FIFA World Cup 2022 | Can Messi, Neymar end Europe’s hegemony?

For the first time in its history, football has decided to suspend its lucrative club and league schedules in the middle of the winter to accommodate the World Cup. Despite objections from European clubs and leagues, which for a long time controlled the outcomes and schedule of international football, the 29-day showcase is still taking place in Qatar.

The decision to give Qatar the 2022 tournament in 2010 and FIFA’s determination to stand by that choice despite a decade of growing global condemnation demonstrate the game’s expanding impact on the Arabian Gulf. Paris Saint-Germain has been controlled by Naseer Al-Qatar Khelaifi’s Sports Investment since 2011, and the company recently purchased a 22% share in Portuguese club SC Braga. Al-Khelaifi also serves as the chairman and CEO of beIN Media, which has the broadcast rights to the Ligue 1, Premier League, Champions League, World Cup, and EURO.

With its purchase of Newcastle United, the Saudi Arabian sovereign fund has entered the world of football, and the Abu Dhabi-backed City Football Group, which owns 11 clubs globally, including Manchester City and Mumbai City FC, has dabbled in the sport as well.

There is still doubt about Qatar’s capacity to handle the pressure of having numerous visitors from around the world, who are likely to outnumber the local population (many of whom are immigrants) by at least two-to-one. The World Cup is set to begin with the opening match between the host and Ecuador on November 20 at the Al Bayt Stadium. Ecuador received a Court of Arbitration in Sports reprieve to participate despite fielding an ineligible player during the qualifiers.

However, this World Cup, the last to see 32 countries competing, has enough superstars to overcome any reservations once the action begins.

Brazil and Argentina, the two South American footballing titans, arrive in Doha with established squads and a lot of firepower, igniting hopes for a Cup victory that have been long-awaited. Lionel Messi has mysteriously failed to have the same impact while wearing a La Albiceleste jersey, despite the fact that his sheer presence has benefited every team he has played for. But now that he will finally get the Copa America in 2021, Argentina is preparing for the 35-year-old wizard to sweep the competition aside with a strange final hurrah.

The World Cup offers Cristiano Ronaldo—the unrelenting “Djoker” to Messi’s “Federeresque” class—the paradisiacal stage from which to volley, rather than verbally, away the alleged mistreatment received at Manchester United. His colleagues from Portugal, many of whom are from United and its opponent in the same city, will be keen to fuel the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s fervour to win the ultimate trophy.

Germany, the defending champion France, bolstered by the realignment of the attack force of Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappe, Spain, and England to extend its 16-year rule over the Cup, are the heavyweight representatives of Europe despite the absence of Euro champion Italy.

The ‘Golden Generation’ of Kevin de Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Luka Modric, and Ivan Perisic, who were two unexpected semifinalists in 2018, will once more be called upon to supplicate for another dream run.

While Brazil, led by Neymar, Gabriel Jesus, Casemiro, and Vinicius Junior, is rightfully considered the bookmakers’ favourite, Denmark, which has been on a tear since Christian Eriksen’s recovery from his near-fatal accident in Euro 2020, is capable of pulling off upsets.

Despite Sadio Mane’s last-minute injury absence, Hajime Moriyasu’s Japan and Cup of Nations champion Senegal are Asia and Africa’s best chances to make waves.

This winter’s World Cup has all the makings of another bestseller because FIFA will pay clubs £8500 per day for releasing players for the midseason craziness. In this game of geopolitical power, Qatar is betting heavily; the State-owned Qatar Sports Investment Fund works with players from numerous other World Cup-playing nations as well as Messi, Mbappe, and Neymar at PSG. Qatar is hoping to come out on top.