World Cup 2022 Group B Teams, Odds, Preview & Best Bet
We’re just over six months away from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, as the events will start on November 21, 2022, wrapping up on December 18th. With numbers posted just over a month ago, the odds in each group are beginning to solidify as teams’ rosters get finalized every week.
Today, we’re looking at one of the more intriguing groups in the tournament, especially here stateside, Group B. Featuring both the United States and England, Group B promises to be one of the more discussed groups as the games approach.
Let’s take a closer look at how things might shake out.
2022 World Cup Opening Odds and Best Bets >>
England (-300 to Win Group B | +600 to Win World Cup)
Entering this year with arguably the best player in the tournament, Harry Kane, England is the de-facto favorite in this group for good reason. They’ll be entering this tournament, having not lost in nearly two years (outside the EURO 2020 final), and from top to bottom, has one of the most talented rosters of any country competing.
In addition to Kane, Man City’s Raheem Sterling is now a veteran of this team at just 27 years old and could also be a player who makes a difference for a team searching for its first World Cup win since 1966.
United States (+700 to Win Group B | +10000 to Win World Cup)
At just 23 years of age, Christian Pulisic has a nation’s weight on his shoulders as he heads into his first major tournament being USA’s captain. Already a star for English Premier League monster Chelsea, Pulisic is more than ready for the occasion.
What is more of a question: Will his key teammates in Weston McKennie, Gio Reyna, Sergino Dest, and Ricardo Pepi, be equally ready to contribute to a team known for their early exits in World Cups? With just two USA teams in World Cup history advancing past the Round of 16, the battle remains an uphill one despite a plethora of young talent on this 2022 roster.
Iran (+1600 to Win Group B | +80000 to Win World Cup)
Finishing at the top of the AFC (Asian) region, Iran will be making their third straight appearance in a World Cup. During qualifying, Iran accrued a record of 8-1-1, winning the group over South Korea, who trailed just behind.
Led by FC Porto’s Mehdi Taremi and Bayer Leverkusen’s Sardar Azmoun, Iran has one of the more underrated attacking front lines in these games and will be a threat to score early and often. Another big storyline for this team will be in the coaching box, as Dragan Skocic (Croatia) will be making his World Cup debut with this team since taking the reigns in February 2020. Will he be the difference Iran has needed to advance past group play finally?
Wales/Scotland/Ukraine (+1000/+2000/+2000 to Win Group B | +15000/+30000/+15000 to Win World Cup)
Adding to the intrigue of this group is the uncertainty around this fourth and final spot. Sometime between now and then, Ukraine and Scotland must play, with the winner facing Wales to determine who gets into Group B.
With the uncertainty surrounding Ukraine off the pitch, things are still being flushed out, but it is worth noting Wales will be a heavy favorite over both Scotland and Ukraine. If they were to qualify, it would be their first World Cup appearance since 1958.
Best Bet of Group B: USA to Qualify from Group (+150 via DraftKings)
While England is a heavy favorite to win this group, and rightfully so, I do think the United States could make some noise in this group and certainly get out of it. Led by a new head coach (2018), Gregg Berhalter, a player on the 2002 team that lost to Germany in the quarterfinals, this team has a different swagger than in years past.
Even still, a loss to England and a win over Wales/Scotland/Ukraine seem inevitable, meaning the USA advancing likely comes down to a win over Iran. Having faced each other just twice in their history, I do think the United States would be a decent-sized favorite over the winners of the Asian qualification region.
Despite having elite-Europe-level talent, Iran is even less experienced than the United States regarding major tournament-level play. With Pulisic getting the lion’s share of attention in the midfield, I expect Reyna to be the difference for a team with no shortage of goal-scoring potential.
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