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The FIFA World Cup is a mere few days away from commencing. Soon, the whole world will stop what they are doing and watch as 32 nations will do battle on the football pitch. Passion will take over from different directions and support will come like nothing else. The planet will unite in spirit for this month-long celebration of the beautiful game as they will choose sides. Some teams will do well, while others will not.
There will be expectations aplenty in Russia towards all sets of players. They will not want to disappoint their people, as they dream towards unrivalled joy and success. The first obstacle in everybody's way is the group stage. 32 teams are part of the tournament, but only 16 will remain when the dust settles. There will be many surprises throughout the tournament as we may see heavily fancied favourites getting knocked out by one killer blow, and uplifting success stories from underdogs you would never imagine seeing in the latter stages of the World Cup.
That is the beauty of the game. It is nearly impossible to predict what will happen in any game, but here I attempt to call the surprises we will see. These are four bold predictions for the group stage of the World Cup, the things that could very well surprise the world.
#1 Russia will be dumped out by Egypt
There has only been one occasion where the hosts of the World Cup have not qualified to the Round of 16, South Africa in 2010. So it is more than likely that Russia will utilise their home advantage to the fullest and go as far as they possibly can. However, they were dealt an escapable but tricky group with the likes of Uruguay and Egypt.
Uruguay, with the lethal strike-force of Suarez and Cavani, are heavy favourites to win the group. But it is not so straightforward for second place. Russia and Egypt are both evenly matched on the field, with home advantage playing a part for the Russians. However, they do lack a world-class game changer.
Mohamed Salah is no stranger to being a national icon and carrying a nation's hopes and dreams on his shoulders. He is expected to play a part in all of Egypt's group games and will look to make an impact. That impact could come at the hosts' expense, as his team-mates will rise to Salah's level. This could be the second time we see the hosts fail to make any sort of impact at the World Cup.
#2 One Asian team will make it out of their group
Asia isn't really the best continent for footballing success stories. However, we usually see at least one Asian team make it out of the group stage at the World Cup. Last time though, none of them made it out. Some bad luck and unfavourable draws proved costly for the teams from the largest continent on the planet.
This time, a few of them are part of groups which are wide open in terms of likely teams to advance. This gives Asia a much bigger chance to have a representative in the knockout stages. South Korea and Japan could do with a slice of luck going in their favour. However, the eyes of the continent will be falling on Australia.
The Socceroos will face France, Denmark and Peru in Russia. While France winning seems clear, the second spot in the group is right there for the taking. Tim Cahill has been incredibly successful throughout his career and this is a big opportunity for him to lead his country to a respectable journey at the World Cup. You can guarantee a leaping header coming your way from the Aussies' main man.
#3 Senegal will sneak through
Perhaps the most open group in Russia is Group H. Literally any two teams are capable of passing through to the Round of 16. Poland, Colombia, Senegal and Japan will all be involved in a fight to the finish. Fans of all four nations will expect progress to the next round, but only two will do so. One of them could very well be Senegal.
Their explosive attacking contingent gives them leverage to a successful campaign in Russia as they have enough strength in defence as well. The one player who will be key to all of Senegal's exploits on the field is Sadio Mane. The winger coped brilliantly to the loss of Mo Salah in the Champions League final for Liverpool. He even scored a goal that night. Mane has no shortage of expertise in big games and he will want to get in on the act for his country.
Poland and Colombia are both vulnerable to pace up-front and will have to be wary of Senegal's frontline. With Mane in their side, they will be fearless and feel like they can do anything. A repeat of Senegal's World Cup 2002 heroics is not out of the question.
#4 Croatia will pip Argentina for top spot
Lionel Messi will be thinking that this is his opportunity, his chance to make things right. He lost three cup finals before with Argentina and he seems desperate to win a trophy at an international level. Messi is undoubtedly the talisman for the blue and white striped side. His monstrous performances in Brazil got them to the final, but he just couldn't get them over the finish line. This year, there will be even more pressure for Messi to deliver.
He was the one who single-handedly spared his country's blushes as they barely managed to qualify. He is the glue that sticks everyone together. He will have the added burden of pressure on him to do so well and repeat his feats from 2014. Without him, Argentina look lost. Despite the astonishing level of talent in the team beyond Messi, they have been poor together. They mix together worse than the English 'Golden Generation' ever did.
They will have tricky opposition in the form of Croatia, Nigeria and Iceland. While Nigeria could provide a challenge for Argentina after battering them in a recent friendly, Croatia will be their biggest rivals in the group. A well-rounded team filled with experience, ability and simplicity, the Croats will hope to make a major mark on the World Cup. And they could start by beating Messi and co. for first place in the group stage.
