2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia is just around the corner. The biggest sporting event in the world will feature 32 countries from all over the globe, fighting for the ultimate bragging rights. FIFA World Cup has always been a competition where favorites and best teams shine, with very few real underdogs leaving a mark on the competition.
This year is no different, as the likes of Brazil, Germany, Spain, France, and Argentina are once again the leading favorites to win the World Cup. The last World Cup that was won by a team which was not considered a top 5 favorite was France in 1998 on home soil.
I have prepared a list of underdogs that might have the best chance to win the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Check out the list and the analysis why they might make it.
Belgium have dominated their qualifying group for the 2018 World Cup in Russia without suffering a loss. They have won 9 games and drew 1. In those 10 games, they have showcased a fantastic attack, scoring 43 goals in the process. On the other hand, they have allowed only 6 goals, good enough for a +37 goal difference. A dominant performance that has put everyone on notice.
Belgium have a star-studded roster comprised mostly of players that are dominating the English Premier League. From Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois at Chelsea, Romelu Lukaku at Manchester United, Kevin De Bruyne at Manchester City to Jan Vertongen and Toby Alderweireld at Tottenham. Adding to that the presence of Dries Mertens from Napoli and Radja Nainggolan from AS Roma. They are being coached by Roberto Martinez, who was heavily scrutinized for his failures at Everton in the English Premier League. He has silenced his critics with an impressive qualifying campaign where Belgium dominated the competition and haven’t registered a loss.
Belgium have been drawn into a group with England, Panama, and Tunisia, where they will be the main favorite to win the group and a lock to progress to the knockout phase of the World Cup. England has gone with the youth movement this World Cup and they are not among the heavy favorites anymore. Panama and Tunisia should offer little resistance to the Red Devils.
Belgium can win it all if they can replicate the attacking form they have displayed in their qualifying matches. Romelu Lukaku will be the key piece up front and if he can get anything close to 11 goals he has scored in the qualifying matches, they stand a chance. The group is favorable and with a strong performance in the knockout phase, they can make a run at it.
Croatia has struggled to reach the 2018 World Cup in Russia, as they finished second in their qualifying group behind Iceland and they had to eliminate Greece in Play-Offs to qualify. In general, they have displayed sub-par performances throughout the qualifying.
The strength of Croatia squad lies in the attack and creative midfield where Real Madrid star Luka Modric is orchestrating the Croatian offensive symphony. The wings are manned by Ivan Perisic from Inter and Ivan Rakitic of Barcelona, while upfront Mario Mandzukic of Bayern Munich is the lone striker.
The back-end is manned by Domagoj Vida of Besiktas and Sime Vrsaljko of Atletico Madrid. Also, Croatia has great depth in their squad with Mateo Kovacic of Real Madrid and Marcelo Brozovic of Inter rounding out the midfield.
Coach Zlatko Dalic is a relative unknown to the general public, but he is an experienced coach that has done well with a team which had some chemistry issues during their qualifying campaign.
Croatia have been drawn into a group with one of the favorites to lift the World Cup Argentina, along with their qualifying group foe Iceland and Nigeria. Argentina is the favorite to win the group but the Croats have a perfect chance to get revenge on Iceland and secure their passage into the knockout stage by beating Nigeria.
Croatia has to play up to their potential. They have a very strong squad, full of players that make a difference in top European clubs. Croatia usually plays up to their competition and have a history of making long runs on the biggest stage, such as their 3rd place finish in 1998, where they lost a close one to eventual winner France in the semis. They were also unlucky in the Euro 2016 Semi Final, where they thoroughly dominated the eventual winners Portugal, but failed to score a winning goal. If Mario Mandzukic can find his goal-scoring form and the team shows improved chemistry, they can beat anybody on a given day.
Uruguay were the second team to qualify for 2018 World Cup in Russia from CONMEBOL (South America) qualifying group, right after Brazil. In 18 matches they have registered 9 wins, 4 draws and 5 losses with a +12 goal difference. Uruguay qualified behind their potent attack, which scored 32 goals.
Uruguay roster is headlined by their famous striker duo of Luis Suarez of Barcelona and Edinson Cavani of Paris Saint-Germain. The duo have scored combined 71 goals in their club competitions this year (Suarez 31 and Cavani 40) and added another 15 goals in the World Cup qualifiers (Suarez 5 and Cavani 10). The midfield is manned by Matias Vecino of Inter Milan, Rodrigo Betancourt of Juventus and Gaston Ramirez of Sampdoria.
Uruguay defense will be headlined by their captain Diego Godin of Atletico Madrid and his club teammate Jose Maria Gimenez. Together they were a part of one of the sturdiest defenses in European club football, winning the UEFA Europa League with Atletico Madrid.
Coach Oscar Tabarez has been in charge of Uruguay National Team since 2006 and is one of the most experienced coaches at the World Cup. Under his guidance, Uruguay have won the 2011 Copa America and have qualified for three straight World Cups in 2010, 2014 and 2018. He knows his teams quite well and often gets the most out of his players.
Uruguay have been drawn into the easiest group for the 2018 World Cup in Russia which includes the hosts Russia, along with Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Uruguay should have no problems qualifying from this group and are the main favorite to win the group.
Uruguay had the luck of the draw, to land into the easiest group at 2018 World Cup and qualifying for the knockout phase of the World Cup, should not be an issue. Once they get there, the most probable opponent they will face should be a vulnerable Portugal side that is a bit long in the tooth, despite their Euro 2016 title.
If Cavani and Suarez stay on form and keep up their scoring fireworks during the World Cup and Godin and Gimenez put up a wall in front of Muslera, Uruguay can be an extremely dangerous team to face in the knockout phase. It is up to Coach Oscar Tabarez to get the team focused and ready to deliver once the matches begin.
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