Joe Casey
Show Bio
The 2022 soccer World Cup gets underway on Sunday, November 20, with the Group A game between hosts Qatar and Ecuador. Alongside those two in Group A are the Netherlands and Senegal, two teams with plenty of experience on the world stage. Which teams will be able to qualify from Group A and advance to the second round of the World Cup? Our soccer expert is breaking down each team and giving their best bet for Group A.
See our full USA 2022 World Cup soccer predictions and analysis for how the USMNT will perform
Qatar 2022 World Cup Group A prediction
All eyes will be on hosts Qatar in this year’s World Cup and they open proceedings against Ecuador.
Qatar has left no stone unturned in their preparation, playing no fewer than 19 friendlies in 2022 as they get ready for the finals.
Felix Sanchez’s side is far from complete no-hopers – they won the 2019 Asia Cup, conceding just a single goal and scoring 19 in the process.
However, for them to make a big impact at this tournament seems extremely unlikely and a positive result in their opening match against Ecuador looks to be their ceiling.
Ecuador 2022 World Cup Group A prediction
A last-minute legal challenge from Chile and Peru about the eligibility of one of Ecuador’s players was the first hurdle that La Tri has faced post-qualification for Qatar but more loom on the horizon for a team that has won just 4 games in their entire World Cup finals history.
The young Brighton trio of Pervis Estupinan, Moises Caicedo and Jeremy Sarmiento are likely to play a big role for the South Americans but it is a worry that 32-year-old Enner Valencia is their primary goal threat.
After scraping through qualifying and with a lack of star quality in the squad, Ecuador looks unlikely to progress beyond the group stages.
Lock in our picks for the 2022 soccer World Cup Golden Boot winner, including a +5000 longshot
Senegal 2022 World Cup Group A prediction
Senegal’s run to the quarterfinal stages in 2002 is the highlight of their past World Cups, a tournament they have only qualified for twice.
However the Lions of Teranga won the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations and followed up their penalty shootout victory over Egypt in that competition with another in the qualification play-off.
Sadio Mane was set to be the star player but with him ruled out of at least the first couple of games, it will be up to captain Kalidou Koulibaly and Chelsea keeper Eduoard Mendy to help propel Senegal to victory.
The African side could prove to be a surprise package and could even match their 2002 performance if they secure an easier knockout run with a group win.
Don’t miss our Mexico World Cup Soccer 2022 preview, including a best bet
Netherlands 2022 World Cup Group A prediction
The Netherlands return to the World Cup after their shock failure to qualify for Russia 4 years ago and will be hoping to improve on consistently coming close without actually winning the big one.
They have finished runners-up 3 times and have been knocked out in the semi-finals on another 2 occasions.
Louis van Gaal’s side is being viewed as dark horses this time around thanks to a number of eyecatching recent results, including a 4-1 victory against Belgium and a 4-2 win over Denmark.
A fairly straightforward group should see them safely into the knockout stages and with an exciting, young squad they could go a long way in this competition.
2022 Soccer World Cup Group A Best Bet: Senegal to qualify (-125)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing.
The Netherlands look to have a very solid chance of winning the group and Senegal should be able to fight off Qatar and Ecuador to secure progress to the knockout stages behind them.
Senegal has shown their penchant for tournament football in the recent Africa Cup of Nations success and they could well have found themselves in the easiest group of the tournament.
The Lions of Teranga are rock-solid defensively, anchored by the Chelsea duo of Mendy and Koulibaly, and look to have more than enough class going forward to pick up the requisite points to reach the knockout stages for the second time in the country’s history.
Get our 2022 World Cup winner picks, including a +5000 longshot!
2022 World Cup Group A finishing order prediction
1 Netherlands
2 Senegal
3 Qatar
4 Ecuador
2022 World Cup group predictions
Don’t miss our picks and predictions for EVERY 2022 soccer World Cup group:
- 2022 World Cup Group B picks
- 2022 World Cup Group C picks
- 2022 World Cup Group D picks
- 2022 World Cup Group E picks
- 2022 World Cup Group F picks
- 2022 World Cup Group G picks
- 2022 World Cup Group H picks
Pickswise is the home of Soccer Picks and Soccer Predictions. Our expert soccer handicappers provide the best insight, analysis and bets from throughout the World Cup.
