The 2022 FIFA World Cup began with some surprises when Saudi Arabia beats Argentina in one of the biggest upsets in tournament in the history. The teams of Belgium and Germany are failed to make in the knockout round.
Many suprises among teams remaining in the FIFA tournament. The eight countries still in contention for the World Cup, seven teams are ranked in top 12 of the FIFA rankings. The Morocco team is outside on the Top 20. The Moroccans have been one of the best teams in the tournament.
There is six teams remaining that is have a good chance to win the World Cup. The Croatia made it to the final in year 2018. This is the teams heading into fina in three rounds of the tournament.
8. MOROCCO
Next opponent: Portugal (Saturday, 10 a.m. ET / 7 a.m. PT)
On the number 8 slot is not a slight. It's a sign of depth of this quarterfinal field. Morocco features International stars. Morocco's presence as the first African team in the quarterfinals of a World Cup since Ghana in 2010 but it is well deserved.
7. CROATIA Next opponent: Brazil (Friday, 10 a.m. ET / 7 a.m. PT)
On the 7th slot. The same core players powered Croatia's run to the World Cup final in a 2018 tournament run. Mateo Kovacic and Luka Modric are phenomenal in midfield adn having Ivan Perisic is on of the best wingers in the past World Cups. The Croatians not going easy out against the Brazil on Friday.
6. THE NETHERLANDS
Next opponent: Argentina (Friday, 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT)
The Dutch dispatched the United States team in the Round of 16 matchwith two goals in first half. Denzel Dumfries is one of the best attacking fullbacks in the world and Gakpo will be playing in the Europe's biggest league soon after scoring three goals in stage.
5. PORTUGAL
Next opponent: Morocco (Saturday, 10 a.m. ET / 7 a.m. PT)
Portugal looked dominant against Switzerland with Ronaldo on the bench. The Portugal team stacked with talent. After all there is no place from starting 11 for a 23 year old Rafael Leao as a winger on Portugal team. He scored seven goals and assisting in 20 appearances for AC Milan this year.
4. ARGENTINA
Next opponent: Netherlands (Friday, 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT)
Lionel Messi remains as the key part of the Argentina attack as Julian Alvarez taken starting role up and Martinez and Di Maria starting games on bench. Argentina win streak is now three instead of 35, the team is capable of beating anyone in the FIFA tournament as long as Lionel Messi is on the field.
3. ENGLAND
Next opponent: France (Saturday, 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT)
England has ditched a three-man central defense and it has paid off in the form of a combined nine goals against Iran and Senegal. There’s a lot of interchangeability up front on either side of Harry Kane as well. Saturday’s game between the English and French could be the game of the tournament.
2. FRANCE
Next opponent: England (Saturday, 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT)
Kylian Mbappe has been the attacker of the tournament while Antoine Griezmann has slotted seamlessly into an attacking midfield role ahead of a duo of Adrien Rabiot and Aurelien Tchouameni that has been excellent in place of Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante.
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