With the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia only 150 days away, the excitement is underway. The fun part of major sporting events like the World Cup is making brackets and predictions. That exactly what I am going to be doing. I will be analyzing the groups that were made for the World Cup and predict which teams will advance to the knockout stages and which ones will be eliminated. I will then proceed further into the knockout stage eventually make my ultimate prediction regarding who will lift up the trophy. Let’s get started!!

Group A: Russia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Uruguay

Predicted Standings: 1. Uruguay  2. Egypt  3. Russia  4. Saudi Arabia

Group A of the World Cup consists of the hosts Russia, Uruguay, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. Uruguay is the strong favorites of this group with the likes of Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani, and Diego Godin. I strongly believe that they will top this group, advancing to the next stage. I have Egypt coming in second eliminating the hosts of the World Cup. I believe that Egypt will come in second and superstar Mohamed Salah will lead them to out to the knockout stages. Along with Russia, Saudi Arabia will be eliminated as well since their squad won’t be able to handle the teams in this group.

Group B: Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Iran

Predicted Standings: 1. Spain  2. Portugal  3. Iran  4. Morocco

This is a very interesting group of two of the best teams in Europe were drawn with Iran and Morocco whom many say are the teams that are to be eliminated in this group. The match that everyone will be talking about is the Portugal vs. Spain which will be on June 15. I believe that Spain has the strongest and most balanced squad in this group and will be able to stop Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal as well as Iran and Morocco. Spain is looking for redemption after their horrendous display at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and they will be able to advance to the knockout stages. I also feel that Ronaldo will be able to lead Portugal over Iran and Morocco but both teams despite being called the weaker of sides will give both Spain and Portugal a difficult time.

Group C: France, Australia, Peru, Denmark

Predicted Standings: 1. France  2. Peru  3. Denmark  4. Australia

France is easily favorites of this group and due to their extremely balanced and well-rounded squad, they will be able to top this group. I chose Peru to be second in this group because I strongly feel that Peru will be able to get past both Denmark and Australia. With the likes of Paolo Guerrero and their top class manager Ricardo Gareca, they will secure a place in the knockout stages. Christian Eriksen of Denmark won’t be enough to lead his country out of this group. Australia won’t be able to fulfill the expectations of this group.

Group D: Argentina, Iceland, Croatia, Nigeria

Predicted Standings: 1. Argentina  2. Nigeria  3. Croatia  4. Iceland

Group D is a very interesting group with some very well-balanced teams. Lionel Messi of Argentina will be looking to do what Diego Maradona did with his country and win the World Cup for Argentina. Despite struggling in the qualifiers, I feel that Lionel Messi will lead Argentina out of this difficult group. Nigeria will come in second as the Super Eagles have a very impressive and strong squad. I don’t think that Iceland will be able to repeat what they did in the 2016 Euros and Croatia, despite having a strong team, will fall short as well.

Group E: Brazil, Switzerland, Costa Rica, Serbia

Predicted Standings: 1. Brazil  2. Costa Rica  3. Switzerland  4. Serbia

This should be a very easy task for the Brazilians as they have been extremely impressive during the qualifiers and have a very well balanced squad featuring superstars like Neymar Jr., Philippe Coutinho, and Gabriel Jesus. I believe that Los Ticos will narrowly come in second as they proved doubters wrong in the 2014 FIFA World Cup and I feel they will do the same. I think Switzerland will narrowly miss out advancing. Serbia will fail to match up with these teams.

Group F: Germany, Mexico, Sweden, South Korea

Predicted Standings: 1. Germany  2. Mexico  3. Sweden  4. South Korea

The reigning World Cup champions will secure a first place spot and find themselves out of this group rather with ease despite facing strong opponents Mexico. Mexico will come in second as their qualifying campaign proved that their squad is strong and capable of advancing to the next stage. Even if Zlatan Ibrahimovic will play for Sweden in this World Cup, the Swedish will fall short and miss out on the next stage. South Korea won’t have a strong enough squad to beat out the Germans and El Tri.

Group G: Belgium, Panama, Tunisia, England

Predicted Standings: 1. Belgium  2. England  3. Panama  4. Tunisia

In this group, Belgium is the favorites to walk out winners. They have a well-balanced and strong squad with several key players such as Romelu Lukaku, Kevin de Bruyne, and Eden Hazard who will guide them to the last 16. England will come in second as they have strong players on their team such as Raheem Sterling, Harry Kane, and Dele Alli. England vs. Belgium will be a very entertaining match up but I feel that the Red Devil will get past the British. Panama and Tunisia won’t be able to keep up with the talents of Belgium and England and will see themselves out of this group.

Group H: Poland, Senegal, Colombia, Japan

Predicted Standings: 1. Colombia  2. Poland  3. Senegal  4. Japan

I feel that James Rodriguez of Colombia will be able to guide his team to the first place slot of this group. Robert Lewandowski will have some crucial performances which will be enough to secure their second place spot. Sadio Mane and Senegal will fall short but will give Colombia and Poland a difficult time. Japan will see themselves last of this group as their squad won’t be strong enough to make an impact in Russia 2018.

Round of 16:

Uruguay vs. Portugal

Wow, what a great match! This will surely be a thriller game. Luis Suarez of Uruguay will go head-to-head against Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal. I think this is going to a very well contested match and will go to extra-time. I feel that La Celeste will be the one that advances and eliminates 2016 Euro Champions Portugal.

France vs. Nigeria

France is definitely the favors of this match with the likes of Paul Pogba, Antoine Griezmann, and Kylian Mbappe. I strongly feel that they will outplay the Super Eagles and secure a comfortable win that will see them a place in the Quarterfinals.

Brazil vs. Mexico

This will be a very interesting match as two very competitive sides will go face to face. I think this will be a very physical and a very exciting match and despite Brazil having a very strong and powerful side, Mexico won’t go down without a fight. Brazil will advance past Mexico and advance to the next round.

Belgium vs. Poland

Belgium will find this to be a very easy match for them and will find their way past an inexperienced Polish side. Players like Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku, and Kevin de Bruyne will make it a very difficult day for the Robert Lewandowski and Poland.

Spain vs. Egypt

Spain will win this one with ease as David Silva, Sergio Ramos, and Alvaro Morata will make it a very good day for the Spanish. Mohamed Salah of Egypt won’t be able to handle the Spanish and will be outplayed by them.

Argentina vs. Peru

Peru has made life very difficult for Argentina in the past as they drew against them in the qualifiers that almost made Lionel Messi miss this World Cup. I feel that Peru will once again make this a hard day for the Argentinians but Messi will find a way past the strong Peruvian team and find a spot in the Quarterfinals for La Albiceleste.

Germany vs. Costa Rica

The Germans will find themselves against a determined Costa Rican team. I think that Los Ticos won’t go down without a fight and will give their all but the deadly and ferocious German team will find a hole in the Costa Ricans and will find themselves in the next round.

Colombia vs. England

This will be a very exciting and entertaining match as James Rodriguez of Colombia will be facing Harry Kane of England. Despite England’s poor performances in past international tournaments, I strongly feel that they will prove that their squad is strong enough this year to be in the Quarterfinals and will see their way past a strong Colombian side.

Quarterfinals:

Uruguay vs. France

This will be a very exciting match between a determined Uruguay side and a strong French side. I believe that this will is going to be a very evenly match but the better side will conquer victory, and I strongly feel that France is the better of the two teams in this match and they will edge out Uruguay.

Brazil vs. Belgium

The Brazilians will once again show their dominance in this match and outplay the Belgians. Neymar will lead his team to the World Cup semifinals and Brazil will outclass a talented Belgium team.

Spain vs. Argentina

Oh boy, this will be an interesting one. Both two very good teams will face each other in the Quarterfinals. This will be a very exciting match as Lionel Messi face a good number of his teammates from Barcelona. This will be a very thrilling match but I do see Argentina as the winner here since their strong attacking style will see the Spanish out and see them in the semifinals.

Germany vs. England

This is a rematch of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. We all remember Frank Lampard’s goal that was disallowed. That was extremely controversial and Germany ended up thrashing England 4-1 in that game. Well, I don’t think that Germany will get a 4-1 result against England since I believe that it will be a much closer match than it was 8 years ago. England will put up a good fight in this match but the Germans will see themselves as victorious.

Semifinals:

France vs. Brazil

This is going to be a very close and entertaining match. Two very strong teams with very talented individuals go face to face. This will definitely be a close one but I do believe that Brazil will outshine the French in this close semi-final clash and see themselves in the World Cup finals in Moscow.

Argentina vs. Germany

These two teams once again will meet up face to face for the fourth World Cup in a row. Germany has beaten Argentina in the last three World Cup and has sent Argentinians packing. Not this time. Argentina will be looking for revenge and they will succeed in doing so. I think that this match will be exactly like the World Cup final, but this time Argentina actually converting their chances into a goal or two. Lionel Messi will get his final shot at winning World Cup glory in Moscow.

Match for Third Place:

France vs. Germany

The match for Third Place surely shouldn’t be a match to miss. This will be a very fun and exciting game to watch as two very strong European nations, who just missed out on the final will face each other for the third place prize. Germany will see themselves as winners in this match but France will exit this tournament with their heads held up high with great optimism.

Final:

Brazil vs. Argentina

This is it. The match we’ve all been waiting for. This year’s World Cup Final is probably one of the most exciting finals that is to be played. Brazil and Argentina, two countries who have great hatred for one another will face each other. This will be Lionel Messi’s last chance to repeat what Diego Maradona did and lift up the trophy for Argentina. This will be Neymar’s time to shine for his country and give them their sixth World Cup trophy. This will probably be one of the most even matches and I would love for this match to go to penalties. Argentina, being in their fourth consecutive final at a major international tournament, will be looking for redemption. In 2014, they lost to Germany 1-0; in 2015, they lost to Chile 4-1 on penalties; in 2016, they lost to Chile 4-2 on penalties. This is it for them. Surely they can’t lose four straight finals in a row. That would be an international embarrassment for them. I don’t think that will happen this time and luck will be in their hands as they will defeat Brazil in this breathtaking final in Moscow. Lionel Messi will finally get his hands on the World Cup trophy for Argentina.