10/11/2022【Feature】Hierro: WC group winner and forecast analysis

Fernando Hierro - WC
Fernando Hierro is the best defender in the history of Real Madrid and Spanish football. He played 89 times for Spain and scored 29 goals. In addition to those club triumphs, he also appeared in 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2018 World Cup, and 1996 and 2000 Euro Championship for Spain.

Big guns to progress from group stage
With just three games in the group stage and two teams to qualify for the knockout rounds, it’s always important to get off to a good start or you risk being eliminated.

I can only see the Netherlands topping Group A and, with home advantage, I’m going for Qatar to cause an upset and finish runners-up, although it will be a real fight for second place with Ecuador and Senegal.  Senegal were crowned African champions earlier this year and will be aiming to go far here, too. Sadio Mane and Edouard Mendy, of course, their players to watch, but Sadio Mane is likely to miss due to injury, so I don’t they will have a run deep into this tournament.

England are clear favourites in Group B, where there are a lot of interesting matches with the United States, Wales and Iran also involved. As for England, well without a doubt they have a squad full of wonderful players who have already reached a World Cup semi-final and finished runners-up at the Euros. Jude Bellingham has been exceptional at Borussia Dortmund and he’ll be the one to watch for a side I believe has the potential to go far. It’s a close call, but I’m tipping the United States to advance.

And Brazil’s big rivals Argentina will continue their fantastic form by winning Group C, while Mexico will finish above Poland and Saudi Arabia to claim the runners-up spot.

I expect the defending champions France to find their form when it matters most, so they will qualify from Group D, alongside Denmark who really impressed me in getting to the semi-finals of the Euros last year, while Australia and Tunisia will exit.

My country Spain and Germany have been drawn together in Group E, so it’s two of the favourites playing off on Matchday Two. But I think both will be too strong for Japan and Costa Rica so will book their ticket to the last 16. Japan will play against Spain and I know they’re dynamic, good on the ball and have quality players, so I expect them to be dangerous.

Croatia have so much experience and have been a force on the world stage for many years. It will be Luka Modric’s last World Cup, so he’ll inspire them into the knockout rounds and I’m going for a surprise in second place in Group F, with the Belgians – along with Morocco – to be eliminated and Canada to progress.

The five-time champions Brazil should make it out of Group G without a problem, but it’s an interesting race for second place. Switzerland eliminated France at the Euros, so I think they have the quality to advance ahead of Cameroon and Serbia.

Finally, I can see Portugal and Uruguay taking the two spots from Group H, with Korea Republic and Ghana to go home early. I’m excited to watch Real Madrid player Federico Valverde because he’s been superb this season. Uruguay may not be among the favourites but they can always do something special. Son Heung Min will carry the weight of expectation for the Koreans and they too can cause a shock, as we saw when they beat Germany at the last World Cup.