2022 FIFA World Cup best bets, bracket picks, draw, odds, predictions: Soccer expert avoiding France in Qatar

Getty Images

The field in the 2022 FIFA World Cup is filled with familiar nations like Argentina, Brazil, Germany and Spain, but several groups don't have a clear favorite to advance as play gets started on Sunday. The unpredictability of this year's roster of nations could make things particularly interesting in the knockout rounds. Upsets are the most exciting part of any tournament, and hitting on the right one can make all the difference if you don't care to bet on one of the top 2022 World Cup contenders.

Brazil leads all nations in the 2022 FIFA World Cup odds listed on Caesars Sportsbook at 4-1. Other traditional powerhouses like Netherlands (13-1), Portugal (15-1), and Belgium (16-1) could present value outside of the teams at the front of the pack. Before locking in any 2022 FIFA World Cup picks, you need to see what SportsLine's soccer insider Brandt Sutton has to say.

Sutton, a former collegiate soccer player, has been SportsLine's top soccer editor for more than five years. He has followed soccer closely for much longer and factors in managerial tactics, projected lineups and past performances to make the most-informed decisions possible, keeping his finger on the pulse of the game all over the globe.

Sutton also has been on a roll with his best bets, going 148-112-1 over his last 261 soccer picks this year, returning more than $2,300 for $100 bettors.

Now, Sutton has analyzed the 2022 World Cup bracket from every angle and revealed his top picks, predictions and knockout bracket. You can head to SportsLine now to see Sutton's 2022 FIFA World Cup picks -- and while you're at it, sign up for our new newsletter covering the beautiful game in all its glory, including daily updates about the World Cup, here.

Top FIFA World Cup 2022 predictions

Sutton is fading France, even though the defending champions are among the favorites at 13-2 in the latest 2022 World Cup odds. The talent in France's attack is clear, but where the French appear to be lacking is on the defensive back line. The decision to leave off players like LB Ferland Mendy and RB Nordi Mukiele from the team was particularly puzzling, especially for a side that logged just one clean sheet through UEFA Nations League play.

However, that's not to say there aren't other concerns. France faced Denmark twice in the Nations League and lost both matches by a combined 4-1 score. The Danes join France in Group D, and will have confidence that they can derail their hopes of repeating as World Cup champs.

Denmark should come into their November 26 match with a psychological advantage, but the French must also contend with an Australian team that has a history of playing its best with its back against the wall. Should France win the group, they will likely face Mexico and England in the next two matches, making the road back to the final anything but a cakewalk.

Another surprise: Sutton expects Belgium to make a deep run in the 2022 World Cup bracket, even though they're +1600 longshots in the 2022 World Cup odds. With fewer than 12 million people, Belgium is only the 12th largest country in Europe and the 81st-largest nation in the world, but it has a rich history of producing world-class football players and the nation has competed well on the world stage, particularly of late.

Belgium is currently the No. 2 team in the FIFA World Rankings and they finished third at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and also made the quarterfinals in 2014. Thibaut Courtois, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku are all considered among the best in the world at their respective positions and they'll lead a loaded Belgium squad with trophy-lifting expectations.

The Belgians have drawn into Group F with Canada, Morocco and Croatia. This will only be Canada's second-ever trip to the World Cup while Morocco has only advanced past the group stage once in five previous appearances. Meanwhile, Croatia was the runner-up in Russia and several of its top players like Luka Modric, Ivan Perisic and Domagoj Vida are now in their mid-to-late 30s. Sutton has Belgium making it out of the group and having a much stronger chance than their odds would indicate with Lukaku expected to be completely healthy by the knockout rounds. See Sutton's other 2022 World Cup picks at SportsLine.

How to make 2022 World Cup picks

Sutton has locked in his best bets to win the 2022 World Cup, along with his top futures plays and his full knockout bracket prediction. He's revealed how far the USMNT, Brazil and Spain will advance in Qatar. He's also high on a dark horse team that "has a shot at being this year's Croatia, who surprisingly made the World Cup final in 2018." You can only see them here.

So who will win the World Cup 2022? And which longshot could stun the soccer world? Check out the odds below and then visit SportsLine to see Brandt Sutton's best bets for the 2022 World Cup, all from the proven expert who is more than $2,300 on his soccer picks in 2022, and find out.

2022 FIFA World Cup odds

Brazil +400
Argentina +550
France +650
England +750
Spain +750
Germany +1000
Netherlands +1400
Portugal +1400
Belgium +1600
Denmark +3000
Croatia +5000
Uruguay +5000
Serbia +7000
Mexico +10000
USA +10000
Poland +10000
Senegal +10000
Switzerland +10000
Wales +12500
Ghana +15000
Canada +15000
Ecuador +15000
Morocco +20000
Cameroon +25000
Japan +25000
South Korea +25000
Tunisia +30000
Qatar +30000
Australia +40000
Costa Rica +50000
Iran +50000
Saudi Arabia +50000