raum has emerged as Germany’s first choice at left-back for the World Cup and can be an option for the Team of the Tournament. The RB Leipzig dynamo will offer Hansi Flick width and an attacking threat in Qatar with his gifted skill in possession and superb vision.
Aurelien Tchouameni (CM): Qatar World Cup could see another French star shine
The 2022 World Cup in Qatar could see another France midfielder shine in Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni. He has shone brightly since joining the Galacticos from AS Monaco in June for €100m (£87m), not letting the mammoth price tag deny a seamless transition.
Pedri (CM): ‘Exceptional’ teenager can do anything for Spain at the World Cup
Pedri may only be 19 years old, but the midfielder is already an instrumental presence at Barcelona and for Spain. He immediately stamped his mark on La Roja’s squad when Luis Enrique awarded the Tegueste native his debut in March 2021 and will be central in Qatar.
His performances have also captivated the likes of Gary Lineker, who has been awash with praise. “I love Pedri, he’s a very special player,” the England legend said, via Marca. “He’s very exceptional and different from the rest. He’s one of the best youngsters in the world.”
Lionel Messi (RM): Argentina icon will look to go out with a bang at Qatar 2022
Messi will no doubt want to go out on a high at Qatar 2022 after telling Star+, via TN, that it will ‘surely’ be his last World Cup. The Argentina icon has been central to his nation’s bid to win the past three editions and even carried La Albiceleste on his back to the final in 2014.
Kevin De Bruyne (CAM): Qatar may be Belgium’s golden generation’s last chance
The Qatar World Cup could be the last chance for Belgium’s golden generation to deliver a FIFA title. Kevin De Bruyne will be central to whatever the Red Devils achieve in the Middle East and will fly to the Arabian Peninsula as a creative force at Manchester City this term.
Neymar (LM): Brazil star is a contender for the World Cup team of the Tournament
Neymar will be Brazil’s talisman and a leading name to make the Qatar World Cup Team of the Tournament. The Paris Saint-Germain winger is the spark that makes Tite’s gifted team click in attack. He will now shoulder that responsibility in search of the Selecao’s sixth title.
Kylian Mbappe (ST): France star made the 2018 World Cup Team of the Tournament
Mbappe will back himself to make successive World Cup Teams of the Tournament after a starring role at Russia 2018. The Paris Saint-Germain and France star lit up the last edition as the Best Young Player. He was a dynamic force four years ago and scored crucial goals.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
