Many factors contribute to what we all consider to be the World Cup final of our dreams. A favorite team, player, history, or rivalry are all considerations that make the biggest game the best.
In the 2022 World Cup, there are a number of paths to glory for the 16 teams qualified for the knockout stages. In fact, just looking at the World Cup Predictor, the group stage provided fascinating insights into the tournament. England can face Brazil in a historic duel. Or, modern fans of the sport can watch Argentina battle Portugal. Lionel Messi can battle Cristiano Ronaldo as the two settle the debate over the greatest of all time, or at least this generation.
Then, there is the story path. There are a number of losers to make it to the knockout stages. Australia finished second in a group that included France, Denmark and Tunisia. They face Argentina to defeat another top team in the round of 16. Or, Morocco finished at the top of their group with Belgium and Croatia. Morocco look like a quietly strong team that has the potential to do something special.
For many fans, the dream World Cup final includes their home country. For many of the readers, and for me, that is the United States. While Stars and Stripes has never quite reached that stage, 2022 is as good a time as any to make that dream a reality.
A dream World Cup final
Therefore, I have two dream World Cup Finals. The first of these involves the United States, and it is a familiar opponent. If the United States were to play England, it would be the last opponent for the Americans. While it may not be a ‘rivalry’ per se, England and the United States certainly have things in common and easy back and forth between their fan bases. The debate over whether it’s soccer or football, highlighted in a recent Frito Lay commercial, would be over.
That said, the dream World Cup final is Portugal against Argentina. The contest between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo would make the world stop for a couple of hours. Those two players ruled the world for over a decade. While both are in the twilight of their careers, with possible moves to smaller clubs on the horizon for both Messi and Ronaldo, this would be the best way to cap off a brilliant generation.
And you? Looking at the World Cup group, what potential matchup in the final would be the World Cup final of your dreams?
PHOTO: IMAGO / Moritz Müller
