2022 FIFA World Cup futures odds, best bets & predictions

The FIFA World Cup is the biggest sporting event on the planet – bigger than the Olympics or the Super Bowl – and the 2022 edition in Qatar will be no exception. Massive global interest means that betting options abound and punters from every continent will battle to predict a range of outcomes. While the tournament doesn’t start until November, we have examined some of the major futures markets in search of a few long-range investments.

2022 FIFA World Cup outright winner

When comparing the FIFA world rankings with the current betting markets, there are several anomalies. While Brazil top the rankings and sit as the pre-tournament favourites, England are listed as equal second favourites while sitting fifth on the rankings. Given the Brits’ historic inability to win trophies of any description, we are going to boldly declare that they will not win the World Cup in 2002.

France are the other equal second favourites and appear to have a much deeper squad than their rivals from across the channel. Belgium, meanwhile, appear to represent betting value at their current quote of +1000 with Bovada. They sit second on the rankings, splitting South American powerhouses Brazil and Argentina. We are also keen on Spain’s chances at +600 despite their tough grouping against Germany, Japan, and Costa Rica, and will be happy to include them among our early selections.

The eternal football struggle between the organised Europeans and the brilliant South Americans lives on. We are, however, siding with the Europeans.

2022 FIFA World Cup top goalscorer

In more bizarre English bias, Harry Kane is the current +700 favourite to score the tournament’s most goals. Kane has enjoyed a solid start to the season for Tottenham, but his quote appears far too short to be considered profitable. We are much more excited by the chances of second favourite Kylian Mbappe (+900), who plies his trade for Paris Saint-Germain. Mbappe is a clinical finisher with prodigious footwork who, at just 23 years of age, already boasts a swag of international accolades with France.

For the sake of balance, we are also keen on Argentine Lautaro Martinez (+2000), who sinks goals for Inter Milan. We are ignoring the older brigade – Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Cristiano Ronaldo – but will have a small wager on Alvaro Morata (+2500), a Spaniard who currently plays up front for Atlético Madrid. And for a complete bolter, consider Serbia’s Aleksandar Mitrovic, who has scored six goals for Fulham early in the 2022/2023 EPL season and looks great value at big odds of +5000.

2022 FIFA World Cup group winners

For those punters that don’t mind short odds, we are keen on the Netherlands to win Group A at -188.68 over Senegal, Qatar, and Ecuador. Argentina (-250) appeal as the likely winners of Group C over Poland, Saudi Arabia, and Mexico. Belgium (-200) look the goods in Group F, where they battle Croatia, Morocco, and Canada.

Brazil face a tough draw against Serbia, Switzerland, and Cameroon, and we will be happy to see how the tournament favourites fare without investing in their chances. England will battle Wales, USA, and Iran in a group that might throw up some surprises.

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