World Cup 2022 Group F Teams, Odds, Preview & Best Bet
Unlike past editions of the World Cup, primarily held in the summer (North America) months, the 2022 edition will be held from November through December. Located in Qatar, the adjustment will accommodate the cooler winter months, but even still, weather (the heat) will prove to be a factor for all teams competing.
One of the more intriguing groups, Group F, offers four teams from three different continents who will be competing for just two spots to advance. Let’s take a closer look at each and see where the value remains.
2022 World Cup Opening Odds and Best Bets >>
Belgium (-190 to Win Group F | +1200 to Win World Cup)
Long the #1 team in the FIFA World Rankings, only recently to be dethroned by current #1 Brazil, Belgium has consistently been amongst the best teams globally over the past half-decade. What has been deemed the “Golden Generation,†Belgium is led by Chelsea star Romelu Lukaku and Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne, who has been unable to live up to the lofty expectations from Belgians.
Even still, Belgium enters this World Cup as the #1 team in the European (UEFA) qualifying region and finishes the qualifying stage (including friendlies) with a goal differential of +27. While the current crop of players has yet to win any major tournament of note, they do have the experience of playing high-pressure matches; an invaluable weapon in a tournament like this.
Croatia (+275 to Win Group F | +4000 to Win World Cup)
Croatia was the story of the last edition of the World Cup (2018), making a run all the way to the final before losing to France 4-2. However, it is worth noting that they’ve struggled on the international stage since losing in the Round of 16 in the EURO 2020s just two years later.
Led by aging Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric, Croatia still has a chance to make some noise coming out of this group but won’t be taking opponents by surprise as they did in 2018. Losing just once in qualifying (Slovenia), Croatia will undoubtedly be a team to watch out for once again in this year’s edition of the World Cup.
Morocco (+600 to Win Group F | +20000 to Win World Cup)
Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi is the centerpiece for a Morocco team that finished 2nd in the African (CAF) qualifying tournament for this World Cup. In what will be their second straight appearance, Morocco has scored a staggering 62 goals since the start of 2021.
Ayoub Al Kaabi, who plays for Turkey’s professional team Hatayspor, is the team’s best chance at finding the back of the net and will need to have three stellar performances for this team to advance past group play. Currently #24 in FIFA’s World Ranking, Morocco sneaking its way into the knockout round would surprise few who follow the African nations.
Canada (+900 to Win Group F | +25000 to Win World Cup)
The low man on the totem pole in Group F is Canada, who will be making just their second World Cup appearance and first since 1986. Winners of the CONCACAF region after posting a record of 8-2-4, Canada sealed the deal with a 4-0 win at home in Toronto over Jamaica in late March.
However, missing from that game was one of Canada’s finest, as Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies is dealing with complications from myocarditis following a COVID-19 diagnosis. Currently the #38 team in the FIFA World Rankings, Canada has some work to do if they want to advance, but nothing is impossible for a nation well overdue for World Cup success.
Best Bet of Group F: Canada to Qualify from Group (+225 via DraftKings)
Led by Davies and Reading (England) star Junior Hoilett, Canada enters this tournament as one of the more underrated defensively-focused teams in the world. Winning CONCACAF is no easy task with Mexico and the United States much improved, and Canada still did with relative ease while becoming the first team to cement their spot in these games.
Across all competitions since the start of 2021, Canada boats a goal differential of +52, amongst the best of any team in this World Cup. While they certainly will struggle against the world’s most elite should they advance, I think this group sets up well for them stylistically, and Canada qualifying from the group wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest.
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