A World Cup of firsts, 2022’s edition will be the only World Cup to date to be held in the Northern Hemisphere’s winter months. Geographical reasons have meant that the possibility of holding FIFA’s flagship event in its usual summer slot is logistically impossible.
However, allowing for such changes in schedule has presented an opportunity to Qatar that they might otherwise have missed out on. This will be the host nation’s first World Cup appearance, and they will be the only nation making their debut at the tournament in 2022.
Realistically, very few foresee Qatar making waves in the competition, with most expecting the Middle Eastern minnows to prop up what is a very competitive Group A.
Hosts aside however, this is perhaps the most wide open World Cup in recent memory. It stands to reason that the usual suspects, or veterans of the tournament, will have a significant part to play.
But, early indications suggest that there really is no clear favourite to lift the trophy on December 18th and even the Golden Boot. Injuries and recent performances have played a part, but who exactly are the Bookies tipping to make a decent run at the Qatar World Cup?
Brazil
To Qualify for the Knockouts: 1/14
To Win the World Cup: 4/1
With the World Cup as unpredictable as it is this year, the trophy’s return to the South American continent becomes a serious possibility. Brazil are perhaps CONMEBOL’s best hope, and are a stand out name on the world football scene at the best of times. Given that the so-called ‘big hitters’ aren’t firing on all cylinders, Tite’s band of talented individuals will absolutely look to make the most of the shortcomings of their rivals.
Brazil enjoyed an unbeaten qualification campaign. 14 wins and just 3 draws with 40 goals scored is testament to the depth and quality in the Brazil squad. The contribution of talismanic forward Neymar was also nothing short of sensational. 8 goals and 8 assists in just 10 appearances highlights the obvious dangers that he, and many of his colleagues, will pose to the opposition. A stubborn Switzerland, Serbia, and Cameroon will stand in Brazil’s way of making the last 16, but it would certainly be a shock if they were to not cruise into the knockout stages. With world class operators across the park, and other nations struggling to find their form, one would be brave to bet against the South American giants, and the World Cup could well go to a team from outside of Europe for the first time since 2002.
Find Brazil’s bet builder stats pack here.
France
To Qualify for the Knockouts: 1/16
To Win the World Cup: 11/2
France will be looking to retain their status as ‘the best in the world’ when they step foot in Qatar, and with this edition of the tournament being as open as it is, Les Blues have as strong a claim as any other nation. The 2018 champions won the most recent World Cup in spectacular fashion, with 4 goals in the final against Croatia. However, Didier Deschamps’ players will have questions hanging over them given their lacklustre performances in recent months.
An exit at the last 16 stage of the 2021 Euros shocked many, and whilst World Cup qualification was simple with France going unbeaten, the most recent iteration of the Nations League was a near disaster.
With the likes of Benzema, Mbappe, Giroud, Griezmann, Diaby, Dembele, and Coman all in contention to travel to Qatar, Deschamps has a plethora of options at his disposal that would have many a defence scared. With midfield water carrier N’golo Kante a confirmed absentee however, France may well have their work cut out as they look for a second World Cup in a row. The ability is there, but can the French side regain their form that made them such a threat 4 years ago?
Find France’s bet builder stats pack here.
Argentina
To Qualify for the Knockouts: 1/16
To Win the World Cup: 13/2
Always the bridesmaid, never the bride, or so it would seem for an Argentina side that hadn’t won a trophy since 1993 until their Copa America triumph just 16 months ago. Messi and co will be looking to rectify the wrongs that saw them miss out on World Cup glory in 2014, and as already noted, there is a real possibility that the World Cup could return to South America this year. So if not Brazil, then why not Argentina?
The Argentinians looked as imperious in qualification as their fiercest rivals, ultimately ending their campaign unbeaten and finishing 9 points above 3rd place Uruguay. In fact, Argentina’s form is quite frankly ridiculous. They’ve not lost a game since suffering a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Brazil in the 2019 edition of the Copa America.
Spearheaded by a Lionel Messi set to play in his last World Cup, Argentina are a force to be reckoned with. 7 goals in qualifying for the 35 year old is nothing to be scoffed at, and he’ll be looking to lead his country a step further than they went in 2014. As one of the greatest to ever play the game, could this finally be the year that Messi lands the greatest prize in football?
Find Argentina’s bet builder stats pack here.
Spain
To Qualify for the Knockouts: 1/12
To Win the World Cup: 15/2
With many other nations failing to live up to expectation, 2010 winners Spain could well find themselves in a position to reclaim their crown. Luis Enrique has changed little in regards to the effective and measured passing approach both formulated and consolidated by his predecessors, yet their lack of cutting edge in the final third will see them unfancied by some.
Whilst they continue to dominate the ball, the Spanish often look frail off it. Busquets and Alba are all that remain of Spain’s golden generation, and gone are the days where perhaps one of the greatest midfield trios in football history would hunt down the ball in packs, ultimately forcing their opponents to relinquish possession.
However, in teenagers Pedri and Gavi, Spain have produced the Xavi and Iniesta regens that they were so desperately craving. After a rocky qualification campaign that saw points dropped against Sweden and Greece, the youngsters have gradually found their footing. Noticeable improvements were seen in the Nations League, with Spain topping their group where the likes of Portugal, England, France, and Germany failed to do so. Now at the forefront of Spain’s attacking play, can the youngsters carry their nation to World Cup success, or will Busquets’ swansong be one of disappointment?
Find Spain’s bet builder stats pack here.
England
To Qualify for the Knockouts: 1/16
To Win the World Cup: 15/2
‘Football’s coming home’, a phrase adored and championed by football fans across the country, perhaps fair given that England’s prospects over the last 4 years have looked as bright as they ever have. Gareth Southgate had recaptured the hearts of many with his side’s deep runs in both the 2018 World Cup and 2021 Euros. Form of late has declined though, and whilst still a threat to anyone on their day, England’s chances of winning the 2022 World Cup are certainly up in the air.
Southgate’s penchant for defenders isn’t going to win back the support of those disillusioned with his seemingly negative style of play. It’s not as if England have a dearth of attacking talent either, but piecing together a squad that has enough defenders in it for a starting XI is not going to win you a World Cup. Recent performances in the Nations League are evidence of this lack of ambition. Two separate defeats to Hungary, including a 4-0 demolition at home, just about sums up England’s dismal campaign.
Much like every other nation on this list, England’s pool of talent is vast. If Gareth Southgate can pick the lock, and unleash the exciting attacking talent at his disposal, then England have everything that they need to go far in Qatar, much like they did in Russia four years prior.
Find England’s bet builder stats pack here.
The Dark Horses
Qatar 2022 has all the makings of an exciting World Cup. Of course, there are other nations who will be looking to stake a claim as ‘the best in the world’. The likes of Belgium, Germany, Portugal, and the Netherlands will all be vying for that title, but in a similar vein to the already discussed favourites their form is inconsistent at best. Such an open tournament also leaves space for surprises, and the likes of Croatia, Denmark, Senegal, and Uruguay amongst others will be chomping at the bit for a sniff of the trophy.
The Consensus
Brazil are seemingly leading the way odds wise, and given the layers upon layers of talent within their squad, you can see why. They’ll face close competition from their South American counterparts Argentina, and many will be rooting for Messi and co if the little maestro can dance his way into the latter stages.
Europe’s best hopes don’t come into this one in the form that they’d like to be in, but England, France, and Spain have more than enough quality in their ranks to cause problems for anyone. Whilst it remains difficult to pick out a winner, the fact that any number of sides could well lift the trophy guarantees that this will be a World Cup to remember.
