We are less than six months away from the 2022 World Cup curtain-raiser, with all the best sports betting sites giving us updated odds this morning for all 32 teams.

Earlier this month, Wales became the 13th and final European nation to book a ticket for Qatar, courtesy of a 1-0 victory over Ukraine in the playoff final.

Rob Page's side joined Portugal, who eased past North Macedonia in the first play-off showpiece in March, and 11 other European teams en route to the final tournament.

All 13 European sides that will feature in the highly anticipated event later this year have taken part in the 2022-23 UEFA Nations League in June.

Only a few have lived up to expectations, including the resurgent Dutch side and the competition surprise package Hungary.

While Portugal and Spain battle it out for supremacy in Group A2, as somewhat expected, Belgium's "Golden Generation" is still showing signs of weakness.

Yet, some others, like France and England, have cast doubt on their hopes of running away with the crown in Qatar.

Even Hansi Flick-led Germany have blown hot and cold.

Let's take a look at the best and worst-performing Europe's World Cup squads in this month's Nations League.

Disappointments

France

Reigning world champions France have been a disappointment in the new season of the Nations League.

Placed with Denmark, Croatia and Austria in League A, Group 1, Les Bleus are winless after four matches, drawing two and losing the other two.

Despite having the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema leading the line, Didier Deschamps' lads have netted a mere three goals across those four games.

Less than a year since lifting the Nations League trophy, France are on the verge of suffering relegation to League B as they languish at the bottom of their group.

It has been a while since Deschamps' star-studded lineup has been as powerless and uneventful as across those four Nations League fixtures.

Things are not looking good for the World Cup-winning manager at this point.

England

Whatever experiment Gareth Southgate tried in the new Nations League season, it has been a failure of epic proportion.

Not only have the Three Lions gone winless in their four June fixtures, but they have failed to score a single goal from open play.

If it weren't for Harry Kane's late equalizer from the spot against Germany, England would have had a single point from four matches to their name.

A humiliating 4-0 home thrashing at the hands of Hungary brought the England gaffer under heavy scrutiny, with fans already calling for his sacking.

Manchester City ace Raheem Sterling took to the press to provide support to his boss in these tumultuous times.

"He's led us incredibly well. He's showed us the way, he's helped us mature from young men to senior pros, a lot of us in the dressing room," he said, as relayed by the Daily Mail.

"He's doing that now with a lot of the young lads and he's trying to make sure that everyone's got enough experience for when we do hit the big time that we're all ready."

England's catastrophic form during this month's Nations League must have left Southgate with more questions than answers over his squad selection and tactics.

If the Three Lions were to lift their first major silverware since the 1966 World Cup, Southgate should get down to work immediately.

High-Flyers

Netherlands

The Netherlands' decision to grant Louis van Gaal his third spell in the national team's dugout following an underwhelming Euro 2020 campaign caught many by surprise.

However, it has turned out to be the best choice the Oranje could have made after experiencing a few embarrassing years, including their failed attempt to qualify for 'Russia 2018.'

Since van Gaal's re-appointment in September 2021, the high-flying Dutch team have not lost a single international outing, racking up 9 wins and 4 draws from 13.

In addition to qualifying for the upcoming tournament in Qatar, the Netherlands have been one of the protagonists during June's Nations League.

Unbeaten after four Group 4 fixtures (W3, D1), they stunned FIFA's No. 2 Belgium 4-1 in their group opener.

In fact, the Netherlands are the only side to have scored 10+ goals in this season's Nations League (11), highlighting the team's improvement under van Gaal.

Denmark

Denmark's impressive Nations League campaign thus far shows their semifinal appearance at Euro 2020 was no fluke.

Kasper Hjulmand's men sit atop Group 1, two points clear of 2018 World Cup runners-up Croatia and seven clear of defending world champions France.

A come-from-behind 2-1 triumph over Les Bleus at the Stade de France on Matchday 1 testified to Denmark's unparalleled fighting spirit and hunger for success.

It looks like this Hjulmand generation has developed a unique team character that could make all the difference in Qatar.

Though they will only be outside favorites to win the crown, Denmark have shown throughout the past 12 months that they deserve the benefit of the doubt.