Here at Coleman Had A Dream, we’ve gathered a wide range of perspectives on who folks think will win the World Cup. In the unlikely event that it’s not Wales, of course.
Our writing team have their say on who will be in the final four of the tournament. But complimenting our thoughts are some people very much in the know. We have insight from Welsh football royalty in BBC football correspondent Rob Phillips, Cymru’s all-time leading goalscorer Helen Ward and two former internationals, previous captain Laura McAllister and now S4C pundit and commentator Gwennan Harris.
Embed from Getty ImagesQuiet Germans
First off is Coleman Had A Dream writer Stephen Baker (@StephenJBaker).
4 – France – Providing France doesn’t do a France and implode during the tournament I can see them making it to the Semi Finals. The World Cup holders will be too much for Australia and Tunisia in the Group Stage, which will take them out of the group whatever happens in the middle match with Denmark. With Mbappe and Benzema in the team there is plenty of goals in this side.
Embed from Getty Images3 – Argentina – In Group C with Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland, I can see Argentina getting through the Group Stage with no problems. With a team that features Dybala, Alvarez, Di Maria and of course Lionel Messi they will be more than a match for any team in this World Cup, having beaten the favourites Brazil in the Copa America last year.
2 – Brazil – Everyone’s second team! Having topped the South American qualifying group, winning 14 out 17 (drawing the other 3) and them knocking in 40 goals there is the usual Brazilian firepower but they only conceded 5 goals in those matches. Could we see the rare sight of the lesser spotted Excellent Brazilian Defence? If they all pull together for the team, I can see them making it all the way to the final.
1 – Germany – My heart wanted to say Cymru but I will have to go with Germany to be the Winners of the 2022 World Cup. They topped their qualifying group by nine points losing only to North Macedonia along the way. Like Brazil, they score for fun (36 in qualifying) and with the typical stoic German defence, only let in four. The Germans always come good in tournaments and with everyone watching the South Americans they will quietly make their way to the final beating Brazil.
Messi’s Moment
Rob Phillips (@robphillipshere) has given us his thoughts too, as the tournament approaches:
This has been difficult.
At one stage I was tempted to try to repeat the feat of my Belgrade based son who came up with a Wales v Serbia final! This, of course, would be hugely attractive for me in Doha. Fingers crossed for yet another Wales journey into the unexpected, ala Euro2016.
But I opted for a more scientific approach. Having downloaded a clutch of (free!!) wall charts, I found them all a little confusing. I finally settled for the high-tech option of a national newspaper’s World Cup Predictor.
Embed from Getty ImagesAfter a few mishaps and reconsiderations I ended up with a last four of Argentina, Brazil, France and Spain.
France have their problems but still have mouthwatering attacking resources with Killian Mbappe, Karime Benzema and stealthy Antoine Griezman. With the gifted Real Madrid paid of Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni in midfield, they have enough flair to cope with injury worries over Raphael Varane.
Embed from Getty ImagesMy concern for Spain is their possible lack of goals. But Alvarro Morata could have a hot spell and in Gavi and Pedri they have youngsters who could thrive on the biggest stage.
As ever, ability to retain possession will be a key factor in their favour. In Luis Enrique they have a top-class coach.
In my predictions Spain would have enough to overcome France in the semifinal with the winner facing Brazil or Argentina.
Brazil have an astonishing array of attack minded, flair players with Vinicius Junior, Richarlison and Gabriel Jesus to name a few. In Thiago Silva at the back, the five times winner also have a Rolls Royce of a defender to Marshall Militao and the excellent Marquinos.
Embed from Getty ImagesYet on the eve of the last Euros final, I burned the midnight oil to watch Argentina beat their bitter foes to ensure Lionel Messi led them to a Copa America success.
Argentina have plenty besides Messi, not least Lautaro Martinez up front, steely Atletico Madrid operator Rodrigo De Paul as a midfield enforcer, the aggressive Lisandro Martinez in defence and a more than capable keeper in Aston Villa’s Emi Martinez.
But most of all they have peerless Messi. If Gareth Bale cannot lift the Jules Rimet Trophy on December 18, then I am going for Messi to crown a career we should all be grateful we witnessed by standing on top of the world.
Embed from Getty ImagesI have Argentina to beat Spain in the final with Messi emulating Diego Maradona as a genius who led his nation to ultimate glory.
But then I am probably wrong, so Rob Page should not give up hope on the back of my prediction.
Brazil to sneak it
Tough to follow Rob, but here Dai (@colemans_dream) shares his thoughts on what may happen:
It’s so hard to do these predictions now I’ve actually sat down to do it! I’ve made my assumptions that the eight group winners will be: A Netherlands, B, England, C Argentina, D France, E Germany, F Belgium, G Brazil, and H Portugal. Runners up is a trickier decision in a lot of groups, but here goes: A Senegal, B Wales, C Mexico, D Denmark, E Spain, F Croatia, G, Switzerland, and H Uruguay. I won’t bore you with the blow by blow of who does what, but by my last four is Brazil and the Netherlands on one side with the Belgians and Portugal on the other.
Embed from Getty ImagesBrazil against the Dutch is a tough one because the Dutch are very strong at the back. The thing is Brazil’s front line and all-around attacking players are such a threat. I back the Brazilians to sneak through in a tight game and face Belgium. Brazil have just too much attacking flair against an ageing backline of the Belgians, and I think Brazil will be the team who tops the pile.
Another vote for Brazil
Wales’ all-time leading goalscorer Helen Ward (@helenwardie10) has had a look at her wall chart and this is what she thinks:
So, it’s the first time I’ve really had a look at the draw beyond Wales’ group and, well, we could be in for some real tasty games! There are going to be some big nations going out a lot earlier than they’d generally hope.
Embed from Getty ImagesAfter working out where everyone is and who they could play, the final 4 I went with were Argentina, Brazil (that could be one of the most intense semi-finals we’ve seen), France and Belgium. I know France are missing one or two so they could be a bit of a rogue selection, but they know how to win tournaments. Belgium, surely, have to come good at some stage and in Kevin De Bruyne they have one of the best in the world at the moment.
Embed from Getty ImagesWhen it came to it, I’ve got a Brazil – Belgium final and Brazil to win it. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen them at their best in a World Cup but if Wales aren’t lifting the trophy, I’d like to see the Samba boys do it.
South American Focus
Now Ruth’s (@colemans_dream) turn, though short-and-sweet.
I fancy Denmark to take their group ahead of France. This opens a route for De Rød-Hvide to the semifinals. Overall though I favour the South American teams, who usually do better when the World Cup is played outside Europe. I’m also intrigued how a tournament at the end of South American season will play out. The Germans feel like the team to upset this pattern, and they might well pip Uruguay in their potential quarter final tie, though.
4th Brazil
3rd Denmark
Runners up Uruguay
Winners Argentina
A New Dominance
Next up is former captain Laura McAllister (@lauramcallister) who sees a new wave of South American talent.
I think the final four, in whatever formation, will be Belgium, France, Brazil and Argentina.
It’s tricky to pick but I don’t think it’ll be a European team to win. A combination of the timing in the season, some players aren’t in peak fitness or fully prepared for the tournament.
Ultimately South Americans have better players, and possibly the best players in the whole tournament. Vinicius will be a standout player and a difference maker. I think the European stronghold on the World Cup will end here.
Embed from Getty ImagesNetherlands and Portugal in with a shout. Both have good strength in depth. Portugal’s hope rest on Ronaldo’s mood and perhaps even age in the heat. Other effective players in their squad too. Equally the Dutch did well in the nations league but are ruled out after our performances against them in that tournament. They are eminently beatable.
Went for Belgium because I think Kevin De Bruyne is world class and can change any game. Good depth and an experienced squad too. It’s their time to get further than they have done before, although they’re far from invincible.
France have Mbappe and a host of exciting young players although I don’t have them down to necessarily be winners and they are in a bit of flux, similar to the Germans. Both perhaps a World Cup cycle away from their peak. The French will go far though.
Between Brazil and Argentina although Brazil appear to have the most complete squad and the hot humid conditions will suit them.
Argentina have a similarly deep squad and the peak player, Messi, who can win it for them.
But I think it will be Brazil. I’d love to say Cymru and I’m confident we’ll get out of the group and then likely play the Dutch. When you’re in the knockouts, anything can happen!
Portugal … may be?
BBC and S4C pundit, former Wales player Gwennan Harris (@gwennanharries) tells us about a surprise package in the tournament, but ultimately stays on the fence 😉
Embed from Getty ImagesLooking at the draw, a lot of what happens will come down to the winner of Brazil vs Portugal – think they’ll meet last in the 16 and whichever goes from there will go from strength to strength. I fancy Argentina to go far in the tournament – They’ve been very solid defensively the last couple of years, I think they’ll have a strong run. I see them beating some top teams on their way to the semis.
Belgium are another team who carry a real threat too – De Bruyne will drag them to the semis.
Denmark are my surprise package of the tournament – I think they’ll top group D having gotten the better of France recently. I think they’ll have a favourable run to the semis then.
Embed from Getty ImagesAs I mentioned above, I think the winner will come from the Brazil Portugal game. Whoever wins that, wins the tournament.
So overall our tips certainly favour the South American giants of Argentina and Brazil. With Brazil just inching ahead, especially if Gwennan falls off that fence into the Southern Hemisphere. What do you think? Let us know @colemans_dream
| Winners | Runners-Up | Semi-Finalists | |
| Stephen (CHAD) | Germany | Brazil | Argentina, France |
| Rob Phillips | Argentina | Spain | Brazil, France |
| Dai (CHAD) | Brazil | Belgium | Netherlands, Portugal |
| Helen Ward | Brazil | Belgium | Argentina, France |
| Ruth (CHAD) | Argentina | Uruguay | Brazil, Denmark |
| Laura McAllister | Brazil | France / Belgium | Argentina, France / Belgium |
| Gwennan Harries | Brazil / Portugal | Argentina, Belgium, Denmark |