The beauty of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar this year is that no team goes into the tournament as a heavy favourite to win. The tournament will be unlike any other in World Cup history. While all other World Cups have been held during the regular football off-season, the 2022 event will take place between 21 November – 18 December. It has come with its fair share of controversy not only due to the disruptions that it will cause to football calendars world-wide but also due to the ongoing reported human rights violations in Qatar.
The tournament will be the last to ever feature 32 teams as the 2026 event will feature 48 teams and be the first to ever certainly feature teams from all six Confederations. In this guide, we are going to take a closer look at the World Cup 2022 teams and groups from a betting perspective.
Who will win the World Cup 2022?
England, Germany, France, Brazil, Belgium and Argentina will all fancy their chances but each team are also certainly beatable. France have one of the best teams in the tournament on paper, but they can be topped. Switzerland upset Les Bleus in the Last 16 of the European Championships last year.
Interestingly, should 2018 World Cup Champions France exit their group this year, they will become the first defending world champion to advance beyond the group stage since Brazil did in 2006.
For many ardent football fans, the World Cup will also be special as it will likely be the last ever to feature Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. The duo have dominated the Ballon d’Or for over ten years but have yet to add the World Cup trophy to their cabinet. This World Cup is likely to be the last time that they get a chance to do that.
World Cup 2022 Betting Odds
Brazil are the current favourites for the trophy at 5.50, followed by England at 6.50, France at 6.50 and Spain at 9.00. Belgium find themselves as value outsiders at 13.00, along with the Netherlands.
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World Cup 2022 Group Winner Predictions
The so-called Group of death at the 2022 World Cup will be Group E. This group contains two former World Champions (Spain and Germany), Asian giants Japan and the winner of the inter-continental playoffs.
The host nation Qatar plays in Group A alongside Ecuador, Senegal and the Netherlands. Louis Van Gaal’s Netherlands side will be the favourites to win this group while the runners-up spot is up for grabs. By winning the 2019 Asian Cup, Qatar proved that they are no pushovers. Senegal are the Champions of Africa while Ecuador are a very competitive nation and had to negotiate the likes of Brazil and Argentina while qualifying.
England will be the favourites to win Group B but will face stiff competition from a young United States side filled with potential and a yet to be named European team which could possibly be Wales.
South American Champions Argentina should win Group C which contains Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland.
Reigning World Champions France will be expected to win Group D which also contains Denmark, Tunisia and a winner from the intercontinental playoffs.
Group E will be closely contested between Germany and Spain while also featuring Japan who are no pushovers and another winner from the intercontinental playoffs.
Group F is going to be one very interesting to watch. We will see a young Canadian side playing in the World Cup for the first time since 1986. Like their North American counterparts from the US, they also have a young and talented squad. Belgium will be the favourites to win the group that also contains Morocco and Croatia.
Brazil should win Group G that also contains Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon.
On paper, Group H should be a battle between Portugal and Uruguay to secure top spot. They are joined by Ghana and a Son Heung-Min led South Korea. Interestingly, this group will see Uruguay and Ghana squaring off for the first time since their quarter-final clash in 2010. During that infamous game in South Africa, Luis Suarez famously handed the ball intentionally to prevent his country from conceding a goal. They ultimately took the game to penalties after Asamoah Gyan missed the resulting spot-kick and advanced to the semi-finals where they were downed by the Netherlands.
The reality is that the current Ghana side is not as strong as they were in 2010. While South Korea will aim to be competitive, their players are mostly not even near the quality of Tottenham’s Son.
World Cup 2022 Group Betting Previews
Group A
Qatar
Qatar are not known for their football brilliance. However, they have significantly improved in recent years and are reigning Champions of Asia having won the Asian Cup in 2019.
Given that two of the other three teams in the group are Ecuador and Senegal, Qatar will not only aim to be competitive but also aim to potentially advance to the last 16 of the tournament.
Ecuador
Ecuador will also fancy their chances of advancing beyond the group stage. They qualified via South America which is a very competitive region. Exciting players in their side are Villarreal defender Pervis Estupinan and the Brighton and Hove Albion duo of Moises Caicedo and Jeremy Sarmiento.
Senegal
The African giants will be aiming to prove that African teams have what it takes to succeed in the World Cup, especially as they won the African Cup of Nations in January.
The Senegalese have a few world class players in their side including Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly, Idrissa Gueye and Liverpool’s Sadio Mane. On paper, they can beat any team in this group on their good days.
Netherlands
After missing out on the last World Cup, Louis Van Gaal’s side will aim to emulate the Netherlands squads of 2010 and 2014 which reached the final and semi-final of the World Cups in those years.
The tournament is likely to be the final games of Van Gaal’s decorated managerial career so he will want to bow out on a high.
In Virgil Van Dijk, the Oranje have one of the best captains and defenders in the world in their squad. Memphis Depay will be expected to pull the strings up front with support from Arnaut Danjuma, Steven Bergwijn and Georginio Wijnaldum.
The one big decision Van Gaal will have to make is who will be his first-choice goalkeeper. 34-year-old Tim Krul was the most experienced goalkeeper in their most recent squad while Joel Drommel and Mark Flekken are both inexperienced.
Group B
England
Historically, England are one of the biggest underachievers in World football despite getting a lot of hype. However, their current crop of players have proven that they are a bit different to those of yesteryear. England reached the semi-final of the 2018 World Cup and the final of last year’s European Championships which they lost against Italy. Gareth Southgate’s side will hope to win the World Cup for the first time since 1966.
Iran
Ranked 21st in the World, Iran are no football superpower but they are not easy to negotiate either. Their most dangerous player is striker Sardar Azmoun. Azmoun is prolific in front of goal for his country and plays his club football for Bayer Leverkusen in Germany.
United States
Following their failure to qualify for the last World Cup, the US will be looking to make a strong impact in this World Cup. They have improved vastly since then and actually have potentially their most gifted core of players in their history.
A large amount of the US’s core plays in Europe. The likes of Christian Pulisic, Tim Weah,Tyler Adams and Serginio Dest will be expected to pull the strings for the stars and stripes.
Wales
Events away from the pitch meant that the outcome of the final European playoff spot was left for June. Wales defeated Ukraine on June 5 to secure the final World Cup playoff berth in Europe and its first appearance since 1958.
Wales reached the quarterfinals in that 1958 appearance, their only World Cup finals in history. Being a relatively small nation, they have punched well above their weight in recent years, even managing to get to the semifinals of Euro 2016 before losing to eventual champions Portugal. Gareth Bale and Daniel James will be crucial to any World Cup hopes.
Group C
Argentina
Argentina’s World Cup campaign is likely to mark the end of the international careers of Angel Di Maria and Lionel Messi. After winning the Copa America last year, Argentina will fancy their chances of winning the World Cup.
Saudi Arabia
The upcoming World Cup will be Saudi Arabia’s sixth appearance at the showpiece. Their record is not too impressive as they have only advanced beyond their group once which was in 1994.
There is a good chance that Saudi Arabia will name a World Cup squad with all 23 men playing their football within the country itself. Herve Renard’s side will be hoping for a competitive display at the World Cup.
Mexico
In a way, Mexico is one of the most consistent teams in World Cups. They have been eliminated from the last 16 of the competition in the last seven World Cups. Gerardo Martino will be hoping to navigate his side beyond the last 16. They reached the quarter-finals during the 1986 event in the United States.
If Mexico want to go far in the World Cup this year, they will need good performances from Hirving Lozano, Jesus Corona and Raul Jimenez.
Poland
There are no heavy expectations on Poland. The bulk of their players are fairly average by World Cup standards but they do have one of the greatest strikers of all-time in Robert Lewandowski and an experienced goalkeeper in Wojciech Szczesny.
Group D
France
France will have one of the best teams in the tournament and will be bidding to win back to back World Cups. However, they are not invincible as Switzerland proved at the European Championships last year by knocking out Les Bleus in the Last 16 phase.
Denmark
Denmark became every football fan’s second favourite team at the European Championships last year after their inspirational captain Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest against Finland. Eriksen has since returned to full fitness and the Danes will be looking for a strong showing in Qatar.
Tunisia
In five previous World Cup campaigns, Tunisia have never progressed beyond the group stage. They will not be expected to do so in Qatar but then again, surprises do happen.
Group E
Spain
It is almost ten years now since Spain’s golden generation ended after they won Euro 2012. The Spaniards have a good balance of youth and experience heading into the tournament. Younger players such as Pedri and Gavi may have a chance to feed off the knowledge of more experienced campaigners such as Jordi Alba and Marcos Alonso.
The Spanish are in a healthy situation and will hope to go deep in Russia.
Germany
The German team are now in a new era under Hansi Flick. They lost much of the fear factor they had towards the end of Joachim Low’s 14-year reign at the helm. It remains to be seen how the team will compete under Flick but if one thing is certain, there will be tactical changes.
Germany may not be the force they were in 2014 but they are still a World class unit with proven match-winners in their squad.
Japan
In six previous World Cup appearances, the Blue Samurai have exited in the group stage three times and progressed to the last 16 in the other three campaigns. They are in a tough group but will hope for a strong showing.
Group F
Belgium
This world cup could mark the last time that the Belgian golden generation comprising the likes of Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku, Thibaut Courtois and Kevin de Bruyne all play together. This could be their last shot to win the World Cup. Belgium have had a squad capable of winning trophies for several years now but have underachieved in major tournaments.
Canada
Canada are making their first World Cup appearance since 1986. 39-year-old Atiba Hutchinson is set to lead the side and they will be hoping for strong performances from the European based players such as Jonathan David, Alphonso Davies and Cyle Larin.
Morocco
Morocco are also underachievers in the World Cup. In five appearances, they have only ever reached the Round of 16 once which was in 1986. Morocco were dealt a blow earlier this year after Hakim Ziyech confirmed his retirement from international football.
The North Africans have a squad which is mostly based in Europe so while not much is expected of them, they will not be pushovers either.
Croatia
After reaching the final of the 2018 World Cup, Croatia will be looking for yet another deep run in the tournament. 2018 World Cup player of the tournament Luka Modric is now 36-years-old but will once again need to pull the strings for Croatia if they want to go far in this competition.
Group G
Brazil
Brazil go into every World Cup with the aim of winning it. Fans will be growing frustrated as their last triumph in the event was 20-years-ago. The 2022 World Cup is likely to be the last time that generational greats Neymar, Thiago Silva and Dani Alves get a chance to win it.
Serbia
Serbia are a modest team. They are not expected to do anything speculator. If they are to do well, they will need goal machine Aleksandar Mitrovic to continue his exploits in style. The Fulham player currently is approaching 50 national team goals. Given that he is only 27, there are certainly much more to come from him.
Switzerland
Switzerland may not be World Cup winning material but they can compete against any nation in World football. By eliminating France in the last 16 of the European Championships last year, they also showed that teams must be cautious when playing against them.
The most dangerous player in the Swiss team is midfielder Denis Zakaria who plays his football for Juventus.
Cameroon
Cameroon will be hoping to not just add the numbers at the World Cup and are one of Africa’s best teams. Vincent Aboubakar will be expected to lead the line for the Indomitable Lions, receiving support from Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa while highly-rated Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana should be in goal.
Group H
Portugal
For many years, Portugal have been a one man team revolving around Cristiano Ronaldo. They can’t let that happen this year if they want to win the World Cup. Ronaldo is not the only matchwinner in the current Portugal team as Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Diogo Jota and Otavio who was impressive in the World Cup qualifiers have all shown that they can take games away from opposition.
Ghana
The Ghana team is back in the World Cup for the first time since 2014. Their team is not as strong as the one that reached the quarter-finals in 2010 and had a poor showing at the African Cup of Nations earlier this year. However, in Daniel Amartey, Thomas Partey and Jordan Ayew, they have some players who are used to playing against the very best, week in and week out.
Uruguay
The winner of this group is expected to be a contest between Uruguay and Portugal though both teams are unpredictable with their fair share of world-class and flop performances. Uruguay will be under the leadership of Diego Alonso at the World Cup after Oscar Tabarez lost his job due to the team struggling a bit in qualifying.
Uruguay certainly won’t be short of experience with Diego Godin, Sebastian Coates, Martin Caceres, Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez all household names at the highest level.
South Korea
How will South Korea do in the World Cup is likely to depend on inspirational captain Son Heung-Min. Another player that South Korea will look to for quality is Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Hwang Hee-chan who has proven that he can cut it against the best teams.