The next World Cup is four years away, but if the tournament began today, how would the biggest countries line up? Further, what do they need to do between now and kickoff on Nov. 21, 2022?

We asked our writers to look into the future. Click on the flags below to see that nation.

Starting XI if the World Cup began today
Sergio Romero; Renzo Saravia, Juan Foyth, Nicolas Otamendi, Nicolas Tagliafico; Giovani Lo Celso, Leandro Paredes, Exequiel Palacios; Lionel Messi, Paulo Dybala,...

GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany -- Timo Werner's wry smile after the final whistle at the Veltins-Arena betrayed a flurry of conflicting emotions, encompassing anger, optimism and regret.

First of all, though, there was a sense of pride. The RB Leipzig striker had ample reason to be pleased with his own performance, having scored a fine opening goal after eight minutes and combined well throughout the evening with his equally pacy and impressive teammates -- Bayern flyer Serge Gnabry and Manchester City's...

As a former journalist and politician, German FA (DFB) president Reinhard Grindel is a pretty eloquent man. But when the 57-year-old stepped in front of reporters at midnight to offer his verdict on the 2-1 defeat to France, and by extension on the embattled manager Joachim Low, the words that came out his mouth were drowned out by the (metaphorical) screeching sound of goalposts being moved.

In the aftermath of Germany's horrific failure in Russia -- where the defending World Cup champions failed...

How quickly things change. Germany went into the World Cup as reigning world champions, Confederations Cup champions and European U21 champions. It wasn't just the present that was rosy, but the future too. And Joachim Low got a big contract extension through 2022.

Fast-forward to the present day. Saturday's 3-0 defeat away to the Dutch -- a team that failed to qualify for the last two major tournaments, featured two debutants (Denzel Dumfries and Steven Bergwijn) and had Ryan Babel in attack...

Arsenal fans were treated to a double blast from the past this weekend as Per Mertesacker played a farewell match in his hometown of Hannover with Arsene Wenger in the dugout for one of the teams.

The former Gunners captain played a half each on Saturday for Merte's 96 Friends, a team of players with Hannover connections, and Per's World XI, which was "managed" by Wenger.

The game at the HDI-Arena was an absolute goalfest with stars such as Ivan Klasnic, Arne Friedrich, Thomas Hitzlsperger, Max...

The concept of a big sporting upset is fresh in the mind when it comes to Germany. Their unexpected failure to defend their World Cup title in Russia this summer has introduced fresh doubt around the national team and Thursday's vote for the right to host Euro 2024 feels equally uncertain.

From the moment the two countries registered their intention to bid for Euro 2024 in March of last year, seasoned tournament operators Germany were widely seen as the no-risk favourites with hopeful first-timers...