The very best players in world football will be at World Cup 2022 in November. And here at SBOTOP we’ll be tracking the whole competition, every piece of action, all the drama, all the shocks and, of course, we’ll have the best range of World Cup 2022 betting odds to make it a memorable competition!
But there are a handful of nations who have the eye of the tiger and really believe they can come out on top of the world… a week before Christmas.
I’ve picked the five teams I expect to fight it out in the latter stages of the competition but there are others who will produce some special World Cup 2022 highlights and will also fancy their chances.
Former world champions Germany are getting stronger, and they will have dreams of taking over the world again, but it may be too early. 2016 European Champions Portugal also have the capability to go all the way with their talisman Cristiano Ronaldo probably making his last appearance on the global stage.
The Netherlands have quality oozing from their squad and they too will be a joy to watch, but the last four may be a step too far for the Oranje.
I’m sticking with the five favourites so here we go:
Brazil
The Selecao are the team tipped to win their record sixth World Cup and their first in two decades and in Tite they have a head coach well capable of delivering. He has a squad with world-class operators in every position, even boasting the Premier League’s two best goalkeepers in Alisson and Ederson. But it is the flair players the fans flock to watch and we’re bound to get plenty of entertainment from Brazil, and maybe a first win since 2002.
Group challengers
In a group containing Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon there are plenty of potential banana skins and the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon are always a threat with their physicality and attacking intent.
Player to watch: Neymar
With 74 goals from 119 games the Paris Saint-Germain striker has no critics in his homeland and, if he can stay on his feet, the magic will come.
France
The 2018 world champions have every chance of defending their crown and Didier Deschamps’ team is second favourites to win in Qatar. Les Blues are current UEFA Nations League champions and they will lead the European charge.
Group challengers
Australia and Tunisia shouldn’t pose too many problems for Les Bleus, but Denmark are a real force to be reckoned with and, with players of the quality of Simon Kjaer and Christian Eriksen in their ranks, they are rated by FIFA as the 11th-best team in the world.
Player to watch: Kylian Mbappe
Neymar’s PSG partner burst onto the world stage at the 2018 World Cup and since then he has continued to devastate opposing defences with his pace and otherworldly skills. With 27 goals in 57 appearances for France and 106 in 115 for his club Mbappe is a lethal finisher.
England
The Three Lions almost ended 56 years of hurt when they took the 2020 European Championships final to penalties, only to lose to Italy, and they have a good chance to do well in Qatar with plenty of young talent coming through the team. Can they win a first trophy since 1966?
England always expects!
Group challengers
Iran and Wales, particularly with Gareth Bale who loves to upset the English, will both be hard to break down, but the United States have the best attacking players and the England players will know Stars and Stripes captain Christian Pulisic well enough to beware.
Player to watch: Harry Kane
The World Cup 2018 Golden Boot winner seems to have been around forever but, at 28 years of age, he is in his prime. With 50 goals from 73 England appearances Kane is just three behind the record set by Wayne Rooney and he’s a good bet to repeat his Golden Boot achievement… if England make the last four as expected.
Spain
Luis Enrique is putting together a new generation of La Roja and they might be ready to emulate the golden team of 2010 world champions and 2022 European champions. They certainly looked capable at Euro 2020 and are worthy of their mantle of fourth favourites.
Group challengers
Costa Rica and Japan join Spain in Qatar but the group clash against Germany will be one of the matches of the round.
Player to watch: Gavi
Barcelona’s latest wonderkid, still only 17 years of age, has already made ten international appearances and, with his mesmerising ball skills and superb positional sense he could be a Ballon d’Or winner in years to come.
Argentina
The twice World Cup champions took the 2021 Copa America to win a first trophy since 1993 and the first of Lionel Messi’s glittering career. Lionel Scaloni is leading South America’s second-best team, but having beaten Brazil in the Copa America, this band of brothers will believe they can win more silverware.
Group challengers
Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland all deserve respect and Argentina will take every game deadly seriously. I can’t see them losing in the group stage but Mexico and Poland may nick a point.
Player to watch: Lautaro Martinez
All eyes will be on Messi but Inter Milan’s 24-year-old hitman could be a serious challenger for the Golden Boot. With 20 goals in his first 38 internationals he has the ratio to pick up five or more in Qatar.
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