The World Cup is finally here, the greatest competition has rolled around again!
Is this the Last Run for Belgium's Golden Generation?
Eden Hazard, Thibo Courtois, Alex Witsel, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Toby Alderweireld, and Jan Vertonghen are the core of The Red Devils famed Goden Generation that has led their nation's team to new heights. In 2014 and 2018 Belgium finished in 6th and 3rd place respectively after failing to qualify in the two previous World Cup cycles. In 2018, Belgium lost to the eventual winners France in the semifinals but went on to win the 3rd place game against England, that was their highest finish ever in the tournament. Now in 2022 this Belgum squad infused with some young talent is looking to break through and win their first ever-major tournament. It won't be easy, Eden Hazard has not seen much game time for Real Madrid, and Romelu Lukaku is coming off an injury, but there is still enough talent for Belgium to make a push deep into the tournament. Belgium play Canada, Morocco and Croatia in their group, they would probably be the favorites to make it out of Group F on top.
Unfortunately, this may be the last we see of that Golden Generation still intact; all of those players will be well into their 30s by the time the World Cup rolls around in 2026 in Mexico, Canada, and the United States.
Megastars Playing in their last World Cup
Every World Cup we see some of our favorite footballers walk off the international pitch for the last time, this World Cup will be no different. At the top of the list are none other than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. At the age of 35 and 37 this will be their fifth World Cup they join Mexico's Antonio Carbajal and Rafa Marquez, along with Germany's Lothar Matthaus as the only players to go to and play in five World Cups. Italy's Gigi Buffon was in the squad for five World Cups, but only played in four of them. Messi and Ronaldo are the world's biggest footballers and it's strange to think we may not see them again in this competition. Maybe the Football Gods will give us an Argentina Portugal final, and we can see the two best players of this generation face off for a chance to win their first World Cup.
The Welsh forward Gareth Bale is 33 years old this year and if Wales again qualify for the World Cup in 2026, he would be 37, maybe this year in Qatar is the last time we see the speedy lefty Welshman. If this is the last time we see him, Bale is fit and 100% ready to cause havoc against the other teams in Group B.
Brazil's elite trio of Thiago Silva (38), Neymar Jr. (30) and Dani Alves (39) will likely be playing in their last World Cup. With the two defenders pushing 40, a football fan would be wise to watch closely two of this generation's best as they face off against Serbia, Switzerland, and Cameroon. Neymar Jr. is almost a decade younger than the two defenders, but he has hinted that this could possibly be his last World Cup. If this is the end, then this trio's sustained greatness will be missed.
Hugo Lloris is playing in his fourth World Cup for France, the 35-year-old keeper is looking to win his second World Cup after France won in 2018. At the next World Cup Lloris would be 39, so it's not out of the question that we could see Lloris on this stage for France once again. Lloris and France face Australia, Denmark, and Tunisia in their group games.
Poland's super striker Robert Lewandowski now plays for Barcelona after his previous eight years with Bayern Munich. 2022 will be Lewandowski's second World Cup and maybe his last at the age of 34. In 2026 in North America Lewandowski will be 38 and if I had to guess, Lewandowski might still be scoring goals at a high level, so maybe this won't be his last World Cup. If this is the end, then Poland will be looking to make a push into the knockout stage after securing advancement against Argentina, Saudi Arabia, and Mexico in group C.
Germany has a duo from their 2014 World Cup winning squad in forward, Thomas Muller and goalie, Manuel Neuer. The pair are looking to win their second World Cup after reaching World Cup glory back in 2014 in Brazil, the same year they defeated the host nation by the largest margin 7-1. The 33-year-old Muller and 36-year-old Neuer are the backbone of a German National team that is mixed with youth and experience.
Last, but certainly not least is the Croatian Magician Luka Modric, the only man not named Ronaldo or Messi to win the Ballon d'Or award from 2008 to 2021. Croatia's captain and No.10 is 37-year-old and after leading his team to 2018 final he hopes to have a better outcome for his nation's football team. If this is the last we get to see of Modric at the international stage then it has truly been a pleasure to witness his greatness with a right foot kissed by the football Gods.
Major Injuries & Missing stars
Unfortunately, at every World Cup someone misses out due to injury, that childhood dream of representing their nation on this stage is gone. For some that opportunity will roll around in the next cycle, but for others they may never have a chance to reach this stage again. Some who weren't on the squad list this year miss out on a chance to play in their final World Cup. This year the injured players list is larger than normal with the World Cup being in the middle of the club regular season, and each day it seems to grow. Usually, the player missing is a starter for their nation, but this World Cup it's a who's who's of missing stars and starters, their talent will be missed this winter. Seriously it's BAD out here we have superstars and elite players who aren't fit to step on the pitch this winter for their nation in Qatar.
At the top of the injured list is France with missing midfielders Paul Pogba and Ngolo Kante and defenders Presnel Kimpembe and Wesley Fofona. The two midfielders were stars for France when they won the World Cup in 2018. We can add Karim Benzema to that list as he picked up a thigh injury the day before the World Cup kicks off.
England are missing arguably their two best fullbacks in Recce James and Ben Chilwell two losses that my Chelsea Blues have felt dearly this season.
Sadio Mane for Senegal is a huge loss, as Senegal just won the Africa Cup of Nations and were looking to make a push deep into the tournament. Mane was included in the original 26-man roster and gave it a shot to be fit for the tournament but was removed due to an injury he suffered a few weeks before with his club team Bayern Munich.
The USA National team is missing two of their center backs in Chris Richards and Miles Robinson, one of the two would have likely been starting alongside Walker Zimmerman on defense.
Portugal will miss their winger Diogo Jota and his loss will be felt even with Portugal's abundance of attacking talent.
Germany is without one of their strikers Timo Werner who picked up a late injury just before the players left for the World Cup.
There were some talented players left at home by World Cup coaching staffs, and at the top of that list you would have to say Spain made the biggest splash with their 26-man squad announcement.
Sergio Ramos, Spain's captain, missed out on a chance to play at his fifth and final World Cup after working back from injury. David De Gea, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Thiago Alcantara, and Gerard Moreno highlight a group of players who could have been included in this Spanish national team roster especially with the addition three roster spots.
England left Fikayo Tomori maybe their best central defender and Ivan Toney their second-best striker at home. Tomori was part of a Serie A winning side AC Milan and his play had fans on social media demanding a call up that did not come. The sad part is Tomori could've represented either Nigeria through his parents' lineage or Canada through his birth nation and if he chose to represent one of those nations he would've been on the plane and preparing for his first match. Toney is a top scorer in the Premier League and his ability to make penalty kicks could be useful since England lost Euro 2020 to Italy due to missed penalties.
Defender Gabriel Magalhaes for Brazil did not make the World Cup roster alongside fan favorite forward Roberto 'Bobby' Firmino. Gabriel is part of Premier League leaders Arsenal and his omission from the Brazil squad came as a surprise to fans and pundits.
Even with all of those players injured or left at home the World Cup is shaping up to be a fantastic contest with great storylines. Will Messi or Ronaldo finally reach World Cup glory? Is this the final run for Belgium Golden Generation? Which teams will flop, which will fly? Can the USA finally get past the quarterfinals? Will France repeat as world champions? So much to watch, so much football to enjoy! Sit back and enjoy this month-long football festival!
Can't Miss Matches!
USA vs Wales 2:00pm EST on 11/21
Belgium vs Canada 2:00pm EST on 11/23
USA vs England 2:00pm EST on 11/25
France vs Denmark 11:00am EST on 11/26
Argentina vs Mexico 2:00pm EST on 11/26
Spain vs Germany 2:00pm EST on 11/27
Portugal vs Uruguay 2:00pm EST on 11/28
USA vs Iran 2:00pm EST on 11/29
Portugal vs south Korea 10:00am EST on 12/2
Brazil vs Cameroon 2:00pm EST on 12/2
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