World Waits for another World Cup

Argentines were crying on the Copacabana sea beach along with Brazilians, on the opposite side brave German hearts were beating so fast for their forth World cup triumph. Joachim Low’s men first broke Brazilian’s heart in the semifinal than Argentine’s in the final. Especially Argentine magician Lionel Messi’s dream of winning a World cup and becoming legendary footballer like Diego Maradona and Pele were broken. It has been four years since the World Cup was held in Brazil. Another World Cup is knocking the door and this time Russia is hosting it.

1. Group: (Russia, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia and Egypt): Russia is one of the biggest sports country in the world but it did not get the chance to organize world’s biggest sport event FIFA World Cup. Finally, former FIFA president Josep Blatter and his fellow FIFA executives considered Russia’s name as a World Cup organizer. The host country of the World Cup, Russia, will be participating in group A along with Uruguay, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Two time world champion Uruguay could easily pass the group exam in June. After Uruguay in group A Russia will be the second favorite team to qualify for the knock out phase. For Egypt, this is the only third world cup participation of a great football nation from African continent. They have some great footballer of the current world i.e. Liverpool FC star Mohammad Salah. Egypt is not the favorite one in the group A but they could bring hardship to Uruguay and Russia.
2. Group (Spain, Portugal, Morocco and Iran): ‘Brazil, Argentina, Spain, Germany and France are the favorites to win the World Cup,’ says the Portugal coach, Fernando Santos, before adding: ‘Then we have other candidates, who want to get as far as possible, and win the tournament if possible, and Portugal are in this second group.’ Even Santos said that but football adherent all over the world are hoping that once again Cristiano Ronaldo will do everything to hold the international trophy for his country. In group B Portugal will contest with 2010 World Cup Champion Spain, Morocco and Iran. In this group Spain is the most favorite one for their tactics on recent performances in the international football. They have football stars, young and old like Andres Iniesta, Gerard Pique, David Silva, Isco, Alvaro Morata and some others. Instead of that Morocco and Iran have little chance to continue after group stage in the World Cup 2018.
3. Group (France, Peru, Denmark and Australia): Another tough group in the World Cup 2018 listing 1998 world cup champion France, Latin power house Peru, and Denmark. They have also Socceroos Australia. Recently France played high level of football in the international arena. After Zidane said goodbye to the France team, they did not get a better one except current team. In attacking position France has the most attractive strikers i, e, Antonio Griezman, young star Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Olivier Giroud. Despite of having that kind of stars France head coach Didier Deschamps said, ‘We are not at the same level as Germany, Spain and Brazil – yet. We may not control all our games with the same authority but still, we have a strong and competitive team with a great potential.’ It is true that in Russia group C will not be easy one because on the list of FIFA ranking France (9th), Peru (11th) and Denmark (12th) are so close to each other.
4. Group (Argentina, Iceland, Croatia and Nigeria): Argentine made it to the FIFA World Cup final again after 24 years of waiting in Brazil before four years but they lost to Joachim Low’s men by 1-0 margin. It was very sad day for Argentine football adherent all over the world, especially for Barcelona FC star Lionel Messi. There is another chance for the Argentine talisman to make it happen again after 1986, when football legend Diegoo Maradona lifted World Cup trophy for Argentina. This time Argentine will be grouped with new comer Iceland, 1998 semifinalist Croatia and African super eagle Nigeria. The group matches will not be so easy for Sampaoli men in the World Cup but Argentina is the most favorite to lift the golden colored trophy in Russia, not only for having current best footballer Lionel Messi but also for Sergio Aguero, Angel Di Maria, Paolo Dybala and many others.
5. Group (Brazil, Switzerland, Costa Rica and Serbia): Tite has not had 20 games in charge as head coach but Brazil’s transformation from a rudderless wreck to World Cup contenders has been astonishing. Tite has implemented a 4-1-4-1 and carefully navigated the lack of club playing time for some of his players. Now Brazil is one of the most favorite team to win the FIFA World Cup in Russia. Five time world champion Brazil has to compete with Switzerland, Costa Rica and Serbia to pass the group E barrier. People in Switzerland expect their team to reach major finals these days so there was no euphoria when the place in Russia was booked. The expectation is for Vladimir Petkovic’s squad to reach at least the last 16. Costa Rica was a sensation four years ago, reaching the World Cup quarter-finals, and face the challenge of emulating that. Serbia qualified for their first major tournament for seven years in comprehensive fashion with only one defeat in 10 matches. So, Brazil has to worry about group stage matches to qualify for knock out phase.
6. Group (Germany, Mexico, Sweden and South Korea): Current World Champion Germany lost to France in the Euro 2016 semi-final. Many predicted, the Joachim Low era was slowly coming to an end. However, the team bounced back impressively and qualified for the World Cup with a perfect 10 wins out of 10 while scoring a joint European-record 43 goals. In group F four time world champion Germany will compete with Mexico, Sweden and Korea Republic. In this group another powerful team is Sweden. Euro 2016 saw the end of the Zlatan Ibrahimovic era as well as that of the manager Erik Hamren. Under new coach Janne Andersson, Sweden are extremely hardworking and disciplined. They excluded Italy from the World Cup in European qualifier play-off round. It might be possible for Sweden to shock the World Champion Germany and go to the next round.
7. Group (Belgium, Panama, Tunisia and England): Belgium broke all sorts of records in qualifying: they were unbeaten, they got 28 points from 10 games, they scored 43 goals and Romelu Lukaku became the country’s record goal scorer in addition they have some of best footballer in the world like Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois. They could rather compete with the contenders of championship. Belgium will play in group G alongside 1966 World Cup winner England, new comer Panama and Tunisia. The most amazing statistic about former World Champion England is that they have not lost a qualifying match for any major competition since October 2009. It is an incredible run, covering 39 games. England will be among favorites once again.
8. Group (Poland, Senegal, Colombia and Japan): The Polish captain, Robert Lewandowski, hit a record-breaking 16 goals and his leadership was crucial as Poland returned to the biggest stage after a 12-year of absence but they are not a one-man team either: other players also contributed heavily to ensure that Poland ended up in pot one for the group stage draw. Poland reached world cup semifinal two times but did not qualify for final. After a long period Poland makes their team perfect to compete in a World Cup like a favorite. But group H will not be easy one. In this group Poland must pass the barrier of Colombia, Senegal and Japan. In last World Cup Colombia past two times World Champion Uruguay to reach quarter final for the first time. Along Poland, Latin American football power Colombia will be the favorite one to reach last sixteen in Russia. But in group H Senegal and Japan also have the potential to make it happen into last sixteen.

• By: Rasadur Rahman