Belgium
The Skinny: Belgium has ranked in the top 3 in FIFA for a very, very, very long time. Despite a population of ~11 million people, Belgium has some of the best talent in the world. And this is a recent phenomena. Historically, Belgium has been bad. Then, all of a sudden, players like De Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Lukaku, Vertonghen, Alderweireld, Meunier, Castagne, Witsel, and Trossard popped up. They are all relatively the same age. This "golden age" of Belgium football has been around for a decade. The problem is, they are all old. Their center backs are 35 and 33 years old. De Bruyne is on the wrong side of 30. Hazard is 31 and plays like he's 41. This World Cup is their last true chance at glory (they made it to the semis in the last World Cup).
Why They'll Win: Because the opposing teams couldn't stop Kevin De Bruyne. If Man City and Belgium have taught us anything, it's that shutting down Kevin De Bruyne is a surefire way to make sure Man City/Belgium do not score. But that is a very, very tall order. Kante shut down De Bruyne in the previous World Cup. Reece James shut down De Bruyne in the Chelsea/Man City Champions League final. There is absolutely a correlation between the two. However, if you cannot stop De Bruyne, it's over. He will run havoc around your team. He will make passes and make you throw inanimate objects at your TV. The man is special.
Why They'll Lose: Because their defense is slow. Vertonghen and Alderweireld are talented players. Both played at Tottenham for a long period of time. Both are tall and physical. They are also both older (mid-30s). And they are slow. They cannot stop fast moving and creative attacks. They let in a lot of goals. Belgium can manufacture goals; they can also let a lot in.
The Impact Player Who You Know: Kevin De Bruyne. Yes, I've mentioned him a lot in this post, and with good reason. He is the best midfielder in the world. If I was building a team today, he'd be the first player I'd choose (over Haaland and Mbappe). Soccer doesn't have a PG, but De Bruyne would be the closest thing to it. He's Chris Paul on the field, minus the nut tapping. His IQ for passing is off the charts. His outside shot is up there with the best. He's big, he's not slow, and he's more athletic than critics give him credit for. Everything in Belgium goes through him. He is arguably the most irreplaceable player in the World Cup, because Belgium would be a mediocre team without him.
The Impact Player Who You May Not Know: Thomas Meunier. It's tough to choose a player here, because everyone is either old and underperforming and too young and irrelevant. Enter Thomas Meunier, who plays for Dortmund and seems to be on everyone's wish list yet no one wants to pay for him. He's a right back but versatile enough to play in midfield. He can defend, he can pass, and he can score if in the right place at the right time. He's the kind of player you need to advance because he doesn't mind doing the dirty work.
FDD Watchability Meter: 7/10. There is a lot of talent on this team, and De Bruyne is worthy of your time. He is a magician on the field.
FDD Likability Meter: 4/10. Belgium is to Holland what Canada is to the US. You're not supposed to like them, but the truth is your culture, language, geography is all pretty close to one another. I have never liked Belgium for the sake they are Belgium; I have nothing against them as a team or the players, other than I don't want them to win the WC because that would be the biggest slap in the face to Holland.
NCAA Comp: Houston. Never won a championship despite some incredible, incredible talent. Highly relevant today. For some reason, few give Houston credit. And let's face it - they aren't really that likable.
Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfils the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things. - Winston Churchill
President of the "Nolan Smith Should Have His Jersey in The Rafters" Club