Pemba Tshering Sherpa
The biggest football tournament in the world is only a month away and players from all around the world have been fighting to be able to be a part of this huge event. As the season comes to an end every player has their eyes set on being selected for their respective teams. The international managers have watched and almost certainly made their choices about who they will be taking to Russia. The World Cup 2018 which is being held in Russia this year is set to be bigger than ever, with the top players in the world fighting for the glorious title of being world champions. This is more than just a competition it is a tournament bringing a whole nation together. Here is a list of teams to watch this year.
Brazil
Brazil has won the world cup 5 times and is the only team to have played in every world cup to date, but after their disastrous campaign in the last world cup 2014 in their home nation, they will know they have a lot to prove this year. Brazil is a team full of players playing in the top teams in Europe. They have a handful of world-class players and also the most expensive player in the world Neymar, capable of bringing a moment of magic on the pitch. A combination of experience as well as youth, Brazil is surely a team that is among the favorites to win the competition. The South American team has always been known for their flamboyant style of play and will certainly be entertaining to watch.
Key players
Neymar, Ederson, Marcelo, Willian, Fernandinho.
Coach
Adnor Bacchi
Germany
The reigning world champions Germany will be looking for their 5th world cup. Germany has always been favorites in every tournament and this year is no different. Experienced players who are at the top of their game and playing at the highest level can only increase their chances of getting their hands on the prestigious trophy. The European Champions have always been known for their defensive stability and attacking threat, so the main question is who will be able to break them down?
Key players
Thomas Muller, Toni Kroos, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Leroy Sane.
Coach
Joachim Loew
Spain
We all know how the tiki-taka style of Spain changed the face of modern football and made them a dominant force in the world cup and European tournaments for nearly a decade. Although ranked 8th in the international football ranking by FIFA based on their quality they are arguably in the top 3 teams in the world. One of the most technically gifted teams in the world cup they definitely would like to add to their collection of one world cup and two European trophies. Andres Iniesta is also likely to quit Spain after this world cup, as a legend of the game and already a world cup winner Iniesta will surely try to end his national career on a high.
Key Players
David De Gea, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique, Isco, Thiago Alcantara
Coach
Julen Lopetegui
Portugal
After their heroics in the Euro Cup 2016, the national team of Portugal is brimming with confidence and will be looking to take that to the world cup. Although their team may be termed as a one-man team, solely because of the presence of one of the best players in the world Cristiano Ronaldo they certainly have the squad who are up for the challenge. A world cup trophy alongside the European Cup, now wouldn’t that be nice? J
Key Players
Cristiano Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva
Coach
Fernando Santos
France
The French national team has always been a team of highly talented individuals but this year, if they can work together as a team France definitely have a strong chance of winning the world cup. Although their history of failure has undermined the star-studded team this year the team is stronger than ever. One of the favorites to win the cup Les Bleus will definitely be the top teams to beat.
Key Players
Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe, Paul Pogba, N’golo Kante,
Coach
Didier Deschamps
Argentina
One of the favorite team that all neutral fans support would be Argentina. Argentina has all the attacking riches in the world with players such as Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Paulo Dybala, Higuain and many more. This just shows how lethal they are in attack. The challenge would be to find the right balance in attack as well as defense.
Key Players
Lionel Messi, Paulo Dybala, Gonzalo Higuain, Angel Di Maria.
Coach
Jorge Sampaoli
Belgium
A team that seemed to have popped up as contenders in the recent years Belgium has currently one of the best squad in the world. Belgium is relatively still a young team in terms of international experience but the quality is definitely there. Currently standing in a 3rd position of the FIFA ranking just shows how much they have progressed in a relatively short amount of time.
Key players
Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku, Dries Mertens.
Coach
Roberto Martinez
England
We have seen this many times England cruising through the qualifiers and struggling when it really matters. Is it due to inexperience or simply because of the weight of expectations? We will never really find out. But what we do know is this team is different a team termed as the next golden generation will surely want to prove the naysayers wrong. If they are to challenge for the world cup Gareth Southgate has to bring the best out of the team.
Key Players
Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling
Coach
Gareth Southgate
Russia
This might surprise many of you but Russia has a great chance of getting to the latter stages of the competition. Home advantage will be crucial for the team along with a relatively easier group compared to other.
Key player
Igor Akinfeev
Coach
Stanislav Cherchesov
Wildcard teams
These are the teams that one should not necessarily rule out:
Uruguay
Key players: Luis Suarez, Edison Cavani.
Croatia
Key players: Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic, Mario Mandzukic
Colombia
Key players: James Rodriguez, Radamel Falcao
Egypt
Key Players: Mohammed Salah (Liverpool’s top goal scorer and premier league record goal scorer)
As the countdown to Moscow looms nearer we can only anticipate the footballing excitement blanketing the entire world. Portugal vs. Spain will be one of the most exciting matches to watch in the group stages. Mouthwatering fixtures along with the best players on show it is certainly going to be an epic world cup.