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World Cup 2022

Top 5 World Cup 2022 Highlights

by GemBet February 9, 2023

There was a lot of controversy surrounding the 2022 Qatar World Cup, and expectations were low for many football fans. After all, it took place during the middle of major European domestic leagues and was staged in the heat of the desert. But despite that, it recorded the highest number of goals ever seen at a World Cup and produced some spectacular and unforgettable moments.

It was a memorable tournament for all the right reasons.

Here are some of our favorite moments from World Cup 2022.

5. A Deep Run from Morocco

As any seasoned bettor would expect, people were backing big teams like Brazil, Argentina, England, and France with their outright bets. Few expected Morocco to go as far as they did. Yet, this North African nation outlasted Brazil, England, Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, and Germany.

Morocco was in the same group as Croatia, Belgium, and Canada. The oddsmakers predicted that Belgium/Croatia would progress and Morocco/Canada would fight it out to avoid the wooden spoon. But Morocco defied the odds! Their team got one point against Croatia and then took all 3 against Belgium and Canada.

In the Round of 16, they took Spain to a penalty shootout and won. They followed up with a 1-0 win over Portugal.

During the group stage, many bettors backed Spain to go all the way. When Spain toppled, attention turned to Portugal. So, not only did Morocco beat two top teams, but they beat two top teams in excellent form and shook up the entire tournament.

In the process, Morocco became the first African and Arab team to advance to the semi-final of a World Cup. Unfortunately, the Atlas Lions lost in the semi-final (against France) and the third-place playoff (against Croatia). It was a memorable performance, nonetheless.

4. East Asian Brilliance

Morocco wasn’t the only team to claim a shock group win. Japan was in an equally tough position, with games against Costa Rica, Spain, and Germany. Despite the seemingly impossible challenge placed before them, the Japanese team beat both Spain and Germany to advance to the Round of 16.

Japan couldn’t progress beyond the first knockout game, but it was an epic performance that will be remembered fondly for years to come.

It was a similar story with South Korea, a team with a history of shock World Cup wins.

South Korea drew its first game and lost its second. When all hope seemed lost, they mustered a memorable victory against Portugal and advanced to the knockout stages. They met a very skilful and free-flowing Brazil in the Round of 16, so they didn’t progress further, but they still overcame the odds by advancing Ghana and Uruguay.

3. Saudi Arabia Beats the World Champions

There was a lot of excitement surrounding Argentina before the start of the Qatar World Cup. If you asked bettors for their predictions, most would have told you it was a toss-up between Brazil and Argentina.

After the first game, those bettors were 100% behind Brazil, as Argentina fell to a 2-1 shock defeat to Saudi Arabia. It happened on the third day of the competition, so in the context of everything that happened afterward, it’s undoubtedly the biggest shock of the 2022 World Cup.

Argentina seemed to be in total control during the first half. Messi opened the scoring from the penalty spot after 10 minutes, and they bagged several more goals, only to see all of them ruled out for offside. It looked like they could cut open the Saudi defense at will, and as the second half began, it seemed like it would be a matter of time before they expanded on their 1-0 lead.

But within just 8 minutes of second-half action, the blue and whites were 2-1 down. In the face of extreme odds and one of the best squads in the competition, Saudi Arabia held onto their lead.

If things had gone a different way, Saudi Arabia could have advanced to the Round of 16, and the eventual winners could have been sent home early. As it happens, the rest of the group played out as expected, with Argentina finishing top, Poland second, and Saudi Arabia bottom.

2. A World Cup Final to Remember

The 2022 World Cup final has been referred to as one of the greatest ever. The final match wasn’t explosive or entertaining for the duration, just for it to come to life in short spells toward the end of the game and then again in extra time.

But let’s be honest, the bar is set pretty low for the World Cup finals, and those 20 minutes of action far eclipse anything that has gone before.

World Cup finals are usually tentative and anxious affairs. If we do get goals, it’s often because one of the two teams cruises to victory.

2010 and 2014 were both settled by single extra-time goals. 2006 finished 1-1 and went to a penalty shootout. You have to go back to England vs. West Germany in 1966 for the last time a final had 6 or more goals.

This time, spectators were treated to an epic contest between Argentina and France. It was billed as Messi vs. Mbappé, living up to its billing. Mbappé was electric and bagged a hat-trick, including 2 goals in 2 minutes. Messi opened the scoring and then made it 3-2 late in extra time, only for Mbappé’s third to take the game to 3-3.

In the last kick of the game, France was millimeters from winning the whole thing and would have done so if not for a world-class save from Martinez. There were 6 goals, 8 yellow cards, 30 shots, and some moments that will never be forgotten. The icing on the cake came in the form of a penalty shootout, which ultimately decided the winner.

1. Messi Finally Wins the World Cup

2022 was Messi’s last World Cup—a last chance to get his hands on the most prestigious trophy of them all. It was also the tournament in which the old guard handed the reins to the new, with Messi ceding his status to Mbappé as the greatest football player.

As a result, we could not have asked for a better ending than an Argentina/France final that resulted in an Argentina win. We all got to see Messi lift the World Cup, and we still bore witness to the greatness of Mbappé in the process.

It doesn’t matter where you live, who you support, or even which side you favor in the Messi vs. Ronaldo debate—every true football fan can appreciate how special it was for Messi to finally lift the World Cup trophy.

He has been a great advocate for the game and deserves the “GOAT” (Greatest of all Time) moniker. He’s fast, slick, skillful, and unstoppable when he’s in form. He also excels under pressure and rarely fails to deliver, as we saw during this epic final contest.

It was a true Hollywood ending, capping off an unforgettable World Cup.

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February 9, 2023 0 comment

Football Sports World Cup 2022

Latest World Cup Team News

by GemBet December 19, 2022

The 2022 FIFA World Cup is one of the most talked-about in history, and not always for the right reasons. It’s estimated that over 5 billion people will tune in at some point! Many of these watchers have already experienced unexpected outcomes, such as Saudi Arabia’s victory over Argentina, Morocco’s 2-0 defeat of Belgium, and Japan’s triumph against Germany.

As expected from a tournament staged halfway through most major domestic leagues, the Qatar World Cup has been hard on players. We’ve already seen a couple of players sent home with injuries while others are forced to miss several games due to minor knocks and suspensions. Read on to see which players got a short end of the stick.

Neymar

Neymar played in Brazil’s victory over Serbia, but he will most likely miss the rest of the group stage after damaging his ankle ligaments.

He is arguably the most notable omission so far – with 3 points on the board and more expected, it’s unlikely that Brazil will miss him. They should have him back for the knockout stages.

Karim Benzema

If you’re wondering why the prolific Karim Benzema didn’t make an appearance in France’s first two games, it’s because he was sent home before the first ball was kicked. He injured his quadriceps – no doubt disappointed a lot of “top goalscorer” bettors in the process.

Ronald Araujo

Araujo missed Uruguay’s opening game and might miss the rest of the group stage. The Barcelona defender had surgery on his thigh in September and is struggling for full fitness. He’s in the squad, and if Uruguay makes it to the knockout stages, he will be ready to play.

Otavio and Nuno Mendes

Both Otavio’s and Nuno Mendes’s appearances for Portugal are veiled in uncertainty. There’s a chance we’ll see one or both of them briefly during the second and third rounds of group games. But after Mendes missed the opener and Otavio departed the field with an injury, it’s unlikely they’ll play full matches.

Kyle Walker

Kyle Walker missed England’s opening game due to injury, but he was available for selection for the second match. Southgate chose an unchanged team, so the Man City man didn’t feature. There’s a good chance that will change, as England has typically relied on his pace at right-back.

Wayne Hennessey

Hennessey is the main shot-stopper for Wales, but he was sent off against Iran, so Wales will now have to rely on second-choice goalkeeper Danny Ward.

Luckily, Ward is a solid choice and has plenty of experience. He has played over a dozen times for Leicester City this season and featured throughout the Euro 2020 tournament.

World Cup Betting with GemBet

We’ve witnessed plenty of excellent games in the 2022 FIFA World Cup so far, and many more are on the way.

At GemBet, you can bet on all of these games with countless other matches. We also have special promotions themed around the World Cup, along with our BetCast podcast, which covers all of the action.

December 19, 2022 0 comment

Sports World Cup 2022

Guide to Blockchain World Cup Football Betting

by GemBet December 2, 2022

Blockchain technology has been a game-changer for many industries, including online casinos and sportsbooks. During the 2022 World Cup, we’ve seen the true potential of this technology as it’s used to make countless deposits and bets.

But how does crypto betting work, how can you use these currencies to bet on the World Cup, and how do the Bitcoin and Ether networks work?

2022 World Cup

By the time the 2022 World Cup ends, an estimated 5 billion people will tune in.

That’s a lot of viewers with many sports bettors among them. Some of them are betting rookies, making it essential to offer them payment options that they know well.

That’s where cryptocurrencies come in. Currencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum are global. Hundreds of millions of people own crypto and use it to process billions of dollars worth of transactions every week.

This is not the first World Cup where crypto betting options are available; however, it’s undoubtedly the one that has processed the most crypto payments and bets.

Crypto Betting

Crypto betting works just like any other type of betting. You add funds to your account, choose your bets, and then make a wager. If you win, you’ll receive the money you can withdraw to your crypto wallet.

There are some key differences, though.

Firstly, cryptocurrencies are quick. They are on par with instant payment services and web wallets speed-wise. It only takes a few clicks to add funds to your betting account – the same is true for withdrawals.

Secondly, these methods are free and available to everyone.

It means you don’t have to worry about whether a particular payment option is available in your country.

Most people with Internet access have access to cryptocurrencies. Most have a right to use them. And only the very few need to worry about the many issues that typically occur with web wallets.

Global availability is one of the great things about cryptocurrencies. It’s also very appropriate when you consider that these digital currencies are being used to facilitate bets on the World Cup, the most “global” sports tournament of them all!

Bitcoin Networks

Bitcoin was the first cryptocurrency, and it’s also the biggest. Unlike other cryptocurrencies, it exists solely as a currency replacement and can be used to buy products/services and invest.

It is decentralized, which means it works without a centralized authority, such as a bank or government. Instead, it works on a secure peer-to-peer network known as the blockchain.

The blockchain records all transactions, but unlike bank transfers and debit card transactions, it doesn’t keep tabs on users’ names or addresses. There is nothing in the blockchain to tie a particular payment to a user. That’s where the idea of “anonymity” comes from.

Technically, it’s not entirely anonymous, but it’s far more anonymous than traditional payment methods.

New Bitcoins are produced via a process known as “Mining.” It involves powerful machines that crack complicated code around the block to create new coins. As a Bitcoin user, you don’t have to concern yourself with any of this, though. Bitcoins can’t be mined on typical home computers, and you don’t need to mine anything to make purchases using these currencies. It’s good to know that you have this option if you’re thinking of a crypto deep dive.

Ether Networks

Ethereum works a bit differently from Bitcoin. You can still make payments using Ether, and these coins are mined into existence, but Ethereum is more of an all-encompassing payment system.

In that sense, Bitcoin is like the physical coins you hand over to a vendor; Ethereum is more like a bank that mints those coins, hands them out, and offers a range of financial opportunities.

Ether is used to make transactions, but also to interact with applications built on the Ethereum blockchain.

In an online betting context, both work the same, although they are tied to different values.

Bet With Cryptocurrencies at GemBet

Looking for crypto betting on the World Cup? You’re in the right place. At GemBet, you can deposit using cryptocurrencies. Once you have funds in your account, there are stacks of World Cup betting markets waiting for you.

It’s not just the World Cup, either. Your crypto deposits can be used on any bet type: Sports, Slots, or Live Casino. And when you’re ready to cash your winnings, you can also withdraw using your chosen cryptocurrency!

December 2, 2022 0 comment

Promotions Sports Promotions World Cup 2022

SGD 28 World Cup Signup Offer

by GemBet November 25, 2022

The World Cup is here! The biggest tournament in the world has landed in Qatar and sports bettors everywhere are on the edge of their seats.

GemBet is the home of World Cup betting. Throughout this tournament, we’re offering the best odds on every single game, with match bets, handicaps, accumulators, and outrights. That’s not all, as we also have a podcast, live streams, and informational guides to keep you up to date with the action.

Every kick, every goal, every celebration, and every tear — you can catch it all at GemBet.

Furthermore, we also have a big bonus to make things even more exciting.

SGD 28 World Cup Signup Bonus

As the name suggests, this bonus offers SGD 28 when you sign up for the first time.

Intrigued? Keep reading to learn more.

What You Need to Know About the Bonus

To qualify for this bonus, you must register while the World Cup is active. You don’t need to deposit to collect your SGD 28, and you can use it to place multiple bets on your preferred sports markets.

Fancy a bet on an outsider getting a shock victory against one of the favorites? Maybe you’ve got your eye on an EPL star getting the first goal. As soon as SGD 28 hits your account, you can wager it however you please.

It is possible to convert your bonus credits to up to SGD 2,800 in real money, so if you make the right calls, you’re in for massive payouts.

Bonus Turnover Requirements

The turnover requirements dictate how many times you must wager the initial bonus amount before the funds can be withdrawn.

The turnover is just 10x SGD 28, equating to SGD 280. This amount refers to your total wagers and not your losses or wins. So, if you wager SGD 20 on a bet and win SGD 100, your turnover requirement will still be reduced by SGD 20.

Bets must be placed on odds of at least 1.50, and you can only place sports bets. You don’t need to place your bets on the World Cup if you don’t want to – any match or competition will do!

When the turnover requirement is met, the funds can be withdrawn or wagered as you see fit.

Get Your Bonus

To get this bonus, simply click here and sign up for an account. You will be ready to bet on the World Cup in no time! And remember, this is just one of many exclusive bonuses you can collect at GemBet, along with highly competitive odds throughout the World Cup.

November 25, 2022 0 comment

World Cup 2022

History of Asian Teams at the World Cup

by GemBet November 25, 2022

It would be fair to say that Asian teams weren’t always at the forefront of the FIFA World Cup qualifications. Then again, qualifying for the FIFA World Cup from this world region is rather difficult. With that said, some teams have managed to make it to the World Cup time and time again. Others have relentlessly pursued a World Cup appearance yet failed to get past the finishing line. Only a few teams have consistently represented Asian football with pride, respect, and dignity in the biggest tournament in football.

Taking this into account, we wish to quickly run through some of the finest achievements of Asian teams at the World Cup.

Best Performing Asian Team at the World Cup

Ever wondered which of the Asian teams performed best in this tournament? You aren’t alone! The most successful team at the FIFA World Cup over the years has been South Korea. When you look at the statistics for South Korea compared with other Asian teams, they top the charts in almost every category.

Of course, they have the best one-tournament performance as well, having reached the semi-finals in 2002 – the year they hosted the event alongside Japan. Despite this phenomenal achievement, the records don’t end there for South Korea. They also have the most appearances at the FIFA World Cup of any other team from this part of the world.

South Korea has competed in the World Cup 11 times, four more than their neighboring rival, Japan. As for their overall record, they have played 34 matches at the World Cup. They’ve scored 34 goals in total, yet they have won just six games while losing 19.

Most Consistent Knockout-Stage Appearances<

From the achievements mentioned above, you may think South Korea is the best-performing team, period. However, there is one metric where they were outshined by the next ‘best performing’ team overall. When a team qualifies for the World Cup, they go into a designated group.

Teams aim to make it out into the knockout stage. And that’s where Japan beats South Korea in the records. South Korea has made the knockout stage only twice in their 11 FIFA World Cup appearances. Yet Japan has made the knockout stages three times in just 7 FIFA World Cup appearances.

Earliest World Cup Debut

It’s hard to believe that the first World Cup was played almost 100 years ago. The first World Cup event was played in 1930, yet the tournament didn’t become as world-renowned as it is today until a few decades later. Regardless, when you look at specific statistics, one Asian football team stands alone for the earliest World Cup debut. This team is Indonesia, who qualified for the World Cup in the 1938 edition held in France.

Indonesia might have failed to go beyond round one, but this is an achievement they will carry in their football legacy. We wouldn’t see another Asian country at the World Cup until 1954 – South Korea. Therefore, Indonesia claims the title of the first Asian team to make it to the biggest stage in world football. The problem for Indonesian football fans is that they haven’t made it to the finals of a World Cup since then.

Most Qualifying Attempts

The last World Cup achievements we wish to discuss relates to the most qualifying attempts. The qualifying format from Asia has changed quite a bit since the first World Cup in 1930. These days, teams must qualify through the Asian Federation Conference.

While it’s not the most competitive of the FIFA qualifying conferences, its structure makes qualification extremely difficult. If we take the 2022 World Cup as an example, the AFC included 46 nations, all bidding to qualify for Qatar in four qualification stages. This brings us to the last of the achievements of Asian teams.

Of course, bidding to qualify for the FIFA World Cup is a huge achievement, and in terms of the most qualifying attempts, the top five teams include Hong Kong (13), Malaysia (13), Thailand (13), Taiwan (12), and Singapore (12). It would be fair to say that the most intense rivalry is between Malaysia and Singapore. The games with these teams are always fiery, and they can get quite heated.

Then again, there is nothing strange about a healthy sports rivalry between two neighboring countries, a phenomenon that can be seen across the world as much as it’s apparent in Asia.

November 25, 2022 0 comment

World Cup 2022

World Cup Player Spotlight

by GemBet November 25, 2022

The World Cup is the biggest tournament in football. It’s been every player’s dream of winning since they were kids. Since it only comes once every four years, the pressure is on when this event arrives. Yet from a fan’s perspective, it’s also the tournament that guarantees to show the world’s best players in action. Whether it’s midfield, defense, goalkeepers, or strikers – the best talent from all corners of the globe will be there.

So, what does all of this mean for the Qatar 2022 World Cup? Well, it means that the top players will put their skills to the test. The goal is obviously to win the tournament, but this is an honor reserved for just one lucky team. But who are these top players, and what makes them so engaging to watch? See the list below to find out more.

Lionel Messi – Argentina’s Sensational Striker

Messi is in the latter stages of his career, much like his main rival, Cristiano Ronaldo. However, the great Argentinian is still capable of some incredible football. We are putting him under the spotlight as this could be the last World Cup he ever plays. Of course, this puts added pressure on Messi to perform his best for Argentina

Should he play anywhere near his potential, he will almost certainly net a goal or two. Messi still has one of the best left boots in the game, if not the best. Adding to his striking abilities, his sheer creativity with the ball at his feet has transformed him into a legend. He skims past opponents like they’re not even there at times, and he is a crucial player for Argentina in Qatar 2022.

Cristiano Ronaldo – Portugal’s Star Man

If you compare Messi and Ronaldo when it comes to international football, it’s clear that Messi has a better team around him. But this hasn’t stopped Ronaldo from producing unreal national team performances. He has been the most pivotal player for Portugal over the last 15 years or so. And much like Messi, his dribbling skills can just wreak havoc with opponents on the pitch.

Even at 37 years of age, Ronaldo’s skill and threat in front of the goal still cause nightmares for even the best defensive teams. Portugal has a somewhat easier group compared to other favorites, too. So, Ronaldo has a chance to start the tournament in style. The 2022 World Cup might also be the final one this legend plays in. Therefore, he will be eager to try and lead his country to glory for one last time.

Neymar – Brazil’s Best Goalscorer

Neymar is in fantastic form at the moment for his club, PSG. As it happens, he tends to play up-front for PSG alongside one of the other legends mentioned here – Lionel Messi. Neymar is now 30 years of age, still at the peak of his career. We expect plenty of energy and class from Neymar at the 2022 World Cup.

We are sure he will play an important role in Brazil’s ultimate success in the competition. If Neymar carries on his current form to Qatar, we can expect plenty of goals and top-notch dribbling. However, it’s left to be seen whether Neymar can handle the expectations placed on his shoulders and stay injury-free throughout the event.

Other than these three superstars, many more quality players will play against each other in the group stages. Plenty of matches are well worth watching – don’t forget to tune in.

November 25, 2022 0 comment

World Cup 2022

How the Winter World Cup Affects the National Leagues and Other Football Competitions

by GemBet November 25, 2022

The FIFA World Cup is traditionally a summer tournament. It kicks off when most domestic leagues are on a break, and it’s long finished by the time they restart.

But 2022 will be different. The intense heat of Qatar means the tournament has to be pushed to winter, creating chaos for most major national leagues.

So, how will the 2022 winter World Cup affect national leagues and cup competitions?

European Competitions

The Christmas period is one of the busiest times of the English Premier League (EPL) season. Managers have complained about it for years, with teams often playing 4 or 5 matches in just two weeks.

The World Cup has added more fuel to that fire. The EPL will return on December 26th – just eight days after the World Cup Final.

Teams will also play on December 31st and January 2nd. There is a break for nearly two weeks after that, but as the FA Cup starts on January 7th, there will be no prolonged rest.

What’s more, teams only have a week from their last EPL game to the start of the World Cup.

Things are a little easier for teams in La Liga. They have a 10-day break before the tournament begins and don’t play again until December 31st.

Italian teams have a longer break, unlike other European teams, as they don’t play again until January 4th. Unfortunately, it won’t help Italian players, as Italy isn’t featured in Qatar. Nevertheless, many top foreign players from the league will benefit from this break.

With teams like PSG, Monaco, and Lyon, Ligue 1 will be sending many players to the tournament, and just like the EPL, they won’t have much rest. They start the break on November 13th and then return on December 28th, only to feature again on January 1st.

As for continental competitions like the Champions League, they don’t begin again until February.

Other Major Domestic Competitions

European leagues supply the World Cup with most of its best players, and it’s clear that these leagues will be affected by the winter World Cup.

But what about leagues in the Americas and elsewhere?

Well, teams in Brazil will be busy until the World Cup, playing on November 10th and 13th. However, they don’t have to play again when they return, as the league ends before the tournament begins.

The Argentinian league played its final game on October 23rd, the MLS final is on November 5th, and the K League in South Korea is over before November. In Africa, leagues like the South African Premier Division take an extensive break, with no games throughout November and only a few at the end of December.

Needless to say, players from European leagues will face the toughest test for this winter World Cup. But this essentially creates a level playing field, as most of the players from the tournament’s top teams play in Europe.

November 25, 2022 0 comment

World Cup 2022

Best EPL Players at the Qatar World Cup

by GemBet November 25, 2022

The World Cup is a chance for the best players to show everyone what they’re made of, and the English Premier League (EPL) is arguably the best domestic competition on the planet. So, what happens when these two worlds collide?

Who are the best EPL players expected to play at the Qatar World Cup in November?

Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium)

Kevin De Bruyne is probably the best midfielder in the world right now. His vision and passing are second-to-none — he’s a game-changer in most matches he plays. He’s also 31 and leading a Belgium team at the end of its golden era, so this could be his last chance to win the World Cup.

For Manchester City, Kevin De Bruyne has a goals-to-game ratio of nearly 1 in 4 and an assist ratio of close to 1 in 2. He’s a world-beater, tending to shine under pressure the most.

Harry Kane (England)

Harry Kane is a consistent scorer for both England and Tottenham. He bagged six goals at the last World Cup, also scoring four times during England’s run for the European Championship final. With over 50 goals for England, he’s yet to claim his 75th cap. Kane’s also nearing 200 goals for the Spurs.

He’s strong, has fantastic positioning, and is one of the best finishers in football worldwide. It’s hard to imagine Kane being excluded from any international 11, and it shouldn’t be different during England’s World Cup appearance.

Phil Foden (England)

Foden has been in Haaland’s shadow this season, and the World Cup is an excellent opportunity to show why he is one of the hottest players in the world. Despite playing in a midfield/attacking midfield role, Foden has a ratio of 1 goal for every three matches in the Premier League. He has linked up excellently with Haaland, and at just 22 years old, he already has a bright future ahead.

If Foden can connect with Kane as with Haaland, England will be an unstoppable force.

But of course, there’s no guarantee of such an outcome. Foden hasn’t always been able to translate his Man City form onto the international scene. He has been very bright in spots, but he has had only two goals for England so far, despite appearing 18 times.

Son Heung-Min (South Korea)

It takes a lot to overshadow Harry Kane, but Son has managed to do just that.

The Tottenham striker is closing in on his 100th goal for the North London club, making over 100 appearances for South Korea. He is by far their most valuable player and their most recognized star, so there’s an expectation of him to fire on all cylinders.

Son is fast and skillful with excellent technique. He can score from unbelievable positions, poach goals from crosses, dribble past the entire defense, and chip the goalkeeper. All in all, he’s a complete player.

He’s also fun to watch due to his positive attitude, so he usually has a large fanbase wherever he goes that will certainly closely watch his World Cup matches.

Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

Although 37, Ronaldo is still one of the world’s best players. He’s a key player in Portugal’s chances of global football domination. The Portugal squad isn’t as strong as in previous competitions. Nevertheless, if Ronaldo stays fit, he has a chance of winning this most prestigious prize.

If not, he might have another and possibly last chance during the next World Cup. CR7 has already gone on record saying the 2022 World Cup won’t be his final tournament. It seems unlikely he will stay a world-class player at 41, but when talking about Ronaldo, anything is possible.

November 25, 2022 0 comment

World Cup 2022

Top Players That Will Miss the Qatar World Cup

by GemBet November 25, 2022

The World Cup is where the best players worldwide show us what they’ve got. It’s where the world was introduced to Pele and saw the best of Ronaldo, Maradona, and Zidane. But the best players don’t always end up at the World Cup, as the following list shows.

These are some top players that won’t feature at the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

Mohamed Salah (Egypt)

Salah, the Merseyside maestro. He was the joint top goalscorer in 2021/22 and helped to shape the Klopp era at Liverpool football club. When he’s in form, he’s easily one of the best strikers in the world.

But he won’t be at the World Cup. Salah’s Egypt was beaten by Senegal in the World Cup Qualifying playoff, falling at the final hurdle.

Erling Haaland (Norway)

Erling Haaland is the hottest property in world football right now. We all watched him set the Bundesliga alight and then wondered if he could do the same in the Premier League. He had his doubters, who were quickly dismissed after he bagged 15 goals in 9 Premier League games, including three successive home hat-tricks.

Unfortunately, Norway finished third in Qualifying Group G and failed to make the cut.

Riyad Mahrez (Algeria)

Algeria’s World Cup journey ended with Cameroon, who beat them by away goals. As a result, we won’t be seeing Mahrez in Qatar.

The Manchester City attacker is sublime with the ball at his feet and can turn a game on its head in minutes. He was an essential part of Leicester City’s shock Premier League win and is considered one of the best African attacking players in the world.

Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy)

After watching Italy win the European Championships in 2021, few expected them to fail during Qatar World Cup Qualification. But that’s what happened to everyone’s surprise. The Italians didn’t lose any group games. They drew half and scraped through to the playoffs, only to be beaten by North Macedonia.

It means that we won’t be seeing Donnarumma at the World Cup. The PSG shot-stopper is one of the best goalkeepers in the world right now. He’s only 23 years old, so he still has years of peak form ahead of him and could go down in history as a true legend.

The problem is that he’ll have to wait another four years to strut his stuff on the world stage.

David Alaba (Austria)

Alaba played over 280 games for Bayern Munich and then signed a 5-year contract with Real Madrid in 2021. He’s a consistent performer and one of Austria’s greatest-ever players. In fact, he has won “Austrian Footballer of the Year” eight times.

However, he has yet to appear at a World Cup and won’t be making a trip to Qatar, either. Austria has been solid in European Championship Qualifying, making a good show at European Championship Finals. But they have struggled to translate that form to the World Cup and haven’t qualified since 1998.

Players Missing the World Cup through injury

After suffering a freak injury while playing for Roma, Paulo Dybala is now in a race against time to be fit for the World Cup. It’s not looking good for the creative forward.

Paul Pogba and Wesley Fofana are injury doubts for France, Pedro Neto is injured for Portugal, and both Kalvin Phillips and Kyle Walker will be fighting to get fit for England.

What’s more, we still have some football left to be played, so we could see many more top players drop out between now and the start of the tournament.

November 25, 2022 0 comment

World Cup 2022

Essential Guide to World Cup Betting

by GemBet November 25, 2022

The World Cup is by far one of the most popular betting events on the calendar. After waiting four years for it to arrive, it can pay out tremendously with the correct predictions.

If you’re one of the millions of sports bettors wagering on World Cup events, check out the following guide for some essential insights.

What Kind of Bets Can You Place on the World Cup?

One of the crucial details about the World Cup markets is that there are many options to choose from, more so than most other events.

Here’s a quick rundown:

Outrights/Futures

Outright bets, also known as “futures,” cover the entirety of the tournament. You bet on the team you think will win the trophy or the player who will score the most goals.

These bets are available for all major tournaments, but their effectiveness shines at the World Cup. After all, bettors don’t want to wait ten months for an English Premier League bet to settle, but they don’t mind waiting a few weeks for the World Cup to end.

These bets can be placed at any point during the tournament. In addition to “win” bets on specific outcomes, there are also “each-way” bets, which pay out if the team wins or finishes as the runner-up.

Accumulators/Parlays

Accumulators or multiple bets let you stack many matches together. For instance, you can bet on all first rounds, choosing basic bets from each match.

Also known as a parlay, an accumulator bet increases the odds and potential payout without increasing the wager. It may look something like this:

The Netherlands to Beat Senegal
Over 2.5 Goals Between USA and Wales
Over 2.5 Goals Between England and Iran
Denmark to Beat Tunisia

For a straight-up accumulator to be successful, all of these choices must be correct.

Moneyline/Win Bets

A moneyline wager is a straight bet on the winner of a game. It can be made on any match in the World Cup and is available as a pre-match bet and an in-play wager.

Handicap/Spread Bets

Handicap or spread bets add and subtract goals to create a theoretical handicap. For instance, you might see a bet for +1.5 or -1.5:

+1.5 – The team starts 1.5 goals up, so the bet wins if they win, draw, or lose by 1.
-1.5 – The team starts 1.5 goals down, so they must win by 2 or more.

Player Special Bets

Who will be the top goalscorer (Golden Boot), who will win the Player of the Tournament, and who will be the best goalkeeper (Golden Glove)? These are just some of the bets available before a World Cup.

Team Special Bets

Will England make it to the semi-final? Will the USA get knocked out during the group stage? Will your chosen team score more or less than 6 goals? Team special bets, like player special bets, create a unique series of outcomes and task you with choosing “Yes” or “No” answers.

Tournament Special Bets

Tournament special bets can vary greatly and include all kinds of weird and wonderful options. For instance, you can bet on which continent the winning team will come from and whether or not there will be a first-time winner.

You can also bet on the total number of corners, goals, red cards, and yellow cards, as well as how many penalties will be taken and scored.

One of the bets you’ll often see during this tournament is a combination of “World Cup Winner” and “Top Goalscorer,” such as “England and Harry Kane.” Both of these things need to happen for the bet to be successful.

What are the Most Popular World Cup Bets?

Bettors tend to be more interested in making outright bets on the World Cup. As you would expect, they usually lean toward their home teams for these bets (English bettors bet on England; French bettors choose France), but only just.

One of the great things about World Cup betting is that it draws action from soccer fans worldwide. Everyone wants a piece of the action, and each bettor has a unique approach to World Cup predictions.

How to Place Bets on the World Cup

The first step to placing a bet on the World Cup is to find the right sportsbook. Fortunately, we have that step covered, as GemBet is home to the best World Cup betting markets and promotions.

Next, look through the markets, find your preferred selections, and add them to your bet slip.

You can place bets prematch or while the game is live for both individual and outright markets. The World Cup is a big tournament, so there is a lot of action to cover. We recommend checking the markets before and during the tournament.

Once your bets have been placed, it’s time to sit back, watch, and see what happens!

November 25, 2022 0 comment