Football Friday – Gearing up for the FIFA World Cup

It’s just under a month to go before the FIFA World Cup in Russia kicks off and excitement is building.

32 teams will compete to be crowned world champions.

The team are divided into the eight groups, with the top two teams from each group qualifying for the knockout rounds.

Here’s the teams vying for the FIFA World Cup trophy.

Hosts Russia will have a tough time in Group A as they face Uruguay, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Ranked 65 in the world, Russia will kick off the tournament against Saudi Arabia (63). Saudi Arabia have now qualified for their fifth World Cup and first since they were in the tournament in 2006. Egypt (31) will be making their first appearance in the tournament in 28 years and with Magical Mo Salah in fine form, they will be hoping to provide a few upsets. Uruguay (21) have all the potential to go far in the competition. With Suarez and Cavani leading the line, the South America team will be looking to go prove their doubters wrong.
PREDICTION: Uruguay and Egypt to qualify.

Iran became the first team from the Asian conference to book their place in the tournament. Iran, ranked an impressive 31, will open their account against Morocco. Morocco, ranked 40, make their return to the tournament after a 20 year absence. However, it could end fairly quickly as they’r also in the same group as Portugal (3) and Spain (8). European champions, Portugal, will be looking to prove that their continental title wasn’t a fluke and with Ronaldo banging in the goals, they could very well go all the way. 2010 champions, Spain, have all the potential to once again win the tournament and will be counting on their star studded team to bring the trophy home.
PREDICTION: Spain and Portugal to qualify.

The French, ranked number 7 in the world, are another team with all the potential to go far but who hardly live up to the hype. Le Bleus get their tournament underway against the Socceroos, Australia (40). The Aussies qualified after beating Honduras in an intercontinental play-off and will be competing in their fifth tournament. Denmark (12) are a team that can pull off a few surprises and have high expectations to go deep in the tournament. Peru, ranked 11, are a team to watch. After a 36 year absence, the South American team are looking to cause a few upsets in the tournament.
PREDICTION: France and Denmark to qualify.

History will be made in Group D. Argentina (5) have never played Iceland (22) before and Croatia (18) and Nigeria (47) will also clash for the first time. With Messi, Aguero, Dybala and Higuain among the strikers called up for the tournament, Argentina definitely have the firepower to destroy any team they come against. They are definitely one to watch. Croatia may not be a team that everyone views as a threat, but they do boast one of the best midfields in the tournament.  Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic and the Real Madrid duo of Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic have the ability to unlock any defence. The Super Eagles, Nigeria, boast a young, hungry lineup, who will be looking to fly the African flag high. Nigeria have only failed to qualify for one tournament (2006), since their debut in 1994. The iconic Iceland are one of the most infectious teams taking part in Russia. The thunderous Viking Clap that echoes around the stadium for their games is enough to intimidate even the toughest teams.
PREDICTION: Argentina and Iceland to qualify.

They may be only ranked number 2 in the world, but the five time champions, Brazil, will be looking to claim top spot again. They boast a star studded team with enough flair and fancy footwork to breeze by any team, but will be hoping to avoid Germany. Ranked number 25, Costa Rica, will be looking to match or better their performance in the last tournament. Costa Rica reached the quarter finals but lost to the Netherlands on penalties. Serbia (35) boasts a batch of youth, mixed with experience, who will be hoping to claim a few big scalps in Russia. Serbia won the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2015, so have the young players to make a mark, but also the experience of Kolarov to not be intimidated by the occasion. The Swiss (6) could be dark horses in Russia and shouldn’t be written off so soon. Switzerland finished second in the qualifying group, only losing out top spot to Portugal in the last fixture.
PREDICTION: Brazil and Switzerland to qualify.

The Germans,ranked number 1 in the world and defending champions, will be looking to become the first team to retain the title since Brazil in 1962. The Germans have the team to do it, with plenty of youngsters and seniors eager to assert their dominance once again. Korea Republic, or South Korea as they’re also known, are only ranked 61 but have a reputation for causing upsets. In 2002 they made it to the semi finals of the tournament before losing out to Germany, 1-0. Mexico (15) come into the tournament after securing qualification with three games in hand. They also boasted an impressive defensive record, conceding a goal every second game. Sweden (23) return to the tournament for the first time since 2006 and will be looking to put on a good showing. The Swedes may be without star man, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but don’t let that fool you. They still field many players who ply their trade in the Premier League and Bundesliga.

Group G will offer up a mouth watering clash when Belgium, ranked 3 in the world, take on England, ranked 13. England are a team reborn under Gareth Southgate and are defending U-20 World Champions. They now play a more exciting, pacey brand of football and are a team to watch. Belgium are a team boasting a star studded line up and have been tipped for greatness for several years now. Many of their big name players all play in the English Premier League. Tunisia (14) return to the tournament after a  12 year absence as well and will making their fifth appearance. Despite their high ranking, they’ve only won one of their previous 12 games in the tournament. Panama (55) will make their first appearance in tournament after a dramatic win in their final qualifying game. While they may not be expected to do much against the bigger teams, it is a great learning curve for the team.
PREDICTION: England and Belgium to qualify.

Group H may be the most open group of the lot, with no real favourite to top the group in sight. Colombia (16) will be hoping to finish first in the group and with Radamel Falcao and James Rodriguez in the team, they could just do it. Poland (10) also boast some star power. Bayern Munich striker, Robert Lewandowski, captains the Polish team and was the top scorer in the European qualifying scene, with 16 goals. Senegal (28) will make their second appearance in the tournament and will hoping to fly the flag high for Africa. In their previous appearance, in 2002, they reached the quarter finals and will be hoping for more of the same. Japan (60) have made five appearances in the tournament before but have never gone further than the round of 16. The Samurai Blue’s will be hoping 2018 is their year to put on a better showing.
PREDICTION: Columbia and Poland to qualify.

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