Betting on the Upcoming 2022 World Cup: What to Know
Every four years since 1930, soccer fans from around the globe are treated to an extravaganza known as the World Cup. Starting on November 20, 2022, the soccer world will watch as 32 teams compete for supremacy in Qatar. While some teams are just happy to be there, others are under immense pressure to win it all.
As you would expect, a premier sporting event such as this generates loads of betting action at the best bookmakers. One problem that confronts casual bettors is that they don’t always know which teams are contenders and which ones are pretenders. Well, this tutorial compiled by Match.Center experts will help you separate the wheat from the chaff and help you navigate World Cup betting.
World Cup Groupings
One of the first things that aspiring World Cup bettors need to understand is the tournament format. This year, the field of competitors will be divided into eight groups of four teams. Each group will have a round-robin tournament to determine who moves on to the knock-out stage. The top two teams from each group earn a berth in the next round. The groupings for this year’s World Cup are as follows:
Group A:
- Qatar
- Netherlands
- Senegal
- Netherlands
Group B:
- England
- Iran
- United States
- Wales
Group C:
- Argentina
- Mexico
- Poland
- Saudi Arabia
Group D:
- Australia
- France
- Tunisia
- Denmark
Group E:
- Japan
- Costa Rica
- Germany
- Japan
Group F:
- Canada
- Belgium
- Croatia
- Morocco
Group G:
- Brazil
- Switzerland
- Cameroon
- Serbia
Group H:
- South Korea
- Ghana
- Portugal
- Uruguay
The Odds
The betting odds that bookmakers offer on the World Cup can tell you a lot. Aside from telling you how much you stand to win, the odds represent good indicators of each team’s strength. For instance, one popular online bookmaker has the favourite Brazil listed at 9/2 to win it all. What this means is that a $10 bet would yield a $45 profit if you wagered on Brazil and they won the World Cup.
On the opposite end of the spectrum is Costa Rica which is listed at 300/1. If you bet $10 on them, and they win it all, you would be looking at an $8,000 profit. So, the lower the odds, the better the team. Well, in theory at least. Let’s examine the odds to win the World Cup for all teams involved. We will start with the favourites and work our way down to the long shots.
| · Brazil | 9/2 | · Wales | 150/1 |
| · France | 6/1 | · Poland | 100/1 |
| · England | 7/1 | · Mexico | 100/1 |
| · Argentina | 7/1 | · Ecuador | 150/1 |
| · Spain | 15/2 | · Canada | 200/1 |
| · Germany | 10/1 | · Japan | 200/1 |
| · Portugal | 12/1 | · South Korea | 200/1 |
| · Netherlands | 12/1 | · Morocco | 150/1 |
| · Belgium | 10/1 | · Australia | 250/1 |
| · Denmark | 25/1 | · Ghana | 150/1 |
| · Uruguay | 40/1 | · Cameroon | 150/1 |
| · Croatia | 50/1 | · Tunisia | 250/1 |
| · Senegal | 50/1 | · Qatar | 200/1 |
| · Switzerland | 66/1 | · Costa Rica | 300/1 |
| · Serbia | 80/1 | · Saudi Arabia | 500/1 |
| · United States | 100/1 | · Iran | 500/1 |
As you can see, Brazil, France, England, Argentina, and Spain are the leading contenders although Germany, Portugal, Netherlands, and Belgium are getting quite a bit of respect too.
Tips for Betting on the 2022 World Cup
Some people will patriotically back their country no matter what the odds are. On the other hand, savvy soccer bettors will go about things a lot differently. This betting tutorial will now introduce you to a few tips that can help you make the most of your World Cup betting.
Analyse the Teams
Simply put, some teams are far superior to others. A lot of this can easily be attributed to sheer talent. For instance, a big reason for Brazil being favoured is that the team features an abundance of star power. Neymar, Vini Jr., Richarlison, and Raphinha are among the best forwards on the planet while Alisson is a top-tier goaltender.
Experienced World Cup bettors always examine the lineups that each team fields. This isn’t a surefire way to pick a winner, but superior talent often prevails. Pay close attention to injuries and recent performances.
Get the Best Odds
Getting the best odds is one of the most important keys to success in sports betting. This is why so many experienced punters use multiple bookmakers. If you want to back England to win it all, then would you rather win $650 for a winning $100 bet or $750? The answer should be obvious. Different bookies offer different prices. It behooves you to get the best one because it puts more money in your pocket when you win.
Take Advantage of Special Sportsbook Offers
Be it a free bet, enhanced odds, or cold, hard bonus cash, participating in bookmaker bonuses and promotions can put money in your pocket. These betting deals are easy to come by as almost all top sportsbooks offer them.
Bet Responsibly
Nothing ramps up the excitement level of a World Cup match like having a few dollars on the line. Just remember that betting on the World Cup is supposed to be fun. Avoid rookie mistakes like taking things too seriously, chasing losses, and betting more than you can afford to lose.
Seeing how soccer is the most popular sport on earth, it’s no surprise that the World Cup keeps online sports betting sites busy. You will find a list of legal UK betting platforms at Match.Center. And you aren’t just limited to wagering on who wins it all. Bookmakers serve up loads of pre-match and live betting action for each game. Win or lose, placing a wager or two will make your World Cup experience that much more memorable. Enjoy the ride!
