The 22nd iteration of the FIFA World Cup is now less than four weeks away, as 32 sides prepare to showcase their skills, commitment and passion on the biggest of international stages.
Unsurprisingly, the usual suspects are fancied to lift the Jules Rimet trophy, including five-time winners Brazil and defending champions France.
If you’ve recently unlocked new promo codes for Stake.com and want to bet on the tournament’s outright winner, you may also want to back Argentina (who are embarked on a 36-match unbeaten run) to reign supreme.
But which teams, outside of these favourites, could be prepared to shock the world in 2022? Let’s find out!
#1. Canada
Canada have qualified for just their second WC finals in Qatar, having previously made their debut in 1986.
Interestingly, they’ll go in search of their first tournament point, win and goal in the Middle East, while they’ve been drawn into a challenging group alongside Belgium, Morocco and the 2018 runners-up Croatia.
However, they’ve already upset the odds by topping the final group of CONCACAF qualifying, finishing ahead of Mexico on goal difference and even recording a superb, 2-0 win over the USA at the Tim Horton Field in Hamilton.
With a young and hungry squad that also includes Lille’s prolific striker Jonathan David and Bayern Munich’s talented Alphonso Davies, Canada will be optimistic of performing well ahead of Qatar and laying a foundation ahead of the 2026 finals (where the nation will be one of three co-hosts along with Mexico and the USA).
#2. Denmark
While 10th-ranked Denmark excelled in reaching the semi-finals on a wave of emotion at Euro 2020, they’re not widely tipped to succeed in the World Cup.
However, the Danes qualified with incredible ease, winning their first nine matches in UEFA Group F while scoring 30 times and conceding just one. They also became one of the first sides to secure their place in Qatar, making a final round, 2-0 defeat to Scotland merely academic.
The influential Christian Eriksen has also made a miraculous recovery and return to the side, with his experience and guile likely to be crucial as the tournament progresses.
If Denmark can top WC Group D ahead of France (who the Danes vanquished in their recent Nations League A campaign), a favourable draw could await too. This makes Denmark a side to watch this winter, and a potentially alluring outside bet to win!
#3. Iran
Iran have been drawn into WC Group B, and aren’t fancied to progress ahead of England, the USA and even Wales.
However, the nation is now ranked 20th in the world, while recent performances have included a 1-1 draw against the top-ranked African side (Senegal) and an impressive, 1-0 win over Uruguay in Austria.
With talented and proven players like Alireza Jahanbakhsh and current top-scorer Sardar Azmoun also adorning an experienced squad, Iran will be an interesting side to watch and one that could upset the odds in Qatar.
Certainly, the clash with Wales will be an even contest, while Iran have form against the USA having earned their first ever finals win over them in 1998 (in the single most politically charged WC game ever!).
