What are the best squads at 2022 WC?
If not for Brazil, then France likely has the best core of attacking options in Qatar. Kylian Mbappé ( PSG) is now the headliner after breaking out in 2018 when he scored in France’s 4- 2 final win over Croatia, and he’ll be joined by 2022 Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema ( Real Madrid), Kingsley Coman ( Bayern Munich), Olivier Giroud ( AC Milan), Ousmane Dembélé ( Barcelona), Christopher Nkunku ( RB Leipzig) and Antoine Griezmann ( Atletico Madrid).
The midfield situation is a little murky without N’Golo Kanté ( Chelsea) and Paul Pogba ( Juventus), but the young Real Madrid duo of Aurélien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga could take up the mantle for Les Bleus. Then in defense, options are plenty for manager Didier Deschamps, with Jules Koundé ( Barcelona), Raphaël Varane ( Manchester United), Presnel Kimpembe ( PSG) and Theo Hernández ( AC Milan) comprising the back four with Hugo Lloris ( Tottenham) in goal. Arsenal’s CB William Saliba is a breakout candidate here.
Germany
After stunningly failing to make it out of its group in 2018, Germany is back with an impressive roster on paper, particularly in the midfield. Joshua Kimmich ( Bayern Munich), Ilkay Gündogan ( Manchester City), Jamal Musiala ( Bayern Munich), Leon Goretzka ( Bayern Munich) and Thomas Müller ( Bayern Munich) form arguably the deepest midfield in Qatar. The Bayern Munich winger duo of Leroy Sané and Serge Gnabry will also play significant roles. Germany has also notoriously suffered from not having an elite No. 9 in recent tournaments, but the 17- year- old Youssoufa Moukoko from Borussia Dortmund could put his name on the map.
Antonio Rüdiger ( Real Madrid) and the Dortmund pairing of Niklas Süle and Nico Schlotterbeck are solid options at center- back with the young Armel Bella- Kotchap also impressing with Southampton in his first season in the English Premier League. David Raum ( RB Leipzig) is also an elite crossing fullback in Germany, with Manuel Neuer ( Bayern Munich) still being one of the best goalkeepers in the world at 36 years old. Marc- Andre ter Stegen ( Barcelona) is an exceptional backup, too.
England
Rounding out this list is England, most recently coming off a second- place finish at the 2020 UEFA Euro Final that was held in 2021. England’s current crop of talent is clearly its golden generation if manager Gareth Southgate can instill some influential football with a bevy of attack- minded players at his disposal. Leading the line is Harry Kane ( Tottenham) with young stars Phil Foden ( Manchester City) and Bukayo Saka ( Arsenal) as right- wing options and Raheem Sterling ( Chelsea) and Marcus Rashford ( Manchester United) on the left.
In midfield, where Foden can also play, Declan Rice ( West Ham), James Maddison ( Leicester City) and the potential breakout star Jude Bellingham ( Borussia Dortmund) are the key players to watch. Injuries to key defenders have hurt Southgate’s options, but John Stones ( Manchester City), Luke Shaw ( Manchester United) and Trent Alexander- Arnold ( Liverpool) might be relied upon heavily, with Arsenal’s Ben White having an exceptional campaign at right- back despite primarily playing center- back for most of his career. In net, Jordan Pickford ( Everton) and Nick Pope ( Newcastle) are two solid shot- stoppers while Aaron Ramsdale ( Arsenal) offers elite distribution as well.