World Cup 2022 Odds: Latest prices for teams to reach the semi final

Mark down December 13 and 14 in your calendars. That is when Lusail and Al Khor play host to this year's World Cup semi-finals. And if you're reading this you'll likely have an interest in who England could be potentially facing at that stage should Gareth Southgate continue his strong tournament form in Qatar.

Here at BettingOdds.com we've assessed the "To Reach the Semi Final" market available with all major bookmakers, outlining the best odds for each of the top contenders and how their potential routes could help influence your pre-tournament bets.

Brazil - 11/8 (bet365)

The World Cup favourites find themselves at around the 5/4 mark with most firms to reach the semi-final stage. At the time of writing both bet365 and QuinnBet have Tite's men at an industry best 11/8, with uncertainty over how long this price will last as the tournament edges closer.

A Seleção will enter proceedings in Qatar on a 15-game unbeaten streak, winning their last seven consecutive matches. This run stretches back all the way to July 11 2021 when Argentina handed Brazil a 1-0 defeat in last year's Copa America final.

For those keen on their history records, Brazil have participated in all 21 World Cup tournaments to date. Since its formation in 1930 they've reached the semi-finals on 11 occasions, giving them a success rate of over 50% in being one of four remaining teams.

Between their five World Cup titles, fourth place and quarter-final finishes at the two most recent tournaments, and an incredibly balanced squad, Brazil are understandably in pole position to reach the semi-finals in all bookmakers' eyes.

Argentina - 15/8 (Betfred)

Lionel Messi and his Argentine teammates are the second-shortest price to reach the 2022 World Cup semi-finals.

If you've been keeping a close eye on the outright market you'll have witnessed a massive price tumble for Lionel Scaloni's side to win the World Cup; having plummeted from 11/1 at the turn of the year to as short as 13/2 with over 10 different operators.

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There's a strong South American persuasion to the major betting markets for the tournament's first ever winter edition. And as stated above, Argentina's Copa America trophy only further solidifies their status as a team who all will want to avoid.

Excluding an underwhelming last 16 exit in Russia, La Albiceleste have made it to at least the quarter-finals stage at the three tournaments preceding it, including a runners-up medal against Germany in 2014.

With their 35-year-old talisman not getting any younger and potentially staring down the barrel of his penultimate or altogether final World Cup appearance, the bookies expect a strong showing from the Conmebol nation.

France - 7/4 (BetVictor)

Next in the running are the reigning World Cup champions. A worrisome Nations League campaign may have resulted in a third place finish for Les Bleus, but that hasn't dramatically affected their price to reach the semi-finals in Qatar.

Whether manager Didier Deschamps has outstayed his welcome is a question currently being asked. Only managing a solitary win across six competitive matches isn't the sort of statement you want to make before defending your crown on the world's biggest footballing stage.

Following the 2021 European Championship favourites' premature dismissal at the first knockout stage hurdle by Switzerland, punters may have had some faith restored via a strong World Cup qualifying campaign and a first Nations League triumph.

Ongoing murmurs of civil unrest in the French camp certainly don't ease concerns either. What started out last year as Olivier Giroud's scathing comments aimed at teammate Kylian Mbappe threatens to mutate into something far more harmful to Les Bleus' morale.

England - 7/4 (William Hill)

And finally, rounding out the top four teams anticipated to make it to the semi-finals of the competition are England.

Optimism for Qatar has waned since the so-close-yet-so-far taste left in the nation's mouth at last year's Euros.

• England's potential route to the World Cup final

Gareth Southgate's position remains safe for now, but we know how quickly that can change if met by an underwhelming tournament performance.

That being said, give credit where it's due. Set aside that shocking Nations League relegation for a moment, and focus solely on his achievement of reaching the semi-finals and final at the two competitions he's managed at.

Before 2018's rejuvenation, you have to go back to the glory year of 1966 for the last time the Three Lions were involved in a World Cup semi-final.

For the full list of runners and riders, see below...