By even the most conservative of estimates, the average temperature in Qatar in December is around 23?C – pleasant for a holiday, but perhaps a little too warm when you are trying to win a World Cup.
It’s the dry heat that might yet scupper England’s hopes of lifting the Jules Rimet trophy at the end of this year – this is a tournament where fine margins may decide the champion, and the likes of Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands may also be inconvenienced by such sweat-inducing climes.
One team that will surely enjoy the sun on their backs is Brazil, and it’s perhaps little wonder that they have been installed as the favourites in the World Cup 2022 betting at odds of 5/1, ahead of reigning champions France (11/2) and England (6/1).
Take any 8 World Cup betting tips and you can bet that the Brazilians, who remain the most decorated nation in the history of the tournament with five wins, will be chief among them as the side perhaps the likeliest to get their hands on the famous trophy.
But does the hype justify the reality?
Strength in Numbers
The CONMEBOL section of World Cup qualifying is arguably the toughest – for context, both Chile and Colombia have failed to make it to Qatar despite being stalwarts of the tournament in years gone by.
But Brazil glided through qualification ominously, remaining unbeaten throughout their 17 games and racking up an impressive 40 goals into the bargain.
Leading the way was Neymar with eight goals, and having now turned 30 he will know that this year’s World Cup edition will be the last in which he is truly at the peak of his powers.
? Neymar contributed to 18 goals in hist last 20 games for Brazil.
? And now he has the best start of the season in his career: 9 goals and 7 assists in 8 games.When he is physically fit and focused on football, he is out of this world..? pic.twitter.com/FBCea5q9sd
— The Football Arena (@thefootyarena) September 12, 2022
Premier League regulars Roberto Firmino and Richarlison were also amongst the goals as Brazil head coach Tite flexed the attacking muscle at his disposal.
Marquinhos, Alex Sandro and Danilo are still performing at a high level with PSG and Juventus, while Casemiro is just one of a quartet of Brazilian stars who won the La Liga and Champions League double in 2021/22 with Real Madrid.
Add into the mix the experience of Alisson, Ederson, Thiago Silva and Fabinho and the burgeoning talents of Gabriel Jesus, who has played like a man possessed in Arsenal’s stellar start to the season, and it’s evident that Brazil have the strength in depth to win the World Cup with plenty to spare.
? CONFIRMED: Alisson, Fabinho and Bobby Firmino have been called up for Brazil’s next friendly matches before the World Cup. #lfc [bbc] pic.twitter.com/qE2dlj7Jpt
— Anfield Watch (@AnfieldWatch) September 9, 2022
In Tite, they have a low-key head coach who perhaps isn’t all that well known to football fans outside of Brazil – his entire playing and managerial career have unfolded in the country.
But he has stacks of trophies to his name in domestic action there, and as well as guiding Brazil to that undefeated qualification campaign he also won the Copa America with A Seleção in 2019.
It feels as though the pieces of the puzzle are falling into place for Brazil ahead of a World Cup in conditions that will favour them over many of their main rivals for the trophy. They last triumphed at the pinnacle of international football 20 years ago… there’s no time like the present for them to bring that lengthy hoodoo to an end.