It's time to get laughed at. Here are The18's 2022 FIFA World Cup predictions, although many of our employees have elected the safest route after gazing into their crystal balls.
There's something of a consensus surrounding the might of South America, and it looks like Argentina and this Lionel Messi fella have turned a lot of heads while riding a 36-match unbeaten streak into the finals. Neymar's Brazil is the clear alternative. But the World Cup routinely shows that prior form counts for little once the ball gets rolling, so don't expect one big coronation ceremony for Conmebol in Qatar.
As for our USMNT predictions, you can tell we've all been waiting eight excruciatingly long years for this moment. No one wants it to end at the group stage and we've shown absolutely zero respect for Wales.
The18's 2022 FIFA World Cup predictions
David Moore (Associate Writer)
Winner: Argentina
Runner-up: England
Golden Boot: Harry Kane
Golden Ball: Lionel Messi
Biggest overachiever: Japan
Biggest underachiever: Spain
How far does USA go: Round of 16
Luis Vidal (Associate Writer)
Winner: Argentina
Runner-up: Brazil
Golden Boot: Karim Benzema
Golden Ball: Lionel Messi
Biggest overachiever: Serbia
Biggest underachiever: Portugal
How far does USA go: Round of 16
Daylon Schiffel (Associate Video Editor)
Winner: Brazil
Runner-up: Argentina
Golden Boot: Vinícius Júnior
Golden Ball: Lionel Messi
Biggest overachiever: Uruguay
Biggest underachiever: France
How far does USA go: Quarterfinals
Alie Mueller (Intern Graphic Designer)
Winner: Netherlands
Runner-up: Belgium
Golden Boot: Neymar
Golden Ball: Cristiano Ronaldo
Biggest overachiever: Argentina
Biggest underachiever: Portugal
How far does USA go: Semifinals
Connor Fleming (Associate Writer)
Winner: Brazil
Runner-up: France
Golden Boot: Kylian Mbappé
Golden Ball: Neymar
Biggest overachiever: Canada
Biggest underachiever: Belgium
How far does USA go: Round of 16
Giancarlo Cornejo (Intern Writer)
Winner: Brazil
Runner-up: Portugal
Golden Boot: Cristiano Ronaldo
Golden Ball: Neymar
Biggest overachiever: Mexico
Biggest underachiever: England
How far does USA go: Round of 16
