The FIFA World Cup 2022 is now just around the corner, with the 22nd incarnation of the event set to kick off in Qatar on the 21st of November. This will be an historic event for many reasons; it will be just the second World Cup to be held in Asia and the first in the Arab world, and will also mark the first occasion on which the event has been held at this time of year rather than in May, June or July. It will also be the final time that the tournament will involve just 32 teams, with that number set to be increased to 48 from the 2026 edition of the event and onwards. There’s plenty of reasons to tune into what is the biggest sporting tournaments in the world, so let’s take a look at who are the favourites to take it out, and how you can enjoy a bet on the event.
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Brazil
The most successful team in World Cup history, Brazil will be the favourites to win the World Cup 2022 as they attempt to win the tournament for the sixth time. It’s been 20 years since they last made the final, but with the strength of their squad there is every chance that will change this year. They were dominant throughout the qualification stage, have some of the best top-end talent in the world and arguably the deepest squad in the world. They are the favourite for a reason, and will be extremely tough to beat in Qatar.
France
At the last incarnation of the event, France won the FIFA World Cup for the second time in their history and first time since 1998, and will this year look to become just the third side in history to win the coveted trophy back-to-back. History is, however, against them – the last time a side was able to win the World Cup twice in a row was in 1962, when Brazil won it for the second time. History, however, is just that, and this French team certainly has the talent to overcome it. They have talent across the park, and fully deserve to be one of the favourites to win the event.
Argentina
There is very little Lionel Messi hasn’t achieved throughout his glittering career, but the one piece of silverware which is notably absent from his trophy cabinet is a World Cup. And, at 35 years of age and with his international retirement just around the corner, this will be his last chance. He and his teammates, however, will enter the tournament with far more than just a token chance at victory. They are currently on a run of 31 consecutive unbeaten games, the longest in international football, and look very capable of making a run deep into the tournament.
England
It’s been 56 long years since England last won the World Cup, and though this won’t be the first time they’ve entered a major tournament with high expectations, they do at long last appear to be building towards something significant. They were semi-finalists back in 2018 and made the final at the Euros just last year, and no one could doubt their credentials as World Cup contenders this year given the quality of their starting XI. From Harry Kane to Raheem Sterling, Trent Alexander-Arnold to Jadon Sancho, they have talent all across the park, and at their best could certainly lay claim to being the best team in the world.
Spain
Winners of the 2010 World Cup, Spain were one of the biggest disappointments at the 2018 edition of the event. After just scraping through the Group Stage a solitary point ahead of Iran, they were beating in the Round of 16 by Russia; not exactly a side they would have been anticipating struggling against. Since then, however, the team has undergone significant change, and under Luis Enrique now boast one of the youngest and most exciting teams in world football. They are a rung below the above sides in the eyes of many, but the scintillating football they are capable of playing means they will be a threat against any side they come up against.
Germany
Rounding out the list of the top contenders for the FIFA World Cup is Germany, one of just three sides to have won the tournament on at least four occasions in their history. The last of those came in 2014, but they failed to back up that performance at the most recent World Cup, finishing in last place in their group in what was one of the biggest shocks of the tournament. They are in the middle of a transitional period for their squad, but remain a dangerous side who could pose problems for even the best in the world.
The FIFA World Cup is one of the most watchable sporting tournaments in the world, and the hundreds of millions of viewers around the globe who tune into it every four years is testament to that fact. While many will garner plenty of enjoyment purely from watching it, many others like to add to the excitement by placing a bet or two, and with so many FIFA World Cup betting sites offering markets on a massive range of different things, it’s easier than ever to do just that.
Virtually every bookmaker you’ll come across will offer something in the way of World Cup markets, with head-to-head markets on individual games as well as futures such as World Cup Winner close to universally available. The depth of other markets will depend on which betting site you use, but there are plenty that will offer a wide range, including exact score, line bets, player props such as ‘To score a goal’ markets, and other futures including Golden Ball and Golden Boot.
For many around the world, the FIFA World Cup 2022 will be one of the most highly anticipated events of the year. Watching sports is an exciting activity, and if you bet it can add another layer of interest to what is one of the favourite pastimes of so many people.
