Every four years, there’s at least one over-achieving team at the World Cup that soccer fans collectively fall in love with.
The 2022 World Cup in Qatar will be no different.
Here’s one team from every group that has a chance to shock the world and go deep into the knockout stages.
Current 2022 World Cup Odds
Group A – Senegal +12000
Senegal took a massive blow on Thursday when it was announced that star striker Sadio Mané would be forced to miss the tournament with a leg injury.
The loss of the two-time African Footballer of the Year is devastating. But it’s a next-man-up mentality for Senegal now.
Forwards Ismaila Sarr and Krépin Diatta have played well for their clubs this year and will be counted on to pick up the slack. The Lions of Teranga won their first Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) championship earlier this year and will hope to carry the momentum into Qatar.
Losing an elite player always hurts, but the team can come together and use Mané’s absence as a rallying cry. No one expects Senegal to win it all, but don’t be surprised if they bounce a favorite or two.
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Group B – USA +15000
After failing to qualify in 2018, Christian Pulisic will lead a young, talented American squad in Qatar.
Group B is a vicious one, with all four teams ranking in FIFA’s top 20. England is the most well-rounded and experienced team and is expected to advance. But the US could easily be the team that joins them in the knockout round.
The USMNT isn’t expected to peak until the next World Cup, but don’t tell that to Gregg Berhalter’s squad. This is an explosive group that, on a good day, can compete with anyone on the pitch. And don’t forget to check on the Pulisic props available.
Group C – Mexico +15000
Everyone is counting Mexico out this year, and it’s easy to see why. They came third in CONCACAF qualifying and scored just 17 goals in 14 games. They’ve also battled a host of injuries.
But one thing they do have is goaltending. And that matters on the world’s biggest stage. Guillermo Ochoa has proven time and time again that he loves the limelight.
Mexico and Poland will likely battle it out to join Argentina as the teams to advance from Group C. Anything can happen if they can make it to the Round of 16. Especially with a hot goalkeeper.
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Group D – Denmark +2700
Denmark was the story of the 2020 Euros. After star player Christian Eriksen collapsed with a cardiac arrest on the pitch in game one, soccer was the least of the team’s concerns.
But after starting the tourney 0-2, the Danes roared back with a fairytale comeback that took them to the semis against England. It was an inspiring and heartwarming story that gripped the world.
Now Eriksen is back, and Denmark will be inspired and hungry in Qatar. They’re heavy favorites to get out of Group D, and another semifinal appearance isn’t out of the question.
Group E – Japan +25000
Since Japan’s inaugural appearance in the 1998 World Cup, the team has always had its share of superstars. That’s not the case this year. Rather than brand-name talent, Japan has a scrappy group of newcomers looking to put their names on the map.
Gone are A-listers like Keisuke Honda, Shinji Kagawa, and Shinji Okazaki. The team now rests its hopes on the under-the-radar talent of Takumi Minamino, Takefusa Kubo, and Kaoru Mitoma.
If Japan can get out of a group that includes Spain, Germany, and Costa Rica, the Samurai Blue might have a new breed of names to remember.
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Group F – Canada +25000
Oh, Canada. After a 36-year drought, the Canucks are back in the World Cup. If they score just one goal, it will be their most successful appearance.
After turning heads in qualifiers and finishing on top of the CONCACAF standings, Canada will hope to carry the momentum into its second-ever World Cup.
Alphonso Davies leads a strong group of attackers that like to force the play. This is an exciting squad that will be fun to watch. Getting out of a group with Belgium, Croatia, and Morocco will be challenging, but we could have a Cinderella story.
Group G – Switzerland +9000
Switzerland is an experienced team that has a favorable pathway to go deep. If they can come out of Group G in second (behind Brazil), they’ll land on the easier side of the bracket. Then it’s game on.
In the last four European and global finals, the Swiss have reached the Round of 16. Anything less in Qatar would be a disappointment.
Midfielder Granit Xhaka is in top form and has a penchant for upping his game when he plays for his country. No one’s talking about it, but the Swiss could be primed to make a splash.
Group H – Uruguay +3800
Uruguay not only hosted the first-ever World Cup in 1930 – but they won it. The tiny nation won again in 1950 but has only made it past the quarters once in the last 50 years.
There’s optimism in the air for them to return to glory in Qatar. The emergence of Darwin Nunez has added scoring punch to complement Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani.
The team is also electric up the middle with Federico Valverde and Rodrigo Bentancur. Uruguay has a nice blend of star power and experience that could propel them all the way to the final.
