We now know the 32 nations that will compete at the 2022 Qatar World Cup this winter.Costa Rica booked the 32nd and final spot in Qatar after they beat New Zealand in their World Cup playoff on Tuesday.So, the eight groups have been confirmed and we really can't wait now. The final groups are:Group A: Qatar, Netherlands, Senegal, EcuadorGroup B: England, USA, Wales, IranGroup C: Argentina, Poland, Mexico, Saudi ArabiaGroup D: France, Denmark, Tunisia, AustraliaGroup E: Germany, Spain, Japan, Costa RicaGroup F: Belgium, Croatia, Canada, MoroccoGroup G: Brazil, Switzerland, Serbia, CameroonGroup H: Portugal, Uruguay, Ghana, Korea Republic
And with the groups locked in, we've decided to whet everyone's appetite for the festival of football that is just five months away.
Therefore, using Tiermaker, we've decided to predict the entire tournament. Not only who is going to win it but where all 32 sides can expect to get on in Qatar.
Will we be right? Probably not.
But it's all a bit of fun and, hopefully, it will help get you excited for the greatest event in the world.
So, from 'bottom of their group' to the 'winners', check out our predictions for all 32 nations.
Bottom of their group
Qatar
Iran
Saudi Arabia
Australia
Costa Rica
Canada
Cameroon
South Korea
We've predicted these eight sides will finish bottom of their respective groups at the World Cup.
Qatar only qualified for their first ever World Cup due to the fact they're hosts. While they've had plenty of preparation time, we can't see them getting past Netherlands, Senegal or Ecuador.
Iran will fancy their chances of qualifying from a Group B but we feel they're the weakest side of England, Wales, USA and themselves.
Saudi Arabia are the big outsiders in Group C with Argentina, Poland and Mexico to deal with. Anything other than bottom would be an achievement.
Australia produced heroics to overcome Peru in their intercontinental playoff this week but they face two strong sides in France and Denmark in their group. They will hope to pick up points from Tunisia but think they'll be finishing fourth in Group D.
Costa Rica overcame New Zealand to enter Group E - a group that contains both Germany and Spain. Japan are the other side in the group, with Costa Rica seemingly already in a battle to finish third.
Canada also face two tough sides in their group in the form of Belgium and Croatia. Morocco are the third nation but we think it'll be the Canadians propping up the rest.
Cameroon's reward for qualifying for the World Cup is a group with Brazil, Switzerland and Serbia - an extremely tough task.
South Korea face Portugal and Uruguay in their group and would do very well to qualify. They will be looking to pip Ghana to third. In truth, we could hardly split the two sides but have given Ghana the benefit of the doubt.
Will do well to reach knockouts
Ecuador
USA
Mexico
Tunisia
Japan
Ghana
Morocco
Serbia
We reckon these eight sides may pick up a few points in their group but will ultimately finish third and fail to qualify for the knockout stages.
We're backing Netherlands and Senegal to qualify from Group A, with Ecuador having to settle for third above Qatar.
Group B is a tough one to call but with England presumably taking top spot, we think it'll be Wales in second and USA in third above Iran.
Group C is our favourite group of the tournament with three very handy sides in Argentina, Poland and Mexico as well as Saudi Arabia. Sorry Mexico, we're backing Messi and Lewandowski to fire their respective sides to the knockout rounds.
France and Denmark look ready to ease through Group D leaving Australia and Tunisia to battle it out. We think Tunisia may just pip them to third.
Japan face the nigh-on impossible task of getting past Spain and Germany but we think they're stronger than the fourth side in their group - Costa Rica.
Likewise with Morocco who face both Belgium and Croatia. Can they get the better of Canada to finish third? We think so.
Serbia are a decent side but so too are Brazil and Switzerland so we're predicting a third-place finish for them above Cameroon in Group G.
Portugal and Uruguay are more than likely to qualify from Group H, leaving South Korea and Ghana. It's a very tough one to call but we think Ghana might just finish third.
Early knockout rounds
Switzerland
Wales
Poland
Well done to these three nations for scraping through their group stage but we think a last-16 exit is on the cards for them.
Switzerland are likely to finish below Brazil in their group setting up a clash against the winners of Group H - likely to be either Portugal or Uruguay. We can't see them winning against either of them.
Wales face a fight to finish in 2nd behind England and above USA and Iran but we're backing them to do it. Their reward? A last-16 tie against the Netherlands.
Poland face Argentina in their group and have to beat Mexico to finish second in Group C. If they do, it's likely France awaiting them in the last-16. Ouch.
Might reach latter stages
England
Portugal
Netherlands
Belgium
Uruguay
Croatia
Six sides who will go into the tournament hoping to go all the way - although all have an outside chance. We think the quarter-finals are about as good as they can hope for.
England are actually third-favourites according to the bookmakers but their dreadful form in the Nations League has put us off. If they win their group, they'll likely face Senegal in the last-16 but it could well be Argentina in the quarters.
Portugal had a disappointing Euro 2020 but we expect them to edge past Uruguay in Group H. If they do that, they will play second place in Group G - most likely Switzerland. While that may be winnable, Belgium or Germany/Spain are likely to await in the quarters - the side who knocked them out of Euro 2020.
While we're in Group H, we don't think Uruguay will progress any further. If they finish second to Portugal, they will face Brazil.
Netherlands are an exciting team to watch and should top Group A. They will fancy their chances of beating likely opponents Wales in the last-16 too. But are they good enough to go much further and beat Argentina in a potential quarter-final? We don't think so.
Belgium are expected to top Group F but can consider themselves unlucky to face either Spain or Germany in the last-16, whoever finishes second in Group E.
Croatia are in the same predicament in Group F. They know if they will qualify, it's highly likely they will play Spain or Germany in the last-16.
Dark horses
Denmark
Senegal
We've identified two dark horses in the tournament. While we don't expect them to win the thing, we think they could surprise a few people and progress further than expected.
Denmark are in Group D with France and we can't foresee any issues in qualifying in second place. If that happens, they will likely face Argentina in the last-16 - a tough tie but one we think Denmark could spring a surprise. After that, the Netherlands would be the expected quarter-final opponent - certainly not the toughest last-eight match. A semi-final would likely bring the likes of Brazil, Spain or Germany but reaching the last four certainly isn't beyond this Danish side.
Senegal won the African Cup of Nations earlier this season but certainly aren't considered one of the favourites for the tournament. We expect them to trouble the Netherlands in Group A and could even top the group. But if they do finish second, they'll likely face England in the last-16. Given the form of Gareth Southgate's side, they won't fear them. Okay, it may be France in the quarter-final but Senegal have history there. Remember, this is all considering Senegal finish second in Group A. We don't think it's unrealistic for them to trump the Netherlands and win Group A.
Could win it
Brazil
Argentina
Germany
Spain
Each of these four nations will go into the tournament expecting to win it. And they could.
Brazil are actually the bookmakers' favourites to win the competition and we can see why. They have a brilliant mix of experience and youth and are extremely exciting.
Argentina are rated as fifth-favourites and a lot will depend on the form of Lionel Messi. But they're far from a one-man side and could win their first World Cup since 1986.
Germany are currently on a really strong run of form since their poor Euro 2020 campaign. It would be a bit of a surprise if they go all the way in Qatar but we've learned you can never bet against the Germans.
Spain face Germany in the group and whoever comes out on top will be confident of going all the way. The Spaniards are slight favourites to top Group E but it'll certainly be an interesting battle.
Winners
France
We've predicted a French World Cup win.
Les Bleus are currently second favourites behind Brazil and have had a terrible Nations League campaign to date with no wins against Denmark, Austria and Croatia twice.
But with Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappe leading the line, we reckon they will come good in Qatar and win the biggest prize in football come December 18.
Final rankings
So, there we have it. France are the World Cup winners.
There will be plenty of you who completely disagree with our predictions and we don't blame you. Even as we type this, we're questioning some of our selections.
But one thing is for sure, we now can't wait for it all to start after all 32 nations have been confirmed.
Sure, it's a bit strange for it to be taking place in November and December in the middle of the European domestic season.
But this is the World Cup and nothing beats it.
Bring. It. On.
