Betfinal Power Ranking TOP 32-21

 

The 22nd edition of the upcoming FIFA World Cup Final in Qatar seems to have two main favourites. However, the number of teams aspiring to the medal zone is much larger. Who can we consider the “dark horse” of the tournament? Let’s find out!

 

32 national football teams in 64 matches will compete for fame and glory. On November 20 at 5 pm (GMT+2 – Central European Time), Qatar will face Ecuador in the opening match of this year’s World Cup. The final game is scheduled for December 18. Here is our Betfinal Power Ranking of the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar, a month before its start, to help you to choose the best betting strategy for the forthcoming matches. 

 

 

 

This is the FIRST PART (places 32 to 21) of our 2022 Betfinal World Cup in Qatar Power Ranking. Watch the space and look for parts two (20 to 11) and three (Top 10). 

So, let’s start!

 

32. Saudi Arabia
31. Qatar
30. Costa Rica
29. Tunisia
28. Australia
27. Ghana
26. Japan
25. Iran
24. Cameroon
23. Canada
22. South Korea
21. Morocco
20. Ecuador
19. USA
18. Wales
17. Mexico
16. Poland
15. Senegal
14. Switzerland
13. Serbia
12. Uruguay
11. Croatia
10. Denmark6
9. Belgium
8. Portugal
7. Germany
6. England
5. Netherlands
4. Spain
3. France
2. Argentina
1. Brazil

 

Who’s going to win the World Cup Finals 2022? 

No. 32, Saudi Arabia –  FIFA World Cup Group C

According to all the statistics and the experience and knowledge of the bookies, Saudi Arabia (next to Qatar) is the weakest team in the FIFA World Cup Finals 2022 – ranked 51st in the world. 

 

In its last four World Cup appearances, Saudi Arabia failed to make it out of the group stage. This year probably will not be any different, either.

They could easily drop out of the group stage without a single point to their name with three demanding rivals to play against – Argentina, Mexico and Poland. However, the Falcons will take great pride in appearing in their second consecutive World Cup finals.

 

A major weakness of the Saudi team lies in their goalscoring abilities. Their attacking players will have their work cut out. The side will likely sit back and look to soak up pressure before hitting the counter in their games. They might even exit the tournament without scoring a goal. 

Players to watch:

• 22-year-old forward Firas Al-Buraikan seems to be their main attacking threat at the moment. He should be the first choice to lead the attacking force, although some observers say he is more effective coming off the bench. The Al-Fateh striker has been hitting the right chords at his club. We are sure he will be keen to replicate his performances in the World Cup.

 

•   Another player to watch is 31-years-old winger Salem Al Dawsari. He is set to play a crucial part in the Saudi setup this winter, with 53 appearances for the national team so far. The right-footed forward scored one of his nation’s two goals at the last World Cup and has 14 to his name on the international level. The former Villarreal man will have a massive role to play for any chance to make it out of the group stage.

 

•   Saleh Al-Shehri was at his best during the qualification stage, scoring seven goals in 13 appearances. He is expected to provide solid competition to Al-Buraikan.

 

Such tournaments love romantic stories, but every point the Saudis gain will be a huge sensation. Saudi Arabia’s best World Cup finish remains a Round of 16 in 1994.

 

Saudi Arabia’s Group C matches

 

Saudi Arabia vs Argentina 

Date: Tuesday, November 22

Venue: Lusail Stadium, Al Daayen          

 

Saudi Arabia vs Poland

Date: Saturday, November 26

Venue: Education City Stadium, Doha

 

Saudi Arabia vs Mexico

Date: Wednesday, November 30

Venue: Lusali Stadium, Al Daayen    

 

Saudi Arabia – latest betting odds: 

 

1). Saudi Arabia to win the FIFA World Cup: 500/1.

2). Saudi Arabia to win Group C: 33/1

3). Saudi Arabia to reach the quarter-final: 40/1

4). Saudi Arabia to reach the semi-final: 150/1

5). Saleh Al-Shehri to win World Cup Golden Boot: 250/1

 

PLEASE NOTE: The average odds comparison, source – oddschecker.com. The odds are valid on the day of the article’s publication and may be subject to change before the start of the tournament.

 

The last 5 international games:

 

05/06/22 Saudi Arabia 0 – 1 Colombia   

09/06/22 Saudi Arabia 0 – 1 Venezuela 

23/09/22 Saudi Arabia 0 – 0 Ecuador           

27/09/22 Saudi Arabia 0 – 0 United States 

22/10/22 Saudi Arabia 1 – 0 North Macedonia

 

PLEASE NOTE: All the results represent matches which had occurred before the article’s publication date.

 

No. 31, Qatar – FIFA World Cup Group A

 

The Qatar, Senegal, Ecuador and Netherlands group is not the most difficult, but the football class of the Qataris makes us treat their possible point or more as a big surprise.

 

We are not talking about absolute outsiders here. They entered the tournament in good form, having lost just one of their previous nine games, losing – 0:2 to Canada. In recent months they have managed to draw against Chile and Morocco and have won against Bulgaria and Ghana. Many also forget that Qatar won the AFC Asian Cup just three years ago, in 2019. 

 

Qatar occupies 50th place in the FIFA World Ranking. We do think that, most likely, they will get walked over by the Netherlands and Senegal. 

Remember, though, that the host nations have a habit of performing above expectations throughout the history of this tournament. They also represent a certain curiosity; for that reason alone, it will be worthwhile to follow their matches on their territory. 

 

Players to watch:

 

•     Qatar’s third-highest all-time goal scorer, 25 years old Almoez Ali, the current Al-Duhail SC star, is their main danger man. He has found the back of the net five times in his last nine international games. Overall, Ali has registered 39 goals to date.

 

 

•   Hassan Al-Haydos, age 31, is a forward playmaker who can also perform in central midfield and on the right wing. With 158 games under his belt and a total of 38 goals during his time with Al Annabi, Al Haydos is one of the most experienced players in the squad. Due to his unquestionable technical ability, he will be one of the shining lights for Qataris this winter. No doubt about it.

 

•   Akram Afif is a skilled player who plays on both the left and right-wing. With his goalscoring talent, he has gained the technical ability and vision to create various chances for the rest of the team. Despite his slight drop in form since April, the fans still voted him the best player in the Qatar Stars League.

 

Qatar’s Group A matches

 

Qatar vs Ecuador 

Date: Sunday, November 20

Venue: Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor         

 

Qatar vs Senegal

Date: Friday, November 25

Venue: Al Thumama Stadium, Doha

 

Qatar vs Netherlands

Date: Wednesday, November 30

Venue: Lusali Stadium, Al Daayen

 

Qatar – latest betting odds: 

 

1). Qatar to win the FIFA World Cup: 500/1.

2). Qatar to win Group A: 18/1

3). Qatar to reach the quarter-final: 22/1

4). Qatar to reach the semi-final: 100/1

5). Qatar to reach the final: 450/1

6). Almoez Ali to win World Cup Golden Boot: 250/1

 

PLEASE NOTE: The average odds comparison, source – oddschecker.com. The odds are valid on the day of the article’s publication and may be subject to change before the start of the tournament.

 

The last 5 international games:

 

29/03/22 Qatar 1 – 0 Slovenia    

20/08/22 Qatar 2 – 2 Morocco  

26/08/22 Qatar 1 – 1 Jamaica

23/09/22 Qatar 0 – 2 Canada           

27/09/22 Qatar 2 – 2 Chile

 

PLEASE NOTE: All the results represent matches that had occurred before the article’s publication date.

 

No. 30, Costa Rica – FIFA World Cup Group E

The Costa Ricans (31st in the FIFA World Ranking) stormed into the tournament after beating New Zealand 1:0 in the playoffs. As a reward, they will play against European giants from Germany and Spain. Fate has also given them Japan. 

 

It will be Costa Rica’s third consecutive appearance at the tournament. Most of their World Cup appearances come from this century. They’ve only missed one tournament since 1998. 

Unfortunately, they only last for a short time. They will be hoping for a repeat from 2014 when they finished their group ahead of Uruguay, Italy and England, reaching the quarter-finals, where they eventually lost to the Netherlands on penalties.

Who knows what wonders the game-hungry Keylor Navas will perform in goal, but even in a clash with an Asian team, Los Ticos do not appear as favourites. We can see them finishing bottom of Group E without picking up a single point.

 

Players to watch:

 

•   Keylor Navas, the 35-year-old goalkeeper, is still one of the best in the game. He is an icon in his homeland and one of the safest pairs of hands in world football. Navas was again in great form in the playoff game against New Zealand. He will need to be at his best if Los Ticos are to repeat their 2014 achievement.

 

•   Qatar 2022 World Cup will be the final reward for Costa Rican ace Bryan Ruiz. The 37-year-old midfielder remains a classy performer with excellent vision and an eye for goal. Indeed, this will be an exceptional tournament for Ruiz, and we are sure he will leave his life on the field to bring joy to the country.

 

•   Jewison Bennette 18 years old teenage Sunderland star, caught the eye during the last international break. He scored both of Costa Rica’s goals in a 2-2 draw against South Korea. Bennette has been directly involved in four goals in his last three games for the national side. He will be looking to make a name for himself in Qatar.

 

Costa Rica’s Group E matches

 

Costa Rica vs Spain

Date: Wednesday, November 23

Venue: Al Thumama Stadium, Doha         

 

Costa Rica vs Japan

Date: Sunday, November 27

Venue: Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Ar Raayan

 

Costa Rica vs Germany

Date: Thursday, December 01

Venue: Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor

 

Costa Rica – latest betting odds: 

 

1). Costa Rica to win the FIFA World Cup: 500/1.

2). Costa Rica to win Group E: 58/1

3). Costa Rica to reach the quarter-final: 30/1

4). Costa Rica to reach the semi-final: 150/1

5). Costa Rica to reach the final: 450/1

6). Jewison Bennette to win World Cup Golden Boot: 250/1

 

PLEASE NOTE: The average odds comparison, source – oddschecker.com. The odds are valid on the day of the article’s publication and may be subject to change before the start of the tournament.

 

The last 5 international games:

 

03/06/22 Panama 2 – 0 Costa Rica    

05/06/22 Costa Rica 2 – 0 Martinique 

14/06/22 Costa Rica 1 – 0 New Zeland

23/09/22 South Korea 2 – 2 Costa Rica           

27/09/22 Uzbekistan 1 – 2 Costa Rica

 

PLEASE NOTE: All the results represent matches that had occurred before the article’s publication date.

 

No. 29, Tunisia – FIFA World Cup Group D

Tunisia (30th in the FIFA World Ranking) is set to make its sixth World Cup Finals appearance in Qatar. They’ve failed to escape the group phase in their four previous appearances while only registering two wins across 15 matches played.

 

At the last one, they returned home with three points for the victory against Panama. A similar result can be considered a success, except the Australians will stand in the way instead of the Panamanians this time. 

Recently, Tunisia was noted for a ruthless play in a friendly against Brazil, when they set up a ‘hunt’ for Neymar, who miraculously managed to avoid serious injury after a foul by one of his rivals.

 

The Eagles of Carthage qualified for the World Cup Finals 2022 in Qatar with ease, winning four of its six Group B games in African qualification but then had to come through a tense two-legged match against Mali, which they won 1-0 on aggregate.

 

Can Tunisia finally reach the knockout stage, or will it be another early exit?

 

Players to watch:

 

•   Wahbi Khazri, the 31 years old forward, is the only Tunisian player to score multiple goals in a World Cup tournament. The former Sunderland man has scored 24 times in 71 caps for the national side since making his debut in 2013 and could become the first Tunisian to achieve four or more goals in both the AFCON and the World Cup. He has found the net twice in 2018 against Belgium and Panama and is looking to improve his record. With his set-piece ability, a gift for holding the ball up and dribbling past opponents and long-range shooting skills, Khazri is the kind of forward every coach dreams of having. 

 

•   19-year-old Manchester United youngster Hannibal Mejbri will also be hopeful. Mejbri has impressed in his previous appearances for the national team. He is highly rated at Manchester United, and in 2021, he was named the club’s reserve player of the year before spending this season on loan at Championship side Birmingham. He has made 18 appearances for the national team and will be looking to score his first-ever international goal heading into Qatar this winter.

 

•   27 old central back Dylan Bronn also hopes to make headlines at Qatar 2022. Bronn has been a vital part of the Tunisia line-up since the manager Henryk Kasperczak handed him his first cap in 2017. He is a challenging defender for opponents to get past, but injury and Covid-19 have restricted his appearances in the last few months. Bronn has plenty of experience, knows what the World Cup is all about, and can be expected to have a big part to play in Qatar 2022.

 

Tunisia’s  Group D matches

 

Tunisia vs Denmark

Date: Tuesday, November 22

Venue: Education City Stadium, Doha         

 

Tunisia vs Australia

Date: Saturday, November 26

Venue: Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah

 

Tunisia vs France

Date: Wednesday, November 30

Venue: Education City Stadium, Doha

 

Tunisia – latest betting odds: 

 

1). Tunisia to win the FIFA World Cup: 425/1

2). Tunisia to win Group E: 50/1

3). Tunisia to reach the quarter-final: 20/1

4). Tunisia to reach the semi-final: 70/1

5). Tunisia to reach the final: 450/1

6). Tunisia to win 4 Group Points: 9/2

7). Wahbi Khazri to win World Cup Golden Boot: 250/1

 

PLEASE NOTE: The average odds comparison, source – oddschecker.com. The odds are valid on the day of the article’s publication and may be subject to change before the start of the tournament.

 

The last 5 international games:

 

05/06/22 Botswana 0 – 0 Tunisia    

10/06/22 Chile 0 – 2 Tunisia

14/06/22 Japan 0 – 3 Tunisia

22/09/22 Comoros 0 – 1 Tunisia           

27/09/22 Brazil 5 – 1 Tunisia

PLEASE NOTE: All the results represent matches that had occurred before the article’s publication date.

No. 28, Australia – FIFA World Cup Group D

Australia is the rank outsider to lift the trophy in Qatar. They are the least favoured side to advance from Group D too. Their opening game, against France, certainly appears to be their most challenging. Still, a positive result against Tunisia could ramp up the pressure in their final match against Denmark, where it could be “The winner takes it all”. 

 

The Aussies did not have an outstanding qualifying campaign, which meant they had to fight their way to the World Cup Finals 2022 in Qatar through the playoffs. However, they rose to the challenge and beat 5-4 on penalties, unpredictable and quite strong Peru. This puts the ‘Socceroos’ as minimum favourites in the group competition against Tunisia. Denmark and France seem to be out of reach of the two weaker teams.

 

Australia is placed 38th in the FIFA Football World Ranking.

 

Players to watch:

 

•   The 29-year-old, four-time Isuzu UTE A-League Golden Boot winner – Jamie Maclaren has proven himself to be Australia’s elite goalscorer of A-League football. He scored 120 goals in 176 appearances. It was a record that earned him a move to Europe. Maclaren played a vital role in Australia’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualification campaign, scoring 7 goals and converting a penalty in the shootout against Peru in June. If he hits the ground running in Qatar, he could be an outside shout for each way bet to win the Golden Boot.

 

•   Ajdin Hrustic – this 26-year-old attacking midfielder is undoubtedly one of the most creative Australian football players. He is elegant and confident on the ball, with the ability to score and create pure chances for his teammates. Hrustic has established his name as the Hellas Verona playmaker in Italian Seria A and the Socceroos’ Qatar 2022 qualifying campaign breakout star. World Cup defences should also be wary of his capacity for the spectacular in set-piece situations, which was demonstrated more than once during the World Cup preliminaries.

 

•   The team’s captain, 30-year-old goalkeeper Matt Ryan is the most-capped player of the current Australian generation. This status has not been given by accident. His height – just 6ft, has often been raised as a potential weakness, but Ryan is a tremendous shot-stopper and outstanding with the ball at his feet. He glowed incredibly brightly during a four-year stay with English Premier League side Brighton. His recent move to Danish champions FC Copenhagen should provide him with the necessary pre-tournament match practice. If the Aussies are to progress from the group stage, some big performances from their goalkeeper are sure to be required. 

        

Australia’s Group D matches

 

Australia vs France

Date: Tuesday, November 22

Venue: Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah         

 

Australia vs Tunisia

Date: Saturday, November 26

Venue: Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah

 

Australia vs Denmark

Date: Wednesday, November 30

Venue: Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah

 

Australia – latest betting odds: 

 

1). Australia to win the FIFA World Cup: 425/1

2). Australia to win Group D: 30/1

3). Australia to reach the quarter-final: 20/1

4). Australia to reach the semi-final: 66/1

5). Australia to reach the final: 300/1

6). Jamie Maclaren to win World Cup Golden Boot: 250/1

 

PLEASE NOTE: The average odds comparison, source – oddschecker.com. The odds are valid on the day of the article’s publication and may be subject to change before the start of the tournament.

 

The last 5 international games:

 

01/06/22 Australia 2 – 1 Jordan    

07/06/22 UAE 1 – 2 Australia

13/06/22 Australia 0 – 0 Peru        (5 – 4 on penalties)

22/09/22 Australia 1 – 0 New Zeland           

25/09/22 New Zeland 0 – 2 Australia

 

PLEASE NOTE: All the results represent matches that had occurred before the article’s publication date.

 

No. 27, Ghana – FIFA World Cup Group H 

Ghana (61st in the FIFA World Ranking) completely failed at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations at the beginning of the year. Only one point earned in the group with Morocco, Gabon and Comoros meant that the Black Stars said goodbye to the competition at the group stage. 

 

What did it look like over the following months? Slightly better.

A two-legged victory against favoured Nigeria (0:0 at home, 1:1 away) ultimately decided the promotion to the World Cup in Qatar. It is worth mentioning that the team was recently strengthened by Athletic Bilbao striker Inaki Williams, who finally decided to represent Ghana. In addition to him, Thomas Partey (Arsenal), Mohammed Salisu (Southampton), Tariq Lamptey (Brighton) and Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace) are likely to be available for the squad selection too.

 

Ghana returns to the World Cup after a one-tournament absence in 2018, but the West African nation is back Big Time, hoping to replicate their famous quarter-final achievement from 2010.

 

Players to watch:

 

•   Kamaldeen Sulemana, this 20-year-old left winger, has emerged as one of his nation’s most exciting and creative players. He’s still yet to score for Ghana after 11 appearances, but this tournament might be his turning point. Since the start of last season, no player with over 1,000 minutes in Ligue 1 has completed more take-ons per 90 minutes than Ghana’s phenom (4.72). He has the makings of generational talent if he can tap into that potential.

 

•   Mohammed Kudus has been a revelation in Amsterdam this season. The 22-year-old already has seven goals to his name in 10 appearances this campaign, including that thunder stroke against Liverpool at Anfield. Kudus began his career in Denmark and made 57 appearances for FC Nordsjaelland before moving to Ajax in the Eredivisie ahead of the 2021/21 season.

 

•   What a month it’s been for the 28 years old Inaki Williams! Spain has previously capped him, but the Athletic Bilbao forward has now switched his faithfulness to Ghana. Inaki has spent almost all his career at the Spanish club, making almost 350 competitive appearances and winning the Spanish Super Cup in 2016 and 2021. He has not missed a single La Liga match since April 2016. Now the team’s manager Otto Addo has an exciting attacking weapon to complement the skill and flair of Sulemana. 

 

Ghana’s Group H matches

 

Ghana vs Portugal

Date: Thursday, November 24

Venue: 974 Stadium, Doha         

 

Ghana vs South Korea

Date: Monday, November 28

Venue: Education City Stadium, Doha

 

Ghana vs Uruguay 

Date: Friday, December 02

Venue: Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah

 

Ghana – latest betting odds: 

 

1). Ghana to win the FIFA World Cup: 250/1

2). Ghana to win Group H: 10/1

3). Ghana to reach the quarter-final: 11/1

4). Ghana to reach the semi-final: 40/1

5). Ghana to reach the final: 200/1

6). Kamaldeen Sulemana to win World Cup Golden Boot: 200/1

 

PLEASE NOTE: The average odds comparison, source – oddschecker.com. The odds are valid on the day of the article’s publication and may be subject to change before the start of the tournament.

 

The last 5 international games:

 

05/06/22 Cent.Afr.Rep 1 – 1 Ghana    

10/06/22 Japan 4 – 1 Ghana

14/06/22 Chile 1 – 3 Ghana

23/09/22 Brazil 3 – 0 Ghana           

27/09/22 Nicaragua 0 – 1 Ghana

 

PLEASE NOTE: All the results represent matches that had occurred before the article’s publication date.

No. 26, Japan – FIFA World Cup Group E 

Japan (24th in the FIFA World Ranking) was one of the most unlucky teams in the group’s draw. At least, it may seem so. They will face Germany, Spain and Costa Rica in the group stage. The favourites for the promotion are pretty clear here, but the ‘Samurais’ will not lay down their weapons. 

Japan is set to participate in their seventh consecutive World Cup. They have reached the last 16 three times since making their tournament debut in 1998 but have never gone further. They will be looking forward to changing that this time around.

 

Their form over the last few months has been nothing but satisfying. The wins against the USA (2:0), South Korea (3:0), Ghana (4:1), Hong Kong (6:0) and Paraguay (4:1) clearly prove that.

 

They also have plenty of players to threaten the opponents with: Takumi Minamino (AS Monaco), Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad), Daichi Kamada (Eintracht Frankfurt), and Takehiro Tomiyasu (Arsenal) are likely to be in the squad.

 

Players to watch:

 

•   The Samurai Blue No10 shirt holder, 27-year-old forward Takumi Minamino, never really took the Premier League by storm during his time for Liverpool. Still, the versatile player has regularly delivered for his country. That period in the Premier League has given him a taste of the real excitement of elite football. According to Anfield Watch, on average, Takumi scored every 101 minutes in all competitions last season. This strike rate made him the most lethal of all Premier League players who played more than 1,000 minutes during the season, ahead of the likes of Mohamed Salah and Cristiano Ronaldo. Minamino’s quality was evident when he scored in seven consecutive qualifying games for the 2022 World Cup. 

 

•   The 26-year-old attacking midfielder Daichy Kamada possesses great vision and is excellent with the ball at his feet. He is capable of finding the back of the net himself. Daichy tasted football glory last season when his Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt won its first European trophy in 42 years by winning the UEFA Europa League. With his ability to produce quality performances on the big stage, Japanese fans will be hoping he can carry the Samurai Blue to new heights in Qatar. He may surprise some people when Japan takes on the big boys of Group E.

 

•   Despite suffering injuries during his first season in Scotland, the 27-year-old striker Kyogo Furuhashi managed to put 12 goals in 20 league games to finish as the team’s second-highest scorer. The honours kept coming as he was selected for the PFA Scotland Premiership Team of the Season 2021/22. Kyogo gives Japan an element of unpredictability and wonder. No one should even blink when he receives the ball in the penalty box, or they might miss a moment of goalscoring brilliance.

 

Japan’s Group E matches

 

Japan vs Germany

Date: Wednesday, November 23

Venue: Khalifa International Stadium, Ar Rayyan         

 

Japan vs Costa Rica

Date: Sunday, November 27

Venue: Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Ar Rayyan

 

Japan vs Spain

Date: Thursday, December 01

Venue: Khalifa International Stadium, Ar Rayyan  

 

Japan – latest betting odds: 

 

1). Japan to win the FIFA World Cup: 250/1

2). Japan to win Group E: 14/1

3). Japan to reach the quarter-final: 17/2

4). Japan to reach the semi-final: 40/1

5). Japan to reach the final: 200/1

6). Takumi Minamino to win World Cup Golden Boot: 150/1

 

PLEASE NOTE: The average odds comparison, source – oddschecker.com. The odds are valid on the day of the article’s publication and may be subject to change before the start of the tournament.

 

The last 5 international games:

 

14/06/22 Japan 0 – 3 Tunisia    

10/06/22 Japan 6 – 0 Hong Kong

24/06/22 Japan 0 – 0 China

23/09/22 Japan 2 – 0 USA           

27/09/22 Japan 0 – 0 Ecuador

 

PLEASE NOTE: All the results represent matches that had occurred before the article’s publication date.

 

No. 25, Iran – FIFA World Cup Group B 

Do you remember Iran (20th in the FIFA World Ranking) from the World Cup 2018 in Russia? Back then, they spilt a lot of blood for the group rivals and were on the verge of moving into the 1/8 final at the expense of Spain.

The Iranians, who have won 16 of their last 20 matches and have only come off the pitch defeated twice, must be approached with respect again. 

 

They played two friendly games in September – beat Uruguay (with Suarez, Darwin Nunez, Valverde and Bentancur in the squad) and drew with Senegal. So their shape, as you can see, is in good condition. In the group, Iran will face England, the USA and Wales.

 

Team Melli has been at the World Cup on three of the past four occasions, finishing at the bottom of their group twice. Thanks to a kind group-stage draw, they have been handed a fair chance of reaching the knockout stage this time. Although Iran goes in as an underdog, they picked up four points from a demanding group in the last World Cup Finals in Russia four years ago, having to play against Portugal, Spain and Morocco. 

 

This time, a similar showing in a more manageable group would give them every chance to progress.

 

Players to watch:

 

•   Sardar Azmoun, a 27-year-old striker, has dominated Iran’s attacking force for the past seven years with great success. His senior career started at Russian Premier League side Rubin Kazan. With 62 goals and 23 assists in 104 matches across all competitions, he quickly established his name as one of the most recognised goalscorers in European football and the all-time highest Iranian top goal scorer in the UEFA Champions League. It was time for a new adventure in January as the 27-year-old moved to Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen. Azmoun has scored 40 goals in 62 appearances for his country and is one of Queiroz’s younger players in an ageing Iran’s international squad.

 

•   Very few players have experienced the rapid rise to stardom that the 30-year-old winger Mehdi Taremi has in recent years. In 2014, the versatile forward played in the second Iranian football league and was nowhere near the national team. However, over the past years, Taremi has established his name in European football with a FIFA Puskas Award nomination and the top scorer prize in the Portuguese Primeira Liga. 

 

Taremi is heading to his second FIFA World Cup as seventh among Iran’s all-time top scorers, with 27 goals in 58 matches. On the international front, he’s been part of a devastating trio alongside Sardar Azmoun and Alireza Jahanbakhsh. Between the three of them, they have scored over 170 goals for the national team.

 

•   With ideal positioning and an eye for a progressive pass, Ahmad Nourollahi, this 29-year-old central midfielder, is expected to play a crucial role in protecting his team’s backs and starting attacks for Iran in Qatar. He is not necessarily the fastest or most physical player. Still, he has been fundamental to the national team setup throughout the Asian Qualifiers for Qatar 2022. Competitive off the ball and calm in possession, Nourollahi’s ability to strike from long range saw him register three goals in the qualifiers.

 

Iran’s Group B matches

 

Iran vs England

Date: Monday, November 21

Venue: Khalifa International Stadium, Ar Rayyan         

 

Iran vs Wales

Date: Friday, November 25

Venue: Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Ar Rayyan

 

Iran vs USA

Date: Tuesday, November 29

Venue: Al Thumama Stadium, Doha  

 

Iran – latest betting odds: 

 

1). Iran to win the FIFA World Cup: 425/1

2). Iran to win Group E: 11/1

3). Iran to reach the quarter-final: 15/2

4). Iran to reach the semi-final: 50/1

5). Iran to reach the final: 250/1

6). Sardar Azmoun to win World Cup Golden Boot: 150/1

 

PLEASE NOTE: The average odds comparison, source – oddschecker.com. The odds are valid on the day of the article’s publication and may be subject to change before the start of the tournament.

 

The last 5 international games:

 

24/03/22 South Korea 2 – 0 Iran   

29/03/22 Iran 2 -0 Lebanon

12/06/22 Iran 1 – 2 Algeria

23/09/22 Iran 1 – 0 Uruguay           

27/09/22 Senegal 1 – 1 Iran

 

PLEASE NOTE: All the results represent matches that had occurred before the article’s publication date.

 

No. 24, Cameroon – FIFA World Cup Group G 

The African Lions (43rd in the FIFA World Ranking) struggled to make an impact in recent editions of the World Cup Finals. 

They have yet to go past the group stage, which they haven’t done in the last five tournaments.

In the past, Cameroonians used to send stronger players to compete than those in the current squad. The five-time African champions still remember the historic run of Roger Milla and company in the 1990 World Cup in Italy. Back then, Cameroon reached the quarter-finals.

This time, they also have some well-known names in their lineup. Therefore, Switzerland, Serbia and Brazil should not be credited three points before they take to the pitch.  

Will this current generation finally match their predecessors, or will it be another group stage exit?

 

Players to watch:

 

•   Cameroon captain, 30-year-old forward player Vincent Aboubakar, is within reach of playing in his third World Cup Finals. His athleticism, teamwork and heading ability make him an extremely well-rounded striker. As the top scorer at this year’s African Cup of Nations, he will pose a constant threat in the opposition penalty box. 

 

Aboubakar, with 37 international goals, recently overtook the legendary Roger Milla in Cameroon’s all-time scoring charts and has moved into third place – behind Samuel Eto’o with 56 goals and Francois Omam-Biyik with 45.

 

•   30-year-old Collins Fai is a highly competent right-back. His capability of finding crucial space when bursting up and down the right flank lets him link up with his right midfielder and cause massive problems for the opposite side. Collins is mostly recognized for his explosive and blistering pace. Whether defending or attacking, he will be an enormous asset for the ‘Les Lions’ in the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.

 

•   The 33-year-old Bayern Munich forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting is one of the most experienced members of the squad. He has scooped up two Bundesliga league titles with Bayern and played in the 2020 UEFA Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain.

His versatile attacking abilities let him adapt to any formation or gameplans, and his technical skills on the ball make him particularly dangerous on the edge of the opposition’s penalty box.

 

Cameroon’s Group G matches

 

Cameroon vs Switzerland

Date: Thursday, November 24

Venue: Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah        

 

Cameroon vs Serbia

Date: Monday, November 28

Venue: Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah

 

Cameroon vs Brazil

Date: Friday, December 02

Venue: Lusail Stadium, Al Daayen  

 

Cameroon – latest betting odds: 

 

1). Cameroon to win the FIFA World Cup: 400/1

2). Cameroon to win Group G: 15/1

3). Cameroon to reach the quarter-final: 11/1

4). Cameroon to reach the semi-final: 40/1

5). Cameroon to reach the final: 150/1

6). Vincent Aboubakar to win World Cup Golden Boot: 200/1

 

PLEASE NOTE: The average odds comparison, source – oddschecker.com. The odds are valid on the day of the article’s publication and may be subject to change before the start of the tournament.

 

The last 5 international games:

 

25/03/22 Cameroon 0 – 1 Algeria   

29/03/22 Algeria 1 – 2 Cameroon

09/06/22 Burundi 0 – 1 Cameroon

23/09/22 Cameroon 0 – 2 Uzbekistan          

27/09/22 South Korea 1 – 0 Cameroon

 

PLEASE NOTE: All the results represent matches that had occurred before the article’s publication date.

 

No. 23, Canada – FIFA World Cup Group F

It has taken 36 years for the Canadians (41st in the FIFA World Ranking) to make it to their second-ever start at the World Cup. In 1986, they lost all their group matches. Today, they are reaping the harvest of the footballing changes that have taken place in the country in recent years.

 

For the team of Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David, just being at the World Cup is a major success, but they don’t want to stop there.

 

They have a tough group to battle in Qatar. Their opening match against Belgium is the most challenging one. However, a bad day for the Belgians could let Canada take something out of the game and grab their first point in Canadian history.

 

We should see a similar story in their second encounter against Croatia. A win or a draw is possible and would give the ‘Great White North’ boys some confidence heading into a tie with Morocco. The last group game could be vital for the Canadians to secure their first-ever entry to the knockout stages. Is this scenario possible? Every team should dream big.

 

Players to watch:

 

•   It didn’t take long for 27-year-old Cyle Larin to transition from MLS to European football. His move from Orlando City to Besiktas Stambul turned out to be a big success. The Canadian forward scored 43 times in 87 games for the Turkish side, earning himself a permanent deal with Club Brugge this summer. With 24 goals in 54 appearances in a Canadian jersey, Larin will be a giant puzzle to solve for the Belgian, Croatian and Maroccan defenders.

 

•   A supersonic human thunderbolt, 21-year-old left-sided attacking midfielder Alphonso Davies will definitely mark his presence in Qatar. Rio Ferdinand, David Alaba, Arjen Robben, Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller have described him as: “One of the most demanding players to stop they have ever seen”. 

 

With 85 appearances for Bayern Munich since his move in 2019, Davis is already one of the best attacking full-backs in Europe. Before blowing out 22 candles on his birthday cake, he might become a Canadian legend – if he performs up to his standards in Qatar. 

 

•   Another Club Brugge player, 23-year-old right-winger Tajon Buchanan was named ‘Best Yong Player’ at the Concacaf Gold Cup in 2021. Buchanan grew from a boy into a man during his play in the MLS league for the American club New England Revolution. He has developed physically and defensively very well over the recent years. His speed, dynamics, and unique offensive qualities make him extremely dangerous for any defensive line in the world. 

 

Canada’s Group F matches

 

Canada vs Belgium

Date: Wednesday, November 23

Venue: Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Ar Rayyan        

 

Canada vs Croatia

Date: Sunday, November 27

Venue: Khalifa International Stadium, Ar Rayyan

 

Canada vs Morocco

Date: Thursday, December 01

Venue: Al Thumama, Doha 

 

Canada – latest betting odds: 

 

1). Canada to win the FIFA World Cup: 250/1

2). Canada to win Group F: 12/1

3). Canada to reach the quarter-final: 16/1

4). Canada to reach the semi-final: 66/1

5). Canada to reach the final: 150/1

6). Cyle Larin to win World Cup Golden Boot: 150/1

 

PLEASE NOTE: The average odds comparison, source – oddschecker.com. The odds are valid on the day of the article’s publication and may be subject to change before the start of the tournament.

 

The last 5 international games:

 

25/03/22 Panama 1 – 0           Canada   

10/06/22 Canada 4 -0 Curacao

14/06/22 Honduras 2 – 1 Canada

23/09/22 Qatar 0 -2 Canada          

27/09/22 Canada 0 – 2 Uruguay

 

PLEASE NOTE: All the results represent matches that had occurred before the article’s publication date.

 

No. 22, South Korea – FIFA World Cup Group H

Kim in goal, Kim, Kim and Kim in defence, and …. the spectacular Son Heung-Min in the attacking line. The Koreans, led by the Tottenham striker and the impressively-playing Jae-Min from Napoli, might put on an excellent performance this winter. 

South Korea (28th in the FIFA World Ranking) will participate in their 10th consecutive World Cup tournament in Qatar, and they are not in the lost position in the group with Uruguay, Portugal and Ghana. Suppose they secure one point in their opening game against Uruguay and three points against Ghana (the ‘Asian Warriors’ are absolute favourites in this encounter). In that case, one point won against Portugal should give them the desired pass to qualify for the tournament’s knockout stages. Let’s bare in mind, though, that during the 2018 tournament, South Koreans lost their two opening Group F games to Sweden and Mexico.

 

Players to watch:

 

•   Tottenham’s 30-year-old forward Heung-Min Son had a 2021/22 season to remember, becoming the first Asian player to win the Premier League Golden Boot award. He is currently in peak form and will be the Korean’s biggest goalscoring threat. Son has collected three World Cup goals so far, and if he adds another one in Qatar, he will become Korea’s all-time top scorer of the tournament, and this is something he will definitely fight for.

 

•   A young defender, 25-year-old centre-back Kim Minjae made his senior team debut in 2017 and is yet to experience the excitement of playing the most important football competition. After spending just one season at Turkish club Fenerbahce Stanbul, Kim moved to the Serie A side Napoli.

 

His early season performances for Napoli have been just remarkable. He has quickly established himself as a defensive no.1 for the current Serie A leaders.

 

In Napoli’s 4-1 victory over Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League earlier this season, Kim completely marginalised the Premier League Golden Boot winner Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota. If Koreans are to progress further from their group in Qatar Kim Minjae needs to stand up to his best abilities again. 

 

•   Following his national team debut in 2014, Hwang Uijo 30-year-old forward, scored just one goal in the ten matches he played. Under Paulo’s Bento (manager) time with the Korean national team, Hwang has put 15 goals in 37 appearances, easily outscoring his teammates. Having proved his goalscoring abilities at an international level, he signed for French Ligue 1 side Bordeaux in the summer of 2019. With 29 goals in 94 games for the club, he became the highest goalscoring Asian in Ligue 1 history. 

 

South Korea’s Group H matches

 

South Korea vs Uruguay

Date: Thursday, November 24

Venue: Education City Stadium, Doha        

 

South Korea vs Ghana

Date: Monday, November 28

Venue: Education City Stadium, Doha

 

South Korea vs Portugal

Date: Friday, December 02

Venue: Education City Stadium, Doha 

 

South Korea – latest betting odds: 

 

1). South Korea to win the FIFA World Cup: 250/1

2). South Korea to win Group H: 9/1

3). South Korea to reach the quarter-final: 12/1

4). South Korea to reach the semi-final: 50/1

5). South Korea to reach the final: 150/1

6). Son Heung-min to win World Cup Golden Boot: 80/1

 

PLEASE NOTE: The average odds comparison, source – oddschecker.com. The odds are valid on the day of the article’s publication and may be subject to change before the start of the tournament.

 

The last 5 international games:

 

20/07/22 South Korea   3 – 0         China  

24/07/22 South Korea   3 -0 Hong Kong

27/07/22 Japan   3 -0 South Korea

23/09/22 South Korea   2 -2 Costa Rica          

27/09/22 South Korea   1 – 0 Cameroon

 

PLEASE NOTE: All the results represent matches that had occurred before the article’s publication date.

 

No. 21, Morocco – FIFA World Cup Group F

Hakimi, Ziyech, Mazraoui, El-Nesyri, Bono and Amrabat. These are just some of the names in the Moroccan squad. These players represent such clubs as PSG, Chelsea, Bayern, Sevilla or Fiorentina. Therefore we are talking here about a quality national team that could make some noise in Qatar. 

Not so long ago, the Moroccans (22nd in the FIFA World Ranking) had a series of dozen matches in a row without defeat. This record has finally ended, but the team is still in great shape.

 

Recent wins against Chile and Jamaica without losing a single goal and draws against Qatar and Paraguay prove that point. The only problem that Valid Regragui’s team will face is the challenging group – with Belgium, Croatia and Canada.

 

The ‘Lions of Atlas’ will be making their second consecutive World Cup finals appearance in Qatar. In the 2018 edition, they didn’t get out of the group phase. In fact, they’ve only gone beyond the first round once across their five previous World Cups.

 

However, Moroccans are solid enough to stand up to anyone in their group and fight for the last 16 with great success this time, and their fans will be hoping that the talent and experience of their standout performers are enough to guide them through.

 

Players to watch:

 

•   The Paris Saint-Germain 23-year-old right-wingback Achraf Hakimi is a product of the Real Madrid academy. Blessed with immense talent, he was handed his big chance on the international level at the age of 17 and is the second-youngest player to have represented Morocco. 

 

As for defenders, Achraf provides excellent attacking skills as well, providing his teammates with clear goalscoring opportunities inside the box.

 

With 46 appearances, Hakimi is currently a vital member of the national team squad. The Moroccan fans are right to expect big things from him when the action gets underway in Qatar. We look forward to watching his battles against the likes of Eden Hazard and Alphonso Davies.

 

•   29-year-old left winger Sofiane Boufal is a skilful dribbler with an eye for goal who can also operate as a centre-forward. Since being handed his international debut in 2016 at the age of 22, he has established himself as a backbone within the Moroccan national team. 

 

Boufal picked up an injury at the end of last season but has come back stronger than ever, earning his Franch club Angers SCO some precious Ligue 1 points. He produced a spectacular performance in the recent meeting with Montpellier, in which he converted the winner from the spot. 

 

The ‘Atlas Lions’ opponents in Qatar would be wise to notice that Boufal is back with a vengeance and firing on all cylinders.

 

•   Despite having a tough start to the season, both domestically and in the UEFA Champions League, the current holder of the Zamora Trophy heads into his first World Cup Finals in Qatar as the ‘Atlas Lions’ undisputed first-choice goalkeeper. The Sevilla goalie, 31-year-old Yassine Bounou has shown his worth in Spanish La Liga, recording an average of 2.5 saves per game – a 76% success rate. Bounou has conceded just 22 goals for the national team and registered 26 clean sheets. 

 

Morocco’s Group F matches

 

Morocco vs Croatia

Date: Wednesday, November 23

Venue: Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor        

 

Morocco vs Belgium

Date: Sunday, November 27

Venue: Al Thumama Stadium, Doha

 

Morocco vs Canada

Date: Thursday, December 01

Venue: Al Thumama Stadium, Doha

 

Morocco – latest betting odds: 

 

1). Morocco to win the FIFA World Cup: 250/1

2). Morocco to win Group F: 9/1

3). Morocco to reach the quarter-final: 11/1

4). Morocco to reach the semi-final: 30/1

5). Morocco to reach the final: 100/1

6). Youssef En-Nesyr to win World Cup Golden Boot: 80/1

 

PLEASE NOTE: The average odds comparison, source – oddschecker.com. The odds are valid on the day of the article’s publication and may be subject to change before the start of the tournament.

 

The last 5 international games:

 

02/06/22 USA 3 -0 Morocco

09/06/22 Morocco 2 -1 South Africa

13/06/22 Liberia 0 – 2 Morocco          

23/09/22 Morocco 2 – 0 Chile

27/09/22 Paraguay 0 – 0 Morocco

 

PLEASE NOTE: All the results represent matches that had occurred before the article’s publication date.

 

Football online betting has never been easier and more exciting with Betfinal. We try to offer our players the best World Cup 2022 in Qatar betting odds. We’re here to help you to choose your best betting World Cup strategies possible.

 

So, get ready for the upcoming games and look for the best World Cup betting tips at the Betfinal blog. Stay tuned for the World Cup Finals betting tips when the time rolls around.

 

Have fun and bet wisely with the best World Cup betting odds at your favourite betting site, betfinal.com.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

 

When and where is the 2022 World Cup?

 

Qatar will host the 2022 Fifa World Cup this winter, the first to be organised by an Arab country and the second held entirely in Asia. It is the 22nd edition of the tournament, which began way back in 1930. 

 

The event starts on Sunday, November 20, with a match between Qatar and Ecuador.

 

The Final (and 64th match) will kick-off in Lusail on Qatar National Day,  Sunday, December 18, 2022.

 

• November 20: Opening match of 2022 World Cup (Qatar v Ecuador)
• December 2: Group phase concludes
• December 3-6: Round of 16
• December 9-10: Quarterfinals
• December 13-14: Semifinals
• December 17: Third Place Match
• December 18: Final

 

Who is in the World Cup 2022 Finals?

A total of 32 teams compete in the World Cup. 31 of them must qualify for the tournament, with Qatar qualifying automatically as a host. There are 13 nations from Europe, 4 from South America, 4 from Asia, 5 from Africa, 4 from North America, and Australia, which is a member of the Asian confederation.

• Host: Qatar

• Europe: Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Serbia, Spain, Switzerland, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal and Wales.
• The rest of the world: Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Mexico, Ecuador, USA, Canada, Senegal, Ghana, Cameroon, Morocco, Tunisia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Japan, Costa Rica and Australia.

Why is the World Cup in November?

This year’s World Cup has been scheduled for November and December, unlike in the usual June and July window. This has been done to combat the fierce Qatari summer heat, which is often more than 40°C during the period. The average temperature in November is 24°C and 21°C in December.

 

 Are tickets for the World Cup 2022 available?

Tickets are available through the official FIFA website, with more than 800,000 tournament tickets sold during the first and second phases, which have already been gone. 

The online Last Minute Sales on a “first come, first served”  basis is currently open and will run until the end of the FIFA World Cup on 18 December. 

 How much does a final World Cup ticket cost?

Four categories of tickets are made available to supporters wanting to attend the World Cup in Qatar.

• Category 1 – is the highest priced, located in prime areas within the stadium.
• Category 2 and Category 3 – are seating areas within the stadium offering a less-premium view of the action.
• Category 4 – is a seating area within the stadium reserved exclusively for residents of Qatar. 

All tickets are sold in Qatari riyal to both residents of Qatar and international fans, with prices ranging from 40 riyals ($11) to 5,850 riyals ($1,607). 

 

Published: November 2022

By: Rafa