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The FIFA World Cup is football's most prominent international tournament, and the European teams hold the highest number of titles with eleven. So it is accurate to rank the top 5 contenders from European soil for the upcoming World Cup in Russia.
The following list contains three of the top 5 candidates to take the trophy home, with two additional teams that aren't considered in the top tier but can have an exciting run in the 21st World Cup in history.
Let's take a look at five European teams with well-balanced squads.
#5 Belgium
Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Thibaut Courtois are some of Belgium's most prominent names in their 23-man squad for the tournament. Under Spanish boss Roberto Martínez, Belgium look set to improve their result from four years ago in Brazil, where they fell against Argentina in the quarterfinals thanks to a first-half goal by Gonzalo Higuaín.
Belgium's route to the World Cup was fantastic. In 10 games, the Belgium offence produced 43 goals, which tied with Germany as the top number in the qualifiers.
Belgium won nine of their ten games and had one draw versus Greece. They led their qualifiers' group comfortably, finishing nine points ahead of the Greece squad.
Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard led the team on offence scoring 11 and six goals, respectively. But both attackers had inconsistent seasons with their clubs, which makes Kevin De Bruyne the Belgian player with the best current level. De Bruyne registered 12 goals and 21 assists under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
Former Atlético de Madrid offensive weapon, Yannick Carrasco, represents an enigma for Belgium after his move to China's Dalian Yifang.
The most prominent news for Belgium was Martínez decision to left off the team the controversial, but talented, AS Roma's midfielder Radja Nainggolan.
Belgian players' character in big matches will be the key for them in Russia. Where they'll try to improve their quarterfinals exits at the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 UEFA Euro.
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#4 Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo. A couple of words describe Portugal chances; no one would even doubt to use Ronaldo's complete name to do such a thing. Ronaldo's 81 goal-tally with Portugal is a sound proof of the five-time Ballon d'Or winner performances for his country.
With Portugal as the reigning European champions, being four in this list might generate some interesting thoughts. But there's the need to say that their team has not improved since their victory in France. However, Ronaldo remains as the top player in the world and his 2017/18 season with Real Madrid, alongside his display with Portugal in the qualifiers demonstrate such argument.
Portugal played ten games in the qualifiers versus Switzerland, Hungary, Faroe Islands, Latvia, and Andorra. Under coach Fernando Santos, the Ronaldo-led team won nine of their ten games. Portugal's only loss came in the first matchday versus Switzerland, without CR7.
Cristiano played nine games and scored 11 goals in the qualifiers, Portugal won every game he played in. With the help of newcomers Bernardo Silva, Gonçalo Guedes and André Silva, Portugal's attack have a promising future in Russia.
Portugal will have a tough road in the group stage. Their path will begin against Spain, while Morocco and Iran complete the challenging Group B.
#3 France
After their horrific loss at home in the 2016 European championship, France is set to arrive in Russia with a vengeance. A healthy Raphaël Varane in defence, alongside an experienced Samuel Umtiti, gives France an excellent foundation to put the confidence on offence.
The French offensive side has a boost with the appearances from Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé. The two youngsters will participate in their first big tournament with the national team and are poised to confirm France as a top-tier squad.
Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris completes France's solid defensive pieces, to go along their explosive attack with Antoine Griezmann, Mbappé, and Dembélé. But Didier Deschamps has a midfield issue. Paul Pogba is not the same player he was in 2016, while N´Golo Kanté's season with Chelsea FC included many ups and downs.
Blaise Matuidi has the experience needed for France's bid for their second World Cup, and his first year at Juventus was solid. On the other hand, Steven N'Zonzi played a career-high 47 matches in the season with Sevilla, but was somewhat inconsistent, again.
France will serve as a member of Group C alongside Denmark, Australia, and Perú.
#2 Germany
The reigning champs, although still robust, have taken a step back from 2014. Considering youngster Joshua Kimmich is not at Philipp Lahm's level yet, and Bastian Schweinsteiger won't participate in this World Cup, which represents a difference from the 2014 World Cup-winning team.
The main topic in Germany's quest for the title in Russia is the probability law. Thirteen World Cup championships passed by since the last time a national team was able to defend their title (Brazil in 1962) successfully.
With Joachim Löw as the coach for the third straight World Cup, Germany's hope lays at Toni Kroos' feet. The Real Madrid defender comes off of another UEFA Champions League title with Real Madrid, and his right foot remains as one of the most prolific in the world.
A solid defence, highlighted by Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng, an excellent offensive scheme thanks to their pieces in the midfield and forwards like Thomas Müller (10 goals in the WC), Timo Werner, Marco Reus and Mario Gómez, there's only one doubt about Germany's starting team: the goalkeeper.
The doubt isn't on Löw's mind since he already announced Manuel Neuer as the starting 'keeper.
Neuer is one of the greatest goalkeepers of all-time but with his little time of play last year and Barcelona's Marc-André ter Stegen great performance to help the Catalans reach the La Liga title make the decision a tough one.
Talking about decisions, Löw cut off Manchester City's skilful winger Leroy Sané. That choice was a shocker since Sané had his best season so far under Pep Guardiola with 14 goals and 19 assists in 47 matches, and winning the English Premier League in a runaway fashion.
Germany will play in Group F with México, Sweden, and South Korea.
#1 Spain
The 2010 champions in South Africa arrive in Russia tipped as the most prominent European candidate, and a discussion with Brazil for the primary candidate would be accurate.
David De Gea, Sergio Ramos, and Gerard Piqué constitute a strong defensive group, which would serve as a fit back-up for their talented attack, of course, with Sergio Busquets balancing the Spanish game.
Ramos', Piqué's, Busquets' and Iniesta's experience from 2010 is a perfect ingredient for the Julen Lopetegui-managed team. With young players like the magnificent Isco Alarcón, Marco Asensio, Koke, Saúl Ñíguez, and Dani Carvajal, Spain is set to go after the second title in three tournaments, a feat last achieved by Brazil between 1994 and 2002.
Spain's concerns are in the right-back position, after Dani Carvajal's injury in the UEFA Champions League final in Kyiv, Real Sociedad's Álvaro Odriozola took the responsibility to replace the Madrid defender.
Carvajal's status remains a mystery. Some Spanish media outlets informed he could not play in the debut versus Portugal. The right-back is a mystery for Spain, but the left-back isn't, with Barcelona's Jordi Alba as the sure card for that position.
Spain's road in the UEFA qualifiers was unblemished. In 10 games, Lopetegui's side registered nine wins and a draw, scoring 36 goals and conceding only 3. Italy played in the same group as Spain and was the only rival to take points away from La Roja with a 1-1 tie in Italy back in October 2016.
Spain defeated Italy at Santiago Bernabéu 3-0 in September 2017 with a fantastic offensive display. Then, they took down Argentina at Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid, with an outrageous 6-1 score, while Lionel Messi watched from the stands.
Spain will play as a member of Group B with Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal, Morocco, and Iran.
