Remarkable as it may seem, as we fast approach the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, one team has remained firmly backed for success. Brazil was tipped as favourites when the group stage draw was made, and they remain the team to beat, just days ahead of the first games taking place. But what makes the iconic team in yellow so fancied to lift the golden trophy?

The most successful team in World Cup history

Whenever oddsmakers attempt to make their forecasts, numerous factors are usually taken into consideration, including previous performances. This makes Brazil being tagged as favourites quite the interesting choice, given they have fallen short of expectations at the previous four World Cup tournaments. They reached the quarter-finals in 2006 and 2010, came fourth in 2014, then reached the quarter-finals again in 2018.

Nevertheless, no national team has won the World Cup more times than Brazil, who have become champions on five occasions. Their first triumph came in 1958 and just to prove that was no fluke, they defended the title in 1962. The next success came in 1970, while all three of those World Cup victories were undoubtedly inspired by Pele, widely considered to be the greatest Brazilian footballer of all time.

Brazil had to wait patiently for their next World Cup title, lifting the trophy once again at the 1994 World Cup hosted by the United States. After finishing as runners-up at the 1998 tournament in France, the monumental fifth World Cup triumph came at the 2002 tournament, co-hosted by Japan and South Korea. The only side to come close is the Germans, who have won the World Cup on four occasions.

Form and results are what make Brazil the favourites

According to the latest 2022 FIFA World Cup outright winner odds, no team has a better chance of lifting the iconic trophy than Brazil, tipped for success by practically all the leading online sports bookmakers. But no two betting sites are ever the same, which means that comparing odds and offers will certainly be worthwhile, especially when backed by detailed SBO expert reviews. Different promotions can also give punters an extra edge.

But why is there so much confidence surrounding the current Brazil side? Well, we only need look at their World Cup qualification campaign, during which the side coached by Tite set a new record. They finished the campaign with an impressive 45 points, breaking the previous record set by Argentina, when they registered 43 points qualifying for the 2002 World Cup.

During their 2022 World Cup qualification run, Brazil played 17 games in total, winning 14 and drawing just 3 without a single defeat, along with scoring an impressive 40 goals and with just 5 conceded. Importantly, their points record was achieved by playing one game less, compared to previous qualification campaigns, due to the Matchday 6 contest with Argentina being abandoned. FIFA later cancelled the rearranged game, with no need for it to be played.

Will this Brazil side live up to their expectations?

This is undoubtedly the most pertinent question, as we head into the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, although Brazil certainly don’t lack for enough talent to realise their ambitions. Just a quick glance through the recent national team selections, and this is a who’s who of modern football greats, with most players currently featuring for the biggest European clubs. There is also a fine array of quality within the Brazilian domestic game, bolstering the options.

The only question mark seems to surround the erratic call-ups of Tite, head coach of the Brazil national team, following some recent choices that were questioned by ESPN journalists. He made some surprising inclusions for the last couple of friendly games, and some interesting omissions, suggesting he still hasn’t quite decided who will make the final squad list.

That being said, there is a phenomenal depth of talent available for selection, which certainly doesn’t make squad selection an easy task. Whoever travels to Qatar for the World Cup, they must also live up to the intense pressure of expectations, which can be just as difficult to live with as the most challenging rivals they will face. However, this current group seems well equipped to deal with that, as they keep their eyes firmly set on winning the ultimate prize.