The 2022 FIFA World Cup is quickly approaching as teams take a break from the summer heat and group up for a fall tournament designed to pick out the best soccer team in the world.
The first matches begin near the end of November in Qatar, where a horde of teams— both familiar and unfamiliar with the big stage— will make the case as to why they are the most dominant nation in the sport.
This competition only comes around once every four years, so the bragging rights and unofficial title will have a lasting impact.
France won the most recent World Cup in 2018, ending Croatia’s Cinderella run 4-2 in the final, while Belgium defeated England in the third-place game 2-0.
Notably, reigning European champions Italy, who dominated their continent in the 2021 competition, will be absent from the World Cup after failing to qualify.
England, which finished as runner-up in that affair, is among the top picks to take home the Gold. Here is a look at how the favorites for this year’s World Cup stack up.
World Cup Betting Preview
Brazil
Brazil heads into the competition as the betting favorite at (+500); this team represents one of the most steroid soccer nations in the world and is back to avenge recent poor showings with a rebuffed squad.
Qatar 2022 is still some months away, and injuries and drops in the form are going to come, but their squad as presently constituted is among the best in the world, balancing a tricky attack of Neymar and Raphinha with the balance of midfielders Fabinho and Casemiro and resolve of defenders Marquinhos and Thiago Silva.
The Brazilians also have one of the best goalkeepers in the world (Alisson Becker) as an insurance policy, should they become overwhelmed, although their nine-game win streak across recent matches should show that this will not happen often.
France
France put forth a poor display at the most recent European Championships but is still near the top of the favorites at (+550); they have the deepest squad in the entire world and, most notably, two of the most lethal active goal-scorers— Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema.
The FIFA World Cup 2022 schedule has already been released, and France has a manageable group of:
- Australia
- Denmark
- Tunisia
- Australia
- Denmark
- Tunisia
This should practically ensure that they gain some confidence in the early rounds and move out of group play without a scratch.
The French are prone to the occasional upset here and there, however, so bettors must temper infatuation with their high-level performances as there is always a chance of them missing the mark.
England
England is third in the list of FIFA World Cup odds at (+700), as their newest golden generation gets its best opportunity at capturing international hardware thus far.
Young talents such as:
- Declan Rice
- Mason Mount
- Phil Foden,
- Bukayo Saka,
- Jude Bellingham
All figure to play major roles in the squad, while the usual faces of Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane will provide a majority of the attacking potency.
There are questions about England’s manager and his tactics, but even a suspect on-paper defense has been brilliant during recent competitions, so their finish could depend on how decisions are handled at the top level in key moments.
World Cup Betting Odds
This is the full list of World Cup betting odds as of July 19.
- Brazil: +500
- France: +550
- England: +700
- Argentina: +700
- Spain: +750
- Germany: +950
- Belgium: +1200
- Portugal: +1300
- Netherlands: +1300
- Denmark: +3200
- Croatia: +4700
- Uruguay: +4800
- Switzerland: +8000
- Senegal: +10000
- Mexico: +11000
- Poland: +11000
- Serbia: +11000
- USA: +11000
- Ecuador: +13000
- Wales: +14000
- Morocco: +18000
- Canada: +18000
- Qatar: +21000
- South Korea: +21000
- Ghana: +21000
- Japan: +21000
- Cameroon: +21000
- Tunisia: +37000
- Australia: +37000
- Costa Rica: +55000
- Iran: +55000
- Saudi Arabia: +55000
World Cup Betting Predictions
How you can bet on a soccer tournament depends on where you are in the world, but this much is for sure: France has the best chance of being the favorite to win the competition.
The depth of their squad combined with their players’ form make them an overwhelming favorite despite Brazil’s advantage in Vegas.
Senegal would be a quality pick amongst the longshot teams after their recent championship in the African Cup of Nations, one in which their superstar players:
- Sadio Mane
- Kalidou Koulibaly
- Edouard Mendy
All showed their quality. The 2022 World Cup is only a few months away and predictions are coming in fast and furious.
Bettors can give themselves the best chance to make the correct prediction by keeping up with players’ respective leagues and staying informed on injuries and general squad updates.
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