Which Team Did the Majority of BBC Football Experts Choose as the World Cup Winner?

7 out of 13 Choose Brazil... 3 Choose Argentina
All 26 Betting Sites Also Say "Brazil Will Win"

On the 17th (local time), ahead of the opening of the 2022 Qatar World Cup, soccer fans wearing Brazil uniforms are taking photos at Flag Plaza in Doha, Qatar. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] Among 13 football experts from the UK’s BBC, 7 predicted that Brazil would be the champion of the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

On the 18th (local time), BBC revealed the results of a survey on the predicted winner conducted among 13 commentators and hosts participating in the 2022 Qatar World Cup broadcast. Among them, more than half, including J?rgen Klinsmann, former Germany national team coach who is active in FIFA’s Technical Study Group (TSG), and Rio Ferdinand, former England national team star defender, chose Brazil as the favorite to win. Former coach Klinsmann said, “Brazil has excellent qualities in every position. I have been watching Brazil for the past few years and have been very impressed,” adding, “They came to Qatar to win the World Cup, and I believe they will.” Ferdinand also evaluated, “Brazil is a team with depth and experience throughout,” and “The entire team is permeated with winning experience.”

Following Brazil, Argentina was chosen as the second favorite with a total of 3 votes. Jermaine Jenas, former England national team midfielder, said, “Everyone always focuses on Argentina’s offensive side, but Argentina also looks really solid defensively,” and “Based on their 2021 Copa America victory, they will find a rhythm that suits them, and I have a feeling Messi will pull it off.” Alan Shearer, a representative striker of England, also predicted, “This World Cup will be a decisive moment for Lionel Messi, the world’s best player, to step forward,” and “Until now, when comparing Messi and Diego Maradona, Messi was ridiculed because he had never won the World Cup, but this victory will end such debates.”

Next were France with 2 votes and England with 1 vote. Fara Williams, a former England women’s football national team player, said, “My head says Brazil will win, but my heart says otherwise,” and “I predict an England vs. Brazil final, and we will bring home the trophy.”

Meanwhile, when asked which teams would surprise with outstanding performances at the World Cup, Jermaine Jenas named Uruguay in South America, and Denmark and Germany in Europe as dark horses. Former coach Klinsmann also expressed expectations for Germany’s play.

According to betting specialist site OddsChecker, all 26 major overseas betting sites pointed to Brazil as a strong favorite to win. Brazil’s average odds for winning the Qatar World Cup were 3.5 to 1, far ahead of Argentina’s 7 to 1. The lower the odds, the less money is paid out, but the higher the probability of winning.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.