It’s approaching, it’s so close you can almost hear the crowd roar in anticipation. The 2022 World Cup will kick off on Sunday with the most obvious question, of course – who will get their hands of the iconic trophy.Brazilian magicians Neymar, Casemiro, Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, are the prime favourites to win the big prize for the first time since 2002. The 20-year-wait saw the South American superpower grow hungry for the throne. They were sure they’d win it on home soil in 2014, but the Germans had different ideas. Can they do it this time around? The odds of 5.00 at Mozzart Bet Kenya suggest they’re the team to beat in the Qatari desert.🗣️ Lionel Messi on World Cup favorites: “The candidates are always the same. There are a few surprises but in general, the big teams are the candidates. Above the rest? Brazil, France, England. Today, they are a little above the rest but anything can happen.” Via @CONMEBOL. pic.twitter.com/Ven7cvDAQH— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) November 14, 2022 Brazil’s eternal rivals and fierce neighbours Argentina are placed second-favourite at 7.50. Neymar’s PSG teammate and veteran superstar Lionel Messi will have one last chance to win the much-desired trophy. Last year, he won the Copa America, one of the few titles he had missed from his career. The World Cup remains the last. The Holy Football Grail the ultimate prize. Messi wants it, but he’s not alone. Argentinean coach Lionel Scaloni is a popular figure among the players, who are said to be united more than ever.##NAJAVA_MECA_6816122##Reigning champions France are the third favourites. They’re one of five European teams who went through the entire qualification unbeaten. They will be hoping to improve on their disappointing round of 16 exit at Euro 2020, especially with the current Ballon d’Or holder, Karim Benzema, leading their attack. The injuries have crippled Les Bleus squad, but they’ve still got a fantastic squad. Coach Didier Deschamps has won the trophy as a player and captain in 1998 and as the head coach two decades later. The experience is there. So is the quality. If Kylian Mbappe, the Hernandez brothers and the rest of the squad show all their quality during the month-long tournament, they could go all the way.Brazil’s team World Cup 2022 is scary as hell:◾️ Neymar (PSG)◾️ Vini Jr (Real Madrid)◾️ Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal)◾️ Richarlison (Tottenham)◾️ Antony (Man United)◾️ Raphinha (Barcelona)◾️ Rodrygo (Real Madrid)◾️ Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal)This attack is just insane! 😳🔥 pic.twitter.com/JZqfNKeS7l— JOHN GASIRABO 🇧🇮 🇧🇮 🇧🇮 (@GasiraboJohn) November 9, 2022 And the rest? Just off the proverbial podium are England, Spain, Germany and Portugal. Brimming with quality players, a mixture of luck, motivation, and the right calls from the bench could see either of those teams make a few surprises. After all, you’d be foolish to dismiss the chances of teams featuring players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Harry Kane, Alvaro Morata, Joshua Kimmich, Bernardo Silva, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ansu Fati, Antonio Rudiger and many other stars.To make the pool of potential winners even bigger, one has to remember that it’s almost a tradition for each tournament to see one of the favourites crash and burn while some so-called minnows climb to unforeseen heights. National teams like Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Uruguay, Serbia, and the Netherlands could all spring a surprise or two.A new-look midfield for France this World Cup 🌟 pic.twitter.com/M6spoygAFj— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 9, 2022 In terms of individual achievements, Harry Kane enters the tournament as the favourite for the Golden Boot, having topped the scoring charts in 2018. The Englishman currently lies second in the Premier League scoring charts for the season, but he has just one goal in his last six games for his country.##NAJAVA_MECA_6816074##Despite sharing 12 Ballon d’Or awards between them, neither Cristiano Ronaldo nor Lionel Messi has ever won the Golden Boot award. On the other hand, Neymar and Mbappe could blast their way up the goalscoring charts.Who do you fancy to shine in Qatar?Favourites for the titleBrazil 5.50Argentina 7.50France 8.00England 10.00Spain 12.00Germany 12.00Portugal 13.00Netherlands 17.00Belgium 17.00Denmark 30.00Croatia 60.00Uruguay 60.00***odds are subject to change
