Morocco has not been spoiled by the draw. The Atlas Lions have fallen into a group F of fire, with Croatia, Belgium and Canada. As in 2018, a rather complicated group. Will Walid Regragui's protégés have the necessary resources to get out of this quagmire?
Croatia, the reigning world runner-up
As in 2018, Croatia advances with its "guide", Luka Modric. At 37 years old (155 caps, 23 goals), the Real Madrid midfielder looks 27. It seems that time has no effect on him. However, the Croatian captain and his teammates are coming with a new status for this 2022 World Cup: that of defending world champion. True, the star is not on their coat of arms, but it is just as well. Because since Russia 2018, the team has increased the size of their options. Gone are the days when they were a heavyweight rooster, the team that always loses despite a great game. They now advance as legitimate outsiders with a midfield that makes you salivate. In addition to Luka Modric, there is Marcelo Brozovic (Inter) and Mateo Kovacic (Chelsea).
Belgium, a last chance for the Hazard generation?
However, Croatia is not the only big name in Group F of the 2022 World Cup. There is also Belgium. The Red Devils will put back into play their title of world champion of possession against France (semi-final lost in 2018 with 64% of possession).
Joking aside, Belgium seems to have arrived at this World Cup 2022 with a sense of last chance. The golden generation, which hatched in the early 2010s with Hazard, Courtois, Lukaku, De Bruyne, Witsel, is chasing a title, the first in the history of the country. Moreover, the semi-finalists of the last World Cup and the last Euro seem to be very close to the grail. Qatar 2022 is therefore a dream opportunity for them.
Morocco and Canada have a card to play
But should Morocco and Canada be worried to face these two giants? No. The Atlas Lions will play their second World Cup in a row, the sixth in their history. However, Hakim Ziyech's team will have to do their utmost to equal their best performance ever: a round of 16 in 1986. Morocco's first match is against Croatia on November 23.
But no matter what, this 2022 World Cup will be historic for Canada. The Reds are just playing their second World Cup, 36 years after the one and only in 1986 (elimination in the first round). Nevertheless, it will be necessary to be wary of this selection which conceals some talents like Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich), Jonathan David (Lille), or Ike Ugbo (Troyes). Before going to Qatar, the Canadians beat Japan on Thursday in a friendly match 2-1.
