How will Serbia fare at the 2022 World Cup? Join @SamRCox_ as he looks at the Eagles in his everything you need to know guide ahead of this winter's competition...


Serbia History at the World Cup

Serbia’s World Cup history is inevitably complicated.

This is the nation’s third appearance as Serbia, but they featured as Serbia and Montenegro in 2006, and had nine previous World Cup entries as part of Yugoslavia, which included fourth place finishes in 1930 and 1962.

Overall, Serbia have won 18 of their 46 World Cup matches, but still have a positive goal difference in the competition.

Their biggest victory was as part of Yugoslavia, when they recorded an historic 9-0 thumping of Zaire back in 1974. They have been on the end of heavy defeats too, however, including a 6-0 drubbing at the hands of Argentina in 2006.

Their last three World Cup appearances have ended at the group stage, and they will be hoping to be more competitive in Qatar with a talented squad.

A last-minute goal from Aleksandar Mitrovic against Portugal on the final matchday secured an automatic place at this winter’s tournament, avoiding the jeopardy of the playoffs.


Serbia Nickname

The national symbol of Serbia is a double-headed eagle, so it is no surprise that their nickname is The Eagles or Orlovi. 

National identity has been a controversial topic since the breakup of Yugoslavia, with national anthems cheered and other nicknames used.


World Cup 2022 Group

Serbia were drawn alongside the favourites among World Cup winner odds in Brazil. Switzerland and Cameroon accompany them in Group G, which could prove to be the Group of Death in Qatar.

Taking any points from their first match would be massive for Serbia, but they could be playing catch up after facing the Canarinho.

Serbia Fixtures:

  • Serbia vs Brazil – 24th November 2022

  • Serbia vs Cameroon – 28th November 2022

  • Serbia vs Switzerland – 2nd December 2022


Serbia Kit World Cup 2022

The collar is a big dose of meh, but the Serbian home kit for the World Cup is fine. The red is always imposing, and the gold touches on the logos and sleeves bring a bit of life to an otherwise uninspiring design.

A plain white away shirt could have been boring. Instead, Puma plonked a bizarre gold outline in the middle of the torso. 


Who Is The Serbia Manager?

Former Red Star Belgrade midfielder Dragan Stojković is the current Serbia manager, having replaced Ljubiša Tumbaković after he failed to quality for Euro 2020. 

Stojković has had just two previous managerial jobs, spending almost six years with Nagoya Grampus and four-and-a-half years with Guangzhou R&F.


Best Serbia Player

Dusan Tadic has the pedigree. Dusan Vlahovic made the big-money move to Juventus. Aleksandar Mitrovic has started the Premier League season in great form. Sergej Milinković-Savić is one of Europe’s best midfielders.

Several players can make a case for being Serbia’s best – the Orlovi have plenty of top-end talent.


Serbia Odds at 2022 World Cup

Serbia are 11/2 in football betting to win Group G at the 2022 World Cup.

Third favourites in the section doesn’t mean they are out of it by any means, though, as Serbia are 9/2 to make the last eight, and have a couple of fringe Golden Boot candidates in Dusan Vlahovic and Aleksandar Mitrovic (50/1 and 66/1, respectively). 

Bet on Serbia at the 2022 World Cup with 888sport today!


 

Sam is a sports tipster, specialising in the Premier League and Champions League.

He covers most sports, including cricket and Formula One. Sam particularly enjoys those on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean – notably MLB and NBA.

Watching, writing and talking about sports betting takes up most of his time, whether that is for a day out at T20 Finals Day or a long night of basketball.

Having been writing for several years, Sam has been working with 888Sport since 2016, contributing multiple articles per week to the blog.