David Beckham on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar: his favorites, the surprise and an unexpected revelation

24 hours before the start of the Qatar 2022 World Cup draw, where the eight groups between which the 32 teams will be divided will be defined, David Beckham, one of the main ambassadors of the World Cup event and three-time World Cup participant, spoke in an intimate interview with the official FIFA website .

The former midfielder and current majority owner of MLS Inter Miami, assured that England could be one of the candidates to fight for the trophy to be awarded on December 18 at the Lusail Stadium, located 15 kilometers north of Doha.

However, he also acknowledged that there are other teams that are his favorites to win the Cup, among which he highlighted the Argentine, Brazilian and French teams, who must defend it after beating Croatia at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

“When you think about the World Cup you automatically talk about Brazil, Argentina and France. They are all great nations that have won a lot,” acknowledged the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star, about who he sees as favorites.

On Denmark, he considered that it could be the revelation: “I am excited to see her play. I think they might be the big surprise. They have had a good preparation and are always doing quite well in major tournaments.” At the same time, he said he really wants to see the host nation, Qatar: “They have a young team that has been together for a long time. They know each other well and I think the atmosphere in the stadiums will cheer them up.”

Speaking of the English national team, which recently reached the final of the Euro 2020 and fell with Italy, Spice Boy stressed that, “my expectations are always high. I feel that Gareth (Southgate, the technician) has done an incredible job. We have a team that has been together for quite a few years. I feel like this is a real opportunity for us. We arrived in good shape.”

David Beckham was very involved in the preparation of this World Cup event of which he is one of the main ambassadors along with other figures in the football scene such as Xavi Hernández and, in the one prior to the draw, he gave his opinion on it.

“It's a great moment and something you always look forward to as a player and fan. It's exciting for players to know who you're up against and who you need to prepare for. It's a time for players and fans to realize that the World Cup is almost here and for the excitement to start growing,” he said in dialogue with FIFA.

At the same time, he explained that the proximity between the stadiums will be beneficial to all the teams: “It's a great benefit. The furthest a team will have to travel is 40 to 45 minutes by bus. In the World Cups I played in, it could take two or three days to recover from the game and travel. For a single player, Qatar offers the perfect setup.”

Finally, the former British midfielder surprised to announce that he feels able to continue playing despite retiring in 2013. “I'm 46 years old, but I still feel like I can put on my boots and play a World Cup. Even at my age, which is not old, I still feel like I could play in the Premier League or La Liga or for England. When I enter a stadium I always want to put on my booties.”

KEEP READING