I like Germany, but Brazil, France, Spain, and Argentina are forces to be reckoned with.
Now that we know all of the 32 teams that have qualified for the 2018 World Cup, it’s time to think about the tournament winner.
Here are my top five picks.
Germany
The Germans were beyond impressive at the 2014 World Cup, which it won by beating Argentina 1-0 in the final. So why not do it again?
Germany’s Low (photo, 101 Great Goals)
Joachim Low’s side has been paired in Group F–nicknamed the “Group of Death”–alongside South Korea, Sweden, and Mexico. My take is that Germany won’t have a hard time overcoming the group stage.
Germany recently won the Confederations Cup in grand fashion with its second-string team, no less. What stands out is a stellar defense with the likes of Jerome Boateng, Matthias Ginter, Mats Hummels, Joshua Kimmich, Antonio Rudiger and Niklas Sule. Germany also has an athletic midfield with Julian Draxler, Toni Kroos, and Mesut Ozil.
If that’s not enough, then consider what Low has on the attacking side with Marco Reus, Leroy Sane, Timo Werner and Thomas Muller.
Germany is my choice to reproduce its 2014 result and win its fifth World Cup title.
Brazil
Courtesy: Daily Express
Brazil is desperate to fight back after a disappointing showing on home soil in 2014. Indeed, their fans are demanding nothing less.
Paired in Group E alongside Switzerland, Costa Rica and Serbia, dominating that group shouldn’t present a problem.
Brazil has a star-studded squad with Gabriel Jesus, Roberto Firmino, and Neymar (at right). The midfield has big names, too, in Casemiro, Fernandinho, Paulinho, Philippe Coutinho, Willian and Costa.
At the back is more of the same quality in Silva, Marquinhos, Marcelo, and Danilo. Ederson and Alisson will lock horns at the goalkeeper position.
With such a tigerish squad and bankable history, Brazil will fight hard to win the Cup. It would be its sixth.
France
Hugo Lloris (photo, Daily Mail)
France has ludicrous squad depth, despite the fact that a handful of leading lights failed to make the cut.
Guarding the goal will be the skipper himself, Hugo Lloris, with two excellent backups in the shape of Alphonse Areola and Steve Mandanda. For the back four, Didier Deschamps has a good number of world-class defenders at his disposal, including Lucas Hernandez, Presnel Kimpembe, Benjamin Mendy, Adil Rami, Samuel Umtiti, and the recent Champions League winner, Raphael Varane.
The midfield includes the likes of N’Golo Kante, Blaise Matuidi, Steven N’Zonzi, Paul Pogba, Corentin Tolisso, and Ousmane Dembele. A star-spangled attacking unit is comprised of Nabil Fekir, Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann, Thomas Lemar, and Kylian Mbappe.
With such phenomenal squad depth, France stands a good chance to win.
Spain
Diego Costa, (photo, The Mirror)
Spain was dominating the world of international football going into World Cup ’14 when it suffered a shocking elimination in the group stage. That outcome won’t happen this year–not in Group B with Portugal, Morocco, and Iran.
Besides, Julen Lopetegui has chosen a squad alive with world-beaters, which includes the famed Chelsea quartet of Alvaro Morata, Cesc Fabregas, Pedro and Marcos Alonso, along with other names, such as Juan Mata, Vitolo and Paco Alcacer.
The side will also sparkle with Isco, Marcio Asensio, Lucas Vazquez, Iago Aspas, and Diego Costa up front. The core of the playing field will be guarded by Sergio Busquets, Saul Niquez, Koke, Thiago Alcantara, Andres Iniesta, and David Silva.
Spiking the enemy’s guns at the back will be Dani Carvajal, Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos, Nacho, Cesar Azpilicueta and Jordi Alba with David de Gea between the posts.
Spain will be looking to get back in form and grab the trophy like it did in 2010.
Argentina
Argentina did well to reach the final of the 2014 World Cup, but then never seemed to recover from that disappointment. In 2015 the team reached another final–at Copa America–but failed to win (this time to Chile). Then, in 2016, Argentina reached the Copa America final, again losing to Chile.
Messi, the great (photo, tophdgallery.com)
Superstar Lionel Messi, who announced his retirement from international football after that defeat, changed his mind and has returned to represent his nation.
For his part, Jorge Sampaoli has chosen a workable squad this year–one that poses a serious challenge to win. On the front, there’s Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, and Paulo Dybala alongside talismanic Messi.
In midfield, Argentina has Angel Di Maria, Ever Banega, and Lucas Biglia. A well-grounded defense is led by Nicolas Otamendi, Marcos Rojo. and Javier Mascherano. Willy Caballero mans the posts.
The stakes are high as Argentina looks to end its 32-year WC drought.
