Ranking the top five favorites to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup

The tournament in Qatar is set to kick off in November.

32 countries from all over the world will be in Qatar for one of the sports’ most exciting events. The favorites to win the 2022 World Cup are Brazil, England, Spain, Argentina, and defending champions France.

The FIFA World Cup kicks off on November 21st. Let’s take a look at some favorites to win the tournament in Qatar.

5. Argentina: (Group C: Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland)

Last chance for Argentina? This will probably be Messi's last appearance at a World Cup and inspiring Argentina to glory would only enhance his legendary status. Argentina beat Italy 3-0 to win the 2022 Finalissima, Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina are on a 32-game unbeaten streak, which is just five games short of the global record.

Argentina last lifted the World Cup in 1986, captained by Diego Maradona. Messi will be hoping to do the same by hitting his peak during the showpiece event. With veterans like Angel Di Maria & Nicolas Otamendi, their experience could be the catalyst in bringing the World cup back to Argentina.

4. Spain: (Group E: Spain, Costa Rica, Germany, Japan)

Some of the best talents the sport has ever seen have come from Spain. Spain last won the World Cup in 2010, with a 1-0 win over the Netherlands in the final. Since then, they have slipped slightly with underwhelming performances in the last two World Cups.

However, the team has shown some solid performances in the last couple of seasons, reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2020 but losing to eventual winners Italy on penalties. They also finished runners-ups in the Nations League this year, losing to France in the finals.

Having improved under Luis Enrique, Spain is fancied quite highly to contest for the World Cup title. With young prospects like Pedri, Gavi, and Ferran Torres from Barcelona establishing themselves in an international setup, the experience of Jordi Alba at the back and Rodri holding the fort in midfield, Spain will go for it.

3. England: (Group B: England, Iran, United States, Wales)

England in 1966 won their first, and only, World Cup title. Since then, England has tried and failed numerous times. They finished fourth in 1990 and had a similar fate in Russia in 2018.

This year in Qatar, England is on everyone’s radar after impressive performances in the UEFA Nations League. They finishing 3rd in 2019. More recently, they ended up as runners-up in UEFA European Championship in 2020, losing to Italy 3-2 on penalties.

With the players they have at their disposal plus based on experience, the team can be lethal. Harry Kane is on his way to becoming the country’s all-time leading scorer and is just three behind the current record of 53, held by Wayne Rooney. Young guns like Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, and Bukayo Saka would all be hungry for silverware.

2. France: (Group D: France, Australia, Denmark, Tunisia)

France will head to Qatar for the World Cup this year considered one of the favorites for the title. The 2018 World Cup winners defeated Croatia 4-2 in the final. They also won it in 1998, defeating Brazil 3-0 and are one of only six nations to have won the title more than once.

At this World Cup, however, except to see a changed team from France, with seven out of the 22 players called up for the French national team making their professional debut after the 2018 World Cup: Adrien Truffert, Benoit Badiashile, Willaim Saliba, Wesley Fofana, Kolo Muani, Aurelian Tchouaméni, and Eduardo Camavinga.

This team has a lot of young talent, with unmatched experience in the squad with the likes of Hugo Lloris, Antoine Griezmann, Paul Pogba among others. Karim Benzema is expected to return to the squad after not being included in 2018. Benzema was named the UEFA Player of the Year after leading Real Madrid to a Champions League title last season.

Since its 2018 win, France have won the 2020-21 UEFA Nations League by beating Spain in the finals.

1. Brazil: (Group G: Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon)

Brazil are the favorite to win this year’s World Cup in Qatar. They are arguably the best team in the world right now. Brazil has won more World Cup titles than any other nation, winning it five times. The last they won in 2002 in Japan.

Gabriel Jesus, Neymar, and Vinicius Junior have all been having an exceptional season so far in their respective leagues. Brazil will be a terror going forward with the likes of Phillipe Coutinho, Lucas Paquetá, Rafinha, and Antony at their disposal.

While attack alone won’t win tournaments, under the management of Tito, Brazil has formed a strong spine as well, featuring Alisson, veteran Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Casemiro, and Fabinho.

Brazil looks all set to win this year’s World Cup in Qatar.