#3 Germany
It’s no surprise that reigning world champions Germany are on course to qualify and although they haven’t yet done so, it really is only a matter of time. Essentially an ever-present, from 1954 onwards, a German team has always qualified for the World Cup finals.
Boasting a mean defence, having conceded just one goal (unbeaten thus far) en route to top spot in Group C ahead of Northern Ireland and the Czech Republic, Joachim Loew’s troops are also an offensive machine having netted 27 times.
They will be one of the favourites for the competition – and despite being without the likes of Bastian Schweinsteiger and Philip Lahm – their Confederations Cup preparations prove that the future is bright.
Loew has assembled a squad of young and very talented players to spearhead a new generation for Germany, such as Julian Brandt and Julian Draxler. So, alongside the likes of Mesut Ozil, Thomas Muller and Toni Kroos they ought to have the perfect blend of youth and experience when they do eventually RSVP to Russia 2018.
Who knows – they might even claim their fifth crown.
