If there is one common language of the world that is football. If there is one common religion in the world that is football. Young and old, rich or poor, male or female football world cup creates nostalgia for all. People of many countries of the world do not know the names of their state leaders but they know Brazil, Germany, Spain, Argentina. They know Messi, Ronaldo, Neymer, Salah. World comes to stand still when the event is staged once in every four years .However , the battle for qualification goes on every three years leading to   the world  cup. Only the host now automatically qualifies.

FIFA world cup soccer 2018 the greatest show on earth is set to start in Russia in two weeks time on June 15. In glamour and grace, in pomp and grandeur, in fanfare and festivity nothing can match the world cup played once in every four years now .This is going the 22nd world cup. The immediate past world in Brazil was won by Germany. This is the first time the mega event is going to be staged in Russia. The next world cup in 2002 will be held in Gulf State Qatar.

32 teams divided in 8 groups of four would play in the first round of matches. Two top teams would go to second round where knock out matches will lead to ultimate winner. Forms of top players, styles and strategies of teams and implementation of plans of particular team against particular opponent turn the tide in favor or against. Often hot favorites do not go beyond round one but in general teams like Brazil, Germany, Argentina and Spain off late appears to be among hot favorites for the star attraction of their key players and superior over all skills. This series would briefly discuss about 8 teams tipped favorite in World Cup 2018, but before that let us see the groups. 

Some teams of out standing records Italy, Chile and Netherlands failed to qualify. Italy apart from Brazil and Germany are always a steady performer in world stage.  The absence of Italy surprised many. Italian is soccer super power having glorious past. Italian football league along with EPL is among the top in the world. Netherlands is regarded as one of the fore runner of modern soccer .red hot Chileans always impress all in whenever they appear at world stage.

Russia staging the game for the first time would be keen to match or even surpass any of the previous World Cup in glamour and grace. 12 modern stadiums in 11 cities would host 65th match over an absorbing one month. The stadiums are:

Stadium                  Opened   Capacity 
Luzhniki, Moscow     1956        80,000
Saint Petersburg       2017       67,000
Nizhny Novgorod      2013       45,000
Kazan Arena             2013       45,000
Fisht Stadium            2013       48,000
Spartak Stadium       2014       42,000
Samara Arena          2017       45,000
Kaliningrand             2017       35,212
Rostov Arena           2017       45,000
Volgograd Stadium  2017       45,000
Ekaterinburg Arena  2017      45,000
Mordovia Arena       2017       45,000

Groups Of World Cup 2018 

Group A:  Russia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Uruguay
Group B: Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Iran
Group C: France, Australia, Peru, Denmark
Group D: Argentina, Iceland, Croatia, Nigeria
Group E: Brazil, Switzerland, Costa Rica, Serbia
Group F: Germany, Mexico, Sweden, Korea Republic
Group G: Belgium, Panama, Tunisia, England
Group H: Poland, Senegal, Columbia, Japan.

By the look of it group B, C and D appear to us groups of death. One of the three teams Spain Portugal and Morocco will exit from the group. Iran also will not be a mere push over. All four teams of group C are equally competent for advancing from the group. Argentina will have to play its best football in the group to advance ahead of Croatia, Nigeria. Even Iceland is no mug.

Group A E and F are relatively easy for favorites Russia, Uruguay, Brazil Serbia, Germany and Mexico going ahead. England and Belgium from Group G and Columbia and Poland from group H would in all likelihood would advance.
In my analysis my group of 16 in business as usual would be: 

Russia, Uruguay , Spain , Portugal, France ,Peru , Argentina ,Croatia , Brazil, Serbia , Germany , Mexico , England , Belgium , Columbia and Poland .

In knock out round any thing can happen from favorites getting knocked out to steady medicore teams advancing. But teams having quality bench strength would usually sustain the rigors of long distance race.

In my analysis if everything goes according to plan the four teams reaching semi final stage would be Brazil, Argentina, Germany and England. I would love to see Brazil Playing Germany again in the final and removing the dark shadow following the dark shadow of last world cups horror of 1-7 loss. 
In a series of write up would discuss about 8 favorites over the next 8 days.

BDST: 1148 HRS, JUN 04, 2018
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