Johannesburg - If betting odds are to be believed, we have a clear winner at this year’s Fifa World Cup in Qatar.
They have made Brazil odds on favourites to win this year's soccer spectacle in the Middle East.
British gambling company William Hill has listed Brazil as the clear winners, with France being a close second as a potential winner.
Other teams that are among the top contenders, as per betting odds on the gambling website, include England, Argentina, and Spain.
Bet365 shows similar names with Brazil as the top contenders and France is in second position.
DraftKings have selected Brazil, Argentina, defending champion France, Spain, and England as their top choices.
According to DraftKings Brazil are +350 to win despite having not lifted the World Cup trophy in 20 years. They have exited the tournament in the quarter-finals in three of the past four tournaments, but an impressive South American qualifying run (14 wins and three draws with no losses) has a return to glory on the table.
The Seleção has perhaps the best goalkeeper in the world in Alisson Becker and a bevy of attacking options, including Neymar, who will be fully healthy for a World Cup for the first time.
Argentina are +500 to win the trophy. It’s the final chance at World Cup glory for 35-year-old legend Lionel Messi, who has advanced past the World Cup quarter-finals only once in four attempts with Argentina.
The two-time champion has not lost in 35 matches, a streak that includes a triumph over Brazil in the 2021 Copa América final. This time around, Messi is surrounded by talent and plays within a pass-heavy system that suits his game.
France sits at third favourites with +700 . No team has successfully defended its World Cup title since Brazil in 1962. However the French have a squad capable of pulling it off. Spain, led by manager Luis Enrique, are at +850 to win the tournament. There will be a lot of expectations placed on the shoulders of young midfielders Pedri and Gavi.
England sit at fourth favourites with +700 odds. Expectations haven’t been high for the Three Lions in quite some time, but that seems appropriate for a team that reached the World Cup semi-finals four years ago and lost to Italy in the Euro’s in 2021 on penalties. Recent form hasn’t been great. However, England went win less in six Uefa Nations League matches this year, losing three and drawing three, though a 3-3 tie with Germany on September 26 was heartening.
Overall Odds:
2022 World Cup favourites
Brazil ( +350)
France ( +650)
England ( +750)
Argentina ( +900)
Spain ( +1050)
Germany ( +2600)