World Cup 2022: Group G Preview
Neymar has achieved much in his vaunted, roller-coaster career, but World Cup glory has evaded him. Is this his and #1 Brazil's time to ascend yet again, at long last?
Brazil
FIFA Rank: #1
Qualified as: 1st place in CONMEBOL
The Skinny
It’s hard to believe, but the nation arguably most synonymous with football hasn’t lifted the Jules Rimet trophy in 20 years. What’s more, the only time since 2002 that they even progressed past the quarterfinals was on home soil 8 years ago, and I don’t think I need to remind you what happened then. However, hopes are as high for the Selecão coming into this tournament as they have been in since the halcyon days of Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. Under manager Tite, they’ve rediscovered the balance between attacking flair and defensive prowess, claimed multiple Cópa America crowns, dominated CONMEBOL in World Cup qualifying, and returned to the top of the FIFA World Rankings. Destiny may be on their side as well: the only other World Cup before this to be played in an Asian nation(s)? 2002, wherein they won their record 5th title.
The Best XI
Brazil is often blessed with attacking talent but that is true to an absurd extent this time, so much so that there was no room for the likes of Roberto Firmino, Willian or Philippe Coutinho. It would be hard to fault Tite for whatever permutation of attackers he chooses to roll with, but the strongest possible, in my opinion, would be their golden boy Neymar flanked by Real Madrid teammates Vinicius and Rodrygo. At the back, former PSG teammates Marquinhos and Thiago Silva form a veteran CB pairing to only further bolster Liverpool’s Alisson, arguably the most talented keeper in the world (assuming he gets the nod over Manchester City’s Ederson, also considered one of the best in the World). If there’s a weakness in Brazil’s squad, it’s in the midfield, where they will be hoping Fabinho (Liverpool) and Casemiro (Manchester United), both once considered the best defensive midfielders on the planet, can rediscover their pre-2022 form.
Serbia
FIFA Rank: #21
Qualified as: 1st place in UEFA Group A
The Skinny
Some 7 years ago Serbia’s U-20 team shocked the World by claiming the youth World Cup title. After multiple missed Euro Cups and a group stage exit at the last World Cup, The Eagles may finally be poised to see that promising generation make good on their potential. They won their qualifying group, one that included Portugal and Ireland, with surprising ease and boasting a roster full of players across Europe’s top leagues, are a trendy pick to make a surprise run in the final tournament as well.
The Best XI
There’s really no formation that perfectly makes use of 3 different big, bruising, goalscoring machines at striker, as Serbia has the luxury of, but this lineup can at least utilize two of them in Fulham’s Alexandr Mitrović and Juventus' Dušan Vlahović. It helps that this would enable them to be supported in attack by captain and Ajax star Dušan Tadiç. Other roster standouts include Sevilla's Nemanja Gudelj, Lazio's Sergej Milnković-Savić, and Werder Bremen's Miloš veljković, all members of that u-20 team.
Switzerland
FIFA Rank: #15
Qualified as: 1st place in UEFA Group C
The Skinny
A consistent presence in major tournaments, Switzerland have made a habit of doing enough in the group stage to make the knockout stages, and then do nothing further, leading many fine people to call them “The European Mexico.” That said, Nati took a big chunk out of that reputation with their stunning upset of world champions France in last summer’s Euro Cup, after which only a penalty shootout against Spain prevented them from reaching the semifinals. The Swiss are an aging squad, but one with proven talent, and they’ve sent a message that they will be a tough out for any team in this Cup.
The Best XI
As mentioned above, veterans make up the bulk of this team. Forward tandem Breel Embolo and Haris Seferovic of Monaco and Galatasaray, Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka and Nottingham’s Remo Freuler, defenders Ricardo Rodriguez (Torino), center-backs Manuel Akanji (Manchester City) and Fabian Schär (Newcastle), and stud keeper Yann Sommer (Borussia Mönchengladbach) are all standouts from tournaments past that can be expected to be featured heavily in this tournament as well.
Cameroon
FIFA Rank: #43
Qualified as: Drew Algeria 2-2 on agg. in CAF Third Round, advanced on away goals (1-0)
The Skinny
It’s not often that Cameroon qualifying for the World Cup could be considered an “upset,” but this is far from the strongest generation of Cameroon sides, and their matchup against 2019 African champions (and the highest-ranked side in the continent) Algeria saw them heavy underdogs. But Karl Toko Ekambi’s late heroics saw the Indomitable Lions into Qatar, and though they will have an uphill battle in a very tough group, one of the most consistent African sides can never be fully counted out.
The Best XI
More than likely, veteran captain Vincent Aboubakar will start at striker, but on sheer talent alone, I actually think Cameroon should roll with a front three of Bayern Munich’s Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting, Brentford's Bryan Mbuemo, and Dynamo Moscow's Moumi Ngamaleu. Inter Milan's Andre Onana is one of the better keepers in this tournament, and he’ll be relying on Nantes' Jean-Charles Castalletto and Udinese's Enzo Ebosse to hold things down in front of him.
Group Prediction
This group dynamic is similar to Argentina's Group C. Brazil will almost surely win, and Cameroon will almost surely get last. But Serbia-Switzerland will be an epic battle for 2nd place, an exciting matchup between experience and talent. Considering the Swiss eliminated them from the last tournament, I’d go with Serbia and the revenge factor this time around.
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