The 2022 World Cup is coming up and this article looks at some of the hot news. This includes news that Real Madrid’s Alaba won’t be playing in the tournament, Portugal has more firepower than Cristiano Ronaldo and Cameroon lacks quality and experience across their squad. There is also an article about Uruguay’s 1950 World Cup performance, which may give you pause for thought.
Real Madrid’s Alaba won’t be at the 2022 World Cup
David Alaba has announced that he will wear shirt number four for Real Madrid. He previously wore number 27 for Bayern. However, the Real Madrid midfielder will be unable to wear this number in the upcoming World Cup. According to the rules of the Spanish league, players must take up a number from one to 25 in order to be eligible for the tournament.
Portugal has more firepower in attack than Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo is a world-class striker, but there is a limit to his effectiveness in the international game. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is no longer the only attacking talent on show. Fortunately for Portugal, they have a squad that can match their star.
Cameroon lacks experience and quality throughout their squad
They have not played much since the international break, and have only played once when they beat Burundi 1-0 in an Afcon qualifier. The Indomitable Lions’ manager Rigobert Song has a difficult task ahead of them, as they are missing a host of key players.
Uruguay’s performance at the 1950 World Cup
A time-honoured adage, “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch”, applies to the 1950 World Cup. The Brazilian team led by Augusto de Costa were the overwhelming favourite to win the tournament, but Uruguay made the most of a lopsided group stage and went on to win the tournament.
U.S.’s squad depth
The U.S.’s 2022 world football squad is a mixed bag of experience and youth. DeAndre Yedlin and Reggie Cannon have both been out of form during the past two years but are likely to return, and Reggie Cannon is a better defensive option. Other young players to consider include 18-year-old Joe Scally, who has started every match this season in the Bundesliga. Bryan Reynolds is still trying to prove himself at Roma, while LA Galaxy’s Julian Araujo is not yet sure whether he will represent the U.S. or Mexico.
Video assistant referee will be used at the 2022 World Cup
The Video Assistant Referee is a new technology in soccer that has helped referees make better decisions. The first time it was used was at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, and it looks like it’s here to stay. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, 24 video match officials will be working alongside on-field officials. These officials will come from Asia, Africa, Central America, and North America.