Winner – Argentina (21/4)

Argentina enter the 2022 World Cup on the back of a 36-game unbeaten run. In the past, La Albiceleste looked to Lionel Messi to make something out of nothing. Now, there is a support system to harness the 35-year-old who is performing as more of a creator for his national team than at any other point of his career.

Not only are Argentina a dangerous attacking outfit boasting the likes of Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Angel di Maria, Julian Alvarez and Paulo Dybala, they haven’t conceded a single goal since a World Cup qualifier against Ecuador in March – Argentina have kept a clean sheet in each of their last five matches. They are stronger than they have been for at least two decades.

Golden Boot Winner – Kylian Mbappe (9/1)

Kylian Mbappe’s recent goal-scoring record for France is worth writing about. The 23-year-old scored five goals in six World Cup qualifiers and also needed twice in five Nations League games, when France were a long way from being at their best. There’s good reason to believe this scoring will continue in Qatar.

Denmark will be tough opponents for France at the 2022 World Cup, but group fixtures against Australia and Tunisia will present Mbappe with the chance to fill his boots before he even reaches the knockout rounds. He has already scored 19 times for Paris Saint-Germain this season. A good World Cup could underline his status as the best player in the world.

Golden Glove Winner – Kasper Schmeichel (20/1)

Denmark could be a dark horse at the 2022 World Cup. Kasper Hjulmand’s team made the semi-finals of Euro 2020 and followed that up winning nine out of 10 World Cup qualifiers. In the process of this, Denmark kept one of the best defensive records in European qualifying, conceding just three times.

Australia and Tunisia will struggle to score many goals in Qatar, so it’s possible Kasper Schmeichel could notch up two clean sheets before Denmark even reach the round of 16. Denmark also kept a clean sheet against France in the Nations League as recently as September. There is good value in backing Schmeichel at 20/1.

Most Assists – Lionel Messi (7/1)

Messi has been in sparkling form for club and country in 2022 and 7/1 for the 35-year-old to finish as the top assists-maker at the 2022 World Cup looks exceptional value. He has contributed 11 assists in just 18 appearances for PSG this season and will be the pulling the strings from a slightly deeper position for Argentina at the World Cup.

Of course, Messi is also capable of being a goal-scorer for Argentina, but it’s reasonable to assume that a large portion of their attacking play will flow through the former Barcelona playmaker. If Argentina are to make a deep run at the 2022 World Cup, Messi will surely rack up the goal contributions.

Canada – Eliminated in Round of 16 (4/1)

Canada have the potential to be a surprise package at the 2022 World Cup. John Herdman’s team defied all expectations to finish top of CONCACAF qualifying and their Group F draw could give them a chance of making the last 16.

Players like Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David and Cyle Larin make Canada a counter-attacking force to be reckoned with and Belgium’s ageing high line could be vulnerable to this. If Canada get through, a last 16 meeting against Germany or Spain likely awaits, but making it out of the group would still represent success.