The previous 21 editions of the Fifa World Cup have seen as many as eight different champions. Will there be a ninth in the upcoming Qatar World Cup 2022? Let's take a look at five potential first-time winners who might upset the odds and lift the trophy come December 18 at Lusail Iconic Stadium:
Belgium
Time is running out for the Belgian golden generation. This is perhaps the last World Cup the likes of Kevin de Bruyne, Eden Hazard (both 31 years old), Thibaut Courtois (30) and Romelu Lukaku (29) will play together. How the Red Devils perform in Qatar will determine the future of manager Roberto Martinez. The Spaniard guided Belgium to third place in 2018, their best ever performance at a World Cup, but the fans' expectations were tampered at Euro 2021 where they lost to eventual champions Italy in the quarter-final. The influence of world-class players Courtois and De Bruyne however, can't be downplayed, and if Lukaku conquers fitness issues, and Hazard is back to his former brilliant self, Belgium can go far in the tournament.
Croatia
With a population of less than 4m, Croatia love to punch above its weight in major tournaments against the established powerhouses. The Croats' third place finish in 1998 and Davor Suker's goal-scoring exploits are already the stuff of folklore, while they went one better in 2018, reaching the final. Although they came up short against eventual world champions France, Croatia's midfield general Luka Modric was richly rewarded for his inspiring performances. Modric won the Ballon d'Or that year, first time since 2007 that neither Cristiano Ronaldo nor Lionel Messi bagged the award. If the evergreen Modric receives assistance from Ivan Perisic, Mateo Kovacic and Marcelo Brozovic, Zlatko Dalic's side may well make a deep run in the competition.
Denmark
Yugoslavia's pain was Denmark's gain after the former were banned from Euro 1992 as a result of the breakup of the country and the warfare there, and the Danes came in as their replacement. The rest, as they say, is history as unfancied Denmark clinched the Euros, scripting one of the most unlikeliest sporting achievements ever known to man. Denmark also have recent form on their side as they made the semi-final of the Euro 2021, only to fall short against hosts England. Midfield gem Christian Eriksen will be making an emotional appearance at the World Cup, after suffering a cardiac arrest on the field in Euro 2021. Besides Eriksen, the squad is oozing with experienced campaigners, namely Kasper Schmeichel, Pierre Emile Hojbjerg and Simon Kjaer, and it would be folly to write off Denmark's chances.
Netherlands
The Dutch may have invented “Total Football” but the greatest show on earth has not been kind to the Oranjes, who have always had flair in abundance. Germany and Argentina denied them in the 1974 and 1978 World Cup final – the prime years of their greatest ever footballer Johan Cruyff – while Andres Iniesta put paid to Dutch hopes in the 2010 final with his extra-time winner. Once the world's most expensive defender, Virgil van Dijk is at the heart of their defence, while attacking responsibilities lie with Frenkie de Jong and Memphis Depay. The authoritarian Louis van Gaal is in his third reign as Netherlands coach, having guided the Dutch to a third-place finish in 2014 in his second tenure. If anyone can inspire this Dutch side to glory, it is the towering Van Gaal.
Portugal
Fernando Santos' charges will get no better time to improve on their best ever performance at a World Cup – third in 1966. The Portuguese squad is replete with formidable talent in every department, with Ronaldo leading the line in his fifth World Cup, and 10th major tournament. The Manchester United forward is already one of the world's greatest ever players, and he can further enhance his reputation with World Cup success. Portugal won the Euro 2016 and 2019 Nations League titles recently, even then Santos has his critics who say he isn't adventurous enough with the attacking options at his disposal. Uruguay, Ghana and South Korea are all tough opponents in the group, and if the Portuguese advance, their talented side will take some stopping.
