As we have already mentioned, the bigger football nations are always at the forefront of the betting when the World Cup comes around.
Ahead of the 2022 tournament in Qatar, the top bookmakers have placed the following five teams at the head of the outright market.
- Brazil
- France
- England
- Spain
- Germany
Brazil’s place at the top of the outright market is understandable given they have been a World Cup winner on five previous occasions.
The Samba Kings breezed through the South American qualification group and could be a tough nut to crack in Qatar.
However, it is worth noting that they have not lifted the trophy since 2002 and have imploded on more than one occasion in recent tournaments.
Reigning champions France will fancy their chances of retaining the trophy, although history suggests they will find it difficult to achieve the feat.
Brazil were the last team to go back-to-back in the World Cup in 1962. They came close to repeating the trick in 1998, but were beaten by France in the final.
No winner of the World Cup has progressed to the final since then, and it would be a surprise if France were able to buck the trend.
England are another team who look too short in the World Cup winner betting, particularly since their last success came on home soil in 1966.
There has been plenty of talk about improvement under Gareth Southgate, but the England manager is yet to prove he can get the job done in a major tournament.
His team missed a golden opportunity to win the 2020 European Championships and backing them to win the World Cup is a risky move.
Spain are likely to attract plenty of interest in the outright market after comfortably finishing top of Group B in Europe’s qualifiers.
However, they flattered to deceive at Euro 2020 and better value appears to lie with much-improved Germany.
The four-time winners have rediscovered their best form since Hansi Flick took over as manager and they could be extremely difficult to beat in Qatar.
Previous World Cup Winners
The winners of the last ten World Cup tournaments are as follows:
- 2018 – France
- 2014 – Germany
- 2010 – Spain
- 2006 – Italy
- 2002 – Brazil
- 1998 – France
- 1994 – Brazil
- 1990 – West Germany
- 1986 – Argentina
- 1982 – Italy