Tony Kelshaw 
International tournaments like the World Cup are notoriously difficult to predict. However, based on experience, we are likely to see a favourite suffer a shock elimination and an unfancied team becoming a surprise package in the knockout stages.
Japan are eyeing another appearance in the World Cup knockout stage after stunning Germany and can take care of Costa Rica. Los Ticos were left shellshocked by a 7-0 thrashing from Spain and it is hard to see them recovering in time for Sunday’s Group E clash.
Switzerland have made it through the group stage at the last two World Cups and look a percentage pick to see off Cameroon in Qatar. The Indomitable Lions did not qualify four years ago and have suffered five early exits since famously reaching the quarter-finals in 1990.
With Qatar 2022 under way, we’ve put together an easy-to-use guide on how to bet on the World Cup. Bwin News will be covering all angles on the action from the Middle East, with World Cup 2022 odds available on everything from individual matches to outright winner betting.
Belgium will be looking to build on finishing third at Russia 2018 when they begin their Qatar 2022 World Cup campaign by facing Canada. The Red Devils are rated a cut above on the FIFA rankings at two compared to 43, although the Maple Leafs are an enterprising outfit on the up.
Germany and Japan kick off proceedings in World Cup Group E and Die Mannschaft are usually among the favourites for outright glory, having last won the tournament in 2014. Hansi Flick’s side are certainly expected to win their opening game and progress alongside Spain.
Croatia and Morocco had very different experiences in Russia four years ago but their match at the 2022 World Cup could be a close one to call. The Blazers and the Atlas Lions have been drawn in an interesting section with much-heralded Belgium and shock troops Canada.
England are fancied to put their Nations League problems behind them and begin their World Cup campaign by seeing off Iran. Wales and USA make up an interesting Group B and a winning start could be key to making the knockout stage.
Senegal have been rocked by Sadio Mane’s injury ahead of facing Netherlands and could now adopt a safety-first approach to their World Cup opener. With Ecuador and hosts Qatar being the other two sides in Group A, this pair will expect to progress if doing nothing silly.
Qatar have been building towards this since being named 2022 World Cup hosts 12 years ago and the good news is that football’s biggest stage is no place for party-poopers. A flick through the history books shows no host has ever lost their opening match at the World Cup!
The 32 nations heading to Qatar have announced their 2022 World Cup squads, with the tournament about to get under way. We have scoured through each selection to create teams of players who have something interesting in common.
Bwin have stepped up their World Cup promotions with a fantastic predictor competition where customers can win up to £250,000. There are 10 multiple choice questions to answer relating to the upcoming action in Qatar and the reward for being on the ball could be huge.
With the opening match in Qatar almost here, we’ve taken a fresh look at the World Cup 2022 popular bets to see which teams are being backed for glory. Brazil still lead the way with 30 per cent of wagers placed, but that is down from 35 and Argentina are on the rise.
Five World Cup 2022 African teams will be hoping to make an impact in Qatar and we’re taking a look at how far they could go. Cameroon became the first side from this continent to reach the quarter-finals in 1990, a feat repeated by Senegal in 2002 and Ghana in 2010.