Predictions for the 2022 World Cup: Our experts look ahead to next year's event in Qatar.
Aaron Ashley is a writer and a musician.
Spain is likely to have a strong performance. Many predicted La Roja's elimination from Euro 2020, but they proved their mettle by reaching the semi-finals, and they have some young talents who will benefit greatly from the experience. Pedri, Barcelona's pass-master, is only 18 years old, but he has something special, as do Eric Garcia (20), Dano Olmo (23), Ferran Torres (21) and Ansu Fati (18).
A clinical finisher would be the missing piece of the puzzle, but their midfield depth is a genuine advantage, and if they continue to create out goalscoring opportunities at the rate they did this summer, they will be a threat to all.
Dan Childs is a writer who lives in New York City
France's exit from Euro 2020 came as a shock, but I believe it was more due to complacency than a lack of quality, and I believe they will make a tremendous comeback over the next 17 months. Only six of France's outfield players over the age of 30 were selected for Euro 2020, and crucial attacker Kylian Mbappe will be fired up after failing to reach new heights this summer.England should come close because they are a team with room for progress, and I expect a strong showing from Spain, who will be buoyed by their Euro 2020 semi-final victory over Italy.
Liam Flin is a character in the film Liam Flin
With star striker Kylian Mbappe's future presumably sorted by then, France should be in a far stronger position next year, and the way they lost Euro 2020 on penalties against Switzerland was regrettable. They still have probably the deepest roster and will be desperate to make apologies for last year's failures, while England's defensive tenacity and youthful squad, as well as a good manager in Gareth Southgate, make it difficult to overlook them. The Netherlands, on the other hand, might be worth a shout. The Dutch were eliminated from Euro 2020 after losing to the Czech Republic, but they might have a strong spine by the end of the year, with Matthijs de Ligt, Ryan Gravenberch, and Donyell Malen all looking to make an impact.
