The 2022 FIFA World Cup is right around the corner. Last Word on Football has decided to examine every group, assessing the team’s chances. Who will reach the knockout stage from Group H?
2022 FIFA World Cup Group H Predictions
Official. Portugal squad for 2022 World Cup. 🚨🇵🇹 #WorldCup2022 pic.twitter.com/daOKomCW9X
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 10, 2022
Portugal’s Tremendous Squad Enough to Top the Group
On paper, Portugal is undoubtedly the strongest team in the group, but they often fail to come together as a team, notably missing out on the 2023 Nations League Finals at the last hurdle. Also, the Portuguese failed to make it far at the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020. In fairness, they notably won the 2019 Nations League.
Portugal often had to face strong teams, but they should still be able to do better. That said, they should be able to top the group ahead of Uruguay, with Ghana and South Korea competing for minor placings.
Uruguay’s manager Diego Alonso has done better for his side than Fernando Santos has recently done for Portugal. This means Uruguay also have a real chance to win the group. However, the Portuguese should be favoured over Uruguay heading into the World Cup. The main reason is that Portugal’s squad, and its depth, is superb.
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Uruguay Should Finish in Second
Since 2010 onward, Uruguay have always done well at the World Cup group stage. However, all trends end at some point. A thing that doesn’t bode well for Uruguay is that a lot of their key players are getting old, even though La Celeste does have some good young players.
Nevertheless, Uruguay should still be able to finish ahead of Ghana and South Korea, given the South American side’s superior squad and performances, excluding the notable hick-up against Iran in a recent friendly.
Ghana or South Korea could shock the Uruguayans, so it’s by no means set and done, but La Celeste should still be favoured heading into the World Cup.
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Son Heung-min's World Cup look 😎 pic.twitter.com/qAWpCRMfR7
— GOAL (@goal) November 16, 2022
There Are Fair Cases for Both Ghana and South Korea
Distinguishing between Ghana and South Korea is tricky. Contrastingly, Ghana seemingly have a stronger squad on paper, while South Korea have a much higher Elo rating.
The thing that brings the Koreans over the edge is that they are in somewhat better form heading into the competition, not to mention possessing the talismanic Son Heung-min.
Last Word on Football recognise the human rights abuses and instances of corruption taking place throughout Qatar and in the background of the World Cup. Learn more about some of the issues surrounding the World Cup here.
