It seems an age since the 2018 World Cup. Since England exceeded expectations by reaching a first major tournament semi-final since 1996. Since France reigned supreme over Croatia in a high-scoring final.
The wait has been real too, as we have to wait a few months longer than usual given its (hopefully) one off move from the usual summer slot.
While it means no 40+ temperatures, winter remains above the 20 mark in Qatar. Certainly more bearable but climate could still have an impact.
Not as much as the timing of the tournament though, in the middle of the domestic season, which is unprecedented for a World Cup.
Given the hectic, crammed schedule we have seen this term, a strong, deep squad could prove vital - something Brazil and France, who head the outright betting, have in abundance.
Generally priced at 4/1, Brazil are simply too short.
They no doubt have a great chance of lifting the trophy for the first time since 2002, boasting an excellent squad and some electric attacking players, but they have a tough group and a tough potential run.
Tite's face tough European pair Switzerland and Serbia and AFCON 2022 semi-finalists Cameroon in Group H and should they qualify will likely face either Portugal or Uruguay. Reach the quarters and it's looking like Spain or Germany.
All of that is enough to put me off at 4/1.
Holders France are second favourites and are close to backable at 6/1 had they had a fully fit squad.
Paul Pogba is a huge doubt and N'Golo Kante has been ruled out leaving a gaping hole in the French midfield. Les Bleus can fill that void with Eduardo Camavinga and Aurélien Tchouaméni but both are still raw, young players untested at this level.
Then there is the potential for French implosion.
This time around the maverick is Kylian Mbappe. As wonderful a player as he is he could make this World Cup as French vintage as 2010 having already butted heads with the FFF (French Football Federation) over sponsorship.
Add into this a coach in Didier Deschamps who consistently chops and changes formation and system to the dismay of his players, and a tricky group containing Denmark, who beat them home and away in the Nations League recently, and the reigning champions are happily swerved.
Lionel Scaloni's team head to Qatar unbeaten in 35 matches, during which time they won the Copa America.
A team of great balance, the attack takes care of itself with the genius of captain Messi combined with the graft and quality of Lautaro Martinez, the midfield looks feisty yet full of ball playing ability and the Argentine defence - a weakness not long ago - has improved drastically thanks to the arrivals of Gonzalo Montiel, Lisandro Martinez and Cristian Romero since the last World Cup.
The main concerns would be the forward position alongside Messi and Martinez, with Angel Di Maria doubtful to be fit in time and Paulo Dybala definitely out. They do have an abundance of quality to bring in though, with Papu Gomez and Manchester City's Julian Alvarez pushing for minutes.
So, the squad looks great, the manager has a system and style to suit the players, they are unbeaten for a very long time and they have won a major tournament in the last two years.
If that doesn't have you swayed, a kind group containing Mexico, Poland and Saudi Arabia and a fairly generous run to the semi-finals compared to other leading contenders makes their 7/1 price attractive.
Who would bet against Messi ending his World Cup career in perfect style, too.
They were on the verge of missing out on the World Cup altogether with four games remaining of South American qualifying, but replacing veteran Oscar Tabarez with the younger Diego Alonso proved a masterstroke.
Uruguay won all their remaining games, displaying great balance, averaging 1.90 xGF and 0.60 xGA per game; prior to Alonso's arrival they averaged 1.18 xGF and 1.33 xGA.
According to our ratings they went from ranking fifth best South American side to second best under Alonso.
With such a small sample size in no way are we arguing they are South America's second-best team, but Uruguay's improvement is eye-catching.
Combine that with a quality squad, which contains emerging talents Darwin Nunez, Rodrigo Bentancur and Federico Valverde and still possesses the wily know-how of Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani.
Should they manage to pip Portugal to top Group H, which also contains Ghana and South Korea, the tournament could really open for them. All told, their price just looks too big.
Odds correct at 1630 (23/10/22)
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