French and English less dashing
Reigning world champion, France has won only one of its last six matches, against modest Austria (2-0), and almost fell to the second division of the League of Nations.
Certainly, coach Didier Deschamps has faced many absences such as the favorite for the Ballon d'Or Karim Benzema, captain Hugo Lloris or the playmaker Paul Pogba, who struggles between a knee injury and a sordid history of football. 'extortion.
"The important thing is to be able to recover all our strength for in two months," summarized Deschamps on Sunday.
England, semi-finalists in 2018 and Euro finalists in 2021, did not escape relegation to Group B of the League of Nations, with three draws and three defeats against Italy, Hungary and Germany.
Is the momentum broken, like the difficulties of the head of defense Harry Maguire, at fault Monday against Germany (3-3)?
"It's a strange time," said coach Gareth Southgate.
"Very few national teams have managed to find the form."
Germany and Spain are present
Germany also doubts, but less.
Beaten at home by Hungary (1-0), Hans Flick's team missed their League of Nations (3rd), like their Euro in 2021 (elimination in the eighth).
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But the German selection has resource and an ambitious youth, embodied by winger Jamal Musiala.
She will have to extricate herself from a group E which includes the Spain of Luis Enrique, whose licked style of play is a pleasure to see despite recurring doubts at the position of center forward (the disputed Alvaro Morata) and goalkeeper of goal (the inconstant Unai Simon).
The Spaniards, semi-finalists of the last Euro, beat Portugal 1-0 on Tuesday to invite themselves to the last four of the League of Nations, sending back to their doubts the team of Cristiano Ronaldo (37 years old), at the declining influence in club and selection.
The Netherlands, major absentees in 2018, arrive with a new generation and the momentum of qualifying for the final four of the League of Nations.
Louis van Gaal's team beat its Belgian neighbor, semi-finalist of the 2018 World Cup and who still dreams of a first international trophy with his golden generation now in his thirties: Thibaut Courtois, Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne.
Attractive South Americans
If there were to be a big favourite, it might be Brazil, who have won their last seven matches scoring 26 goals and conceding just two.
Its leader Neymar is in the form of his life with Paris SG and Seleçao, the attacking pool is impressive and the team plays the score of Tite, coach since 2016, wonderfully.
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"We are on the right path," said captain Thiago Silva on Tuesday after the big victory against Tunisia (5-1).
Argentina should also land in Qatar pumped up, undefeated for 35 matches.
Victorious in the 2021 Copa America against Brazil, the Albiceleste is also crowned with its prestigious victory over Italy (3-0) in June in the "Finalissima" between continental champions.
Above all, his guide Lionel Messi is sharpened for his ultimate mission: to finally win the World Cup.
"Argentina and Brazil will always be among the favourites, at any World Cup, for their history", summarizes the Spanish coach Luis Enrique, who sees "Argentina above and Brazil too".
Senegal outsider, Qatar worrying
Qatar, the 2019 Asian champion, is approaching its very first participation in a World Cup without any certainty.
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The host country missed its last preparation matches, losing heavily against the Croatian Espoirs (3-0) then Canada (2-0), before a mixed draw against Chile (2-2).
The Canadians, carried by their two stars Jonathan David (Lille) and Alphonse Davies (Bayern), seem equipped to surprise, for their second participation after 1986.
Side African selections, the last preparation matches were able to reassure Senegal, champion of Africa, and Morocco, but Ghana and Tunisia each fell heavily against Brazil.
As for Cameroon trained by Rigobert Song, it remains on two friendly defeats against modest Uzbekistan (2-0) and South Korea (1-0).
Not very reassuring before heading for Doha!
© 2022 AFP