As the 2022 World Cup in Qatar nears, football fans around the globe are gearing up for another action-packed tournament. And with rankings newly released from FIFA, bettors are also scrambling to back dark horses and their home teams. Whether looking for deals like an free bet offer from sites such as Bet365 or sticking to another oddsmaker, there are a few key points to consider.
Recently, FIFA finalized the 32 nations that will compete in Qatar after Wales, Australia, and Costa Rica managed to nudge their way into the final three slots. Now, sports publications are creating their own rankings. Most list Brazil, Argentina, and France at the top of their selections.
Close behind are three more European powerhouse teams in Germany, England, and Spain. However, as highlighted by Italy’s unexpected elimination by North Macedonia earlier this year, nothing is set in stone—and the higher a team climbs, the farther they have to fall.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the most surprising rankings, as well as which groups analysts are zeroing in on to make selections.
Argentina Ranked Second: Could 2022 Be the Year?
One of the toughest aspects of finalizing rankings is comparing South American and European teams, as they rarely face off directly. However, Argentina’s balanced offensive and defensive strengths have pushed them past perennial teams like England and Spain. Alongside Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez looks poised to lead as a striker.
But make no mistake—it will be Messi leading the team in 2022. The team is on a 32-game win and draw streak (21 and 11, respectively) and lifted the Copa America trophy under Lionel Scaloni in 2021. While that doesn’t signal a foolproof path to the Finals, it highlights the team’s momentum heading to Qatar. And as Messi’s last (expected) World Cup appearance, the stakes are higher than ever.
USMNT Slowly Climbs in Rankings
To be clear, the US squad isn’t slated to advance past the knockout rounds. Most publications list them in the middle of the pack between 14 and 16th in the 32-team rankings, alongside Portugal, Serbia, and Ghana. For the US team, it’s a solid leap from previous rankings.
The team recently tied Uruguay 0-0 in friendlies and are headed for more international friendlies in September. Currently, they’re ranked second in the CONCACAF behind Mexico, far ahead of regional competitors Canada and Costa Rica. And while they’re not expected to advance far in Qatar, they may be a dark horse worth following.
Senegal as Africa’s Top Contender
Argentina may be a Finals hopeful and the USMNT a potential dark horse, but Senegal has captured the world’s attention. On paper, Senegal is less experienced than other African nations like Egypt and Nigeria with only three World Cup appearances. However, with Sadio Mane and Edouard Mendy at the helm, there’s great potential.
Back in 2002, the Senegal team advanced to Quarter-Finals (where they lost to Turkey). This World Cup, they face the Netherlands, Qatar, and Ecuador in Group A. They’ll kick off the tournament with a bout against the Netherlands, giving analysts and fans a close look at what they can expect from the team for the rest of the competition. In other words, it will be sink or swim for Senegal.
Group H: A Fan Favorite
Invariably, most World Cup attention falls on heavy-hitters like Brazil, England, and Germany—or the teams expected to win. However, the group stages are often more intriguing because of the range of lineups. This year, Group H has captured the public’s attention.
Group H includes a Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portugal, a Thomas Partey-led Ghana, a Luis Suarez-led Uruguay, and a Heung-min Son-led South Korea. While none of the teams individually are slated to make it past the knockout stages, in-group matches pit some of the world’s most well-known stars against one another. It may not be a battle of the giant teams, but it will definitely be a memorable clash of some of the world’s most skilled athletes.
