World Cup Betting Odds: Top Players Missing the Tournament

If France is to win the World Cup, they will have to do so without four key players. By far, the French have gotten hit the hardest by the injury bug. After France, Germany and England will miss two key players. So will Portugal. Brazil will be missing a star and so will rival Argentina. Keep reading for the star players who must sit out this World Cup cycle so you can take it into consideration when betting on the FIFA World Cup Odds.

Top Football Stars to Miss the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

2022 Qatar World Cup

When: Nov. 20 – Dec. 18

France – Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante, Boubacar Kamara, Presnel Kimpembe

Pogba is close to a French legend. His ability to meld with Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema will be sorely missed. Although Paul returned to training on Oct. 31, he won’t participate in the World Cup.

Kante, a Chelsea midfielder, recently underwent knee surgery. Kante must miss 4 months, which means not only will he miss out on the WC, but he’s also likely to miss Chelsea’s Champions League matchup with Dortmund.

Kamara is another midfielder who must sit out the World Cup. Pogba plays in the middle as well, which means France could struggle to control the middle of the field in matches during this WC.

Kimpembe plays center back for Paris Saint-Germain. So France will be missing three key midfielders and one of their most important backers.

Germany – Timo Werner, Marco Reus

Most believe this cycle’s German team isn’t good enough to win the World Cup. Losing quality players like Werner and Reus won’t help.

Werner play for RB Leipzig. The forward injured his ankle in a Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk. Timo is out until at least January.

Reus, Dortmund’s captain, injured his ankle and hasn’t fully recovered. Reus missed the 2014 World Cup, which Germany won. But in 2014, the Germans didn’t require Reus as much as they did for this cycle.

England – Reece James, Ben Chilwell

James, a 22-year-old back, injured his ankle in a Chelsea match versus AC Milan in October. James said he won’t be available to play in the World Cup.

To make matters worse, Chilwell is also a backer. England doesn’t have a fantastic passing forward or midfielder. A lot of times McGuire, England’s top backer, plays forward. Without Chilwell and James, McGuire might have to temper his aggressiveness.

Portugal – Diogo Jota, Pedro Neto

Losing Jota could be huge. Ronaldo is having serious issues with his club career. So Portugal’s captain may not have his head on straight.

Bruno Fernandes will do what he can. Fernandes can’t lean on Jota and there’s a chance he can’t lean on Ronaldo.

Neto took 11 shots in 8 games for Wolverhampton. He would have added much required depth to a suddenly thin forwards room.

Brazil – Arthur Melo

Melo would have had an important role to play in the middle of the field. His injury shouldn’t hurt Brazil’s chances too much because the favorite is so deep. Still, losing an important mid player is not the way you want to start off your World Cup try.

Argentina – Giovani Lo Celso

Albiceleste skipper Lionel Scaloni said Giovani Lo Celso, the Villareal midfielder, is irreplaceable. Scaloni might be right.

Or Messi steps it up by playing mid while Paulo Dybala, who is desperately trying to get into shape, Lautaro Martinez, and Nicolas Gonzalez play forward.

Argentina seems deep enough to overcome Lo Celso’s injury. Time will tell.

I have read enough, I need to place my bet now. What to do?