2022 World Cup Group B Odds, Betting Analysis: USA Paired with England in Tough Draw

2022 World Cup Group B Odds, Betting Analysis: USA Paired with England in Tough Draw article feature image
Credit:

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images. Pictured: England star Harry Kane, center, and his teammates celebrate a goal.

The United States was placed into a blockbuster group after it was paired with England, Iran and the winner of the European playoff — Wales, Ukraine or Scotland — to be decided in June.

The USMNT will open its World Cup on the first day of the tournament on Nov. 21 against Wales, Scotland or Ukraine, depending on who wins their playoff. Scotland is scheduled to host Ukraine in June, with the winner playing at Wales in a one-legged playoff to determine the final spot in the group.

England is the clear group favorite and is the No. 1 team in our own Action Network power ratings, following their runs to the semifinal of the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020 final last summer. England will open the group play against Iran, and then is scheduled to play the United States on Nov. 25, the day after Thanksgiving in the U.S.

Group play will conclude on Nov. 29 when the U.S. faces Iran, a rematch of the 1998 match that was later dubbed "most politically charged game in World Cup history." Iran won that match 2-1 and knocked the U.S. out of the event.


Group B Odds/World Rankings

*Odds via FanDuel

ODDS TO WIN GROUPACTION NETWORK | FIFA
England-2401st | 5th
Iran+110047th | 21st
United States+70011th | 15th
Wales/UKR/SCOT150-1 | 150-1 | 300-140/33/32 | 18/27/39

The Favorite: England

England is one of the four best teams in this competition, along with Spain, France and Brazil. The Three Lions have a very deep squad that can withstand potential injuries that could come with a tough domestic start to the season in the Premier League.

The narrative around their recent World Cup failures will certainly build pressure around them in a group they're expected to win, but this England World Cup squad might be the most talented group they've ever had.

The Dark Horse: Wales/Ukraine/Scotland winner

We don't know what team will be in this position, but Wales will be the favorite given its home-field status. I'm not personally high on the overall squad in general, but there aren't many better big game players in the history of soccer than Gareth Bale. He has carried this team into the Euro 2016 semifinal and only needs one or two moments to swing a match.

Potential Shock Elimination: United States

I ultimately do think the USMNT advances from this group, but it's far from an easy draw. This young squad isn't tested much outside of the CONCACAF region, especially since the pandemic shortened the qualifying calendar and didn't allow them to play in as many friendlies.

It would be a shock if the USMNT didn't make it out of the group given how good their underlying numbers were in qualification, but there's plenty of uncertainty and inexperience within this team.

2022 FIFA World Cup Odds

*Odds via BetMGM

TEAMODDS
France+550
Brazil+550
England+700
Spain+750
Germany+900
Argentina+1000
Belgium+1100
Portugal+1200
Netherlands+1600
Denmark+2800
Uruguay+4000
Croatia+5000
Serbia+6600
Qatar+6600
USA+8000
Mexico+8000
Switzerland+8000
Poland+8000
Senegal+8000
Iran+10000
Ecuador+12500
Wales+15000
Ukraine+15000
Japan+15000
Peru+15000
Morocco+15000
Ghana+15000
Cameroon+15000
South Korea+15000
Saudi Arabia+15000
Canada+15000
Australia+25000
Scotland+25000
Costa Rica+25000
Tunisia+25000
United Arab Emirates+25000
New Zealand+50000

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About the Author
Anthony Dabbundo is a soccer contributor for The Action Network, focusing on the Premier League and Champions League. When he's not betting on soccer, he can often be found writing about sports, or studying electoral politics and the weather.

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