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) /

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BRAGA, PORTUGAL – SEPTEMBER 27: Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal during the UEFA Nations league match between Portugal v Spain at the Estadio Municipal de Braga on September 27, 2022 in Braga Portugal (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images) /

Group G

Five-time World Cup winners Brazil are favorites to win this group and also go to the final. Brazil could field two competitive lineups if they were allowed to and feature striker Neymar. How they handle European opposition is the question here, but that’s something the Selecao will worry about in the knockout stage.

Switzerland are better than fellow Group G sides Cameroon and Serbia. The game pitting the Swiss against Serbia could very well decide second place.

Brazil and Switzerland advance

Group H

Seeded-side Portugal are spearheaded by Cristiano Ronaldo, who will pour his heart into his national team after his recent club woes at Manchester United. They will want to avoid second place since that could create a Round of 16 matchup against Brazil.

Uruguay, a two-time World Cup champion, will likely finish second, but Ghana and South Korea won’t make it easy.

Portugal and Uruguay advance

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