Before the 2022 World Cup, the main favorites were Brazil , Argentina , England , and France. Different bookmakers and models disagreed a bit, but Brazil was usually the top pick, with odds around +350 to +400 and an estimated win chance near 16% to 20%.

Early favorites

  • Brazil: about +350 to +400.
  • Argentina: about +500 to +900, depending on the book and timing.
  • France: about +550 to +700, with strong AI/model support too.
  • England: about +550 to +700, also near the top tier.

Example odds snapshot

Here’s a simple snapshot from one pre-tournament sportsbook listing:

TeamOdds
Brazil+350
Argentina+500
England+700
France+700
That same market had long shots like the U.S. at **+10000** and Canada at **+15000**.

What that means

If you were asking “who was favored before the tournament,” the answer is Brazil by most sportsbooks, with France, England, and Argentina close behind. If you meant a specific moment in time, the odds shifted as the tournament got closer, but Brazil stayed near the top throughout the buildup.

TL;DR: Before the 2022 World Cup, Brazil were the betting favorite , usually around +350 to +400 , with Argentina, France, and England next in line.