LONDON: With just weeks before a World Cup like no other begins, the poor form of European powerhouses suggests a changing of the guard could take place in Qatar.
European nations have won every World Cup since Brazil won the last of their five titles in Japan and South Korea in 2002.
Europe has provided 13 of the 16 semi-finalists at the last four World Cups, with Italy, Spain, Germany and France leading the way.
But reigning European champions Italy didn’t even qualify for Qatar, while England, France, Germany and Spain doubted their chances.
England’s six-game winless streak is their worst ever en route to a major tournament as the Three Lions were relegated from the top flight of the UEFA Nations League.
World champions France only avoided the same fate thanks to different results, with Les Bleus and Germany winning just one of their six group stage Nations League games.
Spain have reached the semi-finals of this competition but were beaten 2-1 by Switzerland at home last week.
Adding to the uncertainty is a first-ever half-season World Cup for European teams, with no time for training camps and pre-tournament friendlies.
Up until the World Cup break on November 13th – a week before the start of the tournament – players from Europe’s top teams were able to play for their clubs up to 13 times.
“Everyone faces the same challenge. It’s a strange time with so many teams a bit up in the air,” said England manager Gareth Southgate.
“There are very few teams that have been able to find form.
“We’ve all had the players for three or four days, two games in quick succession and now this gap where you’re sitting and hoping you don’t pick up big injuries, but we’re going to pick some up.”
“HIGH LEVEL RESISTANCE”
Injuries, fatigue and the competitive nature of the Nations League have all been identified as reasons for the struggles of some of the traditional giants.
England, Germany and Italy were all in the same Nations League group, as were Spain and Portugal.
“We play and have played against some top quality teams and we will do better for that,” said Southgate.
“In the past we’ve had friendlies or whatever the games were and then we’ve gone into tournaments. This is the first time we’ve faced high-level opponents.”
France were without a number of stars Didier Deschamps hopes will be fit for the World Cup after Sunday’s 2-0 defeat by Denmark.
“It is important that we regain our strength in the next two months,” said Deschamps.
Argentina and Brazil travel to Qatar as form teams as European rivals struggle for continuity with little time to prepare.
At what may be his last World Cup at the age of 35, Lionel Messi enjoys playing for the best Argentine side of his international career.
Lionel Scaloni’s men are on a national record of 35 unbeaten matches dating back to 2019, including Messi’s first major international title at the Copa America last year.
Losing in this Copa America final on home soil is Brazil’s only defeat in 29 games.
The vast majority of these games by both nations have been played in friendlies and in South America’s World Cup qualifiers against defeated opponents.
But any doubts about the quality of Argentina’s current squad vanished in June’s first-ever ‘Finalissima’ between the champions of Europe and South America, with a dominant 3-0 win over Italy.
“I see Argentina above everyone else and also Brazil,” said Spain coach Luis Enrique. “Far above the rest.”