The countdown is on for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the first to be held in in the Middle East and the first to be held in the winter of a European season.
32 nations compete in eight groups, with hosts Qatar kicking the tournament off when they play Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium on Novermber 19. Group games will take place across eight stadia: Al Bayt Stadium, Khalifa International Stadium, Al Thumama Stadium, Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Lusail Stadium, Ras Abu Aboud Stadium, Education City Stadium, Al Janoub Stadium.
England get their tournament underway against Iran on November 20 (1pm KO) as Gareth Southgate's side look to build on the promise of their Euro 2020 campaign. The circumstances could hardly be any different but the Three Lions (7-1) go into the tournament as one of the leading fancies.
The 2022 World Cup, for all its faults, will be one of the biggest betting events ever staged, with punters around the globe betting into thousands of game and outright markets on a daily basis.
Who are the favourites to win the World Cup in Qatar?
Brazil head the market for Qatar glory after an almost flawless qualifying campaign and there is no doubt that Tite's side, along with Argentina, who are on a 35-game unbeaten run, go into this tournament in the best shape.
France head the European challenge as they attempt to become just the third nation in history to retain the trophy but Didier Deschamps' outfit have been hit with some major injuries and their form in the Nations League was decidedly inconsistent.
England remain one of the tournament favourites despite having not won a major tournament in over 50 years. The Three Lions went close to Euro glory last summer and but Gareth Southgate has selection dilemmas in a number of key positions and the manager is going to come under a great deal of scrutiny should England go out before the semi-finals.
Two potential dark horses are Denmark (28-1) and Uruguay (40-1), two in-form sides with big tournament pedigree. Denmark are probably only a top-class striker away from being a real danger in the competition while Uruguay, who can boast some of the best young talent in the world, look a good bet to pip Portugal to top spot in Group H.
World Cup outright odds from Betfred
- 4-1 Brazil
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6-1 Argentina
- 6-1 France
- 7-1 England
- 8-1 Spain
- 10-1 Germany
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12-1 Belgium
- 12-1 Netherlands
- 12-1 Portugal
- 28-1 Denmark
- 40-1 bar
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World Cup Golden Boot Contenders
No surprises here with the world's hottest marksmen dominating the market. Top of the shop is Harry Kane who took this prize in 2018 and his backers will be hoping he can get off to a flyer against Iran despite that setting up to be a bit of a slog of a game for Gareth Southgate's side. Kane, like many of those near the top of top goalscorer markets, will take the penalties for his country.
Neymar has the potential to be a spot of value at 12/1, especially as Brazil look set to go deep into this tournament, while Kylian Mbappe is an obvious choice having scored four goals in the 2018 World Cup. However, the the best bet here could be the 28/1 about Lautaro Martinez, scorer of seven goals in Argentina's qualifying campaign (the same as Lionel Messi ) who will lead the line for an Argentina side in stunning form.
Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema has scored four at Euro 2020 despite France going out in the last 16 and he has netted six in his last seven competitive matches since returning from exile on the international scene. Benzema will be a popular choice.
World Cup Golden Boot odds
- 7-1 Harry Kane
- 15-2 Kylian Mbappe
- 10-1 Karim Benzema
- 12-1 Cristiano Ronaldo
- 12-1 Lionel Messi
- 12-1 Neymar
- 16-1 Romelu Lukaku
- 25-1 Richarlison
- 25-1 Vinicius Junior
- 25-1 Memphis Depay
- 28-1 Lautaro Martinez
- 33-1 bar
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World Cup Penalty Takers
- Argentina - Lionel Messi
- Australia - Jason Cummings
- Belgium - Romelu Lukaku
- Brazil - Neymar
- Cameroon - Vincent Aboubakar
- Canada - Junior Hoilett
- Costa Rica - Celso Borges
- Croatia - Luca Modrič
- Denmark - Christian Eriksen
- Ecuador - Enner Valencia
- England - Harry Kane
- France - Kylian Mbappé
- or Germany - İlkay Gundogan
- Ghana - Jordan Ayew
- Iran - Karim Ansarifard
- Japan - Takumi Minamino
- Mexico - Ernesto Vega
- Morocco - Sofiane Boufal
- Netherlands - Memphis Depay
- Poland - Robert Lewandowski
- Portugal - Cristiano Ronaldo
- Qatar - Akram Afif
- Saudi Arabia - Al-Dawsari
- Senegal - Sadio Mané
- Serbia - Aleksandar Mitrovič
- South Korea - Heung-Min Son
- Spain - Alvato Morata
- Switzerland - Rodriguez
- Tunisia - Wahbi Khazri
- United States - Christian Pulišič
- Uruguay - Luis Suarez
- Wales - Gareth Bale
Groups and Group winner odds (from Betred )
Group A
-
Netherlands (4-9)
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Senegal (9-2)
- Ecuador (11-2)
- Qatar (10-1)
Group A verdict: A core group of top-class players that include Virgil van Dijk, Matthijs de Ligt, Frenkie de Jong and Memphis Depay should see the Netherlands through as winners of what isn't a deep section, ahead of main dangers Senegal. If Louis van Gaal's side can top the group, then they should avoid England in the last 16. They would probably come up against Argentina in the last 16 which would likely be the end of their World Cup journey.
Group B
- England (4-11)
- USA (11-2)
- Wales (11-2)
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Iran (14-1)
Group B verdict: Despite form concerns going into Qatar, England should have little difficulty topping Group B. Three points against Iran looks a formality on paper although Carlos Queiroz' side won't make life easy for the Three Lions, and a win over USA or Wales would be enough to see them into the knockout stages. If Wales can beat USA, then they have a great chance of joining England in the next stage.
Group C
- Argentina (2-5)
- Poland (9-2)
-
Mexico (9-2)
-
Saudi Arabia (25-1)
Group C verdict: Argentina , who head to Qatar on a remarkable 35-game unbeaten run, look major players to win this tournament and it will be quite a surprise should they not win all three group games even allowing for the fact that they have some injury concerns. Lautaro Martinez, who looks a value play in the Golden Boot market, can fire them to the knockout stages with fellow South Americans Mexico completing the forecast.
Group D
- France (2-5)
-
Denmark (11-4)
- Australia (12-1)
- Tunisia (16-1)
Group D verdict: Reigning world champions France will be expected to win this group by many but they have major injury concerns in key areas and Denmark have beaten Les Bleus twice in the Nations League this year so Kasper Hjulmand's side look better value at 9-4 to top Group D. The gamne between the sides will likely be decide who finishes first and second. Denmark lack a top-class striker but they have enough talent in their squad to go deep in this tournament.
Group E
- Spain (10-11)
- Germany (11-10)
-
Japan (10-1)
-
Costa Rica (50-1)
Group E verdict: A straight shoot-out between Spain and Germany and the game between the pair on November 27 will likely decide who tops Group E. Luis Enrique’s youthful squad are ranked one of the best attacking sides in the tournament but they have lost to France, Sweden and Switzerland since they reached the semi-finals of last summer's euros. Germany , who are very much going the right way under Hansi Flick’s guidance, look a decent wager to edge this section.
Group F
- Belgium (1-2)
-
Croatia (5-2)
-
Morocco (11-1)
- Canada (11-1)
Group F verdict: 2018 World Cup semi-finalist's Belgium still possess a number of world-class players, not least goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and Kevin de Bruyne but they are relying on an ageing rearguard that still features 35-year-old Jan Vertonghen and 33-year-old Toby Alderweireld so they can be got at. Roberto Martinez' side should have enough to see off Croatia for top spot in Group F but they look set to meet either Spain or Germany in the last 16 and that will probably mean an exit.
Group G
- Brazil (2-5)
- Switzerland (5-1)
-
Serbia (11-2)
- Cameroon (11-1)
Group G verdict: Brazil head to Qatar as arguably the most in-form international team on the planet. They condeded just five goals in their 17 qualifying matches (W14 D3) and have a greater depth of high-class attacking options of any side in Qatar. It will be a huge shock if they don't top Group G. Serbia managed to top a qualifying group that included Portugal and rate the strongest option for the runner-up spot.
Group H
- Portugal (8-13)
- Uruguay (2-1)
- South Korea (11-1)
-
Ghana (11-1)
Group H verdict: Portugal are hot favourites in this section but Uruguay look worth a wager at 9/4. Quarter-finalists in 2018, Uruguay looked in trouble in the qualifying campaign until Diego Alonso took over and that proved a turning point for this talented group of players. It's a side packed with attacking threats and emerging talents like Darwin Nunez, Rodrigo Bentancur and Federico Valverde, and one that can edge out a Portugal outfit that is often held back by the conservative nature of coach Fernando Santos.
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