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There’s never been a World Cup like this.
For the first time in the competition’s history, the 2022 World Cup will be played in the Northern Hemisphere’s winter months, due to host nation Qatar’s soaring temperatures when the tournament is normally held in the summer. As such, domestic leagues are forced to take a 6 ¹/₂-week pause as the World Cup plays out. Previously, the World Cup occurred in the offseasons of most major domestic leagues.
That means the national teams and their players have less preparation and warm-up time than usual before games begin. Midseason injuries have knocked stars out of the tournament, and managers have opted to select players in better form at the moment over struggling mainstays with most impressive résumés. It’s all thrown a massive twist into conventional wisdom surrounding the World Cup field.
Here’s a look at the favorites, the sleepers and the rest of the teams competing in the 2022 World Cup:
(All odds via BetMGM)
Traditional powerhouses headline the top contenders, including recent winners and familiar powers obsessed with breaking recent droughts.
Brazil (7/2)
The winningest nation in the competition with five titles, Brazil has not finished top three in four tournaments since winning the 2002 World Cup, a trend that certainly weighs heavily on the team. One of the more experienced groups in the field — particularly along the spine of the team in defense and midfield — the Seleção is elevated by a collection of scintillating young talents in attack around superstar Neymar. Brazil’s health, particularly Neymar’s, has plagued the team in recent editions, but should have the depth this year to weather adversity. On paper, there is no better all-around squad.
France (7/1)
The defending champions enter their title defense notably without key contributors N’Golo Kante, Paul Pogba and Presnel Kimpembe, but their absences have paved the way for some of the next generation of Les Bleus. France is led by phenom Kylian Mbappe (whose reception by French fans will be worth monitoring after bombshell reports in recent months about his interest in leaving the country’s biggest club, Paris Saint-Germain, and the ageless Karim Benzema, while new faces such as William Saliba, Aurelien Tchouameni and Youssouf Fofana will have massive shoes to fill. How quickly they can jell with their veteran teammates could decide France’s fate.
Spain (8/1)
It’s a new era for Spain. No more Gerard Pique-Sergio Ramos partnership in the back. No more Xavi, Iniesta and Isco in midfield. No more David De Gea in net and Diego Costa up top. No more Fernando Hierro as manager. It resulted in the selection of one of the tournament’s youngest rosters under manager Luis Enrique, highlighted by the debuts of Pedri, Gavi and Ansu Fati. Outside of its 2010 triumph, Spain has historically come up short in the World Cup, only finishing in the top three one other time (1982). Does a new era bring new results?
Argentina (5/1)
With the 2021 Copa America title his only trophy with Argentina, international glory is the one missing accolade in Lionel Messi’s famed career. He retired from international duty and stepped away from the national team multiple times amid disappointment and ridicule, never able to match Diego Maradona’s iconic triumph for the country — most notably finishing as World Cup runner-up in 2014. That can all change with one magical run, and there is a strong possibility this will be his final chance to attain what’s most eluded him.
