World Cup 2022 - the Top 10 candidates

1) Brazil
The Seleção are a permanent participant in all international tournaments and almost always a favorite for the title, due to the number of talented players the team includes. Their form is undeniably good as proved by their recent victories over South Korea and Japan. With Neymar leading the way alongside stars of the likes of Vinícius Júnior, Gabriel Jesus, Philippe Coutinho and the guarantee of Alisson Becker, this is a formidable team. At odds 6 to 1, they are expected to end their 20-year wait and win a 6th World Cup trophy.

2) Argentina
Lionel Scaloni gathered a great team that seems to be quite motivated. As squad that could definitely take the number one spot, being unbeaten in the qualifying rounds. The momentum seems to be on the side of Messi and his compatriots, at the last World Cup he will participate. It should also be mentioned that this is the team that won the Copa America last year, for the first time since 1993, and they are looking to end another drought that has lasted for 36 years.

3) Spain
The winners of the 2010 World Cup have great potential in their squad led by Pedri and Gavi. While the lack of a high-level striker may have placed this team in third place on our list, they are an excellent squad with many reasons to claim victory. However, their latest performances for the Nations League have casted serious doubts as to their form.

4) the Netherlands
Qualifying for the World Cup after being absent in 2018, the Dutch squad is ready to show everything they’ve got. Their 4-1 victory over Belgium in Brussels raised the expectations across the board. Lest not forget how this team is well-liked by sports analysts all around. The best tipster blogs often mention this team as a joker that may just win it all. They could very well be the surprise that were the Croatians in 2018.

5) Germany
Under the management of Hansi Flick, the Panzers have a strong identity that showed success until now. The mix of old and new players is managed expertly and despite the run of draws, the great win against Italy came as a reminder that die Mannschaft can never be ruled out, especially after their bitter failure on the first round of the previous world cup in Russia.

6) Denmark
De Rød-Hvide are most definitely one of the top tier squads of this tournament. They have stormed through qualifiers easily and have recently won against their Group D opponents France. Christian Eriksen is back after his ordeal and that has risen the moral considerably.

7) France
June was not a good month for France. The two draws and the two losses they suffered at their home court were devastating. While the roster includes some strong names like Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappe, who seem to be in form, key players like Antoine Griezmann, Paul Pogba, Adrien Rabiot and Corentin Tolisso, are in decline. Of course, there is no telling what their shape will be in November when it will be needed. One thing is certain. There are plenty of good players to be called upon to fill in their place in the roster, should it be necessary.

8) Belgium
This team is filled with veterans who may be past their prime. The embarrassing 4-1 home-court loss to the Netherlands, almost had everyone write them off, before their come back with a 6-1 victory over Poland. While their aging defense doesn’t seem like it’s championship material, they still deserve a spot on the list because of the quality of characters like Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois, Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard and a whole lot of others. It’s not so long ago that this national team, with just about the same players, were considered as the best in the world.

9) Portugal
The star-studded Portuguese squad has been struggling to reach its high potential since they have won the Euro of 2016. While Fernando Santos and Cristiano Ronaldo are both motivated to win in what may very well be their last tournament, their defeat by Switzerland last week may be a symptom of larger problems. Nevertheless, there are plenty of players in the roster that can take things in their own hands at any time and make the difference.

10) England
After a narrow loss at the hands of Hungary in Budapest, and the draws with Germany and Italy, English fans expected a reaction from their national team at their home game against Hungary. Alas, it was not to be as they were defeated by the humiliating 4-0 score. Have they lost all of their momentum a mere 5 months away from Qatar? While this is definitely a team that can come back and stand against the giants, their chances of winning it all is comparatively low, even though the top bookmakers in India, probably because of their British background, still say otherwise.