World Cup betting odds: Is there a favourites curse? How top nations have performed at recent FIFA tournaments

The favourites for the 2022 FIFA World Cup are Brazil, Germany, Spain and England. Argentina and Brazil are also favourites. The World Cups are unpredictable and the results vary from tournament to tournament.   The recent records show that the favourites often fail to live up to expectations.

In 2010 World Cup, Spain were the betting favourite with 4/1 odds. The tournament followed the script and Spain won the trophy. Germany reached the semifinals, Brazil and Argentina made the quarterfinals and England lost in the Round of 16 to Germany.

2014 World Cup took place on home soil. Brazil were beaten 7-1 by Germany in the semifinals and 3-0 by the Netherlands in third place. Germany won the tournament after beating Argentina 1- 0 in extra time.

At the 2018 World Cup draw, Germany were considered the favourites to win the tournament. Brazil overtook them as the favourite after the draw. Germany crashed out of the group stage and Brazil reached the quarterfinals. France won the World cup with a 4-2 victory against Croatia.

Brazil are the betting favourites for World Cup 2022. France, England, and Argentina are also considered some of the best sides in Qatar.

World Cup betting odds are available via BetMGM, Sports Interaction, Sky Bet (UK), and Ladbrokes (Australia).