Following Wales’s win over Ukraine in UEFA’s final qualifier, the schedule of teams for the 2022 World Cup is almost complete. After Gareth Bale’s deflected free kick put the Principality into ecstasy, just two more slots remained.
At the time of writing, the two final places are still to be determined. With all due respect to the teams still in contention, they are from the weaker qualifying sections. Assuming that they are not likely to go deep into the tournament, just who is in the frame for Qatar 2022?
The Favourites
The most successful country in the history of the World Cup lead the way at the top of the market. Five-time winners Brazil are favourites for a sixth title and they are available at a general 5/1.
Close behind are England who reached the semifinals in Russia 2018. Gareth Southgate’s men followed that up with an appearance in the final of Euro 2020 and many feel that they can go one step further in 2022.
Odds are supplied via sources attached to sbo.net. In the lead up to the start of the tournament in November, there is much scope for change and any updates to the markets will be shown on the website. Readers can also take in news and opinion articles that could have a bearing on the World Cup.
Sbo.net also provide comparisons of all the safe betting sites on their list and it’s possible to get directly involved. Each of the sportsbooks mentioned here is set up to accept new customers. After successful completion of a registration form, it’s likely that a welcome promotion will be available.
A range of deposit options is in place for adding necessary funds while customer services can iron out any questions. When playing regularly, it’s also possible to access other offers, together with in-play betting and the possibility of live streaming top class sport.
In short, it’s a useful site for anything related to world cup betting but who are the teams most likely to challenge the favourites?
The Chasing Pack
It’s tight at the top and reigning champions France are only just behind England in the world cup winner markets. Captain Hugo Lloris lifted the trophy in Russia and he will be joined by many other members of the successful squad from 2018.
Spain and Argentina are next while the chasing pack is rounded off by Germany and Portugal. All of those sides have enjoyed success in major tournaments, but their teams are not as dominant as they have been in the past.
Looking to Spring a Surprise
Will we see a repeat of Greece’s shock win at Euro 2004? The World Cup offers a tougher route to the final but there are some countries who will be hopeful of going deep into the tournament.
Having edged past Ukraine in that final UEFA qualifier, Wales will be looking to get out of a group that includes England, Iran and the USA. The knockout rounds will doubtless provide tougher opposition, but the squad reached the semifinals of Euro 2016 and won’t be daunted.
Elsewhere, Switzerland have been rising up the FIFA rankings in recent years. The Swiss are in a tough group with Serbia, Brazil and Cameroon but they could go deep if they can get out of that section.
Verdict
Brazil may be favourites in 2022 but is their ranking based on reputation as opposed to immediate form? The five-time winners last lifted the trophy in 2002 and, although the quality is in the squad, it’s far from certain that this will be the year that they end a twenty-year drought.
England have shown the most improvement since the 2014 World Cup. Gareth Southgate’s side are young and developing and they contain one of the world’s most prolific strikers in Harry Kane.
We should never write off the Germans. That’s a message to anyone looking to stake on the tournament. France will also remain strong with the core of the squad that won in Russia four years ago.
France, England and Germany could be the most likely contenders, but the call is as tough as those World Cup markets suggest.
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