The 2022 World Cup in Qatar starts in just five days, when the host nation kicks it all off on Nov. 20 when they take on Ecuador.
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All 32 finalists have made their squad announcements, hoping that star players don’t get struck down by injury in training and head into their first match in top form. Away from that, there’s plenty of players who didn’t make their respective national teams, along with surprise additions.
In the last edition of the 2022 World Cup stock watch, we’ll take a look at the favourites to see how they are shaping up and also check in with other nations as their players either shine or struggle.
– All World Cup squad lists for Qatar
– Schedule, previews and how to watch
– 32 team-by-team previews for the World Cup
JUMP TO: United States | France | Germany | Spain | Netherlands | Belgium | Argentina | Brazil | Mexico | Ecuador | Wales | Portugal | Australia | Senegal | Tunisia | Morocco | Cameroon | Ghana | Japan | South Korea | Uruguay | Iran | Saudi Arabia | | Qatar |
ENGLAND
Fixtures: IR Iran (Nov. 21), United States (Nov. 25), Wales (Nov. 29)
STOCK CLIMBING
James Maddison: He was the dramatic late inclusion for England‘s 26-man squad having not received a call-up for three years. An injury scare in Leicester City‘s final Premier League game at Everton last weekend raised fears he could suffer the cruelest of blows and miss out but the midfielder travelled to Qatar with the group on Tuesday after it was revealed he suffered only a minor knock to his knee and was substituted as a precaution.
Strikers Callum Wilson and Marcus Rashford edged out Ivan Toney and Tammy Abraham to be Harry Kane‘s backup. Ben White also forced his way in after a superb run of form at Arsenal while Conor Gallagher squeezed into the squad despite starting just seven games across all competitions this season prior to Gareth Southgate naming his selection.
STOCK FALLING
Ivan Toney: Toney’s brace in Brentford‘s shock 2-1 win at Manchester City will be some small consolation for the forward missing out on England’s squad. Abraham and Fikayo Tomori have performed well since moving to Serie A, with Roma and AC Milan respectively, but the former’s struggles in front of goal this season ultimately counted against him. Tomori was arguably more unlucky given he formed a key part of the Milan defence which won the club’s first league title in 11 years last season. It is a sign of how far Jadon Sancho‘s stock has fallen that his omission was not even considered much of a surprise.
UNITED STATES
Fixtures: Wales (Nov. 21), England (Nov. 25), IR Iran (Nov. 29)
STOCK CLIMBING
Tim Ream: Ream made just one appearance in World Cup qualifying, a 0-0 tie against El Salvador that started off the Octagonal in September of 2021. But a combination of injuries to Miles Robinson and Chris Richards, plus a strong run of form this season for the Cottagers, opened the door for Ream to make the final squad. Given the way Berhalter likes his teams to play out of the back, Ream’s composure on the ball could come in handy for the U.S., and at age 35, making the World Cup squad is a massive achievement for the St. Louis native.
STOCK FALLING
Zack Steffen: If there was a title for biggest snub, Steffen would win in a walk. The Boro keeper was first choice for much of this World Cup cycle, and at minimum found himself in competition with Arsenal‘s Matt Turner. But some high-profile blunders, including in last year’s FA Cup semifinal against Liverpool, planted seeds of doubt, and when it came time to make his decision, Berhalter opted for Turner, Luton Town’s Ethan Horvath and New York City FC‘s Sean Johnson. Keepers have a longer shelf life than outfield players, so for Steffen, at age 27, there’s still time to make a World Cup squad. But this disappointment will cut deep.
HOW THE COUNTRY ARE LOOKING
The aforementioned losses of Robinson and Richards will be tough to replace, but overall, the U.S. seems to be healing up at the right time. Weston McKennie was back in training for the U.S. on Tuesday, as was midfielder Luca de la Torre. Tim Weah also made his second consecutive 90-minute appearance for Lille before joining up with the U.S. All told, the Americans are in about as good a place health-wise as could be hoped for. — Jeff Carlisle
FRANCE
Fixtures: Australia (Nov. 22), Denmark (Nov. 26), Tunisia (Nov. 30)
HOW THE COUNTRY ARE LOOKING
France have undeniable talent, but will miss Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante who are injured. Denmark, who had an amazing run in EURO 2020, will test Didier Deschamps’ side in the group stage after defeating them twice this year. There are also off-pitch problems for Les Bleus, with rumours that Pogba enlisted a witch doctor to cast a spell on Kylian Mbappe. Still, the defending champs look favorites to top the group and will aim to end the winners’ curse. — SherShah Atif
GERMANY
Fixtures: Japan (Nov. 23), Spain (Nov. 27), Costa Rica (Dec. 1)
STOCK CLIMBING
Niclas Fullkrug: It seemed as if half the nation rooted for Fullkrug to be included in the squad, and Germany head coach Hansi Flick decided to give him a chance, meaning that Fullkrug could make his international debut at a World Cup at the age of 29. The tall striker might become Germany’s weapon in games in which the small-ball style is not working, and the deadlock needs to be broken some other way.
Youssoufa Moukoko: The gifted striker will celebrate his 18th birthday in Qatar as Flick granted him a spot after Timo Werner and Lukas Nmecha had become unavailable due to injuries. Moukoko fits Germany’s attacking style in that he has his strength on the ground and as part of fast-paced passing plays.
Mario Gotze: The comeback story of the year has been written by Gotze. His last appearance for Germany dates back to 2017, yet his performances for Eintracht Frankfurt allow him to return and play another World Cup for Germany. Gotze scored the winning goal in the 2014 World Cup final. Perhaps he can do something historic once again.
STOCK FALLING
Marco Reus: An ankle injury has put Borussia Dortmund‘s captain on the shelf once again. Flick told the press last Thursday that the 33-year-old did everything to “catch the train” but it did not work out. Reus was not selected and thus misses the fourth major international tournament in his career.
Mats Hummels: The 33-year-old defender spoke of “one of the greatest disappointments” after he had learned about Flick’s decision to leave him out of the World Cup squad, essentially in favor of Southampton center-back Armel Bella-Kotchap. Hummels has played a decent season thus far but could not convince Flick to give him another chance.
Robin Gosens: The Inter Milan left-back has struggled to get playing time in the Serie A which ultimately cost him his spot. While he created some hype for himself at last year’s European Championship, Gosens has not been able to keep his stock high enough to the point of fulfilling himself a life-long dream of playing at a World Cup.
SPAIN
Fixtures: Costa Rica (Nov. 23), Germany (Nov. 27), Japan (Dec. 1)
STOCK CLIMBING
Ansu Fati: The Barcelona forward was not involved during the last international break and Luis Enrique admitted his biggest doubt ahead of confirming his squad was wherever to include him or not. In the end, given the lack of goals in the squad, he decided he was worth a gamble. Ansu’s last two years have been ruined by injuries but he has remained fit this season.
Hugo Guillamon: Enrique opted for Guillamon, who has been playing in midfield for his club Valencia this season, as Spain’s fourth choice centre-back. He got the nod ahead of more experience options, such as Sergio Ramos and Inigo Martinez, despite only having won three caps for his country previously.
STOCK FALLING
Sergio Ramos: He has not featured for Spain since early 2021 but his performances for Paris Saint-Germain had propelled him back into the conversation ahead of the finals. However, Luis Enrique opted for younger options, leaving the former captain out for the second major international tournament running. “Sergio Ramos best defender in the world,” PSG teammate Achraf Hakimi posted on social media after the news break.
Borja Iglesias: The Real Betis striker’s exclusion would not normally be news given he only made his international debut last month, but he looked to have played his way onto the plane for Qatar. However, despite his eight LaLiga goals to date, Luis Enrique opted for just one natural No.9 in Alvaro Morata.
Thiago: Given the style Spain play with under Luis Enrique is most similar to Barcelona — who have seven players in the squad — La Masia graduate Thiago should be an obvious pick. However, injuries and form have seen the Liverpool midfielder fall down the pecking order and he is one of the players to drop out of the squad that competed in Euro 2020 last summer.
HOW THE COUNTRY ARE LOOKING
Spain may have a young squad but there is always a certain level of expectation in the country when the 2010 world champions go into a major tournament. In Luis Enrique they have one of the best coaches at the tournament and their semifinal showing at Euro 2020 should provide a good platform for doing well in Qatar.
They are well stocked in midfield but there are doubts about where the goals will come from and the defence is at its best when Spain have the ball. They could be tested if they are ever forced to defend for a sustained period of the time. All that considered, a quarterfinal run is probably the minimum expected and Barcelona midfielder Pedri is the player to keep an eye on. — Sam Marsden