2022 World Cup Predictions: Long Shots & Sleeper Bets

The 2022 World Cup is just days away, and soccer betting is starting to heat up. Brazil (+400) has the best World Cup odds to win, while Argentina (+500)has seen favorable line movement.

However, nothing is guaranteed in sports, and there are bound to be a couple of upsets during the tournament. 

There have been some notable deep runs from underdog teams in the World Cup, but few have won the actual tournament. In reality, winning a soccer game with tenacity and a bit of luck is easy, but it’s more difficult to ride that wave for an entire tournament.

So, if you’re looking for some long shot and sleeper bets for a team to lift the trophy in Qatar, here are a few.

2022 World Cup Long Shot & Sleeper Bets

Denmark: +2800

Denmark is my choice when it comes to a value pick. At +2800, the Danes offer decent odds for those that put their money behind a deep run into the competition.

Kasper Hjulmand’s team was the second team to qualify for the tournament after Qatar, who will be hosting the tournament. This team plays with quiet confidence and has a strong bond forged in Euro 2020. 

I predicted them to win Group D. They certainly could be the long shot winners of the tournament with players like Christian Eriksen, Yussuf Poulsen, Joakim Maehle, Simon Kjaer, and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

Uruguay: +5000

Uruguay reached the 2021 Copa America quarterfinal, and I expect them to do well in Qatar, as well. They have an experienced defense, especially in the center of the park, with center-halves Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez and astute defensive midfielders in Lucas Torreira and Rodrigo Bentancur.

This team does defend better than they attack, but they still have a wealth of talent to draw from upfront. 

Of course, there’s the experienced duo of Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani. However, it’s Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez and Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde that add the heady mix of speed, accuracy, and youth to Uruguay’s attack.

Senegal: +8000

Anything further than a spot in the Round of 16 is a massive accomplishment for Senegal.

This team has one of the best defenses in the tournament, and they will make it difficult for opponents to score against them. They have two Chelsea players in central-defender Kalidou Koulibaly and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, as well as valuable defensive midfielders Idrissa Gueye (Everton) and Cheikhou Kouyate (Nottingham Forest).

The current AFCON champions have only allowed three teams to create more than one expected goal against them in 15 competitive matches. Although, this hasn’t been against excellent opposition.

Aliou Cisse’s team is undoubtedly built around Bayern Munich’s Sadio Mane, who hopes to recover from injury in time for the tournament. However, there’s also exciting new talent in the attack, with Watford’s Ismaila Sarr and Monaco’s Krepin Diatta, who will bring something different to Senegal’s dynamic.

Canada: +25000

Canada has a relatively tough group draw and find themselves in Group F, where they’ll be up against Belgium, Croatia, and Morocco. However, I do think they can beat Croatia for the second spot and advance to the Round of 16.

Canada lost just two of their World Cup Qualifier matches and finished above the USA and Mexico in the CONCACAF group. 

This could very well be the beginning of a golden generation of soccer for Canada. 

They have one of the best full-backs in the world in Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies, as well as Lille’s Jonathan David, Club Brugge’s Tajon Buchanan and Cyle Larin, and a host of MLS stars, including Mark-Anthony Kaye, Alistair Johnston, and Jonathan Osorio.

I see Canada building on its strong play of late. If they manage to get out of the group, they have the potential for a surprisingly deep run in the tournament.