With the line-up for the 2022 World Cup complete with Wales and Costa Rica coming out on top of their European play-off and CONCACAF play-off respectively, we have ranked the top ten teams most likely to lift the trophy going into this winter’s unique tournament.
The first-ever winter edition of the tournament gets underway on November 21, interrupting the domestic campaigns of the top leagues, with the final taking place around a month later on December 18. You can find the best spread betting odds available for the World Cup here.
1. Brazil
Can the world No.1 ranked Brazil end their 20-year wait for a sixth World Cup? A competition dominated by European nations over the last couple of decades, this Tite side is prepared to compete at the highest level with a strong squad of functional, hard working players sprinkled with a little bit of Brazilian flair from the likes of Vinicius Jr, Raphina, Paqueta and of course Neymar Jr. Involved in 16 goals during qualifying, Neymar will be desperate to impress on the big stage. A recent statistical model gave the betting favourites the second highest chance of winning in Qatar behind defending champions France.
2. France
Overlooking the recent hiccup of two draws and two losses at the Nations League in June, the defending champions have the squad, depth and talent to overwhelm any opponent. A hangover from last summer’s Euro 2020 exit to Switzerland is the only reason they are ranked below Brazil, but expect Les Bleus to prove that result was a blip. With a point to prove following his decisive penalty shootout miss during the Euros last summer, Kylian Mbappe has scored 10 goals in nine games and has settled his club future with Paris Saint-Germain. His partnership with Karim Benzema, favourite for the Ballon D’Or in 2022, will be critical to France’s success and a nightmare for opponents to stop.
3. Argentina
Undefeated in World Cup qualifying and claiming their first Copa America championship since 1993 must have brought with it a sense of relief. After bowing out from Russia 2018 in a hot mess, they’ve started winning again and for a team as good on paper this is a scary prospect. The last match that Argentina lost was the 2019 Copa America semi-final, since then they have gone 33 games unbeaten. With a fairly easy group containing Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland, strong recent form and a burning desire to make an impact for Messi’s final World Cup, can they break their 36-year tournament drought? Keeping Rodrigo, Martinez, Di Maria and Lo Celso healthy will be key as teams lock in on Messi.
4. England
Euro 2020 finalists England breezed through their qualifying group posting the best goal difference in the European qualifiers scoring 39 goals and conceding only three. With recent big tournament experience, an exciting collection of young talent (especially out wide) and Harry Kane. The golden boot winner from 2018 will need to be at his very best should England make it far along the knockout stages. Pay little attention to the poor showing during the Nations League this summer, especially after a gruelling and long domestic campaign for many players. England still remains one of the favourites for the tournament.
5. Spain
They may not (yet) be like the great Spain side of the 2010s but Luis Enrique’s team are still one of the most talented European nations, with one of the top midfield combos in Sergio Busquets and Pedri. Spain dominated qualification but continue to search for a top-class striker that can convert their dominance in possession into goals. Can Ferran Torres repay the faith that Luis Enrique has placed in him?
6. Germany
A shell of their usual selves last summer and unceremoniously dumped out of the Euros by arch-rivals England, Germany have quickly discovered a clear identity under new manager Hansi Flick. With an exciting mix of youth and experience in his squad the Germans can never be counted out and the true test of their improvement is to come having been drawn with Spain in Group E. The Germans were overwhelming favourites to emerge from their weak qualifying group and they did exactly that with nine wins from 10 matches. Can they score enough goals to take them through to the later stages of the tournament? The club form of Werner and Havertz at Chelsea will be important leading into Qatar.
7. Netherlands
With Louis Van Gaal in charge, the Dutch are playing organised and tactically efficient football again. Preparing for their first World Cup since 2014 they can call on the experience of Virgil Van Dijk and the quality of Frenkie De Jong, De Ligt and Memphis Depay as they navigate a tricky group that will include the African champions Senegal. They looked good in qualification but we haven’t seen the Dutch on the biggest stage in a while so expectations are tempered.
8. Portugal
A talented squad that has struggled to reach its full potential since winning Euro 2016, but the potential is there and Christiano Ronaldo is still clinical in front of goal. A squad that includes Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Jota and Joao Cancelo is always going to be dangerous but they need to find some form after making hard work of qualifying.
9. Uruguay
The 2018 quarter-finalists may still rely significantly on experienced performers Edinson Cavani, Luis Suarez and Diego Godin but there is emerging new talent in the form of new Liverpool signing Darwin Nunez, Ronald Araujo and Rodrigo Bentancur. Diego Alonso’s appointment has revitilised La Celeste who had gone stale towards the end of Oscoar Tabarez’s 15-year reign. Uruguay rarely concede and have players experienced on the big stage. Placed in a group with Portugal makes for a mouthwatering group-stage matchup between two talented teams this November.
10. Senegal
No African team has ever made it beyond the quarter-finals of a World Cup, however if any team has the quality, confidence and talent to make that leap it’s Senegal. After winning the 2022 African Cup of Nations they are coming into this tournament on a high and after failing to make it out of the group stages in 2018 they have improved significantly. Anchored by Koulibaly in defense and Mendy in goal, Aliou Cisse has them superbly organised. With Sadio Mane looking to showcase his world-class talent on the biggest stage they deserve their place in the top 10 over the likes of Belgium, Croatia and Denmark.
