Whether it’s Opta, or practically any other data company, there’s a strong presumption that Brazil will win the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
In order to do so, Brazil will have to navigate a tricky Group G.
Switzerland proved it can upset giants after eliminating reigning world champions France at Euro 2020 last summer before taking Spain to penalties in the quarterfinals. Serbia will be equally tough with several in-form players entering the tournament. Plus Cameroon can’t be underestimated after reaching the semifinals at the African Cup of Nations earlier this year.
GROUP G SCHEDULE
Nov. 24: Switzerland vs. Cameroon (5 a.m. ET)
Nov. 24: Brazil vs. Serbia (2 p.m. ET)
Nov. 28: Cameroon vs. Serbia (5 a.m. ET)
Nov. 28: Brazil vs. Switzerland (11 a.m. ET)
Dec. 2: Serbia vs. Switzerland (2 p.m. ET)
Dec. 2: Cameroon vs. Brazil (2 p.m. ET)
THE TEAMS
BRAZIL
FIFA world ranking: 1
Top scorer in qualifying: Neymar (8 goals)
Odds to win the World Cup: +211 (via Sports Interaction)
Odds to win the group: -314
Previous World Cup appearances: 21
Best showing: Winners (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002)
2018 World Cup: Quarterfinals
Manager: Tite
Probable formation: 4-4-2
Probable starting XI: Alisson (Liverpool) — Eder Militao (Real Madrid), Thiago Silva (Chelsea), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Alex Telles (Sevilla) — Raphinha (Barcelona), Casemiro (Manchester United), Fred (Manchester United), Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid) — Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain), Richarlison (Tottenham).
The Big Question: Will Brazil’s dominant qualifying campaign translate to success at the World Cup?
The Pulse: There’s only one option for Brazil: win the whole thing. Anything less is seen as a bitter disappointment, especially after losing in the quarterfinals in 2018, and to fierce rival Argentina in the 2021 Copa América final.
The X-factor: The Fred-Casemiro double pivot. The duo have been a go-to partnership for Tite throughout qualifying. Fred is given freedom to push forward, with a full-back (usually the right-back) pushing inside next to Casemiro to form a midfield trio of sorts for added protection.
But both players have worked well defensively against more demanding sides, so there’s lots of flexibility and they’ll be key to Brazil’s chances of progressing deep into the knockout stage.
The Breakout Candidate: Vinicius Junior. It’s strange to call a European Cup winner and two-time La Liga champion a breakout candidate as we’ve seen the 22-year-old play the hero role in big matches for Real Madrid. He scored in the 2022 Champions League final and bagged 22 goals in 52 matches across all competitions for Madrid last year. But now it’s time to bring that same energy for the Selecao.
SERBIA
FIFA world ranking: 21
Top scorer in qualifying: Aleksandar Mitrovic (eight goals)
Odds to win the World Cup: +4,852 (via Sports Interaction)
Odds to win the group: +597
Previous World Cup appearances: 11 (as part of Yugoslavia)
Best showing: Fourth place (1930 and 1962, as part of Yugoslavia)
2018 World Cup: Group stage
Manager: Dragan Stojkovic
Probable formation: 3-4-3
Probable starting XI: Vanja Milinkovic-Savic (Torino); Nikola Milenkovic (Fiorentina), Milos Veljkovic (Werder Bremen), Strahinja Pavlovic (Red Bull Salzburg); Andrija Zivkovic (PAOK), Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Lazio), Sasa Lukic (Torino), Filip Kostic (Juventus); Dusan Vlahovic (Juventus), Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fulham).
The Big Question: Can Serbia parlay all of this mainly Italian-based squad into its first knockout stage appearance since gaining independence?
The Pulse: If 2018 was a practice exam for Serbia, then 2022 is the real test. Players like Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Nikola Milenkovic are four years wiser and although it is a tough group, there’ll be a sense of disappointment if the Serbians don’t advance to the Round of 16 given the attacking talent and sturdy defence.
The X-factor: Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. There were high expectations for Milinkovic-Savic in 2018 and he failed to live up to them. However, he enters this World Cup in tremendous form for Lazio so he’s in prime position to right some of those wrongs from four years ago.
The Breakout Candidate: Dusan Vlahovic. All eyes are on Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrovic but it’s easy to forget that Vlahovic is a top-tier striker in his own right. He has eight goals and three assists in 16 caps for Serbia, plus he’s still managed six goals for Juventus during a disastrous campaign for the club.
SWITZERLAND
FIFA world ranking: 15
Top scorer in qualifying: Breel Embolo (3 goals)
Odds to win the World Cup: +5,970 (via Sports Interaction)
Odds to win the group: +515
Previous World Cup appearances: 11
Best showing: Quarterfinals (1934, 1938 and 1954)
2018 World Cup: Round of 16
Manager: Murat Yakin
Probable formation: 4-2-3-1
Probable starting XI: Yann Sommer (Borussia Monchengladbach) — Silvan Widmer (Mainz 05), Manuel Akanji (Manchester City), Nico Elvedi (Borussia Monchengladbach), Ricardo Rodriguez (Torino) — Remo Freuler (Nottingham Forest), Granit Xhaka (Arsenal) — Xherdan Shaqiri (Chicago Fire), Djibril Sow (Eintracht Frankfurt), Ruben Vargas (Augsburg) — Breel Embolo (Monaco).
The Big Question: Can Switzerland repeat their Euro 2020 form and reach their first World Cup quarterfinal since 1954?
The Pulse: Switzerland has slowly morphed from a tournament regular to a near-lock to reach the knockout stage. After knocking out France at the Euros, fans are optimistic that a place in the final eight is within reach in Qatar.
The X-factor: Yann Sommer. The hero in the penalty shootout vs. France will be crucial to Switzerland’s success and he’s already warmed up. Sommer is saving 3.7 goals above expected in the Bundesliga this season, per FBRef.com, which is tied for first with Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer.
The Breakout Candidate: Noah Okafor. The RB Salzburg striker has reportedly attracted the interest of Europe’s biggest clubs after scoring three goals in six Champions League matches to go with his seven in 14 league games. Breel Embolo might be the current starter but Okafor will be a dynamo in relief.
CAMEROON
FIFA world ranking: 43
Top scorer in qualifying: Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Karl Toko Ekambi (2 goals)
Odds to win the World Cup: +15,300 (via Sports Interaction)
Odds to win the group: +1,700
Previous World Cup appearances: Seven
Best showing: Quarterfinals in 1990
2018 World Cup: Did not qualify
Manager: Rigobert Song
Probable formation: 4-4-2
Probable starting XI: Andre Onana (Inter Milan) — Collins Fai (Al-Tai), Jean-Charles Castelletto (Nantes), Nicolas Nkoulou (Aris), Nouhou Tolo (Seattle Sounders) — Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford), Andre-Franck Zambo Anguissa (Napoli), Samuel Oum — Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (Bayern Munich), Vincent Aboubakar (Al-Nassr).
The Big Question: Will Cameroon’s marquee players guide them through a difficult, if not balanced, group?
The Pulse: Samuel Eto’o, the president of the Cameroonian federation, has tipped his country to reach the World Cup final. Those are some high expectations with Cameroon being drawn into one of the toughest groups in the tournament.
The X-factor: Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting. The 33-year-old has locked down a starting place at Bayern Munich in recent weeks, and for good reason. Choupo-Moting has scored 11 goals in his last 12 games, which couldn’t have come at a better time for Cameroon.
The Breakout Candidate: Bryan Mbeumo. The French-born forward committed to his father’s native Cameroon in August but he’ll surely be a threat up front alongside Choupo-Moting and Toko Ekambi.
THE BOLD PREDICTION FOR GROUP G
Switzerland will progress as the winner of Group G over Brazil, who will claim second place ahead of Serbia.