Tincho (@MP_persources)
Argentina: The only reason I have Argentina on this list is because they have the greatest footballer in history wearing their colors. A squad that overflows with talent but has YET to figure things out. However, if Sampaoli can put the pieces of the puzzle together and figure things out, Argentina can easily come out as champions. Defensively, Argentina was one of the best teams in CONMEBOL qualifying conceding just 16 goals in 18 games. Meaning, if all the offensive weapons Argentina possesses can suddenly learn how to play together, Argentina can be a force to be reckoned with. They have wingers that can move inside and create like Paulo Dybala and Lionel Messi while also having natural wingers like Carlos Pavon and Angel Di Maria. Having to decide between Higuain and Aguero is a conflict any manager in the World would love to have. At the end of the day, Lionel Messi was able to take an average Argentina side to the World Cup. He can elevate this Argentine side from a quarterfinalist to World Cup champion. But he’ll need some help…
Spain: Lopetegui has found the right balance between veterans and young talent in this Spain side. Great with the ball, creative when needed, solid veterans in the back, best keeper in the World and depth on the bench. The only question mark for Spain has to be the “9”. I am still waiting for Diego Costa to adapt to Spain’s style of play but I sincerely don’t think he is the type of striker Spain needs. Personally, I liked Morata with Spain a lot more. In the end, Spain has so much depth and has so many versatile players that they can even afford to put Isco, David Silva or even Asensio at the false 9. Spain has most of the pieces of the puzzle set in place. If they can find a consistent goal scorer or just distribute the goal scoring responsibilities amongst the World class midfielders they have, Spain should definitely be in the conversation for contenders.
Brazil: Who else but the “Verde Amarela”? They looked untouchable during the qualifiers scoring almost 10 goals more than second place Uruguay while conceding just 11 in 18 games. Their front three of Coutinho, Gabriel Jesus/Roberto Firmino and Neymar is arguably the best starting trio of the competition. Almost all of Brazil’s starting XI finished off their club season playing at a high level with Marcelo and Casemiro winning the Champions League again. They’re clinical when given the chance, overflowing with creativity in the offensive third, physical off the ball, excellent at pressuring and have more than one secure keeper. It seems as if Tite has found the perfect combination between Joga Bonito and smart and effective football. Having a player like Neymar will give them that extra boost past most teams.
France: My favorite team to watch this tournament. On paper, they are the most stacked team of the tournament. However, I still see glimpses of uncertainty especially in defense. Whether they win the tournament or not, France will be the one of the most entertaining team to watch in my opinion. A front line of Griezmann, Giroud, Lemar, Mbappe and Dembele potentially coming off the bench is enough to help them get to the quarterfinals. After that, I’m not so sure they can win the mental battle against the likes of Germany or Brazil.
Germany: Germans just know how to win. Period. They still have their core group from 2014 and despite losing some of their veteran players, they’ve been able to replace them without missing a stride. Solid from strikers all the way down to their keepers. Germans just have that winning mentally meaning their opponents need to play an almost perfect game in order to beat them. The best cohesive team of the tournament in my opinion. I just think they’re missing that “X” factor.
James (@Persources_JP)
France: France has struggled at the World Cup since losing to Italy on penalties at the 2006 tournament. However, they performed well on their home turf in EURO2016 reaching the final and losing to Portugal. Les Bleus should have no problem progressing from their group with Australia, Denmark and Peru.
France has a strong spine that will be key to success in this tournament. Hugo Lloris in goal, Raphael Varane and Samuel Umtiti anchoring the defense, and Ngolo Kante in the center of midfield. There’s loads of skill and pace on the outside and up front that won’t lack attacking options and goals.
As long as Argentina doesn’t finish second in its group, I don’t see the French having getting truly tested until the semifinals, likely against Belgium or Brazil.
Germany: The reigning World Champions will have high hopes for itself entering this tournament. After bowing out in the semifinals to host France at the 2016 European Championships, Germany could very well be looking to exact revenge against Les Bleus in the final. Joachim Low had a couple surprise omissions from his squad but those haven’t made Die Mannschaft any less threatening.
With Manuel Neuer in goal and Jerome Boateng and Mats Hummels in the center of defense, there’s no question of talent and chemistry amongst Germany’s defense. Toni Kroos and Sami Khedira have anchored the midfield for some time now and will look to provide Thomas Muller and Timo Werner plenty of goal scoring opportunities.
Germany will probably have to get through the likes of England and Argentina or Spain en route to a final against France or Brazil to repeat as World Champions. Can Germany be the first country to win back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1958 and 1962? Absolutely. Will they? It’s quite possible.
Brazil: After suffering a humiliating defeat to Germany in the 2014 semifinals on its home turf, Brazil will need a strong showing in Russia to prove that its still one of the best in the world.
With Neymar now fit after missing out on the last several months of the club season, and a stronger supporting cast than in 2014, Brazil are rightly favorites for this tournament. Alisson is coming off a tremendous season for Roma, Casemiro and Fernandinho have become two of the best central midfielders in the world and with a fit Gabriel Jesus up front supported by Neymar, Willian, Coutinho, Douglas Costa and Roberto Firmino, Brazil will pose a threat to every single nation they faceoff against. If Brazil win its group and reaches the final, we could be set for a historic final against Argentina, Germany or Spain.
Argentina: After finishing runners up in the 2014 World Cup, and multiple regional tournaments since, Lionel Messi and co. will look to one-up their prior performances to lift the trophy in Moscow. In what could likely be his final major tournament for Argentina, there would be no better way for Messi to solidify his place amongst the greats at both the club and country level.
Argentina will be without number one keeper Sergio Romero who has been ruled out of the tournament due to injury. A lot of weight will be on central defender Nicolas Otamendi’s shoulders who is coming off a successful title-winning season for Manchester City. Javier Mascherano will probably line up in the midfield, but will have orders to drop back between his central defenders. Messi, along with Paulo Dybala, Gonzalo Higuain, and Sergio Aguero are arguably the strongest group of forwards going into this tournament. The problem? How does Jorge Sampaoli line them up to maximize performances. Two of the aforementioned four will likely have bench roles who could be called upon in critical moments.
La Albiceleste will potentially need to play three World Cup finals in order to lift one trophy. The bracket sets up for possible meetings with Spain in the quarterfinals, Germany in the semifinals and then one of France, Brazil or Belgium in the final. It won’t be easy, but if Lionel Messi wants to solidify his spot as the greatest of all time, this could be his last chance.
England: The Three Lions haven’t reached the semifinal of a major tournament since hosting the EUROs in 1996. They are coming off immense disappointments in Brazil at the 2014 World Cup and getting knocked out of the 2016 EUROs in the round of 16 to Iceland. England qualified with eight wins and two draws. Gareth Southgate has only two losses since taking over in November 2016.
Southgate has instilled a lot of youth into this team. Only six members of this squad have more than 26 caps and Danny Welbeck has the most international goals amongst this group with 16. Going into Brazil, there was too much of a veteran presence and that showed as disappointment struck failing to get out of the group.
After much dispute over what formation will best suit this side, it appears Southgate will go with three at the back, wingbacks, and two pacey players underneath Harry Kane.
England have been gifted a group that they MUST get out of. There’s no excuses for England not to beat both Tunisia and Panama and be qualified going into the final group game against Belgium. For this tournament to be considered a success, the Three Lions will have to reach the quarterfinals. At this stage, they’ll likely get knocked out by Germany but depending on how the round of 16 shapes up, England have the capability to make a deep tournament run.
Cam (@CamB_PerSources)
Argentina: The South Americans are in my top five just ahead of Spain because of their attacking stars up front. Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Paulo Dybala, Gonzalo Higuaín and many more makeup the forwards and a strong attacking midfielder. The runners up of the 2014 World Cup are lead by Messi and will need to relay on him for goals as the tournament gets under way. The attack will need to make up for the lack of quality in defense. Nicolas Otamendi is the only established defender on the team and experienced goalkeeper Sergio Romero suffered a knee injury during training that has ruled him out of the tournament. Now Willy Caballero (Chelsea), Franco Armani (River Plate), Nahuel Guzman (Tigres UANL) will fight it out for the number one spot. Caballero does play at a large club in a difficult league but only played in seven matches all year. Armani and Guzman are in the middle of their seasons but aren’t competing at the highest level of play possible. What the Argentines lack in defense they will need to make up for in attack if they want to advance.
Belgium: This Belgium squad contain some of the best payers in the world and have very few gaps in their starting eleven. Names like De Bruyne, Hazard, Courtois, Lukaku and Mertens jump off the team sheet. A back three of Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld, and Vincent Kompany (if fit) could be hard to break down. The wing-backs of PSG’s Thomas Meunier and former Athletico Madrid player Yannick Carrasco go up and down the field to help the defense and more so the attack. With options like Mousa Dembele and Michy Batshuayi off the bench, the Belgians can challenge any team in the tournament. An easy group has left manager Roberto Martinez with the task to reach the Semi-finals because of the talent in his squad. The last two tournaments the Red Devils have reached the quarters and look to go further in Russia 2018.
Brazil: A squad that contain talent at every position and have depth. Goalie, center-back, left back, striker and central midfield all can be interchanged, and the team wouldn’t be affected. Tite’s men are considered by most the favorites and may only slip up in the finals or semi-finals. A potential rematch of the 2014 semi-final could be played if the Brazilians and Germans follow the qualification route. Neymar is returning to full fitness but has said that he is not 100%. In his pervious two friendly he looked spectacular. If this Neymar isn’t 100% than what are we in for at the World Cup.
France: The most expensive squad at the tournament in transfer value at 1.08 Billion Euros, France have looked to be the team of talent as Didier Deschamps left behind players that could start in most World Cup squads. Runners up in the 2016 European Championships, France know have the tournament experience they need to navigate a deep tournament run. Antoine Griezmann, Paul Pogba, Kylian Mbappe, and Ousmane Dembele lead the attack with Kante mopping up in defense in front of a backline of Umtiti, Varane, Mendy, and Sidibe. The captain Hugo Lloris has been inconsistent at times but makes important saves when needed. Les Blures are expecting a semifinal but have the talent to land in back to back major finals.
Germany: The reigning World Champions are back and have retained most of their world cup winning squad. Talents such as Muller, Neuer, Ozil, Boatang, Hummels, and Khedira all return to defend their trophy. New additions to the squad like Marco Reus, Joshua Kimmich, and Timo Werner just give Joachim Low a tough squad selection. Leaving behind players like Leroy Sane and Mario Götze turned a few heads but just shows the strength of the team. The Germans will look to repeat as World Champions, as task that hasn’t been done since Brazil (1958 and 1962).
