A month for Qatar, a snapshot:
Fifth House: Spain, Germany, Costa Rica, Japan
Spain:
Where it stands:
First in the Nations League, with a ticket to the playoffs, and still not the most convincing.
In the last international window, they lost at home to Switzerland and beat Portugal away, and it seems that Luis Enrique is still trying to get the best out of his squad.
Until the World Cup, she has one preparation game against Jordan.
Reasons for concern:
Absence of stars.
The Spanish squad consists of many very good players, but it is difficult to put a finger on the two players who should carry it forward.
The experienced Sergio Busquets is on the wane, Pedri and Gabi are still young, and Alvaro Morata is as stable as a parasol when there are easterly winds.
Reasons for optimism:
Borja Iglesias, Enso Fati (when fit), Nico Williams - Luis Enrique has many options to pull a rabbit out of the hat.
Spain team.
Many names, few stars, photo: EPA
Germany:
Where she stands:
indifferent to the situation.
A loss to Hungary and a 3:3 draw against England in the last international window revealed some of the problems facing Hansie Flick's team - defensively and in the forward position - but it is hard to say that the Germans are panicking.
They trust their coach and believe that at the moment of truth everything will be fine.
In mid-November, Mansheft is waiting for a final preparatory game against Oman.
Reasons for concern:
Leroy Sane's injury.
The Bayern Munich midfielder was at his peak before he pulled a muscle in the win over Freiburg, and if it's something serious it will be a blow for Germany.
Reasons for optimism:
Hansie Flick and Bayern Munich.
The coach builds a team that is based on the champion he coached, and it's always good that a team plays like a team.
Costa Rica:
Where she stands:
slowly progressing.
The last team to secure its place in the tournament thanks to a 0:1 over New Zealand showed a good ability in the last two training games that ended with a 2:2 against South Korea and a 1:2 victory over Uzbekistan with two goals in extra time.
Until the World Cup, the Ticos will meet Nigeria and Iraq.
Reasons for concern:
Brakeman Orlando Gallo, the car's player, tested positive for banned substances and may be suspended from the tournament.
Reasons for optimism:
Keylor Navas.
Still here, still the star, determined to prove himself in the World Cup once more.
Japan:
Where she stands:
Satisfied with herself after 0:2 against the USA and a 0:0 draw against Ecuador in the last preparation games. The team played well, mainly defensively, and until the World Cup they have one more preparation game against Canada waiting for them. Coach Jima Moriasu has a wide and diverse squad And choosing the 26 players will not be easy.
Reasons for concern:
Moriasu is a bit fixed.
The Japanese commentators claim that he is too stubborn with the selection of the team and the formation and that it is time for him to give the reins to players like Daichi Kamada who is having an excellent season in Eintracht Frankfurt but is still a bench player for the Samurai.
Reasons for optimism:
the Japanese defense.
Conceded only four goals in the last qualifying stage and kept a clean sheet in the last five games.
House V: Belgium, Croatia, Morocco, Canada
Belgium:
Where she stands:
Trying not to develop expectations.
A 1:2 victory over Wales and a 0:1 loss to the Netherlands in the last window made it clear that Roberto Martinez's team has talent, but at the same time it also has a lot of weak points that may hurt it during the tournament.
Before the start of the tournament, you will meet Iraq and Egypt for preparatory games.
Reasons for concern:
there are quite a few.
The aging defense that still consists of Mortongen and Alderweireld, the fact that Eden Hazard does not play at all for Real Madrid, and the nagging injuries of Romulo Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois.
Reasons for optimism:
Kevin de Bruyne.
De Bruyne.
The anchor of Belgium, photo: Getty Images
Croatia:
Where it stands:
engine warmer.
It was not easy for the Croatians to carry the weight of "runner-up of the world" immediately after the World Cup in Russia, but in the Nations League, the team of Zlatko Dalić defeated Austria and Denmark and before that the Danes and France and secured its place in the Nations League playoffs.
Before the World Cup, there will be a preparatory match against Saudi Arabia.
Reasons for concern:
Marcelo Brozovic should be eligible for the World Cup, but it is unclear what his fitness will be.
As Inter discovered in the flesh - with him and without him are two different things.
Reasons for optimism:
It is not clear how, but Luka Modric is as good today as he was in 2018.
And maybe even more.
Modric.
Getting better over the years, photo: AFP
Morocco:
Where she stands
:
rebuilding herself.
The Bosnian coach Vahid Haliludzic left, Walid Regargi arrived.
Hakim Zaish and Nussier Mazrawi were called up after about six months outside, and the two preparatory games in September ended with 0:2 against Chile and 0:0 against Paraguay.
With a good and balanced squad, Morocco aims to be the surprise of the World Cup.
Reasons for concern
:
the schedule of games.
Morocco usually starts the World Cups badly and wakes up only in the third game.
This time she starts against Croatia and Belgium, and she must get points right from the start.
Reasons for optimism
:
Yassin Bono, Ashraf Hakimi, Mazrawi, Zaish, A-Nasiri - a team full of names and talent.
Canada:
Where she stands:
trying to get into proportion.
She felt in the clouds after a series of good results in the qualifiers and in the warm-up game against Qatar, but then came a 0:2 loss to Uruguay and made it clear to coach John Hardman that the gap from the top of the world is still big.
"We learned in this game that against teams like this you don't get gifts, you have to know how to take them." Until their first World Cup in 36 years, the Canadians will have two warm-up games to learn from: against Japan and Bahrain.
Reasons for concern:
Canada has played against a European team only once since 2017 (losing to Iceland in 2020) and only once since 2014 against a South American team (last loss to Uruguay).
The last meeting against an African ended in a 0:4 loss to Morocco in 2016, so the World Cup will be a very new world for her.
Reasons for optimism:
Alphonso Davis is a true superstar and in great shape.
Kyle Larin and Jonathan David on the edge can threaten any early home defense.
House 7: Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon
Brazil:
Where she stands:
High above them all, a top contender for the win.
It's not just that the agencies go with Chicha's team - she finished first in the South American house without a loss and almost without absorptions.
It has great goalkeepers, a solid defense, a strong link and an attack that maddens the senses.
Even the news of Richarlison's absence turned out to be wrong, and he should be fit.
In the last two preparatory games, she gave 3 to Ghana and 5 to Tunisia only because it was not pleasant and everyone should be shared.
Reasons for concern:
history mainly.
Brazil has not won the title since 2002 and in the years since then it has been carrying traumas and scars.
One of Chicha's main goals will be to keep everyone sane and calm, without tears and affairs.
Reasons for optimism:
many.
diverse
Attacks.
Neymar and the friends to Brazil.
The top candidates for the win, photo: AFP
Serbia:
Where she stands:
ready and invited.
Finished first at home in Tier B of the Nations League, defeated Sweden, beat Norway, showcased a brilliant squad that includes players like Mitrovic, Vlahovic, Tadic, Kostic and more.
Until the World Cup, she has a warm-up match against Bahrain.
Reasons for concern: the
expectations.
In the eyes of many, Serbia is the main candidate to surprise Qatar, pass the group stage for the first time in its history and go far, but history proves that it usually struggles in the tournament.
This time she opens against Brazil, and that could bring her down quickly.
Reasons for optimism:
Alexander Mitrovich.
A weapon that can damage any team and in any situation.
is in top form.
Switzerland:
Where she stands:
Determined to silence everyone again.
The one who eliminated the world champion France from the Euros and then advanced to the World Cup by beating the European champion Italy wants to record a significant achievement also in the World Cup in Qatar - its fifth in a row.
The victories over Spain and the Czech Republic in the last international window proved that she is capable of a lot, when before the World Cup she will meet Ghana for a final preparation game.
Reasons for concern:
Xherdan Shaqiri, who has scored in the last four major tournaments (Euro 2016 and 2020 and World Cup 2014 and 2018) is far from his prime and is playing in MLS.
Reasons for optimism:
Granit Xhaka who rediscovered himself at Arsenal.
vault:
Where it stands:
The dramatic qualification for the World Cup thanks to a 122nd-minute goal by Carl Toko Akambi against Algeria is long forgotten.
Cameroon has looked bad since then and the lowest point was a 0:2 loss to Uzbekistan in September.
Two warm-up games against Jamaica and Panama in November are becoming important in the search for security.
Reasons for concern:
Andre Frank Zambo Angisa's injury.
The midfielder started the season in Napoli in a wonderful way, but was injured in the Champions League match against Ajax and it is not yet known when he will return.
His competence is essential to Cameron's chances of success.
Reasons for optimism:
Eric Maxim Chopo Moting.
With Vincent Aboubakar playing in Saudi Arabia and Toku Akambi without a goal for over a month in a Lyon uniform, the Bayern Munich striker's breakthrough could be significant for Rigobert Song's side.
Group H: Portugal, Uruguay, Ghana, South Korea
Portugal:
Where she stands:
injured.
Diogo Jota will miss the tournament following the injury against Manchester City, as well as Pedro Neto who was injured in the Wolves uniform.
In the last match of the Nations League, Portugal lost to Spain 0:1 and lost first place at home.
The meeting against the Spaniards was the last in which Cristiano Ronaldo played 90 minutes.
Fernando Santos' team has one warm-up game against Nigeria.
Reasons for concern:
Cristiano Ronaldo.
Fernando Santos remains faithful to his star, but at the age of 37 and without playing minutes at United this is not necessarily a good thing.
Reasons for optimism:
Cristiano Ronaldo.
This is likely to be the last World Cup for the Portuguese star, and he will likely do everything to leave his mark.
Ronaldo.
Will he be able to do something in what appears to be his last World Cup?, Photo: AFP
Uruguay:
Where it stands:
at the dawn of a new era.
After years under Washington Tavares, the Celeste passed into the hands of Diego Alonso and successfully managed a qualifying campaign that started with a limp.
Under the new coach, Uruguay looks fresher despite a 0:1 loss to Iran in the September preparatory games, followed by a 0:2 victory over Canada.
Reasons for concern:
Ronald Araujo's injury.
The Barcelona stopper has been the best thing to happen to Uruguay's backline in recent times, but he will miss the tournament.
Once again the burden will fall on Jose Maria Jimenez and the more veterans Martin Caceres, Sebastian Cuestas and even Diego Godin.
Reasons for optimism:
Federico Valverde.
There have always been great strikers, and there are also this time, for the team from South America.
This time she also has a contact on, at the peak of her fitness, ready to shine on the biggest stage in the world.
Valverde.
Ready for the biggest stage of all, photo: EPA
Ghana:
Where it stands:
in the process of construction.
The association's decision to naturalize players with Ghanaian roots brought to the team a series of European players from the top leagues but also meant that a few months before the start of the tournament, Ghana had to rebuild itself.
It looked bad in the first half of the warm-up game against Brazil, but the rest was better and was followed by a 0:1 victory over Nicaragua.
Reasons for concern:
Richard Ofori's injury.
This Ghana is not full of good goalkeepers, and Ofori - the first goalkeeper and a very important personality in the dressing room - was injured last week in the Orlando Pirates uniform and is in doubt.
Reasons for optimism:
the surprise effect.
Ghana is coming to a new, different tournament, with high level players and without anyone - including herself - knowing what she is capable of.
With players like Mohamed Kodos, Ineki Williams, Thomas Partey and the Ayew brothers, she is certainly capable of surprising.
South Korea:
Where she stands:
Where Yong Min Sun stands.
It is doubtful if there is a team that depends so much on one star as that of Paolo Bento on the player of Tottenham, and according to the last two preparatory games against Costa Rica and Cameroon - in both of which Son scored - the situation is not bad.
Reasons for concern:
lack of additional personnel.
Apart from Son, only one player has scored more than one goal in the qualifiers, and that is Kun Chang Hwan with two.
Paolo Bento prioritizes defensive confidence over offensive adventurism, leaving everything at Son's feet.
Cora would like to see more of Lee Kang-in from Majorca, but he rarely plays for the national team.
Reasons for optimism:
the defense.
With Napoli's Keen Min Jae at center, South Korea will be very hard to beat.
Son.
South Korea relies on the Tottenham star, photo: AFP
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