The wait is almost over, and Qatar 2022 is now so close we can almost hear the whistle signaling the opening game to kick off.
Every soccer, sports, and general news site has weighed in with opinions on who will be the front runners and dark horses for ultimate glory.
But like many things, a World Cup is as much about the journey as the destination.
The group matches often provide some of the most memorable moments. For example, who could ever forget Cameroon’s victory over defending champions Argentina in 1990 or Senegal doing the same thing and beating 1998 champions France in 2002?
It is moments like these that add real magic to World Cups.
Here, we have picked out two contenders who can’t win the World Cup but could still deliver a surprise or two in the coming weeks.
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Ghana – the new pride of Africa
Speaking of African teams reaching the knockout stages, Ghana will be looking to shake up expectations in Group H. Their path to the World Cup was not smooth, as they squeezed through to qualify by away goals.
Yet none of that matters. Ghana has a habit of saving its best for the biggest stage. The team will be watching videos of their performances in 2010 when they made the quarter-final and were only denied a semi-final place due to the extraordinary events that unfolded in the penalty shoot-out against Uruguay.
Fate has thrown the two teams together again in Group H, along with South Korea and Portugal, who, let’s remember, almost failed to qualify themselves.
The group offers all sorts of opportunities for fireworks. Bookmakers say Ghana is a 12/1 shot to repeat the 2010 heroics and make the quarter-finals. Ghana’s reaction to that would be “bring it on,” and we agree with them.
Canada – the young and fearless
Canada has qualified for the final stages of the World Cup for only the second time. It’s an incredible achievement to have gotten this far, and the Canadians rightly have longer odds than all but Saudi Arabia and Costa Rica to win the tournament.
Still, Canada soccer fans will be eager to visit GO to lay down a wager or two, not just in the hopes of a 500/1 miracle.
This squad is worlds apart from the ragtag crew that played in 1986. With youth, talent, and absolute fearlessness on their side, they know they have everything to gain and nothing to lose.
No easy games are facing Belgium, Croatia, and Morocco in Group F. Belgium is rated #2 in the world, Croatia was a finalist last time out, and Morocco was the first-ever African team to reach the knockout stages.
Still, all three will take victory over Canada for granted, and if they play with the belief they showed in the qualifiers, an upset or two is within reach.
