The 2022 World Cup started with some surprises. Saudi Arabia beat Argentina in one of many largest upsets in event historical past. Groups like Belgium and Germany didn’t make the knockout rounds.
However there aren’t many surprises among the many groups remaining within the event. Of the eight groups nonetheless in competition for the World Cup, seven are ranked within the prime 12 of the FIFA rankings. Solely Morocco, at No. 22, is outdoors the highest 20. And the Moroccans have been probably the greatest groups within the event.
There are six groups remaining that may realistically declare they’ve an excellent probability to win the World Cup and one other, Croatia, made it to the ultimate in 2018. Right here’s how we view the groups heading into the ultimate three rounds of the event.
8. Morocco (BetMGM odds +4000)
Placing Morocco at No. 8 will not be a slight — it’s an indication of the depth of this quarterfinal subject. Morocco options worldwide stars like Hakim Ziyech and Achraf Hakimi and has allowed only one purpose over 4 video games. Its group F win was no fluke and Morocco’s presence as the primary African crew within the quarterfinals of a World Cup since Ghana in 2010 is well-deserved.
7. Croatia (+4000)
The identical core gamers that powered Croatia’s run to the World Cup last in 2018 are part of this crew’s 2022 event run. Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic have been phenomenal in midfield and Ivan Perisic has been probably the greatest wingers at every of the final two World Cups. Whereas one other run to the flnal appears inconceivable, the Croatians aren’t going to be a straightforward out in opposition to Brazil on Friday.
6. The Netherlands (+1400)
The Dutch dispatched america within the Spherical of 16 with two medical targets within the first half. The Netherlands’ Denzel Dumfries is among the greatest attacking fullbacks on this planet and Cody Gakpo will quickly be taking part in in certainly one of Europe’s largest leagues after scoring three targets within the group stage. Barcelona striker Memphis Depay can be getting more healthy too.
5. Portugal (+600)
Portugal regarded dominant in opposition to Switzerland with Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench. This can be a Portugal crew stacked with expertise that doesn’t want its ageing star striker and will in truth be extra harmful with out him on the sphere. In spite of everything, there’s no place within the beginning 11 for 23-year-old winger Rafael Leao. He’s been coming off the bench after scoring seven targets and aiding on 9 in 20 appearances for AC Milan this yr.
4. Argentina (+600)
The Argentines have bounced again from their World Cup-opening loss to Saudi Arabia to publish three consecutive wins. Lionel Messi stays the important thing a part of the Argentina assault as Julian Alvarez has taken a starring function up entrance and Lautaro Martinez and Angel di Maria have been beginning video games on the bench. Whereas Argentina’s win streak is now at three as a substitute of 35, this crew continues to be able to beating anybody within the event so long as Messi is on the sphere.
3. England (+600)
England has ditched a three-man central protection and it’s paid off within the type of a mixed 9 targets in opposition to Iran and Senegal. The protection hasn’t been compromised with the transfer both as Jude Bellingham has been the midfield engine with Declan Rice holding it down in entrance of the again line. There’s a whole lot of interchangeability up entrance on both facet of Harry Kane as effectively. Saturday’s sport between the English and French may very well be the sport of the event.
2. France (+400)
Is that this a crew that’s higher with Olivier Giroud within the lineup as a substitute of Karim Benzema? It could seem to be a wild factor to say, however this injury-ravaged France crew continues to be very, excellent. Kylian Mbappe has been the attacker of the event whereas Antoine Griezmann has slotted seamlessly into an attacking midfield function forward of a duo of Adrien Rabiot and Aurelien Tchouameni that has been wonderful instead of Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante.
1. Brazil (+175)
Brazil has proven nothing to dissuade folks from believing it’s the favourite to win the World Cup. Its solely defeat got here in opposition to Cameroon when Brazil began a wholly second-string beginning 11. The assault can strike in myriad methods as proven by the 4 targets Brazil scored within the first half in opposition to South Korea and the first-choice lineup has given up only one purpose throughout three video games.