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With less than seven months to go for the biggest sporting event in the world, the race to the finals was intense and witnessed some nail biting finishes. Brazil (CONMEBOL), Germany (UEFA), Spain (UEFA) and Mexico (CONCACAF) dominated their respective qualification confederations. On the other hand, power houses Italy, World Cup finalists in 2010 Netherlands, Chile, United States and Cameroon missed out on securing a spot. 32 teams are divided in eight groups (A-H) with the top two teams advancing to the knockout stages.
Group A:
Russia (the hosts) will open the World Cup with a match up against Asian contenders Saudi Arabia. The hosts are the worst ranked team in the competition but the "home advantage" can definitely play a decisive role in order for them to earn a spot into the next round. Uruguay would consider themselves extremely lucky to have grouped along with Russia, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Finishing second to Brazil in the confederation qualification, Uruguay have shown impressive performances and would look to storm into the next round. Egypt finally managed to qualify after a drought of 28 years as they overcame Ghana and Uganda. Egypt were also the runners up in the recently concluded Africans Nations Cup. Uruguay should comfortably take the group, with the second spot very much for grabs between Egypt and Russia.
Key Fixture: Egypt V Russia (winner takes second spot) - 19 Jun 2018
Prediction: Uruguay, Russia
Group B:
Spain (2010 World Cup Winners) and Portugal (2016 Euro Winners) along with Iran and Morocco comprises of Group B. Both the European giants had a solid qualification campaign. Spain won nine of their ten fixtures, drawing only against the Azzuri (Italy) in an away fixture with five points clear of the latter. A Ronaldo-inspired Portugal also won nine of their ten fixtures and eventually tied on points with the Swiss, but qualified directly on the basis of goal difference sending the Swiss to the play-off round. At least in the group stage, the sheer dominance of the neighbors can be witnessed. Iran also qualified quite comfortably in their Asia campaign ahead of South Korea and Syria, but still lack the skills to match the likes of La Roja (Spain) and Seleção (Portugal). Morocco edged the mighty Ivory Coast in order to earn their spot in to the World Cup. For Iran and Morocco to proceed from the group, they have to upset the big teams and play the role of party spoilers. But again, the possibility of this happening seems bleak and difficult.
Key Fixture: Portugal V Spain - 15 Jun 2018
Predictions: Spain, Portugal
Group C:
France (Les Blues) had to overcome Sweden, Netherlands and Bulgaria in order to book their direct spot into the World Cup. Les Bleus has an impressive squad with the perfect blend of young and experienced players, and definitely a decent chance of repeating 1998. Denmark came back strong in their qualification campaign with massive wins over Poland and Montenegro but had to settle for the second position due to poor performances earlier. They beat Ireland 5-1 away from home to seal their spot in the World Cup. Denmark has improved magnificently in the past couple of years. Next is Peru who reached the World Cup after a long wait of 36 years. A very similar story like the Danes, Peru started off poorly and changed their fates by winning some crunch games against Uruguay and Ecudaor. With the help of some other results in the confederations, they got a play-off spot against the Kiwis and they surely didn't disappoint their fans. The Australian Team struggled in the Asian qualification finishing third in the group setting up a clash against Syria. The extra time winner by Tim Cahill sent the Socceroos to the intercontinental play-off which they won against CONCACAF contenders, Honduras. France definitely has an edge over the other three teams (all qualifying via play-offs), so a tight finish for the second spot is expected.
Key Fixture: Denmark V Peru - 16 Jun 2018, France V Denmark - 26 Jun 2018
Predictions: France, Denmark
Group D:
Many would argue Group D is a "Group of Death". Argentina saved by the legend Lionel Messi as he scored a hat-trick in the final encounter of the qualifying stage against Ecuador in a must-win encounter. Argentina has not been the most consistent sides in the recent times, and definitely need to improve in order to make a huge impact on the World Cup like 2014. The European surprise package Iceland created history by qualifying as the least populated country ever. Iceland would certainly be an interesting team to watch out for, as they defeated teams like Croatia, Turkey and England in the recent past. Croatia would certainly feel they have what it takes to reach the next round. With the individual raw talent which Croatia possesses it would be difficult for other teams to overcome them. Nigeria is possibly the most consistent team appearing in the World Cup from the African region, and has been placed with Argentina for the fifth time. Surely Argentina would be the favorites to proceed from Group D, but all three sides can pose a serious threat to them with the Croats being the most dangerous out of the trio.
Key Fixtures: Croatia V Nigeria - 16 Jun 2018, Argentina V Croatia - 21 Jun 2018
Predictions: Argentina, Croatia
Group E:
Brazil was the first team to qualify for the World Cup (after hosts Russia). With twelve wins and five draws in the most difficult confederation, Brazil has sent a strong statement that they mean business and even after qualifying they showed their extreme hard work and dedication. All opponents would fear drawing Brazil in the their group. Both Switzerland and Serbia are equally poised in the contention for the next round. Switzerland (after winning nine of ten fixtures, losing on goal difference to Portugal) qualified via play-offs breaking Northern Irish hearts in the process. On the other hand, Serbia had an impressive run in the qualification overcoming the likes of Rep. of Ireland, Wales and Austria. 2014 quarter finalists, Costa Rica, led by captain and forward Bryan Ruiz, were also splendid in their campaign finishing second in the CONCACAF Qualification. It would be a fatal mistake to conclude an easy team in this group as we have witnessed what happened when Costa Rica was taken lightly in a group comprising of Italy, Uruguay and England at the 2014 World Cup. Backing Brazil to go past as group leaders, with second position slightly inclined towards the Swiss.
Key Fixtures: Switzerland V Serbia - 22 Jun 2018, Switzerland V Costa Rica - 27 Jun 2018
Predictions: Brazil, Switzerland
Group F:
Germans were ruthless in their title defense. With ten convincing victories in as many fixtures proving the supremacy of the mighty Germans. The Confederations Cup win earlier in the year with a relatively younger side definitely boosts a lot of talent they possess. Mexico quite comfortably qualified from the CONCACAF region as the table toppers. Moreover, with the inclusion of Sweden the group became very interesting. Sweden came past Netherlands in the group stages, and beat Italy in the play-off to earn themselves a much deserved spot in the final 32. South Korea would probably face the heat against three heavy weights in the group. Sweden-Mexico tie promises to be an absolute thriller, with the winner almost guaranteed a spot in the next round.
Key Fixtures: Sweden V Mexico - 23 Jun 2018
Predictions: Germany, Mexico
Group G:
Similar story like Group B, the European giants Belgium and England are pooled together. Both "Red Devils" (Belgium) and "The Three Lions" (England) would be more than satisfied with Tunisia and Panama drawn in their group. The devils finished above Greece and Bosnia to seal first place, and earn automatic qualification quite comfortably at the end. An identical story for the English as well, topping a group consisting of Slovenia, Scotland and Slovakia. Panama qualified for their inaugural World Cup defeating Costa Rica in the dying moments of the game and claiming third automatic spot. The Devils and the Lions would make an exciting encounter to claim top spot. A surprise win for either Tunisia or Panama can definitely open the group and contentions which as of now looks pretty straight forward.
Key Fixtures: Belgium V England - 28 June 2018
Predictions: England, Belgium
Group H:
Possibly the most evenly distributed group which comprises of Poland, Colombia, Japan and Senegal. All teams have the capabilities and skills to make it out of the group. Poland (weakest top seed side), emerged from a qualifying group comprising of Denmark and Montenegro, along with Colombia, who took the final automatic qualification spot in South America and would have an edge on paper over the others. Senegal was a quarter-finalist at the Korea/Japan edition back in 2002, and would definitely back themselves to reach the Round of 16. On the other hand, Japan emerged victorious from a group involving Saudi Arabia and Australia. Definitely Japan and Senegal have shown glimpses of magnificent football at the world scale, but would need to step up for the big occasion.
Key Fixtures: Japan V Colombia - 19 Jun 2018, Poland V Colombia - 24 Jun 2018
Predictions: Colombia, Poland
