The 2022 World Cup started with surprises. Saudi Arabia beat Argentina in one of the biggest upsets in tournament history. Teams like Belgium and Germany didn’t make the playoffs.
But there aren’t many surprises among the teams left in the tournament. Of the eight teams still competing for the World Cup, seven are ranked in FIFA’s top 12. Only Morocco, ranked 22nd, is in the top 20. And the Moroccans have been one of the best teams in the tournament.
There are six teams left that can realistically claim to have a good chance of winning the World Cup, with another, Croatia, reaching the final in 2018. Here’s a look at the teams advancing to the final three rounds of the tournament.
8. Morocco (BetMGM odds +4000)
Morocco’s ranking at No. 8 is no small feat—it’s a sign of the depth of this quarterfinal field. Morocco has international stars like Hakim Ziyech and Achraf Hakimi and has allowed just one goal in four games. Its Group F victory was no fluke, and Morocco’s appearance as the first African side to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup since Ghana in 2010 is well-deserved.
7. Croatia (+4000)
The same core players that drove Croatia to the World Cup final in 2018 will be part of this team’s 2022 tournament. Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic have been phenomenal in midfield and Ivan Perisic has been one of the best wing forwards in the last two World Cups. While another run to the Finals looks unlikely, the Croatians won’t have it easy against Brazil on Friday.
6. Netherlands (+1400)
The Dutch dispatched the United States in the round of 16 with two clinical goals in the first half. Dutchman Denzel Dumfries is one of the best attacking full-backs in the world, and Cody Gakpo will soon be playing in one of Europe’s biggest leagues after scoring three goals in the group stage. Barcelona forward Memphis Depay is also recovering.
5. Portugal (+600)
Portugal looked dominant against Switzerland with Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench. This is a Portugal team full of talent that doesn’t need an aging star striker and could actually be more dangerous without him on the field. After all, there is no place for 23-year-old winger Rafael Leao in the starting XI. He has come off the bench having scored seven goals and assisted nine in 20 games for AC Milan this year.
4. Argentina (+600)
The Argentines have bounced back from their World Cup opening loss to Saudi Arabia to win three in a row. Lionel Messi remains a key part of Argentina’s attack as Julian Alvarez has taken the main role up front and Lautaro Martinez and Angel di Maria have started games on the bench. Although Argentina’s winning streak now stands at three out of 35, this team is still capable of beating anyone in the tournament as long as Messi is on the field.
3. English (+600)
England have ditched their three-man central defense and it has paid off in the form of nine goals against Iran and Senegal. The defense hasn’t been compromised by the transfer either, with Jude Bellingham being the engine of the midfield and Declan Rice holding it down in front of the back line. There is also a lot of interchangeability on both sides of Harry Kane. Saturday’s match between the English and the French could be the game of the tournament.
2. France (+400)
Is this team better with Olivier Giroud instead of Karim Benzema? It might seem wild to say, but this injury-ravaged France team is still very, very good. Kylian Mbappe has been the striker of the tournament, while Antoine Griezmann has moved seamlessly into an attacking midfield role ahead of the duo of Adrien Rabiot and Aurelien Tchouamen, who have been excellent in place of Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante.
1. Brazil (+175)
Brazil hasn’t shown anything to make people believe they are favorites to win the World Cup. Its only defeat came against Cameroon, with Brazil starting a full starting 11 in the second tier. The offense can strike in a myriad of ways, as evidenced by Brazil’s four goals in the first half against South Korea, with just one conceded from the first line-up. goal in three games.
