On April 1, the draw for the 2022 FIFA World Cup took place in Doha. 29 teams took part in it. Three more finalists will be announced in the summer:
- In Europe, Wales will face the winner of the semi-final play-off between Scotland and Ukraine.
- In Qatar, the Peruvians will meet with the winner of the match between Australia and the United Arab Emirates.
- Also in Qatar, New Zealand will play with Costa Rica.
Clear favorites for the 2022 World Cup
Analysts identify three main favorites of the tournament. These are the teams of Brazil, England, and France. For their victory, the betting companies from the bet9ja SA review list offer the lowest odds, which corresponds to a high percentage of success for these teams.
The Brazilian national team is considered the main contender for the championship with 5.5 odds (18%). The team went to the world championship a year before its start, easily winning the South American qualification. In 17 matches, the Brazilians could not win only three, and in eight home games, their goal was hit only once. The difference between goals scored and conceded is simply amazing: 40:5. A third of the goals were scored by Neymar and Richarlison.
You can bet on the triumph of the England team with 6.5 odds (15% probability). Only an unsuccessful penalty shoot-out prevented the British from winning the European Championship at home. Fans have already seen this when the French team lost the Euro 2016 final at home and then staged an extravaganza at the 2018 World Cup. Perhaps the same is true for the British. They have a young and ambitious team that recently set a national record of 21 consecutive games without defeat, excluding penalties.
The French team is the reigning world champion. The odds that the French will defend the title is 6.5 (15%). Didier Deschamps’ players failed at the Euro, taking off in the first round, rather lazily qualified for the World Cup, but replenished the collection of trophies by winning the League of Nations. At the World Cup, the French will have a balanced squad, rich experience, and, of course, the main star Kylian Mbappe.
Who can be the shadow favorite of the tournament
The Italian team which became the champion of Europe could be on this list. However, a defeat from the Macedonians prevented them from breaking through to the World Cup.
The Spanish national team might be an interesting option. Analysts give 9.0 odds for their victory, which corresponds to an 11% probability. Under the leadership of Luis Enrique, the Spaniards play actively and achieve good results. Only a failure in the penalty shoot-out prevented the team from reaching the Euro final, but the team reached the final of the League of Nations, preventing the Italian team from extending a record unbeaten streak.
10.0 odds (10%) are offered for the victory of the Argentina national team. The current winners of the America's Cup have a strong squad. Lautaro Martinez and Lionel Messi could well help their team light up the World Cup. In addition, the Argentines were not much worse than Brazil at the qualifying stage, also without losing a single match.
The Portugal national team with 13.0 odds (8%) is the third shadow favorite. The Portuguese have possibly the best offensive line on the planet. The team includes Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Jota, Joao Felix and Cristiano Ronaldo. These tough players are too different in age, and therefore they may no longer play together in the world championships. However, in the play-offs, the Portuguese had difficult matches with the Turks and Macedonians, and therefore there are some doubts that they will be able to win the World Cup.
