Very few sporting events in recent times have been marred in as much controversy as the staging of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. FIFA’s decision to award the games to the Middle Eastern state has been scrutinized and embroiled in countless financial scams, with the likes of Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini leaving their roles at FIFA as a result.

Whilst the decision to award the games to Qatar lined the pockets of many in the upper echelons and FIFA, UEFA and beyond, the more pertinent issues for most football fans in Qatar lie on the ground. The stringent and archaic stance Qatar has on the LGBTQ+ community continues to cause great division amongst football fans and there are question marks surrounding Qatar’s suitability to hold such a sporting event, given their extreme social and political views.

With many players, teams and activists lobbying for change in Qatar, it would appear that the country will be brought under the microscope on that issue. Similarly, the lack of human rights legislation in Qatar has led to many migrant worker deaths in the construction of the World Cup stadiums. Inevitably, accidents happen and some issues simply cannot be avoided but with high numbers of workers being shipped in to Qatar and paid very little money for constructing the stadia, football fans feel a moral obligation to challenge the social norms in Qatar.

The controversies do not stop there though, as the decision to play the World Cup during the Northern hemisphere winter has played havoc with the domestic football schedules in most European countries.
With the weather expected to be warm throughout the competition, FIFA made the decision to host a winter World Cup but it is a decision that has been largely derided by the football community.

Once the action starts on November 20th, the conjecture will stop and for FIFA and the Qatari organisers, they will be keen to showcase all that Qatar has to offer. Eight stadiums have been specially erected for the World Cup and it promises to be a global footballing spectacle like no other.

On the field, Brazil will start the competition as favourites, with the 5-time winners having an insatiable habit of turning up on the big occasion, when it matters most. They haven’t won the FIFA World Cup since 2002, something they will be keen to address and at +650, they look to be the favourites for the title. Team USA is not the favourite, although you can bet that they will make it to the Final Four. Odds on the US team at the 2022 World Cup with WynnBet sports +10000.

Defending champions France had way too much for all in front of them in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia but the footballing landscape has shifted hugely since then. Plenty of France’s key players will be missing in Qatar but they are still a very dangerous outfit at +750.

Argentina will be looking to bring home the elusive World Cup for the legendary Lionel Messi and there is a growing belief within the camp. Coming at the end of the domestic season will help Argentina at this World Cup and at +900, they have the potential to sneak under the radar somewhat.