FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar Predictions

Like many things in the world right now, COVID-19 has completely changed the name of the game for FIFA. It was a year of postponements, assessments and cancellations, and several teams actually went almost a year without a game. If you’re anything like us, you probably missed the game far more than you thought possible and you’re super keen to get back into it! 

With that in mind, it was music to our ears to hear that the World Cup 2022 has been given the green light. Coaching changes, FIFA statutes on player duality, nationality changes and stadiums without supporters will all undoubtedly change the feel of the competition, but we’re still just as excited as ever! Everyone at the Team Trips office is super confident and optimistic that the competition will go ahead as scheduled, so we thought it was time to start laying down our predictions.

GROUP A – Algeria, Burkina Faso, Niger, Djibouti

Group A might just be the easiest group to predict. That’s because it includes the current African champion, the best team in Africa when it comes to quality, technical skills, players and technical scheme. Algeria is led by coach Djamel Belmadi and appears to be one of the main favourites, regardless of who you ask. When you add in a team that consists of Riyad Mahrez, Sai Benrahma, Ismael Bennacer, Baghdad Bounedjah, Andy Delort and Sofiane Feghoui – it’s easy to see why too. 

QUALIFIED TO PLAY OFFS – ALGERIA 

GROUP B – Tunisia, Zambia, Mauritania, Equatorial Guinea 

Tunisia is our top pick for Group B, and we’d say it’s a pretty easy selection too. Although Zambia has a great youth squad and Mauritania is undoubtedly tough, that’s no denying that Tunisia is by far the best team. The Cartagena Eagles may not be as strong as they were decades ago, but recently have made good qualifying runs. 

QUALIFIED TO PLAY OFFS – TUNISIA 

GROUP C – Nigeria, Zambia, Mauritania, Equatorial Guinea

Everyone at Team Trips will be placing our bets on Nigeria. The team has performed solidly for the past two World Cups, despite not quite reaching the same level as they did in the 1990s. However, the new core of Nigerian players that will take the field this year brings back the joy of the 90s, and we’re confident this could be their ticket to success. From the mid-fielders to the goal scorers, we’re expecting some big things from Nigeria. 

QUALIFIED TO PLAY OFFS – NIGERIA 

GROUP D – Cameroun, Côte d’Ivoire, Mozambique, Malawi

This is where things get a little more exciting. As in 2006, the Indomitable Lions face the Elephants as the other two teams  can clinch points into this two team battle. If Cameroon lacks their usual quality, even with good players as Kunde, Zambo-Anguissa, Choupo-Moting and Ngamaleu they still have the weight of their tradition, the African team with most qualifications. But would that be enough? We think not. That’s because Côte d’Ivoire has one of the best generation since their famous team of the Touré brothers and Drogba, which reached three World Cups in a row and won 2015 African Nations Cup. 

QUALIFIED TO PLAY OFFS – COTE D’IVOIRE

GROUP E – Mali, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda

Group E is a level playing field if we’ve ever seen one. Rwanda is probably the weakest of the bunch, but there is definitely no formidable team that stands out from the rest. Mali is the most experienced of the selection, and for that reason we’re getting behind this team for our Group E tip. 

QUALIFIED TO PLAY OFFS – MALI 

GROUP F – Egypt, Gabon, Libya, Angola 

Group F would probably be another tough one to pick, but there is one factor that completely changes the game here – Mohamed Salah. Commonly referred to as the Pharaoh, this Egyptian player is the start about the rest that may put his team in line for a second World Cup. This player alone is enough for us to put Egypt as our prediction. 

QUALIFIED TO PLAY OFFS – EGYPT

GROUP G – Ghana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia

Anyone looking for some action? Group G is where you’ll want to be! We’re betting that this group could be a two-horse race among Ghana and South Africa. Our choice among the two is South Africa, which has a more talented and younger side than their competitors. 

QUALIFIED TO PLAY OFFS – SOUTH AFRICA 

GROUP H – Senegal, Congo, Namibia, Togo 

Senegal has overcome its drama of recent years to become an extremely favourite side. We’re picking that this team may not only go to play offs but could also qualify for 2022. They’ve got a tough defence, a good midfield and perhaps the best African player in the world today – Idrissa Gana Gueye. 

QUALIFIED TO PLAY OFFS – SENEGAL

GROUP I – Morocco, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Sudan

Morocco is a firm pick for Group I. With one of the best teams in Africa talent wide, it’ll be tough for the competitors to even make a splash in the water against them. That’s not to say it won’t be good watching though. Guinea and Sudan can both be tough teams away, so these will be matches to catch. 

QUALIFIED TO PLAY OFFS – MOROCCO

GROUP J – DR Congo, Benin, Madagascar, Tanzania 

Group J is pretty similar to Group E, in that it has three teams with pretty equal talent. DR Congo might have more talented players, but in the African Nations Cup, we saw that Benin can be a very good and extremely tough side to match. It’s their recent performance that is egging us on to lay a bold bet and get behind Benin. 

QUALIFIED TO PLAY OFFS – BENIN.