After all the bitterness, bribes and barbaric working conditions that have plagued this World Cup since it was awarded to Qatar, a football tournament will eventually break out on November 20. There are always strong favourites, lesser-fancied nations, dark horses and plucky underdogs at the World Cup. The cream will usually rise to the top in terms of which countries make it to the latter stages, but once there, the knockout rounds often serve up plenty of surprises.
Here we take a look at five of the favourites heading into this year’s showpiece in Qatar, asking whether the strengths of each country can overcome the weaknesses as each side strives for glory.
ARGENTINA
So here it is. Last chance saloon. The man who many consider to be the greatest player of all time surely only has one more genuine chance to achieve ultimate glory on the grandest of stages. Lionel Messi’s career has always been judged against those who came before him and hoisted the World Cup trophy above their heads. The 35-year-old will never be able to usurp the deified Diego Maradona without a World Cup to his name, never mind the three-time champion Pele. Yet this tournament is not all about Messi for Argentina. While it’s true that they will surely need the diminutive magician to perform his tricks as close to his spellbinding peak as possible, the Albiceleste have proven across the Paris Saint-Germain forward’s
