The 2022 FIFA World Cup Starts Nov. 20; Brazil Are The Clear Favorites

The 2022 FIFA World Cup takes controversially takes place in Qatar from November 20 through December 18, and soccer fans from around the world are gearing up to watch some of the beautiful game’s best players take to the pitch in an attempt to bring the famous Jules Rimet Trophy home. All eight groups are set in stone, and the five-time world champions Brazil head to Qatar as the clear favorites for glory. Can anyone stop the Samba boys?

Brazil last won the world cup in 2002, when the tournament took place in South Korea and Japan. They reached the quarter-finals stage in 2006 and 2010 before achieving a fourth-place finish on home soil in 2014. You may recall it was in 2014 that Germany humbled Brazil 1-7 in the semi-finals! Last time out, at Russia 2018, Brazil fell in the quarter-finals to eventual third-place finishers Belgium. All the best California sports betting sites online believe Brazil’s World Cup drought will end this year.

The South American stars have only lost once in their previous 29 matches and should make short work of their Group G opponents. Head coach Tite sees his side’s World Cup campaign kick off on November 24 against Serbia. Brazil then faces Switzerland on November 28 before rounding out the group stage with a game against Cameroon on December 2.

Brazil’s team has strength in depth, which is what is required to win tournaments. They have two of the best goalkeepers in the world in Alisson and Ederson, while their defense is solid thanks to the likes of veteran Thiago Silva and PSG’s Marquinhos. In midfield, they have Casemiro and Newcastle United’s in-form Bruno Guimaraes, while up front, there is a plethora of talent, including Neymar, Antony, Raphinha, and Vinicius Junior. Whoever finishes ahead of Brazil in Qatar will be the world champions.

If Not Brazil, Who Will Win the 2022 World Cup?

Argentina are the second-favorites going into the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The two-time winners and twice runners-up have some supremely talented players in their squad, but many are heading into the twilight of their careers. Lionel Messi is one such player, undoubtedly one of the best players to have ever kicked a ball in anger, but the magician is 35 years old, and this is likely to be his last chance of winning the World Cup with his beloved Argentina.

France is a team that is always fancied during the World Cup, not least because they are the reigning champion. The French face Australia, Denmark, and Tunisia in Group D and should sail through to the knockout stages. However, Didier Deschamps’ men have won only once in six games and will be without midfield duo N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba, which strikes a significant blow to the French squad.

The losing Euro 2020 finalists England are another side that neutral fans are tipping for glory in Qatar. Gareth Southgate’s men are without a win in seven games and were relegated from the UEFA Nations League A competition. They lost 1-0 and 4-0 to Hungary, drew 0-0 and lost 1-0 to Italy, and fought back from two goals down to draw 3-3 with arch-rivals Germany.

There is no doubt the England team has enough talent among its ranks to win the World Cup, but there are serious question marks over the squad’s mentality and whether or not they have it in them to handle the pressure of going deep in the tournament.

The Best of the Rest

It is dangerous and silly to write off the chances of Spain, Germany, and the Netherlands, despite not being in the top three or four spots in the latest betting markets. All three nations have some incredible players in their midst, and all three can beat any team in the world on their day.

There has never been an African World Cup champion, and there will not be this year, thanks to Brazil being too strong. However, Senegal, the reigning Africa Cup of Nations winners, could cause a significant upset in Qatar.

The Senegalese are used to the scorching hot conditions, and the bulk of their starting line-up plays for top European teams. The Senegal starting XI is strong enough to hold its own in Qatar. If they stay injury and suspension-free, Senegal could progress deep into this competition.