Best bets for every team at Qatar World Cup 2022

The team here at FST have been hard at work over the last couple of weeks pumping out team guides for every single nation at the Qatar 2022 World Cup, and with kick-off just on the horizon, it’s time to summarise all our thoughts on the tournament.

Below you’ll find out best bet for every nation, and if that’s not enough, we’ve got our comprehensive team guides linked as well to give you a greater insight into the background of each team and their World Cup betting odds.

Remember to bookmark our World Cup 2022 page for all our daily tips and analysis throughout the tournament too!

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Group A

Qatar

Best bet – Qatar double chance vs Ecuador

Qatar need to hit the ground running if they are to stand any chance of progressing beyond the group stages and getting a result in their opener will be key. They will look to use the momentum that comes with being the World Cup host nation to spring a shock on South American nation Ecuador in their first game.

Ecuador

Best bet – Ecuador not to qualify from Group A

If Qatar can spring a surprise on Ecuador in their opening game, the South Americans will be on the back foot from the start. They are a well-drilled outfit but then face Netherlands, who have the quality to win Group A, followed by this year’s AFCON winners, Senegal, who are also a huge threat to be the other qualifying team.

Senegal

Best bet – Senegal to qualify from Group A

Senegal are 8/11 to qualify from Group A and 9/2 to win it. Were it not for star-man Sadio Mane’s unfortunate injury ruling him out of the World Cup, both of those options would be worth some consideration. Even without him, however, the AFCON champions should be strong enough to nab the 2nd place spot in Group A.

Netherlands

Best bet – Netherlands to win the World Cup

This Netherlands outfit may not boast the kind of talented individuals they have produced in years gone by but they are still an effective unit and have proven to be incredibly tough to beat since Van Gaal’s return. While not our main pick to win the World Cup (read on for that!), the Dutch look outsiders worth backing to lift the trophy on December 18th at 12/1.

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Group B

England

Best bet – Harry Kane to be Top Goalscorer

7/1 on Kane to top the scoring charts does appeal, especially if the Three Lions hit the ground running and he manages to get a few goals in the group stages against the likes of Iran, Wales and USA, before some tougher tests later in the tournament, which is exactly what Kane did in his top-scoring campaign in 2018.

Iran

Best bet – Iran exactly 1 point in the Group Stage

It will be a big ask for Iran to win any of their group games against such competitive opposition but, with a talented tactician at the helm and a setup that is difficult to break down, they don’t look set to lose every game. Notably, Iran have taken exactly one point in two of their last three World Cups and have never lost all three group stage games.

USA

Best bet – USA to be eliminated in the Round of 16

Qualification for USA surely hinges on the opening group game against Wales, and the bookmakers have them as slight favourites against Rob Page’s side. The Stars and Stripes have a string of talented attacking options, but with England likely to top the group, a potential round-of-16 clash with the Netherlands awaits, making them unlikely to progress much further.

Wales

Best bet – Wales not to qualify from Group B

Wales impressed in their last two European Championships but they head into their first World Cup in over 60 years low on confidence after a miserable Nations League showing. They’ve lost four of their five games since their play-off win over Ukraine and open their tournament with a pivotal fixture against their biggest rivals for qualification.

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Group C

Argentina

Best Bet –Argentina to win the World Cup

The Albiceleste may have stumbled in Russia but they’ve regrouped and built a spirit often lacking in the past. Scaloni seems happy to set his side up to counter their potential defensive weaknesses and his attacking options are as good as any and his squad looks as strong, if not better, than the one that went agonisingly close in 2014. Lionel Messi has also hit form at just the right time and that’s why Argentina are our main pick to win the World Cup.

Saudi Arabia

Best bet – Saudi Arabia to qualify from Group C

With a solid defensive record under Renard, a World Cup staged on their doorstep and ideal conditions for their entirely domestic squad, backing Saudi Arabia to qualify at a massive 5/1 could prove to be one of the best value pre-tournament bets available. They undeniably face tough opposition in Group C but given their familiarity with the conditions, the price on them to cause an upset looks too big to pass on.

Mexico

Best bet – Mexico not to qualify from Group C

Although Mexico have been eliminated at the round of 16 stage in each of the last seven World Cup tournaments, this group could finally be their undoing. They’re up against two of the best strikers in the world, Messi and Lewandowski, who are leading the line for Argentina and Poland respectively. That’s not to mention that Saudi Arabia essentially enjoy home advantage, so there are no easy games for El Tri.

Poland

Best bet – Poland not to qualify from Group C

Despite the firepower that Lewandowski brings to the side, there is certainly a concern of the strength of this Poland side, particularly in a defence that is lacking in star quality. The conditions in Qatar add an extra layer of worry too, with Argentina and Mexico surely more used to the heat. There’s a lot of pressure on the game against Saudi Arabia, who will also favour the weather, and any slip-up in that fixture could mean curtains for the Eagles.

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Group D

France

Best bet – France to be eliminated in the Round of 16

France may have one of the best squads on paper but they do have the propensity to implode and Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante’s absences will be a huge loss for Didier Deschamps’ side. An exit at the Group Stage is unlikely, but they are likely to come up against Argentina in the Round of 16 should they win the group which would cause all sorts of issues for Les Bleus.

Australia

Best bet – Australia exactly 3 points in Group Stage

World Cup holders France and Euro 2020 semi-finalists Denmark are streets ahead of the opposition and it’s half to see Australia progressing from Group D, but the Aussies should at least be able to pip Tunisia to third. Losses against Denmark and France are expected but Graham Arnold’s side should have the quality to beat Tunisia in their second group stage match.

Denmark

Best Bet – Denmark to win Group D

Denmark should have enough quality to pick up wins against lowly Tunisia and Australia, whilst so much as a draw against France could then see them top the group. The Danes already have France’s card marked, with no defeats across the last three meetings (W2 D1), suggesting that they can indeed upset the World Cup holders to top Group D.

Tunisia

Best bet – Tunisia to finish bottom of Group D

Having never qualified from a group in their five previous attempts, Tunisia look to be right up against it yet again in what is one of the tougher groups at the 2022 World Cup. The match against Australia could be pivotal in deciding their final position, but that’s the only game the Tunisians look likely of claiming even one point.

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Group E

Spain

Best bet –Alvaro Morata to be Top Goalscorer

As an outside bet, 50/1 on Morata to win the Golden Boot as the 2022 World Cup top goalscorer has some appeal, particularly with each-way betting available for the top four places. If Spain do go far, Morata is likely to be their main marksman, as he was at Euro 2020 where he bagged three goals as the team’s top goalscorer.

Costa Rica

Best bet – Costa Rica to finish bottom of Group E

Many of Costa Rica’s stars will be playing in their final World Cup and while they can look back on some incredibly fond memories there is no denying they are on a downward trajectory. They picked up just one point in Russia four years ago and an identical haul would probably be classed as a success, placed in a difficult group alongside Spain, Germany and a Japan side with a fair bit of quality.

Germany

Best bet – Germany to reach the Semi-Finals 

Should Germany win Group E, they should be in a good position to make a deep run. Die Mannschaft look back to their best and are poised to continue their impressive World Cup record. They’ve made the semi-finals in 13 of their 19 appearances at the World Cup, so they’re good value at 9/4 for another run to the final four.

Japan

Best bet – Japan to qualify from Group E at 4/1

Germany and Spain are overwhelming favourites to progress but Japan have the potential to spring a surprise or two if one of the big-hitters fails to live up to expectations. With a talented squad at their disposal and some good form, which includes commanding victories over South Korea and the United States, at 4/1 they offer plenty of value to progress.

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Group F

Belgium

Best bet – Belgium to reach the Semi-Finals

They may not be quite as heavily fancied as they were going into the tournament in Russia four years ago but Belgium remain a real threat. De Bruyne is one of, if not the, best midfielders in world football right now and in Lukaku they have a proven goalscorer at international level. The draw hasn’t been particularly kind to Belgium, but a semi-final run looks possible if they can overcome a likely tricky Round of 16 clash.

Canada

Best bet – Canada to finish bottom of Group F

With considerably less quality in personnel than the rest of Group F and a vastly different climate than what Canadians are used to at this time of year, this tournament will likely serve as nothing more than a tough lesson in what to expect ahead of their own jointly-hosted World Cup in the 2026 edition.

Morocco

Best bet – Morocco to qualify from Group F

With their considerable diaspora of fans already in Qatar, a side that will be more used to the warm conditions and a relatively star studded side with some big name talents plying their trade across Europe, 2/1 for Morocco to qualify from Group F looks value should one of Belgium or Croatia fail to turn up.

Croatia

Best bet – Croatia exact 7 points in the Group Stage

Croatia could certainly threaten any side in Qatar, but their lack of a goalscorer – as well as the likelihood of meeting Spain or Germany in the last 16 – makes another deep run unlikely. Dalic’s side should see off Morocco and Canada in their opening two games, however, and several question marks over Belgium – not to mention the likelihood of rotation if both teams win their opening two matches – makes Croatia worth backing to remain unbeaten in Group F.

Group G

Brazil

Best bet – Brazil to win the World Cup

Brazil are rated as the favourites to win the tournament in Qatar and there is no reason why they cannot go far. The European nations could struggle in the heat in the Middle East and in that regard, the Selecao may fare a little better. Historically, South American nations tend to dominate when the World Cup is held outside of Europe, too. With the players Brazil have at their disposal, they look worthy favourites and there is no reason why they can’t go all the way in 2022.

Serbia

Best bet – Serbia to be eliminated in the Round of 16

While Serbia are unlikely to get much joy in their opener against Brazil, Stojkovic looks to have found a good balance in his side, creating a sense of momentum since taking the job. If Serbia do progress, things look trickier from there on, however. They’d meet Uruguay or Portugal in the last 16, meaning backing the Serbs to exit there could be the smart play.

Switzerland

Best bet – Switzerland to be eliminated in the Round of 16

If the Swiss can get off to a strong start against Cameroon, they have a great chance of reaching the knock-out stages, but they’re unlikely to go any further. Murat Yakin’s side would face the winners of Group H, most likely to be Portugal, if they finish second, and a concern over a lack of firepower and creativity in midfield makes it tough to see them coming out on top there.

Cameroon

Best bet – Cameroon exactly 1 point in the Group Stage

It’s hard to see anything other than a group-stage elimination for Cameroon, and the value for that comes from backing Rigobert Song’s side to pick up just one point from their three games at 5/2. They are likely to suffer a defeat to Brazil, but they could spring a surprise and sneak a draw against one of Serbia or Switzerland.

Group H

Portugal

Best bet – Portugal to reach the Semi-Finals

It’s now or never for Portugal – they simply must top their group if they’re to have a strong World Cup, given Brazil would be their most likely opponent should they finish second. First place opens up the possibility of a round-of-16 clash with Serbia or Switzerland, and then potentially Belgium, Spain or Germany in the quarter-finals, both of which are winnable if Portugal are firing on all cylinders.

Ghana

Best bet – Ghana to finish bottom of Group H

While Ghana do possess genuine star quality, and many fans will be willing them on against Uruguay in particular, their lack of experience relative to the other teams in Group H will likely tell. With one of the most inexperienced coaches in the tournament, they may struggle to cope with the likes of Son Heung-min, Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Suarez, and their status as Group H outsiders is justified.

Uruguay

Best bet – Uruguay to reach the Quarter-Finals

Uruguay have long had a reputation as a tough nut to crack, and the emergence of Valverde, Araujo, Bentancur and company means the burden on Suarez and Cavani should be lessened this time around. There are certainly enough question marks over Group H rivals Portugal to foresee a scenario in which Uruguay seize top spot, but punters can secure added value by backing them to go one step further and replicate their 2018 efforts.

South Korea

Best bet – South Korea exactly 3 points in the Group Stage

This looks like a really tough group for South Korea, which in turn takes value away from simply backing them not to qualify. Instead, backing an exact three-point return looks the play. Portugal and Uruguay will likely get the better of the Koreans but they’ll have a chance to grab a World Cup win against arguably the weakest team in the group, Ghana.

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More betting news:

World Cup 2022 outright winner predictions

World Cup 2022 dark horse predictions

World Cup 2022 top goalscorer predictions

Get the latest World Cup 2022 predictions and football betting tips from the experts at FST. Including an outright winner selection and predictions for every game of the tournament.