By Jim James
Hello all, welcome back. With the World Cup in 7 days’ time now, We’re putting out much more World Cup-themed content now, starting with this. We’re simulating the World Cup in FIFA 23 using their World Cup mode (please sponsor us, EA). Perhaps at the end of the tournament we’ll come back to see just how wrong they were. The Second Part of my predictions are coming soon, and without further ado, let’s start simulating!
Group Stage
The tournament starts with an Argentina draw vs Saudi Arabia and a France loss vs Australia. Will the Winners’ curse strike again? Stay tuned to find out. Canada secure the biggest win in the country’s history, 2-1 vs Belgium, and Brazil are held to a draw vs Serbia.
In matchday 2, England have a slam-dunk to go top of the group, but it rims out, and they lose vs the USA. France bounce back with a win vs Denmark, same with Argentina after beating Mexico. Germany play Spain, and draw 1-1, and finally, Portugal are held to just 2 points in their first 2 games, with draws vs Uruguay and Ghana.
In Matchday 3, the Netherlands secure top of the group with a 4-2 win vs Qatar. England go OUT of the groups after a 3-2 loss to Wales, fuelled by Neco Williams and Dan James. France qualify 2nd after a win vs Tunisia, and Argentina wins the group with a win vs Poland. Croatia and Belgium draw, clearing a path for Canada to TOP THE GROUP with a win vs Morocco, a chance which they take. Spain win the group with a draw vs Japan. Portugal go out, last in the group, after a loss vs South Korea, who qualify. Brazil squeeze themselves to top of the group.
RO16
The Netherlands need a 89th-minute winner by Frenkie de Jong to get past Iran 3-2. Messi’s World Cup hopes end with a loss to France in the RO16 again, Belgium come from behind to beat Spain 2-1, Wales beat Senegal on penalties, and Poland beat Denmark 2-0 to set up that matchup in the RO16. Je-seung Lee writes himself in Korean folklore after a double, including a 117th minute winner sees South Korea beat Brazil. Canada also pull off a miracle win vs Germany with a 96th minute winner by Jonathan David, and Uruguay beat Cameroon on penalties.
Quarter-Finals
We start with the Netherlands vs France, and Steven Berghuis in the 82nd minute seals a 2-1 Dutch win. Poland also ends Wales’ fairy tale, 2-1. With France out, Belgium has a clear path to winning the World Cup, but will they take it? They beat Korea 3-1 despite a goal from Je-seung Lee, and Uruguay squeeze past Canada 3-2 and end their run.
Semi-Finals
The First Semi-Final, Netherlands vs Poland, starts with an 11th minute goal by Memphis, followed with a goal by Piotr Zielinski. Can the dream happen? The rest of the first half is filled with chances, but no goals, Same with the second half. Extra time, however, swiftly sees Steven Bergwijn put the Dutch back in front. He doubles the advantage in the 105th minute. Poland need a miracle now. It’s a miracle they won’t get, as the game finishes 3-1 Netherlands and they advance to the final.
Now Belgium vs Uruguay. Luis Suárez opens the scoring 6 minutes in, a moment which could be the best of his career so far. However, Hans Vanaken, of all people, gets an equalizer in the 36th minute, then Youri Tielemans scores a 51st minute screamer to make it 2-1. Belgium fall asleep on the counter and leave Giorgian de Arrascaeta to score on the break to level it with 20 minutes to go. It looked set to go to extra-time, but Eden Hazard scores on the tightest angle to put Belgium back in front with 5 minutes left, and it stays like that. It’s Belgium vs the Netherlands.
3rd Place Match and Final.
A corker of a match sees Poland beat Uruguay on penalties after a 3-3 120 minutes, getting the Polish 3rd place, not too shabby.
It’s the Netherlands vs Belgium in the World Cup Final. 7 minutes in, Eden Hazard slams an effort off the bar, but Youri Tielemans puts the Belgian side in front 2 minutes later. Steven Bergwijn then levels it on the 23rd minute. What a game this is shaping up to be. 38 minutes in, Bergwijn scores again and puts the Dutch up 2-1, the score that we see at half-time. 58 minutes in, the Netherlands all but seal the game through Berghuis. Or do they? 65 minutes in, Hans Vanaken gets one back for Belgium. 73 minutes in, Frenkie de Jong gives away a free kick right on the edge of the area to Belgium, but Yannick Carrasco blazes it over. To make matters worse, on the goal kick, the Netherlands play beautiful direct football and Arnaut Danjuma scores to make it 4-2. Then, with 4 minutes left, Danjuma scores AGAIN to make it 5-2. That’s how it stays, and the Netherlands humiliate Belgium in FIFA’s prediction of the FIFA World Cup.
Golden Boot: Jonathan David (6)
Most Assists: Steven Berghuis (5)
Golden Ball: Steven Bergwijn (5 Goals, WC Winner)
Goalkeeper of the Tournament: Wojciech Szczęsny (2 CS)
There you go, FIFA’s rendition of the 2022 World Cup, to take place in a week’s time. What a tournament it would be if it happened. I’m Jim James, and until next time!