FIFA World Cup 2022
FIFA World Cup is the most important football festival in 2022. It’s a highly anticipated tournament, and the aura for football fanatics is nothing but joy as the game day draws near. Each World Cup comes with a unique thrill, and the Qatar edition is no exception. Online sports bettors are already predicting the favorites to be crowned the World Cup champions.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup commences on November 20th and ends on December 18th in what will be a winter edition. Qatar opted to host the games during winter to avoid the high summer temperatures. If you are a sports betting fan, it is time to learn about your favorite teams and online casinos with the best odds.
Who Has Qualified
The best players are expected to take center stage in the Qatar World Cup to defend their teams. Following the April 1st draw and the June Intercontinental playoff winners, the following teams qualified for the 2022 FIFA World Cup: Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal, Netherlands, England, Iran, Wales, USA, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland, France, Australia, Denmark, Tunisia, Spain, Costa Rica, Japan, Germany, Belgium, Canada, Morocco, Croatia, Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon, Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay and South Korea.
World Cup Group Draw
The groupings of the 2022 World Cup are determined through a draw and Intercontinental playoffs. This is the last time 32 countries will participate in the tournaments before the number jumps to 48. The countries are divided into eight groups. In each group, four teams clash, and the top two and four best third-place countries progress to the knockouts.
After separating countries from the same continents and seeding, the following groups were drawn:
- Group A: The group features the host team Qatar, Ecuador, Netherlands, and Senegal. While Qatar is looking to make the home advantage count, they face formidable opponents. Qatar joined the Group despite being ranked 51st since it’s customary for the host to participate. The match-up with the Netherlands, who missed the last World Cup, and the reigning African champions, Senegal, gives them a tough time. While Ecuador is considered an underdog, it shouldn’t be discounted, having sailed the CONMEBOL qualifying section.
- Group B: The 2022 FIFA World Cup Group B has England, Iran, the United States of America, and Wales. England’s squad is star-studded, and it baffles how they are yet to secure the World Cup title in the last decades. The USA is a regular face in the World Cup, and 2022 is no exception. They will have Christin Pulisic, Reyna and Weston. It isn’t the first rodeo for Wales, and Iran has participated in a handful of World Cups.
- Group C: With Saudi Arabia, Poland, Mexico, and Argentina put together in Group C, it is an intriguing group to watch in the tournament. Lionel Messi will go head-to-head with Robert Lewandowski of Poland. While Argentina and Poland are the favorites to progress to knockouts, Mexico will likely intensify the competition.
- Group D: The group has France, Australia, Denmark, and Tunisia. France is the last World Cup victor, fighting to dominate the tournament. Denmark has showcased their capabilities in the past, making Tunisia and Australia clear underdogs.
- Group E: The teams include Spain, Germany, Japan, and Costa Rica. The favorites are former World Cup stalwarts Spain and European giants Germany. Costa Rica and Japan cannot match the star-studded team from the two giants and will have an uphill task making it to the knockouts.
- Group F: It comprises Belgium, Canada, Croatia, and Morocco. Belgium and Croatian teams are the giants predicted to sail through to playoffs. While Canada has a strong team, it lacks the team depth and experience to match the giants.
- Group G: The group features Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, and Cameroon. Brazil is a strong team with the highest number of World Cup titles. They will showcase stiff competition that Switzerland and Cameroon are unlikely to match.
- Group H: South Korea, Uruguay, Ghana, and Portugal make up Group H in the 2022 World Cup. The group drools over competitiveness and world-class football from the GOATs of football like Cristiano Ronaldo. Eyes are cast on the group due to the A-list football players like Tottenham’s goal scorer, Son Heung-min, Maestro Bernado from Man City, and Bruno Fernandez from Manchester United. The possibility of Portugal and Uruguay crossing to the next rounds is high.
World Cup Format and Schedule
The 2022 FIFA World Cup will feature four matches daily during the group stage. They will be staggered throughout the day, and you can watch all the matches. The only games that will overlap are those played on the final day of the group stage. Here is a table of the World Cup matches and schedules:
Football Matches 2022 |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | Home | Draw | Away | Bet |
 Qatar – Ecuador  20 November 2022 – 17:00 |
3.40 | 3.05 | 2.40 | Bet |
 England – Iran  21 November 2022 – 14:00 |
1.38 | 4.60 | 10.50 | Bet |
 Senegal – Netherlands  21 November 2022 – 17:00 |
6.40 | 3.80 | 1.62 | Bet |
 USA – Wales  21 November 2022 – 20:00 |
2.70 | 3.05 | 2.95 | Bet |
 Argentina – Saudi Arabia  22 November 2022 – 11:00 |
1.19 | 7.00 | 18.00 | Bet |
 Denmark – Tunisia  22 November 2022 – 14:00 |
1.44 | 4.40 | 8.50 | Bet |
 Mexico – Poland  22 November 2022 – 17:00 |
2.80 | 3.10 | 2.80 | Bet |
 France – Australia  22 November 2022 – 20:00 |
1.26 | 6.00 | 14.00 | Bet |
 Morocco – Crotia  23 November 2022 – 11:00 |
4.60 | 3.35 | 1.92 | Bet |
 Germany – Japan  23 November 2022 – 14:00 |
1.52 | 4.50 | 6.40 | Bet |
 Spain – Costa Rica  23 November 2022 – 17:00 |
1.17 | 7.50 | 21.00 | Bet |
Note: the bets might change
Favourites to Win FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
The 2022 World Cup is a source of excitement, with many football fans waiting to cheer their teams as they take on opponents. From the group formation and the World Cup histories of various countries, you can draw the favorites to win the World Cup. Since every country will bring its A-list players, the favorite teams to watch are:
Brazil: Having held five World Cup titles and participated in the tournament 21 times, Brazil is a clear favorite to win. The team has the world’s best players, including Gabriel Jesus and Neymar. Their greatest strength is their midfield and defense; they can easily sail to the finals.
France: Being the defending champions, France is an impressive team to watch. While things haven’t been rosy for the team, they still have a formidable team. Denmark recently beat them twice and will face off in the group stages. France’s key players include Mbappe, Paul Pogba, and Jules Koundé.
Argentina: The group stage games against Saudi Arabia, Poland, and Mexico are the best chance for Lionel Messi and his teammates to show they still have it. While it will not be easy for them to face off against Robert Lewandoski and his solid team, they have a high potential of winning the tournament.
Spain: It is one of the countries to face giant opponents in the group stages with their first match against Germany. However, they have a formidable team that showcased their skill by winning the National League. While they are lacking in the attack formation, they have great talents in midfield, like Thiago, who will push the team to victory.
Players to Watch
Kylian Mbappe: He is a favorite to win the Golden Ball in Qatar. With the goals he has racked up for his team, he is destined to eclipse his tally and fire his country to World Cup glory. Mbappe currently plays for Paris Saint-Germain.
Pedri: While Pedri of Spain is just 19, he is undoubtedly one of the top players. With 12 international caps under his belt and a great record in Barcelona, he is poised to guide Spain to glory.
Cristiano Ronaldo: When football stars are mentioned, Cristiano Ronaldo tops the list. He is an all-time leading goalscorer in men’s international football. The Portuguese megastar is making his last appearance in World Cup, which could be the perfect time for him to bag an international title.
Lionel Messi: Despite being in the twilight of his football career, he is among the best football stars in the world. The Argentina playmaker lit up the 2021 Copa America with four goals, and he can lift the trophy in Qatar.
Vinicius Junior: The Brazil star plays for Real Madrid and is 22 years old. He is the player to watch, with a whopping 22 goals in the last season. Vinicius is one of the world’s hottest properties, and the Qatar World Cup is the perfect opportunity for him to bag a few accolades.
FIFA World Cup 2022 Odds
FIFA World Cup is the biggest football tournament and the perfect time for sports bettors to try their luck. If you are new to sports betting, ensure you understand the odds by checking our betting guide. In the latest betting odds, many bookmakers place Brazil as a favorite to win with 9/2 odds, followed by France at 6/1, while England and Argentina are at 7/1. While England has been a favorite to win FIFA World Cup 2022, the recent loss to Italy and Hungary in the Nations League eroded confidence in Southgate’s team.
Brazil, with 9/2 odds, is a favorite to win FIFA 2022, despite losing Copa America to Argentina. Tite’s team has been formidable in the qualifiers and friendly fixtures. Besides, the team is banking on players like Neymar and Vinicius Junior to bring it home.
France is currently the World Cup title holder with odds of 6/1. They hope to join Brazil and Italy as the third country to retain its title. They have been drawn against Denmark, who beat them twice in the Nations League, which provides a stern test for making it to the playoffs.
How to Bet on FIFA World Cup
You can join the FIFA World Cup fun by betting on your favorite teams or players. Choose the online casino for your betting and create an account to place your bets. Once you choose the matches to bet on and the wagers, validate your slip on the betting page.
FIFA World Cup 2022 provides an array of betting markets. For instance, you can bet on the final match, specific games in the group, or knockout stages. You can also wager on your favorite players. Ensure you check out betting strategies to increase your chances of winning. The live betting option also gives you additional ways to wager on your favorite teams.
The Stadiums
The FIFI World Cup 2022 tournament stadiums are primed and ready for the games to kick off. The 32 teams will play 64 games, from the group stages to the finals. The stadiums unveiled to host the tournaments include:
• Al Bayt Stadium: The 2022 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony will be held at the Al Bayt stadium, the second-largest stadium for the tournament. It features a tent shape to reflect the nomadic people’s culture in the gulf region. Nine matches will be played in the stadium.
• Education City Stadium: Located in Al Rayyan, Education City stadium is the world’s most environmentally friendly stadium. It is at the center of Qatar Foundation Education and is expected to host six matches in the group stages. Its 45,000-seater capacity has sufficient space for fans and coaches from across the globe.
• Stadium 974: Constructed in Ras Abu Aboud, Doha, it is the first temporary FIFA World Cup venue. The stadium is made from recycled shipping containers that will be dismantled and used for construction projects after it hosts the six group stage matches. Its capacity is 40,000 seats.
• Khalifa International Stadium: The multipurpose stadium is named after Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani. It has undergone multiple renovations after its 2017 opening. The 45,000-seater stadium will host six matches in the World Cup tournament.
• Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium: The home for Al-Rayyan and Al-Kharitiyath Sports Club was rebuilt in 2015. The newly designed desert-shaped stadium can seat over 40,000 people and will host six group-stage games.
• Al Thumama Stadium: Designed with the inspiration of the traditional head cap worn by men in the Middle East, Al Thumama stadium has a 40,000-seater capacity. Aside from the six group stage matches, it will host quarter-final matches in the FIFA 2022 World Cup.
• Al-Janoub Stadium: The retractable roof football stadium in Al-Wakrah will host six group fixtures in the World Cup.
• Lusail Stadium: The Lusail Stadium is the biggest in Qatar, with an 80,000 capacity. It will host six group matches and the finals. It features a state-of-the-art cooling system and uses sustainable solar energy.
FIFA World Cup Odds FAQs
When is the FIFA World Cup?
The 22nd maiden edition of the FIFA World Cup is taking place in Qatar courtesy of winning the bid to host the tournament. The FIFA 2022 World Cup begins on November 20th as the first winter tournament in history. World-class players will battle it in the month-long competition expected to end on December 18th.
Which country is the most successful in World Cup history?
Having participated in the World Cup 21 times, made it to the quarter-finals seven times, and won five titles, Brazil has displayed remarkable success in the World Cup. While they haven’t won since 2002, they are a favorite to win this year’s tournament. They have been drawn alongside Cameroon, Serbia, and Switzerland, which means they will get through the knockoffs with minimal problems.
Who are the favorites to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup?
Brazil is the top contender for the title if history is anything to go by. France also has a strong team and is ready to defend its title.
Can I bet live in-play on the 2022 World Cup?
If you don’t want to bet on a match, you can use live betting to wager on the possible half-time scores or players likely to score. The in-play options usually provide better odds.