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The 2018 FIFA World Cup kicks off on 14 June with the first match being played between hosts Russia and Saudi Arabia. 32 teams will be vying for the trophy in order to be crowned World Cup Champions.
Germany are the current holders of the cup after they beat Argentina 1-0 in 2014. The win in Brazil was Germany's fourth World Cup triumph, equalling Italy's record of 4 titles and taking them to one behind Brazil, who lead with 5.
This year's World Cup has already sprung a massive surprise without even having kicked off. Italy, four-time World Cup winners failed to qualify for the finals for the first time since 1958! The Azzurri failed to make the cut in the qualifiers and were knocked out by Sweden in the qualification playoff spot.
We have 32 of the world's best teams going head to head in the biggest competition in football. National pride is at stake and tempers will flare, rivalries will be revisited and tension will be in the air.
Let's have a look at the top 10 World Cup teams on paper.
#10 Colombia
Los Cafeteros will be ready to prove to the world that their performance in the last World Cup was no one-time wonder. They are a talented bunch who will do everything possible to outdo themselves this year.
Colombia are never considered world beaters but they have already proven their mettle in the past at the biggest stage of them all and will be a handful for any team. The Colombians will start as favourites to top Group H in which they will face Poland, Senegal and Japan.
They do have a tricky group but one would expect them to definitely go through with ease into the knockout rounds.
Colombia had a fantastic run in the 2014 World Cup with James Rodriguez winning the Golden Boot for top scoring with 6 goals in the 5 games. The Bayern Munich star will be a focal point in the Colombia attack alongside their captain Radamel Falcao who is a goal machine.
The onus will be on these two stars to shine for Colombia to make it deep in to the tournament. Colombia have a handful of top quality players who have experience of playing football in the top leagues around the world.
The World Cup stage should not bog them down and we can expect some fireworks from this team from South America.
#9 Portugal
There is only one name that comes to mind when you think of Portugal and that is Cristiano Ronaldo. The world's best player is on track to lift a record sixth Ballon d'Or after Real Madrid's hat-trick of UEFA Champions League titles, and you can never count his team out, not even on the international stage.
Ronaldo led his side to victory in Euro 2016 when the odds were completely against the Portuguese after they defeated the mighty French side in the final in France.
Portugal's likely XI does look like a very balanced side that will be difficult to knock over. They have a solid defensive lineup and can frustrate any attack they are up against. And when you have Ronaldo in front of goal, one can always expect the ball to land in the back of the net.
They feature in Group B with 2010 champions Spain who are favourites to top the group but Portugal should be happy to settle for second place with Morocco and Iran completing the four teams.
Keep an eye on A Selecao das Quinas.
#8 England
Every FIFA World Cup for this team is the same story. There are always high expectations from the Three Lions because of the status of the Premier League but they end up disappointing.
This time, it truly looks like this team can make heads turn. They are young, dynamic and look like they mean business. The only doubt that remains is how far they can go.
Looking at the team England will be fielding, even making it to the semi-finals would be a massive achievement. One could argue that this England team has no world class players apart from their talisman, Harry Kane but this is probably the first English team in a while that looks like a well-oiled unit and not just a team with talented individuals.
Egos have been a major hurdle for England in the past but with the young Kane awarded captaincy, there are good signs for the future of English football. They may not win the World Cup this year but they will definitely be a force to reckon with.
England have always struggled defensively in international football and that is still the question mark for their campaign. If all goes well then expect England to cause a few upsets.
As a part of Group G, they will face a stern test against Belgium who will be favourites to top the group. Panama and Tunisia should be a breeze for the 1966 World Cup winners making the game against Belgium a potential decider for the top spot in the group.
#7 Uruguay
The first ever winners of the FIFA World Cup, the team is always known to turn up at the biggest stage of them all. They play exciting football and would do anything to win.
South American countries are known for dominating the European nations in the World Cups and one has to be wary of the Uruguayans. They play fast, attacking football with two strikers up front in the form of Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez.
This Uruguay team reached the semi-finals in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa in the most controversial manner with Luis Suarez intentionally handling the ball to not let Asamoah Gyan from Ghana score. Eventually, Uruguay won that match to book a place in the last four, on penalties.
But the Uruguay team has come a long way since. Suarez is one of the best finishers in world football and his partner up front Cavani scores goals in abundance as well. They also have a very strong defence marshalled by the one and only Diego Godin.
Uruguay may be the underdogs and may quietly go unnoticed while toppling over some of the more renowned teams in the knockouts. Many would say that Uruguay have a less competitive group (Group A) which would give them an upper hand in qualifying on top of the table as they have been pooled with the hosts Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.
Egypt may have to make do without Mohamed Salah due to the shoulder injury he suffered in the Champions League final against Real Madrid. Uruguay must top their group. Anything else will be considered a failure.
#6 Belgium
Belgium are currently ranked no. 3 in international football and when you look at their squad, you can clearly understand why. The Red Devils have world class players in each position and have a very strong bench as well.
The key here will be the lack of experience on the international stage. Do the Belgians have it in them to step up on the world's biggest stage and not crumble under pressure?
They definitely have players with lots of experience, playing for the biggest clubs in the world but one wonders if they can gel as a unit. We have seen in the past with the likes of England where teams do not always succeed by just having big names.
It is difficult managing egos. It will be interesting to see how Roberto Martinez handles his Belgium squad. The team is extremely strong and it was shocking that Radja Nainggolan was left out of the 23-man squad travelling to Russia.
Dries Mertens, Romelu Lukaku, and Michy Batshuayi will all be a handful for opposing defenses. Defensively too, Belgium look very sound with Thibaut Courtois in goal and Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, Vincent Kompany and Thomas Meunier, playing in front of the Chelsea keeper.
Not to forget, the midfield of this team could feature the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Axel Witsel, Yannick Carrasco and Moussa Dembele.
They feature in Group G and will face England which is likely to determine who will top that group. One could call the Red Devils the dark horses of this World Cup.
#5 Argentina
If there is a competition and Lionel Messi is playing, one cannot rule out the possibilities of success. Especially, when he wears the blue and white stripes for Argentina.
The two-time World Cup winners narrowly missed out on their third World Cup triumph four years ago when the lost to Germany. They will want to go one step further this time on.
La Albiceleste will want to set that right and they have the depth to do so. Messi has won everything as a football player but the one trophy eluding him is the World Cup. Could this be the year where he sets that record straight?
Messi is not alone, though. The Argentina front line is the most lethal this World Cup with big names such as Sergio Aguero, Paulo Dybala, Gonzalo Higuain, and Angel di Maria. That is a terrifying thought for all the teams going up against the South American outfit.
However, the Argentine squad have had their own issues and have not been clicking as a team in the recent past but expect them to turn up on the world's biggest stage.
Group D may not be easy for Argentina. The most challenging team in their group will be Croatia but expect them to top the group. Iceland and Nigeria should not pose much of a threat to the 2014 runners-up.
#4 France
Les Bleus will hope to overcome their Euro 2016 disappointment after they lost to Portugal in the final held at home in the Stade de France. The best way to make amends is by lifting the title in Russia.
Didier Deschamps' squad is so rich in depth that they have an equal replacement in nearly every position. Questions have been raised on Deschamps' leadership and bias in selection and it will be interesting to see how he deals with the criticism going into the World Cup.
Leaving out Alexander Lacazette and Anthony Martial is a bold move by the former World Cup-winning captain. Even after leaving behind two big names, France are spoiled for choice and boast a number of young talents in the squad.
Paul Pogba, Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Giroud will be entrusted with scoring goals for the French side as they look to win their second World Cup crown after 20 years.
France are in Group C and are overwhelming favourites to top their group. They will go up against Australia, Denmark, and Peru. This World Cup campaign could end up being a "Champions or Bust" for Les Bleus.
#3 Germany
"Football is a simple game. 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans always win." - Gary Lineker
Time and time again, the Germans have proven this statement right. They breed talented football players and have an unbelievable drive to win.
The Germans may not be the most talented players on the pitch but they are so strong as a team. Their collective heart, as well as their effort, helps them overcome any opposition they face.
Having won their fourth World Cup in 2014, Germany are now just one behind the all-time leaders Brazil and you can be sure that Joachim Loew's men will be keen on repeating their feat from four years ago.
Die Mannschaft are known to be relentless. They play attacking and enjoyable football. A Germany game is nearly always certain to have goals.
The squad selected by Loew seems stronger than the team that lifted the cup in Rio. Marco Reus, who missed out last time due to injury is fit for this year's competition and will be raring to go and help his nation retain the World Cup.
Germany also have Thomas Mueller who won the Golden Boot in the 2010 FIFA World Cup and followed it up with an impressive showing in 2014 as well, finishing with 5 goals, just 1 shy of Golden Boot winner James Rodriguez.
The defending champions are in Group F which features Mexico, South Korea, and Sweden. You would expect Die Mannschaft to win all three games and top the group.
Germany and France look like the most balanced sides going to Russia. Loew can even field a second eleven that would be stronger than a lot of the teams that will feature this World Cup. Such is the strength of the mighty Germans.
You would not want to bet against Die Mannschaft retaining their World Cup crown.
#2 Spain
La Furia Roja have become world beaters and they have made it look easy. Spain were utterly dominant till the 2014 World Cup where things fell apart a little.
But things seem to be back on track for the Iberian side and they will be focused on achieving only one aim and that is to lift the FIFA World Cup again.
Spain have been unbeaten in their last 18 games and they trounced Argentina 6-1 in March. The Spaniards are known to produce talented, young players and this Spain squad travelling to Russia seems to have a perfect mix of youth and experience.
Spain are favourites to top Group B, ahead of Portugal. Morocco and Iran complete the group. Led by Sergio Ramos and Andres Iniesta, La Roja come into the FIFA World Cup as one of the favourites.
With the best goalkeeper in the world in David De Gea, Spain's back-line will be difficult to break down. The only chink in Spain's armory is their strike force.
Iago Aspas has not had a great run with the national team which means that there is an over-reliance on Diego Costa to deliver. The Spaniards however, do know how to win in the big competitions and do not be surprised if they go all the way.
#1 Brazil
Brazil is the only country to have featured in every World Cup since its inception. They are also the winners of the most World Cups (five wins).
The biggest nation in South America has been a dominant force in the competition and will want to forget about their last World Cup campaign at home in 2014 after that 7-1 drubbing at the hands of Germany in the semi-final.
But this Brazilian team looks outstanding. They have added many young talents and look lethal all around. With Neymar fit, Brazil will be highly motivated to prove a point to the world that their football is still the best.
The additions of Casemiro and Fred to the squad have brought about a balance in midfield and Gabriel Jesus and Roberto Firmino may be too hot to handle for the opposition.
The Selecao will enter the tournament as favourites. Anything except for three wins out of three in the group stages will be considered partly a failure. They have been pitted against Costa Rica, Serbia, and Switzerland in Group E.
Expect this Brazil team to score many goals in this campaign.
