The tournament was originally to be hosted in Colombia, however due to Covid and political instability it was relocated to Brazil. The format will consist of each team in the group stage playing 4 games. The top 4 teams in each group will then advance to the knockout round (meaning only 2 teams will be eliminated from the group stage). I think the Brazilian squad is by far the strongest in this tournament, especially with the home field advantage. However Lionel Messi has still yet to win a national title for his country and knows he is running out of time. I would really like to see Messi win, but I just don't think he has the support cast to help him lift that cherished trophy. Aside from Argentina and Brazil, I consider the dark horses to be Uruguay, Chile, and my preference of Colombia.
Group A
Argentina (Players to Watch)
- Nicolas Otamendi (Age 33) DF. Benefica
- Angel Di Maria (Age 33) MF. Paris Saint-Germain
- Leandro Paredes (Age 26) MF. Paris Saint-Germain
- Lionel Messi (Captain)(Age 33) FW. Barcelona
- Sergio Aguero (Age 33) FW. Barcelona
Analysis: Looking at this squad, it is probably one of the weakest Argentina has fielded in some time, and I really see them as a long shot to win it all. However with Lionel Messi anything is possible and he knows he is running out of time to win a trophy for his nation. He has won plenty for his club Barcelona, however has yet to lift the trophy for Argentina (aside from the Olympics). I would consider Argentina the 2nd best team in this tournament, yet they will need some good fortune to win it all. Argentina is very thirsty for a trophy, since they have won the Copa America since 1993.
Uruguay (Players to Watch)
- Diego Godin (Captain) (Age 35) DF. Cagliari
- Jose Gimenez (Age 26) DF. Atletico Madrid
- Luis Suarez (Age 34) FW. Atletico Madrid
- Edison Cavani (Age 34) FW. Manchester United
- Federico Valverde (Age 22) MF. Real Madrid
- Matias Vecino (Age 29) MF. Inter Milan
Analysis: This team has an impressive roster that could probably rival Argentina's, however it is a bit on the aged side. Their captain Diego Godin has great experience to lead this team, alongside their superstar strikers Luis Suarez and Edison Cavani, who are both in recent great form. I think this team could certainly make a deep run, and it would be cool to see them lift the trophy again. They have not won it is since 1995.
Chile (Players to Watch)
- Claudio Bravo (Captain) (Age 38) GK. Real Betis
- Gary Medel (Age 33) DF. Bologna
- Arturo Vidal (Age 34) MF. Inter Milan
- Alexis Sanchez (Age 32) FW. Inter Milan
- Eduardo Vargas (Age 31) FW. Atletico Mineiro
Analysis: Chile have had a great run in this tournament recently, having defeated Argentina back-to-back in 2015 and 2016 to win the championship (both games were decided by penalty shootout). This team still has a strong roster, however just like Uruguay I see a lot of age and perhaps players that are passed their prime. I could see them making it to the semi-finals.
Paraguay (Players to Watch)
- Gustavo Gomez (Captain) (Age 28) DF. Palmeiras
- Fabian Balbuena (Age 29) DF. West Ham United
- Miguel Almiron (Age 27) FW. Newcastle United
- Junior Alonso (Age 28) DF. Atletico Mineiro
- Oscar Romero (Age 28) MF. San Lorenzo
Analysis: Paraguay has won this tournament twice (not since 1979) and could be another dark horse contender. Their best player is Miguel Almiron who has made quite the splash in the English Premier League for Newcastle United. If the team can feed of this player's great energy they could go far. However I still don't see them making it into the semi-finals.
Bolivia (Players to Watch)
- Marcelo Moreno (Captain) (Age 33) FW. Cruzeiro
- Adrian Jusina (Age 28) DF. AEL
- Jaume Cuellar (Age 19) FW. SPAL
Analysis: I really don't know much about Bolivian soccer, since I have never seen them in the World Cup. I predict they will most likely finish last in this group and will be fighting with Venezuela not to finish last place.
Group B
Brazil (Players to Watch)
- Thiago Silva (Captain) (Age 36) DF. Chelsea
- Marquinhos (Age 27) DF. Paris Saint-Germain
- Danilo (Age 29) DF. Juventus
- Casemiro (Age 29) MF. Real Madrid
- Fred (Age 28) MF. Manchester United
- Neymar (Age 29) FW. Paris Saint-Germain
- Roberto Firmino (Age 29) FW. Liverpool
- Gabriel Jesus (Age 24) FW. Manchester City
- Richarlison (Age 24) FW. Everton
- Vinicius Junior (Age 20) FW. Real Madrid
Anaylsis: This team should no doubt be the shoe-in to win the tournament when looking at their roster. Like usual it is loaded with star power representing the top clubs in Europe. The big name of course is Neymar who has become the poster boy of the Brazilian squad for nearly ten years now. Aside from him are a slew of top quality forwards such as Firmino, Gabriel Jesus, Richarlison, and Vinicius Junior. The team is the defending champion from the last Copa America and it's hard to see them not defending that title, especially since it's on their home turf.
Colombia (Players to Watch)
- David Ospina (Age 32) GK. Napoli
- Davinson Sanchez (Age 25) DF. Tottenham
- Yerry Mina (Age 26) DF. Everton
- Juan Cuadrado (Age 33) MF. Juventus
- Luis Muriel (Age 30) FW. Atalanta
Analysis: The Colombian squad has made quite a splash since their quarter-final run at the 2014 World Cup. However they have still not won a major trophy since the 2001 tournament. This time around the team is missing two of their most iconic superstars in Radamel Falcao and James Rodriguez (both not included due to injuries). It will be interesting to see if this team can rise to the occasion without the leadership from these two. Nonetheless they still have a very strong roster and have a good chance to make it to the semi-finals.
Peru (Players to Watch)
- Renato Tapia (Age 25) MF. Celta Vigo
- Miguel Trauco (Age 28) DF. Saint-Etienne
- Christian Cueva (Age 29) FW. Al-Fateh
Analysis: This team has lately seemed to cause some ripples
and didn't do too bad at the previous World Cup. They lost by only 1 goal to Denmark and the champions France, and they convincingly defeated Australia. However the team is now without their iconic leader Paolo Guerrero and will have to find some new leadership or star power to make a splash at this tournament.
and didn't do too bad at the previous World Cup. They lost by only 1 goal to Denmark and the champions France, and they convincingly defeated Australia. However the team is now without their iconic leader Paolo Guerrero and will have to find some new leadership or star power to make a splash at this tournament.
Ecuador (Players to Watch)
- Enner Valencia (Captain) (Age 31) FW. Fernerbahce
- Moises Caicedo (Age 19) MF. Brighton & Hove Albion
- Gonzalo Plata (Age 21) MF. Sporting CP
Analysis: Ecuador has never won this tournament before however they're still not terrible. Their most well known player is Enner Valencia who has had several stints in the Premier League and now plays for Fernerbahce. The team will certainly need his pace and quality as well as some good fortune to make it far in this tournament.
Venezuela (Players to Watch)
- Tomas Rincon (Captain) (Age 33) MF. Torino
- Mikel Villanueva (Age 28) DF. Santa Clara
- Josef Martinez (Age 28) FW. Atlanta United FC
Analysis: This team always performs poorly at soccer, and are known more for their baseball prowess. One of their promising stars Solomon Rondon, was not included in this years roster. They do have a notable striker in his prime, Josef Martinez, who has become one of the stars of the MLS. However sadly I just don't think an MLS superstar will be able to carry Venezuela to the top. I foresee Venezuela finishing last in this group and doing battle not to finish last.
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