It’s little wonder that World Cup betting is one of the most popular punting pursuits across the planet. Ever since the World Cup draw was made, football fans across the planet have been counting down the minutes for Qatar 2022.
The Qatar World Cup will be a tournament like no other, but one constant remains: betting on the outright winners never fails to capture the imagination.
Here, our team of football experts assess the chances of the teams in the World Cup that are most likely to claim the ultimate prize:
*Odds credit to VBET
BRAZIL
World Cup Odds: 4/1
Key man: Neymar
It is frankly staggering that Brazil have not won the World Cup since 2002, such has been the stellar players at their disposal over the last 20 years. There is a sense, however, that their quest for the ultimate prize will finally end in glory.
It is a measure of the quality of this Brazil squad that long-serving manager Tite has left out top-class operators like Joelinton and Roberto Firmino without barely causing a ripple within the media.
They have outstanding talent in each department and in Neymar, of course, Brazil possess a magician capable of single-handedly winning football games.
ARGENTINA
World Cup Odds: 11/2
Key Man: Lionel Messi
The sky looks like the limit for the two-time World Cup winners in Qatar. Argentina have, in recent times, rocked up to the greatest sporting tournament on the planet in a state of flux.
In-house unrest and questionable management have often led to severe underachievement. Not so this year as Argentina are at peace with the world and have been in electric form for what seems an eternity.
They have a wonderful side that has neatly meshed youth and experience that has allowed Lionel Messi to play some of his best football for his country. This could be Messi’s final World Cup and it would be some fairytale if Argentina went all the way under the guidance of the greatest football that has ever lived. Whenever Messi is in town, dreams often come true.
FRANCE
World Cup Odds: 6/1
Key Man: Kylian Mbappe
These are interesting times for the reigning World Cup winners. They still have the core of the squad that dazzled in Russia. They still have a fine manager in Didier Deschamps. And they still have two of the best forwards in world football in Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema.
Their proud sense of unity also remains intact, but there are questions to be answered in Qatar. Injury to the influential N’Golo Kante is a painful blow, while many of their star men are now reaching veteran status.
France have not been playing especially well, either. It would be folly to rule out their chances, such is the quality that runs through their squad, but they look too short in the World Cup betting.
ENGLAND
World Cup Odds: 8/1
Key Man: Harry Kane
A few short months ago, the levels of expectancy amongst England fans had reached fever pitch. This is, after all, one of their best squads of a generation.
But several factors have since counted against Gareth Southgate’s men and optimism ahead of going deep in Qatar has been stifled. They have been in wretched form and have suffered some big injuries to key players. There are also questions about Southgate’s approach, which has been criticised for being far too conservative given the wealth of attacking flair at his disposal.
England have the players – not least Harry Kane up top – to do some serious damage at the tournament but it’s hard to see how they can regain their mojo after such a sullen run of form. Can they reach the World Cup 2022 final? Of course, but it will take an Herculean achievement from Southgate’s mercurial outfit.
SPAIN
World Cup Odds: 17/2
Key Man: Pedri
The 2010 World Cup winners are always a blockbuster draw, but they have had a chequered past in recent tournaments and are unquestionably a shadow of the team that helped to revolutionise football.
Despite having finished top of the group in qualifying, Spain hardly pulled up too many trees – with deficiencies amongst their creaking backline evident, even against very weak opposition.
Pedri is an absolute joy to watch and has the raw talent to become the leading light at Qatar 2022. They can never be ruled out, but this side does not look anywhere near the finished article and can be passed over at odds of 17/2.
GERMANY
World Cup Odds: 10/1
Key Man: Joshua Kimmich
Few sides in the tournament boast the pedigree of Germany, who have won the World Cup four times. However, they arrive in Qatar with plenty to prove following a recent dip in the performances.
Hansi Blick’s men faltered badly in the Nations League and looked especially flawed from a defensive perspective. It can be tempting to take results from that competition with a sizeable pinch of salt, but many performances left German fans with justifiable cause for concern.
Joshua Kimmich is an outstanding player who dictates midfields with metronomic precision. This German side does not look particularly great, however, and they might have their limitations exposed – not least as they must play Spain in the 2022 World Cup groups stages.
NETHERLANDS
World Cup Odds: 12/1
Key Man: Virgil van Dijk
The Dutch have looked much more like their old selves since reverting to a 5-3-2 formation back in March and look particularly sharp in the Nations League.
Louis van Gaal is also one of the best managers at the World Cup and adopted similar tactics when Holland reached the semi-finals back in 2014. Much will depend upon the form and fitness of Memphis Depay and Frenkie de Jong if the Netherlands are to make serious inroads into the tournament, but they have a starting XI to give anyone a serious game.
The issue, however, is a lack of strength in depth. Any injuries to key men could be fatal.
PORTUGAL
World Cup Odds: 14/1
Key Man: Cristiano Ronaldo
The World Cup regulars once again had to qualify the hard way via the play-offs and arrive in Qatar very much under the radar. This is probably with just cause as this is not a vintage Portugal side. Although they are not short of attacking options with the likes of Bernardo Silva, Joao Felix and Bruno Fernandes, Cristiano Ronaldo is not nearly the player he was and it is hard to imagine a stunning swansong from the world stage.
Few sides will fancy playing a Portugal side renowned for their strength of character, but it’s tricky to make a solid case about their chances of World Cup glory.
BELGIUM
World Cup Odds: 16/1
Key Man: Kevin de Bruyne
Whenever a major tournament comes around, many good judges have often shortlisted Belgium as the proverbial ‘dark horse’. This perceived golden generation has in recent years flattered to deceive.
This might have something to do with an ageing back-four, but it would be deeply unwise to dismiss Belgium’s claims in Qatar. Roberto Martinez has pretty much the same squad that took Belgium to the semi-finals four years ago and have arguably the world’s best player right now in Kevin de Bruyne.
Assuming towering forward Romalu Lukaku is fit for duty, Belgium look massively overpriced at 16/1.
THE VERDICT:
ARGENTINA can be backed at odds of 11/2 are strongly fancied to win the World Cup for the first time since 1986. Lionel Scaloni has cultivated a winning machine that is packed with flair, discipline and creative nous. Crucially, there is a real sense of harmony about this side – which has certainly not been the case in recent years. They also have Lionel Messi.
As an eyecatching each-way alternative, punters can do a lot worse than BELGIUM, who are surely overpriced at odds of 16/1. They might just fall short, but Roberto Martinez’s preferred starting XI, in which Kevin de Bruyne is the fulcrum, is top notch. They have the tools to make serious inroads into the tournament.
*Odds subject to change and were correct at time of publication
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