World Cup 2022 predictions: Picking every country to advance to knockout stages

Brazil's Neymar (L) grimaces next to Argentina's Lionel Messi during the Conmebol 2021 Copa America football tournament final match at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 10, 2021. (Photo by NELSON ALMEIDA / AFP) (Photo by NELSON ALMEIDA/AFP via Getty Images) /

2 of 4

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – NOVEMBER 16: Lionel Messi of Argentina in action against Khalifa Al Hammadi of UAE during a friendly match between UAE and Argentina ahead of FIFA 2022 World Cup at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on November 16, 2022. (Photo by Waleed Zein/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) /

Group C

Argentina, a two-time World Cup winner and defending Copa America champion, has in Lionel Messi one of the best players in the game’s history. The Albiceleste are the seeded team in this group and have the talent to not only win the group, but advance all the way to the final.

Mexico could very well edge Poland and Saudi Arabia for second place. Mexico have advanced to the round of 16 at every World Cup since 1986, but have been unable to reach the quarterfinals since that tournament.

Argentina and Mexico advance

Group D

France are favorites to win this group, but will have to buck historical trends to do so. The curse of the defending champions not advancing to the knockout stage (the last three World Cup champions exited the tournament in the first round in the following tournament). But this is a team that features striker Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema, who recently won the Ballon d’Or as the best player in Europe. That should be enough to get them into the round of 16.

Denmark semifinalists at the most-recent Euros, are a dark-horse to go far at this World Cup. The tournament marks the return of midfielder Christian Eriksen, who went into cardiac arrest during the Euros. He’s now back in what could be the feel-good story of this tournament. Australia and Tunisia, meanwhile, will struggle to earn points.

France and Denmark advance

Home/World Cup