FIFA World Cup 2022 3rd Place Match Betting Tips

By Benson Chikezie, Senior Author

Some see it as a chance for the teams beaten in the semifinals to earn a consolation, while others dismiss it as a game that should not hold, but the World Cup 3rd Place match has endured over the years. Beyond providing entertainment for audiences before the World Cup final, the 3rd Place match confers the World Cup bronze medal on the team that wins it, and more often than not, the game is highly competitive.

In Russia 2018, England and Belgium met in the 18th World Cup 3rd Place match. Two goals, courtesy of Thomas Meunier and Eden Hazard, were enough for Belgium to disperse England and claim the bronze medal and seal their highest ever finish at the World Cup. Two teams will meet again in like fashion in Qatar 2022, and although we cannot see the future to know which teams make it to that stage, the 3rd Place match is one every football betting lover should anticipate.

The World Cup 2022 3rd Place match is scheduled for December 17 at the Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan. Also, kick-off is slated for 15:00 GMT. You can expect large crowds to turn up, especially as Qatar is hosting the tournament for the first time. If you are looking to bet on the penultimate World Cup match, we have got you covered at BetNinjas.

What is the World Cup 3rd Place Match?

The FIFA World Cup, like every football tournament, has a winner-takes-all edge to it. The glory almost always goes to the team that comes out on top, although occasionally, the best performing underdog team shares some of the praise. Hence, it is not unusual to see some teams celebrate winning the 3rd Place match and clinching the bronze medal, while others shrug it off like just another football game. With context being of most importance in games like these, here’s all you need to know about the World Cup 3rd Place match:

In every FIFA World Cup, the winning team receives gold medals, while the runners-up are awarded silver medals. The bronze medal for the third-placed team is reserved for whoever comes out on top when the two teams that lost in the semifinals come up against each other. FIFA introduced this fixture to determine the World Cup bronze medalists and provide an additional competitive match to precede the World Cup final. So far, every World Cup in history, except the 1950 edition, has featured the 3rd Place match.

The FIFA World Cup is one of the most anticipated tournaments in world sports, and every match means a lot to the featured teams. However, players’ sentiment suggests the stakes are lower at the World Cup 3rd Place match, and most teams play for pride. Winning is everything in football, they say, and several players seem to share that sentiment. When any team loses a match as important as the World Cup semifinals, it leaves a vacuum in their hearts, a feeling of being almost within reach of a World Cup final but ultimately falling short. Such teams approach the 3rd Place match with little enthusiasm. For them, the tournament already ended in the semifinals.

Other teams, who have the odds of ever reaching the semifinals stacked against them, see the World Cup 3rd Place match as an opportunity to end the tournament on a high and as medalists. To teams in this underdog category, the World Cup 3rd Place match is a golden opportunity and the final opportunity to play for something more than pride on the grandest football stage. To the average football bettor like you, it is another opportunity to win big.

All the FIFA World Cup 3rd Place Match Winners

Here are all the past bronze medalists at the FIFA World Cup:

  • USA: The United States of America won the 3rd Place match at the inaugural edition of the World Cup, while Yugoslavia came fourth.
  • Germany: The Germans have come in third place four times in World Cup history, first in 1934. They placed third again as West Germany in 1970, and most recently in 2006 and 2010, before winning the competition in 2014.
  • Brazil: Forty years stood between Brazil’s first third-place finish in 1938 and their second and final bronze-medal-winning campaign in 1978.
  • Sweden: The Scandinavian country has won the third-place match twice in its history, first in 1950 and then in 1994.
  • Austria: Their outing at the 1954 World Cup ended in a third-place finish.
  • France: The three-time World Cup winners have also finished third in the tournament. They won the 3rd Place match in 1958 and 1986.
  • Chile: As hosts of the 1962 edition of the FIFA World Cup, Chile finished in third place after a 1-0 victory over Yugoslavia.
  • Portugal: When England hosted the World Cup in 1966, Portugal finished in third place.
  • Poland: The Golden Generation of the Poland national team was only good enough for two third-place finishes in the 1974 and 1982 editions of the FIFA World Cup.
  • Italy: The Italian national team earned their first and only 3rd place finish in the 1990 World Cup.
  • Croatia: At the France ’98 World Cup, underdogs Croatia won the 3rd Place match after a 2-1 win over the Netherlands.
  • Turkey: The Eurasian side prevailed over co-hosts, South Korea, in the 2002 edition of the FIFA World Cup.
  • Netherlands: The Oranje are widely regarded by football fans as the best team never to win the World Cup. They overcame a deflated Brazil team in 2014 by three goals to nil to seal a third-place finish.
TeamYear(s) Won
USA1930
Germany1934, 1970, 2006, 2010
Brazil1938, 1978
Sweden1950, 1974
Austria1954
France1958, 1986
Chile1962
Portugal1966
Poland1974, 1982
Italy1990
Croatia1998
Turkey2002
Netherlands2014

All Likely Contenders to Reach The FIFA World Cup 2022 3rd Place Match

Few teams are favorites to win the 3rd Place match come Qatar 2022, but some big names will come to mind if you are to choose. Firstly, for any team to feature in the two final World Cup matches, they must get to the semifinals. Making it through a horde of excellently talented teams to the semis is no mean feat, and not many teams have ever managed that accomplishment in World Cup history.

Naturally, all the favorites to win the tournament will make any favorites’ list for the 3rd Place match. Also, a few outsiders are bound to feature. Here is a summary of all the top teams that will most likely reach the semifinals and the 3rd Place match in Qatar 2022:

France

The French are the defending champions of the World Cup, and they will do everything they can to put up a good title defense. They boast some fantastic talent in the form of KylianMbappe and Co. and are good enough to conquer the world again, at least on paper. Semifinals are hardly ever straightforward; hence, making it to the 3rd Place match should not be beyond the reach of this French side.

Brazil

Although the Seleçao are itching to win their first World Cup trophy since their glorious victory in 2002, they would have to contend with some spirited and talented sides. They certainly boast enough attacking quality to make it to the final four, automatically guaranteeing a spot in the 3rd Place match should they fail to progress to the final.

Spain

Luis Enrique’s side had an inglorious exit at Russia 2018, and they will look to improve on that performance in Qatar. They have some of the most exciting young players in the world in AnsuFati, Pedro, Gavi, and others and are favorites to reach the semifinals, at least.

Netherlands

Louis van Gaal is back for another stint at the national level, and his charges will attempt another go at the World Cup trophy in Qatar. Netherlands’ best finish at the World Cup is a third-place berth, and they will strive to do better than their predecessors.

Argentina

Lionel Messi and Co have their work cut out for them, but if any side can weave their way to the semifinals, it is the Albiceleste. They are in such fine form at the moment, and some have tipped them to go all the way to the finish line. A third-place final berth would be a disappointing but decent finish for the South Americans.

England

Gareth Southgate and his men will be desperate to touch some gold after near-finishes at Russia 2018 and Euro 2020. This English side has quality players in every position on the field, yet they have fallen short on the grand stages. If they can weave their way to the World Cup semis, they have a chance to go on to the final or settle for a 3rd Place match like in 2018.

Belgium

All the talk of Belgium’s Golden Generation is gradually fading away, and this World Cup is the last chance, at least for the likes of Eden Hazard, Kevin de Bruyne, and Co, to do something more special at the World Cup. They managed a 3rd place finish in 2018, triumphing over England, to seal their highest-ever finish at the tournament. Will they go one better this time? We cannot say. Can they repeat the feat? Most likely, yes.

Germany

Having won the most bronze medals in World Cup history, Germany will look to improve drastically in Qatar 2022, after a disastrous outing in Russia 2018. The Die Mannschaft have appeared in thirteen World Cup semifinals, and they may be the most likely team on this list to make it to the final four, and possibly, the 3rd Place match in Qatar 2022.

Denmark

Although they are outsiders, the Danish are going through some positive times in their football, and this year might be their time to come to the fore on the big stage finally. Christian Eriksen and Co. have big dreams, and if they can manage a spirited run to the semis, they will be content with a third-place match appearance.

Portugal

Cristiano, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, and Co. have been impressive recently, and they have a shot at glory in Qatar. Ronaldo, in particular, will hope to prove a point at the tournament, possibly his final appearance. Going by their win at Euro 2016, nothing is beyond this Portugal team.

2022 FIFA World Cup 3rd Place Match Schedule

The 2022 FIFA World Cup 3rd Place match will kick off at 3:00 pm GMT on December 17 at the Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan.

BetNinjas Favorites to Win The World Cup 2022 3rd Place Match

The big boys, like Brazil, France, Germany, etc., may not place much importance on the 3rd Place match, especially if they suffer a heartbreaking defeat in the semis. Yet, for underdogs like Denmark, Senegal, Wales, and other promising sides outside the FIFA Top 10, it’s a shot at getting into the World Cup history books.

Context is always important in games like these, and factors like injuries, experience, team mindset, and sheer quality usually come to the fore in winner-takes-all matches. Argentina and Portugal have potential match-winners in Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. If they are unsuccessful in the semis, they can put on a show in the 3rd Place match. In no particular order, here are the favorites to win the FIFA World Cup 2022 3rd Place match and the bronze medal:

Germany

Die Mannschaft have won the most bronze medals in World Cup history, and if they make it to the 3rd Place match, they will be natural favorites to come out on top. While they do not have a squad as experienced as in previous World Cups, they are known for their grit and work ethic, two qualities that come to the fore in winner-takes-all matches.

England

Having missed out on a third-place finish in 2018, England will have their eyes on the World Cup trophy like every other team. However, if they can only manage to get to the 3rd Place match, the Three Lions will be highly motivated to avoid exiting another World Cup without a medal to show for it.

Portugal

If Cristiano and Co. make it to the 3rd Place match, they have proved in recent years that they have enough determination in their arsenals to see out such matches. Manager Fernando Santos is no stranger to tournament knockouts. Also, Ronaldo’s invaluable experience may be the secret ingredient for a Portugal bronze medal win at Qatar 2022.

Netherlands

The Oranje have taken the World Cup by storm in recent editions, finishing second in 2010 and third in 2014. They will look to put on a better show in Qatar and have an outside chance of winning the 3rd Place match, should they make it to that stage. Louis van Gaal’s side has improved much in recent months, and you should not overlook them.

Best FIFA World Cup 2022 Betting Sites in India

As the tournament in Qatar approaches its inevitable end, we will find out which teams will play in the 3rd Place match at the Khalifa International Stadium. If you are hoping to bet on the FIFA World Cup 2022 3rd Place match, several sports betting sites will have open markets and odds a few days before kick-off day.

At BetNinjas, we can recommend football betting platforms that are secure. These websites offer fast deposits and withdrawals, tons of bonuses and promotions, a wide range of sports betting markets, and a smooth betting experience.

Fun88

The award-winning sports betting company Fun88 is one of our top picks at BetNinjas. The platform was founded in 2009 and currently holds a gambling license from The E-Gambling, Montenegro. Fun88 supports deposit methods like local bank transfers, cryptocurrencies, etc., and withdrawal methods like bank transfers, Astropay, etc.

The website has several markets available, one of which is the Qatar 2022 World Cup 3rd Place match. You can get some of the best match odds on Fun88, and there’s more. New users can get a whopping 400% bonus on their first-time deposits, up to 3,000 INR (a minimum deposit of 500 INR applies). Other mouthwatering bonuses are also available for regular players, and an FAQ section will help you navigate the web version. Do your due diligence before placing your bets.

Parimatch

Licensed in Curacao and launched as a sports betting website in 2000, Parimatch is gaining popularity in India. With an intuitive website design, fewer ads or banners, and various betting markets for users, Parimatch promises a smooth experience for the average football betting lover.

The platform offers a first-time deposit bonus of 150%, up to 20,000 INR. Markets for popular Indian games like AndarBahar and sports like cricket and hockey are also available on Parimatch. You can bet on the World Cup 2022 3rd Place match on Parimatch and other football competitions like the EPL, La Liga, etc. Cryptocurrency deposits are also available, and a minimum deposit of 265 INR applies, depending on the sport.

Final Thoughts

The World Cup 3rd Place match is a fixture to look forward to, as it presents a dress rehearsal for the final and an opportunity for either team to leave the tournament with silverware, or in this case, bronze. While you enjoy the tournament, don’t forget to bet on the 3rd Place match and other FIFA World Cup 2022 markets available on your favorite sports betting platforms, courtesy of BetNinjas.

Frequently Asked Questions

When Will I Be Able to Bet on the Third-Place Fixture of 2022 World Cup?
Once the second semi-final finishes on December 14, the line-up of the third-place game will be known. Only then will you be able to bet on this game.
When and Where Will the Third-Place Match of the 2022 World Cup Be Played?
December 17 at Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan.
Who Finished Third in the Last World Cup Played in 2018?
Belgium

Comments 0 Comments

Anonymous