The 2018 FIFA World Cup kicks off in less than a week. Host nation Russia will play Saudi Arabia to begin the tournament in Moscow on Thursday, heralding a month of the best soccer on the planet. Learn more about the host country and the teams competing for the title.
PRIDE MATCH: JUNE 29 vs. FC DALLAS
Russia
Capital: Moscow | Population: 145,000,000 | Venues: 12
The World Cup returns to Europe for the first time since 2006. In preparation for the tournament, Russia has built nine brand new stadiums and renovated three more for 12 venues in 11 cities, two of them in Moscow. From St. Petersburg down to Sochi and from Yekaterinburg to Kaliningrad, matches will take place all over the European side of the country.
Group A: Russia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Uruguay
How they qualified: As hosts, Russia was given automatic qualification in the tournament. Saudi Arabia finished second in its AFC qualifying group behind Japan. Egypt claimed the top spot in its CAF qualifying group to qualify, knocking off heavily-favored Ghana in the process. Finally, two-time champions Uruguay finished second in CONMEBOL qualifying.
Who moves on: Uruguay and Egypt
Uruguay is far and away the strongest team in the group and should move on without much struggle. Egypt will have a tougher go of it as Russia will have home-field advantage boosting its performance and helping it to challenge for that second spot. It all depends on Mohammed Salah, the leading scorer in the Premier League this season, being healthy enough to compete in the group stage. If he’s in the lineup, Egypt should be able to break through.
Group B: Portugal, Spain, Morocco and Iran
How they qualified: Both Portugal and Spain won their groups in UEFA qualifying, with Portugal squeaking by on goal difference. Morocco came through CAF qualifying with an undefeated record. Iran also won its group without a loss in its AFC qualifying group.
Who moves on: Portugal and Spain
It’s tough to bet against the reigning European champion and a fairly recent World Cup winner. Despite Spain’s poor performance in 2014, they have re-tooled their squad and look poised for a deep run. Portugal has run wild in qualifying and having Cristiano Ronaldo on your team always helps.
Group C: France, Australia, Peru and Denmark
How they qualified: France’s young squad powered through with a group winning performance in UEFA qualifying. Denmark needed an extra round to get through after finishing second in its group and beating Ireland in a playoff. The Aussies had a long road after finishing third in their AFC qualifying group. They had to win back-to-back playoff series against Syria and Honduras to claim one of the final spots. Peru was in a similar boat after finishing fifth in CONMEBOL thanks to some final day drama: it defeated Michael Boxall’s New Zealand in a playoff.
Who moves on: France and Peru
France is a top-three contender and a favorite to reach the final. Peru may have a tougher time, but should be able to get past the Aussies and inexperienced Danes as the second seed.
Group D: Argentina, Iceland, Croatia and Nigeria
How they qualified: An absolutely crazy last day of qualifying allowed Argentina to jump from sixth to third in CONMEBOL and gain automatic qualification. Iceland shocked the world once again by topping its group in UEFA, ahead of fellow group members Croatia who had to beat Greece in a playoff to claim its spot. Nigeria’s Super Eagles advanced by winning its group in CAF qualifying, only losing once along the way.
Who moves on: Argentina and Nigeria
Why can’t Iceland surprise us again? If they can get a quarter of their population to show up and cheer them on they should be able to get through to the knockouts. In all seriousness, the battle for this second spot will be very close. Croatia and Nigeria will be very close in this one, but I will give Nigeria the edge based on their kits alone. Argentina has Lionel Messi. Enough said.
Group E: Brazil, Switzerland, Costa Rica and Serbia
How they qualified: Brazil topped the CONMEBOL qualifying cycle. The Swiss finished runner-up to Portugal in their group before beating Northern Ireland by a 1-0 margin in a playoff. Francisco Calvo’s Costa Rica finished second in the final round of CONCACAF qualifying. Serbia won its group in UEFA qualifying.
Who moves on: Brazil and Costa Rica
As always, Brazil is a favorite for the final and will be itching for redemption after its crushing semifinal loss to Germany in 2014. The Ticos will be challenged, but if their recent form is anything to go on they should be able to get through and maybe reach the quarterfinals once again.
Group F: Germany, Mexico, Sweden and South Korea
How they qualified: Reigning champion Germany won its qualifying group by a substantial margin, with 11 points separating it from second place Northern Ireland. Mexico were the top team in CONCACAF qualifying, holding that spot for much of the final round. Sweden knocked off Italy in a surprising upset in the UEFA playoff. South Korea made it through as the second-place team in its AFC qualifying group.
Who moves on: Germany and Mexico
The Germans have reached at least the semifinal in the past four World Cups and should be able to coast through the group. Mexico may receive some pressure from Sweden, but El Tri’s current form shows it is ready to challenge for a spot in the quarterfinals.
Group G: Belgium, Panama, Tunisia and England
How the qualified: The Belgian team that made a deep run in Brazil qualified came through as group winners in UEFA. Panama was the last team to qualify out of CONCACAF, scoring a last-minute goal to eliminate the United States. Tunisia secured a spot in the tournament after winning its qualifying group by a one-point margin. England were also group winners in UEFA qualifying, finishing eight points ahead of Slovakia.
Who moves on: Belgium and England
Barring a total collapse by either of these teams, they both should have no trouble advancing from this group. The “Golden Generation” of Belgium were a huge success last time out and have retained much of that talent. England has several players who have shown well at the league level but are somewhat unknown quantities on the international stage. Panama and Tunisia could steal a result, though, and make the final day of the group stage very interesting.
Group H: Poland, Senegal, Colombia and Japan
How they qualified: Poland returns to the World Cup for the first time since 2006 after winning its group in qualifying. Senegal makes its second appearance at the tournament following its group win in CAF qualifying. Colombia hung on to claim the last automatic qualifying spot in CONMEBOL. Japan came out on top in a tight race in its AFC qualifying group, with just one point separating first and third place.
Who moves on: Colombia and Japan
Colombia probably has the toughest battle for a number one spot. While none of the teams in this group are turning heads like a Brazil or Germany, the gap between first and fourth is the slimmest margin in the tournament. Japan has had some shaky form heading into this World Cup but will be itching to redeem themselves after missing out on the knockout rounds last time around. Senegal and Poland have looked good on their road through qualifying, but their depth will be what makes or breaks them in the group stage.
