Leading Contenders for 2022 World Cup

Brazil 

No country has won the

World Cup more times than Brazil. Seleção Canarinho have been successful on five occasions, with wins coming in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002. They also finished runners-up in 1950 and 1998. 

As of the 21st June, Brazil go into this year’s tournament as the 5/1 favorites in the sports betting with

. They head into the World Cup in great form, as they finished top of the CONMEBOL qualifications standings, with 45 points from 17 matches. 

One of the biggest strengths Brazil will have in Qatar is the depth of their attack. Richarlison, Neymar, Gabriel Jesus, Raphinha and others will all be vying to start. Head coach Tite will have lots of options from his bench if a game is not going their way. 

Since losing to Argentina in the Copa America final, Brazil are unbeaten in 13 matches. They should be full of confidence in Qatar where they will have a great chance of making it World Cup win number six. 

France 

France are the defending champions at the 2022 World Cup. As reported by the

, they beat Croatia in the final of the tournament four years ago.

Their form since then has been mixed. They were surprisingly beaten in the last 16 of Euro 2020 by Switzerland, but they did then win the 2021 UEFA Nations League. 

Manager Didier Deschamps has overseen the national team since 2012, which makes him one of the longest-serving international managers. His players understand the way he likes his team to play, so there is strong continuity with Les Bleus. 

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has just had one of the best seasons of his career, after scoring 44 goals in 46 games in all competitions. The Real man also helped his side lift the Champions League and

trophies.

He is expected to lead France’s attack in Qatar, and he will be supported by the likes of Antoine Griezmann and Kingsley Coman. 

France are bidding to become the first country in 50 years to defend the World Cup for the second time in a row. Brazil were the last team to do so in 1962, so they will have to overcome that stat if they are to come out on top again. 

England  

It has now been 56 years since England last won a major tournament, however, this latest crop of players gives them a great chance of ending that wait. The Three Lions have reached the latter stages of the last two big competitions.

They made it through to the semi-final of the 2018 World Cup, while they were beaten finalists at

Euro 2020. 

England manager Gareth Southgate will be hoping his side continue to improve and go one place better in Qatar. The experience they picked up over the last two tournaments should stand them in good stead. 

The number fifth-ranked team in the FIFA world rankings have struggled for results at this year’s UEFA Nations League, as shown in the

match report from their 4-0 defeat at home to Hungary.

However, they have experimented with players during that competition, so too much can’t be read into them. England will be expected to be back to full strength during the World Cup and they should have another good tournament.  

Argentina 

Copa America winners Argentina will be hoping to add the World Cup to the South American championship they won last year. Their last defeat came in July 2019, which suggests they are proving to be a difficult team to beat. 

Lionel Scaloni’s side were in action earlier this year in the

at Wembley. They defeated the European champions Italy with a convincing success. That should give them extra confidence ahead of the World Cup. 

The 2014 runners-up could do no better than the last 16 four years ago. They are a much stronger side now, so they will be heading to the tournament with strong aspirations of lifting the trophy. 

The 2022 World Cup begins on November 21, and it will run through to the final at the Lusail Iconic Stadium on December 18.