The 2022 FIFA World Cup is underway at long last. Hosts Qatar raised the curtain on November 20th against Ecuador, and it was the South Americans that came out on top courtesy of a double from former West Ham striker Enner Valencia. In turn, The Maroons became the first host nation in the history of the World Cup to lose their opening game, and it will be an uphill struggle for them now, with European giants the Netherlands and African Champions Senegal both waiting in the wings.
Meanwhile, EA Sports released their World Cup DLC on November 10th, and fans have already fallen in love with the new game mode. Not only can players play through the entire tournament in full, but they can also change the course of history by substituting nations such as Italy – who shockingly lost out to North Macedonia in qualifying, meaning that they missed a second consecutive World Cup – into the competition. As well as that, there is a Live FIFA World Cup game mode, which will allow players to play through the tournament in real-time. So, if you fancy a challenge, why not attempt to take Qatar to the last 16 following their opening-day defeat?
It’s not only the new DLC which is a World Cup feast. Ultimate team also has plenty of new content, cards, and challenges. One particular feature we like is the new Path To Glory cards. Basically, the further a nation goes in the World Cup, the better rating the PTG card will have. There are 39 new cards available to gamers, and these are the ones that we feel will go the furthest.
Vinicius Jr. & Bruno Guimarães – Brazil – Winners
With a frontline of Neymar, Gabriel Jesus, and Vinicius Jr., the Selecao are going to take some stopping. In recent editions of the tournament, the Brazilians haven’t been at their scintillating best. They were dumped out by Belgium in the quarterfinals four years ago, and, if we go back to 2014, they were thumped 7-1 by Germany in the semifinals, on home turf nonetheless.
This year, however, things appear to have clicked into place, and we fancy Tite’s side to go all the way and lift the famous gold trophy for a sixth time on December 18th. If they do that, then Vinicius’ PTG card will have a rating of 93 and will cause chaos in any opponent’s backline. By the same token, Bruno Guimarães’ card will be rated 92 and will be one of the best midfield cards available in the Premier League.
Jack Grealish & Kyle Walker – England – Runners-Up
For years, England were the perennial laughing stock at the World Cup. Every time they entered a tournament, expectations would be through the roof, only for a quarter-final exit via a penalty shootout to be waiting just around the corner. That all changed four years ago as England conquered their shootout curse when they defeated Colombia in Moscow in the second round. From there, they would beat Sweden in the last eight before falling at the hands of beaten finalists Croatia in the semifinals.
They would go one better last summer as they reached the final of the European Championships, only for a cruel penalty shootout to be waiting for them once again. This year, we expect them to once again reach the final, but the Brazilians will have too much for them at the Lusail Iconic Stadium.
Should England reach the final, then the Manchester City duo of Jack Grealish & Kyle Walker’s PTG cards will both have a rating of 91 and will be menacing additions to your Ultimate Team. The upgraded version of Grealish will replicate the player he was at Aston Villa when he was the creative force in the team. Walker, meanwhile, has been OP for years now, and a juiced-up version of the former Sheffield United man means that you will have a guardian for the ages at right back.