Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

World Cup 2022 Group C betting guide

Lionel Messi has already announced that this will be the last event where he suits up for Argentina. That does not mean the squad is going to do any better than previous disappointments, but it is an enduring storyline for as long as they are in the event. 

Poland is lower in the rankings than Mexico but the odds are favoring them right now. Mexico thinks they are an elite side, but we have yet to see it in an important competition in a while. 

Saudi Arabia is not going to be a factor at all in the event. 

Let's look at the group more closely. 

Group C

  • Argentina
  • Mexico
  • Poland
  • Saudi Arabia

The Favorite

Argentina: -250 to win the group, -1200 to qualify.

Argentina is one of the few clubs in the game whose best game is as good as any others. They are ranked 3rd in the FIFA rankings coming into the event because their team is far more than just Messi. 

I don't like that payoff for the group win but it is hard to see another result. 

The Contenders

Poland: +450 to win the group, -110 to qualify.
Mexico: +500 to win the group, -110 to qualify. 

Robert Lewandowski is one of the premier players in the world. He moved to Barcelona from Bayern Munich this season, and his production is a smidge below what we saw in Germany. He and Messi will have everyone's attention for sure.

El Tri wants to be considered among the elite soccer nations but they seem to never let anything develop. As soon as there is a bad result, the coach or the configurations change. They are always under a lot of pressure. 

Whoever wins when these teams play has a shot at the group. I am leaning to Poland, and so are the markets, just because they are more consistent.

The Pretender

Saudi Arabia: +2000 to win the group, +500 to qualify.

The Saudis are just outside the top 50 in the rankings. The only advantage I can think of is that they are more accustomed to the climate than their foes. That is not going to be enough. 

There are no wagers to make on Saudi Arabia. 

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