The 2022 World Cup is right around the corner. The tournament gets underway on November 21, with the final taking place under a month later on December 18, 2022.
The group stage draw has come and gone, with eight sets of four teams set to compete, with a 32-team format at the World Cup.
Here are all 32 teams as the competition edges closer, and we analyse which nations are the favourites to win, who are the star players and managers to watch out for;
Group H: Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay, South Korea
Portugal
Who’s the manager?
Fernando Santos – The man who masterminded Portugal’s unlikely success at Euro 2016, when Eder’s extra-time winner shocked France to the core, is still at the helm but many consider his job to be hanging by a thread. Some would say he’s lucky to even still be in a job, given Portugal were knocked out in the last 16 at the 2018 World Cup and again at the same stage at Euro 2020. They made it to Qatar through the play-offs and, with the squad at his disposal, Portugal really should be challenging for the trophy.
Who’s the star man?
Cristiano Ronaldo – His return to Manchester United may have not turned out how he or the fans would have hoped but even though results have been average, Ronaldo has proven that his instincts in front of goal are as sharp as ever.
A tally of 18 goals in 33 appearances – some of which kept United alive in the Champions League when all hope looked lost – is not bad at all but maybe it’s time Ronaldo finally put his faith in the superb players Portugal have around him.
How did they qualify?
It was really a two-horse race in Group A that came down to the final match of the group. Portugal and Serbia were level on points ahead of their game in Lisbon but Aleksandar Mitrovic’s 90th-minute winner stole victory for Serbia. Ronaldo and Co dropped into the play-offs but they turned up when it mattered most, first beating Turkey 3-1 and then seeing off Italy’s conquerors – North Macedonia – 2-0 to secure a spot in Qatar.
Ghana
Who’s the manager?
Otto Addo – The former Ghanaian international – who played for Borussia Dortmund during an extinguished playing career – is currently his country’s interim coach, with Serb Milovan Rajevac dismissed after AFCON. Almost more interestingly though, ex-Newcastle, Brighton and Birmingham manager Chris Hughton was in February appointed to be a technical advisor for the Black Stars.
Who’s the star man?
Thomas Partey – The Arsenal midfielder is his country’s standout player, but endured a disappointing Africa Cup of Nations in January.
Other key players include Leicester defender Daniel Amartey and Crystal Palace forward Jordan Ayew.
How did they qualify?
Ghana have snuck into the World Cup finals by the skin of their teeth. Having finished level on points with South Africa in their group but qualifying by virtue of scoring one more goal, they faced Nigeria in a two-legged play-off.
With the first game in Ghana a goalless draw, a 1-1 draw in Abuja – with Partey his country’s goalscorer – was enough for the 2010 quarter-finalists to progress on away goals.
Uruguay
Who’s the manager?
Diego Alonso – David Beckham’s former Inter Miami manager was unveiled as the new coach of Uruguay back in December, replacing the legendary Oscar Tabarez after he was sacked following 15 years in the job.
Tabarez was shown the door after an abysmal run that left the two-time World Cup winners down in seventh place in South American qualifying. But Alonso oversaw a resurgence and four-straight wins booked their place in Qatar.
Who’s the star man?
Luis Suarez – Opportunities may be few and far between for the former Liverpool and Barcelona star at Atletico Madrid but he’s as crucial now for Uruguay than he ever has been.
Suarez has scored in three of the four wins under Alonso and is still the driving force of the team alongside Edinson Cavani and the exciting Darwin Nunez. Suarez has lost a bit of that magic but he’s still clinical and decisive in big moments.
How did they qualify?
As previously mentioned getting to Qatar has been a bit of a slog for Uruguay but they finally booked their spot last week. Four straight defeats – against Brazil, Bolivia and two by Argentina left them on the brink of missing out.
But officials made the bold choice of replacing their manager and it’s proven to be a masterstroke. Victories under Alonso against Paraguay, Venezuela and Peru did the trick and then they beat Chile in midweek to complete a superb turnaround in form.
South Korea
Who’s the manager?
Paulo Bento – It’s coming up to four years in the job for Bento, the former Portugal boss who was charged with leading the national team to Qatar when he replaced Shin Tae-yong, who was not offered a new contract after the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Bento, who started out in coaching with Sporting Lisbon, led Portugal to the semi-finals of Euro 2012 but was sacked after a disappointing 2014 World Cup and a poor start to qualification for Euro 2016.
Who’s the star man?
Son Heung-min – The Tottenham star really is the difference between South Korea having any chance of emerging from the group stage or crashing out early on. His performances alongside Kane have been impressive again this season but now he needs to take that onto the biggest stage.
Son produced a marvellous display when South Korea stunned the Germans and knocked them out of the group stage in Russia. He has 30 goals in 98 caps for his national team, which seems surprisingly low. Now is the time to stand up and deliver for his country.
How did they qualify?
South Korea cruised through the second round of Asian qualifying, winning five of their six initial group games. The only game in which they dropped points was a 0-0 draw away in Lebanon in 2019. That saw them progress to the third round when, as mentioned earlier on, they were nudged into second place by Iran. They were comfortably clear of third-placed UAE though, finishing a huge 11 points ahead of their nearest rivals.
