Analysis

Looking for a high-stakes opener? It doesn't get any better than USA vs. Wales

DOHA - The United States and Wales will head into Monday's World Cup clash knowing that victory could decide one of Group B's two qualifiers, with England fancied as heavy favorites to advance as group winners.

With a golden generation of talent spearheaded by Gareth Bale and playing at their first World Cup in 64 years, Wales will be out to echo their recent successes at European level, having reached the Euro 2016 semifinals and the last 16 at Euro 2020.

Ranking the best forwards playing at the 2022 World Cup

Every four years the World Cup brings together the world’s best players and Qatar 2022 will not be an exception.

On the attacking front, the exotic winter tournament brings us a combination of new talent, legendary strikers, generational wingers and a pair of GOATs.

In celebration of the World Cup being so close, we rank the forwards who are most likely to make an impact at Qatar.

National Security: Ranking the best goalkeepers at the World Cup

Every World Cup cycle, the same question pops into the minds of soccer fans: why can't (insert player) do that for (insert club team)? These players pop into the national consciousness for a few short weeks in the summer, then return to obscurity as soon as the final whistle blows.

The18's World Cup predictions

It's time to get laughed at. Here are The18's 2022 FIFA World Cup predictions, although many of our employees have elected the safest route after gazing into their crystal balls.

Terrible, horrible, godawful news: Sadio Mané is out of the World Cup

Senegal forward Sadio Mané has been ruled out of the World Cup in Qatar in a crushing blow to his team’s chances after officials confirmed on Thursday he would need surgery on a leg injury sustained in the run-up to the tournament.

Mané had been a doubt for the west African side after injuring his right fibula playing for German club Bayern Munich.

"Unfortunately, today's (Thursday) MRI shows us that the recovery is not as favorable as we hoped and we unfortunately resolve to declare Sadio's withdrawal from the World Cup," Senegal team doctor Manuel Afonso told reporters.

The oldest players at the 2022 World Cup

Egyptian Essam El-Hadary is the oldest player ever at a World Cup. The goalkeeper was called-up for Russia 2018 and even had the privilege of playing against Saudi Arabia in a group stage game at the age of 45 years and ten days.

Yeah, kudos to Essam.

His record, by the way, will remain untouchable during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. However, that didn't stop us from asking who's going to be the oldest players at the tournament. And well, from two Mexican goalkeepers to stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modrić, here's the answer. 

Can an African team win the World Cup?

Many football lovers hope an African team will finally win the men’s 2022 FIFA World Cup. The world has been waiting for this since the great Brazilian player Pelé predicted (in the 1970s) that an African country would win before the year 2000. That didn’t happen, but it didn’t stop Patrice Motsepe, president of the Confederation of African Football, from saying (in 2021): "An African team must win the World Cup in the near future."

Team-by-team guide: 2022 South Korea World Cup preview

To prepare you for the tournament, The18 has launched team-by-team previews for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. This is for Group H's South Korea.

South Korea World Cup 2022 Preview

World Cup appearances: 11th 

Best finish: Fourth place (2002) 

How they got here: South Korea achieved automatic qualification by finishing second in AFC Group A behind Iran. 

Team-by-team guide: 2022 Ghana World Cup preview

To prepare you for the tournament, The18 has launched team-by-team previews for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Here’s the Ghana World Cup preview — they’ll play in Group H against Portugal, South Korea and Uruguay.

Ghana World Cup 2022 Preview

World Cup appearances: 4th 

Best finish: Quarterfinals (2010) 

Here are the top 10 best U.S. soccer players that will compete at the 2022 World Cup

If you’re a casual American soccer fan that watches the World Cup and the occasional game, then this article is here to help. You might only know a handful of players so here is the list of the 10 best US soccer players that should play at the 2022 World Cup.

ATTENTION: If you're looking for the list of the top 10 best US women soccer players for the 2023 World Cup, then click here.

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