It’s still six months until the first ball is booted in Qatar, but 2022 World Cup odds are drawing attention as May heads into June. Brazil is No. 1 in the world rankings, so it’s no surprise to see Selecao Canarinho holding firm as the consensus favorite in the 32-team field.
The Brazilian squad is certainly popular, as always. But so far, France is proving more popular in the 2022 World Cup odds market.
Props.com checked in with PointsBet USA sports analyst Mike Korn for insights and intel on odds to win the World Cup.
2022 World Cup Odds
| Team | World Cup Odds |
|---|---|
| Brazil | +500 |
| France | +550 |
| England | +550 |
| Spain | +800 |
| Germany | +1000 |
| Argentina | +1000 |
| Belgium | +1200 |
| Netherlands | +1300 |
| Portugal | +1400 |
| Denmark | +2500 |
| Croatia | +5000 |
| Uruguay | +5000 |
| Switzerland | +8000 |
| Senegal | +8000 |
| Mexico | 125/1 |
| USA | 125/1 |
| Poland | 125/1 |
| Canada | 125/1 |
| Serbia | 150/1 |
| Wales | 200/1 |
| Cameroon | 200/1 |
| Ecuador | 200/1 |
| Peru | 200/1 |
| Tunisia | 200/1 |
| Qatar | 250/1 |
| Ukraine | 250/1 |
| Ghana | 250/1 |
| Japan | 250/1 |
| South Korea | 250/1 |
| Morocco | 300/1 |
| Scotland | 300/1 |
| Australia | 500/1 |
| Iran | 500/1 |
| Saudi Arabia | 500/1 |
| Costa Rica | 1000/1 |
| New Zealand | 2000/1 |
Odds via PointsBet USA and updated as of 11:30 a.m. ET on May 30.
France Per Chance
Brazil opened as the +550 favorite in PointsBet’s World Cup odds market and has shortened slightly to +500. France saw a similar move, opening as the +600 second choice before dropping to +550. But Les Bleus are taking more of les tickets and les cash, though bettors aren’t shying away from either short price.
“France is currently No. 1 in terms of bet count and handle,” Korn said. “Brazil is currently No. 2 in bet count and No. 3 in money.”
It makes sense that World Cup bettors are taking a liking to both teams. Brazil has five World Cup trophies — more than any other nation — and is almost always in the mix. But the Brazilian fans and bettors are probably a bit restless, as their team hasn’t lifted the trophy since 2002.
France’s popularity stems in part from being the defending World Cup champion, adding the 2018 crown to its 1998 title. The French rolled past Croatia 4-2 in the 2018 final.
American Dream
The U.S. men’s national team remains a long shot to lift the Cup for the first time. Team USA is 125/1, the co-15th choice with rival Mexico among the 36 teams currently on PointsBet USA’s World Cup odds board. (A few countries still face playoff matches to bring the field down to its maximum 32.)
Despite being in the middle of the pack on the betting board, the U.S. squad is drawing plenty of action at PointsBet.
“The USA is currently No. 3 in bet count and No. 2 in handle,” Korn said. “Bettors seem willing to take a flier on the Americans at such long odds.”
However, if you dive into the myriad World Cup prop bets, you’ll better understand how PointsBet’s risk room feels about Team USA. On the USA stage-of-elimination prop, the group stage is a -134 favorite — meaning oddsmakers have a mild opinion that the U.S. won’t advance from group play. Team USA is in Group B with England and Iran at the moment. The fourth Group B slot will be filled by Wales, Scotland or Ukraine, following June playoff matches.
The U.S., which has never even advanced to a World Cup final, is +200 to be eliminated in the Round of 16, +800 to fall in the quarterfinals, and so on.
“We’re not too worried with the USA, although we will have to keep an eye on the liability,” Korn said.
World Cup Odds Dark Horses
You don’t have to look too far down the World Cup futures board to find the Netherlands, which shouldn’t be too surprising. The Dutch reached the 2010 World Cup final, losing to Spain 1-0. The Netherlands followed by reaching the 2014 semis, playing to a 0-0 draw vs. Argentina, eventually losing on penalty kicks. In 2018, the Netherlands stunningly failed to qualify.
The Dutch squad holds the ignominious title of making the most World Cup finals with no trophy to show for it. Along with the 2010 setback, the Netherlands lost the 1974 final to West Germany and the 1978 final to Argentina.
“There’s not much action on the Dutch, but their odds have shifted from +1600 to +1300,” Korn said, before pointing to two other potential dark horses. “Denmark and Portugal are both teams to keep an eye on.”
Denmark reached the Round of 16 in 2018, losing a penalty shootout to Croatia after a 1-1 tie. Croatia went on to reach the final, losing to France 4-2. The Danes opened +7000 in 2022 World Cup odds and are now into the +2500 10th choice.
Portugal has longtime international superstar Cristiano Ronaldo on its roster. In 2018, the Portuguese side lost to Uruguay in the Round of 16. Portugal is currently ninth in the World Cup odds market, at +1400.
More Ticket Takers and (Perhaps) Money Makers
Soccer-mad England has waited nearly six decades to lift the World Cup trophy, last doing so in 1966. The stars seemed to be aligning in 2018, when Three Lions reached the semifinals. But they were denied by Croatia 2-1 in extra time.
PointsBet bettors are certainly keen on England early, with the squad shortening from its +750 opener to the +550 co-second choice with France.
“England is currently No. 4 in tickets and money,” Korn said.
So at this early stage, who’s good for bettors and who’s good for the book come Dec. 18, when the World Cup champion will be crowned in Qatar?
“France, Brazil, and the USA are all teams we’ll be rooting against,” Korn said. “Spain and Germany are two teams the book will be rooting for.”
Spain is the +800 fourth choice in odds to win the World Cup. The Spanish side has played in 16 of the 22 World Cup tournaments, but has just one championship, in the aforementioned 2010 final vs. the Netherlands. In 2018, Spain fell in the Round of 16, losing on penalty kicks to Russia after a 1-1 tie.
