Football Ground Map
Football Ground Map
It's only a matter of a few short weeks before we see eight new football grounds in action around Qatar as the World Cup gets under way. The bookmakers are almost as busy as the stadium staff as the first round of matches draws closer. Here, we take a look at the teams that are expected to be battling it out for glory when the tournament reaches its final stages.
The World Cup has an incredible history that dates back more than 90 years. You can read more here about its unique place in global sport. No team has done more to give the World Cup its sense of magic than Brazil, and they are clear favorites with all the top sports books. With Neymar leading the way and VinÃcius Júnior ready to step into his boots, plus the world's best goalkeeper in Becker, Brazil are a force to be reckoned with and will be hunting down an incredible sixth World Cup win. No other team has won it more than four times.
Brazil might be favorites, but their last World Cup final appearance was 20 years ago. France is the team with the recent form and the defending champions have a realistic shout at being the first team to win back to back World Cups since 1962. The French team swept through the qualifiers undefeated, and 2018 star Kylian Mbappé looks even more dangerous if anything. The 6-1 pre-tournament odds will tempt many neutrals.
Here's one of those teams that can go from sublime to self-destruction at a moment's notice. However, Argentina go into the World Cup on a 32-game winning streak so to say they are coming into form at the right moment is an understatement. Lionel Messi is 35 now, so if he is ever going to win the World Cup medal he so richly deserves, realistically, it has to be this year.
Earlier this year, England were roughly level with France for the 2nd favorite spot with the bookies. Form in recent tournaments, including their run to the final in Euro 2020, suggests they should feature at the sharp end. However, their odds have been slipping in recent weeks. Losses to Hungary are prompting questions about whether they might struggle in the Group phase, although on the larger stage, it has traditionally been the high-pressure knockout matches that have seen England wilt under pressure. Can they finally play to their potential for an entire tournament and record their first win since 1966? Some bookies have them as long as 9-1, which are very tempting odds for an each-way bet.
Fifth favorite with the bookmakers, Spain has a relatively easy group, and should proceed to the knockouts without drama. While some of the superstars of 2018 are no longer there, this has the look of a young, hungry unit that is capable of beating anyone. If all goes to form, Spain and Brazil should meet in a quarter final that might just be one of the most memorable games of the entire tournament.
My daughter's first ever football match - Orlando City v Atlanta United, August 2019. Written for Izzy to read when she gets old enough. Vamos Orlando
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