WHO COULD BE KINGS

The field at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar looks wide open this year, with any number of nations able to rise from the pack and take the trophy. Nick Said looks at the major contenders

- Nick said

BRAZIL 

WORLD CUP WINS (5): 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002

We have had the eras of Pelé, Zico, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho; is this the time for Neymar, Casemiro and Vinícius Júnior? 

Brazil has certainly impressed under coach Tite and is no longer just about star individuals, but works more as a collective unit with great effect.

It has been 20 years since they last tasted World Cup success, a long wait by their lofty standards, but this is certainly a team in form, going into the competition with a potent strike force and an equally robust defence.

This may well be their year.

SPAIN

WORLD CUP WINS (1): 2010

Spain and South Africa will forever be linked, as La Roja's only ever World Cup triumph came in Soweto at the 2010 World Cup.

That was certainly a Golden Generation, and the Class of 2022 does not perhaps have the same quality and ability to dominate games, but they are dangerous enough for any opponent to be wary.

Midfielder Sergio Busquets is the only remaining link to that side from 12 years ago, as coach Luis Enrique has developed a more youthful side packed with exciting talent, but one that may be caught short in terms of experience.

FRANCE 

WORLD CUP WINS (2): 1998, 2018

France are the reigning world champions and were comfortably the best team at the 2018 tournament, where they were thoroughly deserving of their success.

Form since then has been a little iffy, though, and while the team qualified easily for Qatar, there have been plenty of bumps along the way.

France won only one of its four games at the European Championships last year and was ousted in the second round by Switzerland in a major failure.