England international Jack Grealish has now picked his favourites to win the ongoing 2022 FIFA World Cup, after the tournament concluded its first round of fixtures and commenced the second. The Three Lions, spearheaded by Harry Kane are definitely placed in that bracket of pre-tournament favourites alongside some other powerhouses, but Grealish feels there’s one particular team who has it all to go all the way.
Gareth Southgate’s England came under heavy criticism after their second group game against the USA, where they evidently got dominated for the majority of 90 minutes. After a thumping 6-2 win over Iran in their Group B opener, England were expected to take the USA to the sword. However, the Three Lions look tired and far from in a mood of roaring. Southgate’s tactics too came under the scanner for leaving out Phil Foden in a game where the Manchester City playmaker would have created his magic. Now Grealish too has snubbed his side’s chances, as he talked about the favourites to lift the trophy, and heaped praise on Argentina’s saviour Lionel Messi for his Mexico heroics.
Most impressive I’ve seen so far – Jack Grealish tips this team to go all the way in Qatar
According to Jack Grealish, Brazil are the ones who have impressed him the most so far, and its them he believes are going to clinch their sixth title. The Selecaos are a some force to deal with at the World Cup finals, having won five titles, the most in the history of the competition. They have started this campaign in a brilliant manner as well, with a 2-0 over a strong Serbia team who are even touted as the dark horses to go deep at this edition.
However, the Brazilians are yet to make it to the final of a World Cup ever since their 2002 triumph, with their best result coming at the 2014 edition, when they hosted the tournament and reached the semifinals. However, they were handed an embarrassing 7-1 thrashing by eventual winners Germany, which till date remains as a stain on their shirts. But Grealish believes its finally their time to washout the stain with a triumph in Qatar. Speaking to talkSPORT, the £100 million Man City player explained naming Brazil as the favourites, while also heaping praise on the likes of Messi and Mbappe. He said:
“I watch all the games to be honest. We have screens all over the place at the hotel and it’s just nice to have games on all day. I was watching Messi [against Mexico], unbelievable. He just showed what he’s about in that second half but then again so did Mbappe. I think there are lots of brilliant teams, some teams have that one player who’s just unstoppable but I think Brazil are one of the most impressive I’ve seen so far. They have so much talent, especially in those attacking areas. If you’re asking me who the biggest threat is, I’d probably say Brazil.”
While it may not be music to the ears of his England teammates, they were surely served with a reality check by the USA. Barring a couple of chances, which should have done it for Southgate’s men, Gregg Berhalter’s boys tactically outclassed the Three Lions. It leaves England with four points from two games, and a draw or win against Wales in their penultimate group game would take them to the knockouts.
However, it they draw against their neighbours and Iran cause another upset, this time to the USA, England will progress to the knockouts as the runners-up of their group. Meanwhile, despite losing one and drawing one, Wales still have a slim chance of making it to the Round of 16. But they will need to down England while keeping a goal difference of two or more, and hope Iran and the USA draw against each other.