Who Will REALLY Win the World Cup

I recently read a post on who'll win the World Cup in Russia once it begins in the coming weeks. Long story short, the writer had Wales down as the 6th favourites and Poland as the 10th. Despite an unlikely semi final showing at the last Euros in 2016, Wales DID NOT qualify (sorry Wales). Poland on the other hand haven't made it out of the group stage since 1982 and haven't competed at a World Cup tournament since 2006. But hey!! They both might win it this time!! Read on for a complete guide on who'll be taking glory in Moscow come July 15th.

10. Uruguay

Two time winners Uruguay come with one of the most prolific frontlines in football right now; Strikers Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani scored a remarkable 71 goals between them in all competitions this season and this World Cup could well be the pairings swansong. They'd both be 35 by the time Qatar rolls around in 2022 and the Salto-born pairing will be desperate to make the most of their final "good years" in the game before their pace avails them. Uruguay's group makes for pleasant reading as on paper hosts Russia and World Cup wannabes Saudi Arabia will be little match for Uruguay's top heavy front force. Coach Oscar Tabarez is an institution in Uruguay following their 2010 semi final in South Africa and 2011 Copa Americas victory. You'd be well off to predict Uruguay to finish top of their group but a match up against one of Europe's elite in Spain or Portugal could well be on the cards should they progress to the knockout rounds.

One to watch: Luis Suarez FIFA Ranking: 14th

9. Egypt

"Pass it. Give it Mo. Passes it. Gives it Mo. Wins it. Gives it to Mo." The joke is that Egypt are nothing more than a one man team. I mean they absolutely are but my God what a man. I love Mo Salah. Being a Liverpool fan, I was devastated when he went off injured in the Champions league final last month but Egyptians worldwide are counting their stars that he's fit to play by the time their crucial first game against Uruguay kicks off. Salah went down in Egyptian history last November when he scored two against Congo, including a 95th minute penalty to send Egypt to their first World Cup since 1990, only their 3rd overall. In the Egyptian national elections Salah came 3rd with more than a million illegal votes. If he had actually stood for election, Mo would've won in a landslide. His popularity is frightening. For me Egypt are dark horses to go far this year. Similarly to Iceland at the last Euros, Egypt are on an incredible run of form and with confidence sky high, a comfortable group to get out of and fanatical support that can get them through tough knockout matches, they've got a better chance than most other "minnows." Not to mention a WINGER who scored 44 goals this season. Just saying but the last player to accomplish numbers from the wing as indelible as Salah's this season was Cristiano Ronaldo. Bold shout but I've got an inkling Egypt will go further than England this year. Not that it's difficult. (P.S. Love you Mo xxx)

One to watch: Mo Salah (Who else?) FIFA Ranking: 45

8. Portugal

This recently almost ever-present Portuguese squad gets more and more dogged with every passing tournament. They made it to the semi final of the last Euros without ever technically winning a game in regular time. Their only victory came in the way of a 2-0 victory over Wales in the semi final. It was substitute Eder however, rather than Ronaldo, that would be the only goal of the game coming deep into extra time against France to seal a remarkable underdog title victory. This time round however could be very different for an aging and underperforming Portugal. You can expect Ronaldo to carry on at his superhuman level close to his 40s but players like Pepe, Nani, Quaresma, Joao Moutinho? Unfortunately for me, these players reached their unlikely swansong 2 years ago and after watching a deficient Renato Sanches this season fail in all senses of the word in the premier league this season, I am all the more reluctant to predict Portugal progressing past the Round of 16.

One to watch: Cristiano Ronaldo (Again, fairly obvious) FIFA Ranking: 4th

7. Belgium

What do the feed those pesky Belgian? Why are they so good? Individually speaking and on paper, this Belgian team is exceptional. De Brunye. Hazard. Alderweireld. Courtois. Kompany. Mertens. Dembele. *Even* Lukaku. They are so littered with talent that manager Roberto Martinez believes he is able to leave someone of Radja Nainggolan's ability back home in Brussels to tend to the flowerbeds or whatever Belgians do. This team is right in their peak at the moment but has never been able to offer little more than a stifle over recent years despite all the talent and endless "will they? won't they?" talk. If ever is the time to make something of themselves, this is the time. Belgium are always dark horses given their individual array of talent but have never had that good ol' fashioned team spirit that others have had. This year I think is finally the time for Belgium to go far in the tournament. They've got a comfortable group and a promising potential progression route so who knows, maybe they'll be taking something shiny home for their troubles come July.

One to watch: Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard FIFA Ranking: 3rd

6. Argentina

Argentina's unpredictable tactical approach means last tournament's runners-up are surprisingly being overlooked for Russia. They almost weren't going to be at this World Cup due but scraped it through an albeit tricky qualification group. They reside in the aptly named group D (D for death); there are no "easy" teams in their group but regardless, they should still easily make it through. La Albiceleste boast the finest attacking line in the world with Higuin, Aguero, Di Maria, Dybala, and of course Lionel Messi. Messi's critics suggest that to be considered the greatest ever, he must win international tournaments such as these to receive his rightful crown. Messi won the Golden Ball last time out in Brazil but Jorge Sampaoli's irreverent tactics could be Argentina's blessing or curse. In trying to accommodate all of his available talent, the former Chilean boss his created an unpredictability in play that perhaps even he doesn't know.

One to watch: Paulo Dybala FIFA Ranking: 5th

5. England

England. Code for playing mediocre football and making it out of an easy group only to go out to a D-rate side in the round of 16. Occasionally we make the Quarter Finals thought this usually ends in despair on penalties. Perhaps this year is different though. What this youthful side lacks in major tournament experience, it makes up for in its freshness and lack of scarring. With Wayne Rooney retiring and Joe Hart dropped, this squad has had no pain or misery of previous failures bearing down on its shoulders. It has no divisive manager like Capello, Hodgson or Allerdyce. Gareth Southgate may seem like Mr. Nice but he has been slowly whittling away the bad eggs and creating an official "England DNA" and happy atmosphere around the FA and St. Georges Park from successful youth teams through to the senior squad. This England team doesn't have the pressure of teams gone by. It doesn't have the pain of teams gone by. It may not have the players of teams gone by, but it certainly has an accommodating system that teams gone by didn't have and a warmth these squads lacked. England will no doubt probably go out in the Round of 16 to Poland or some such side but we Brits will get our cautiously optimistic hopes up again because that's just what we do.

In Southgate we trust.

One to watch: Marcus Rashford FIFA Ranking: 12th

4. Spain

The Spain team of 2008-2012 go down in history as being one of the greatest teams to ever grace the beautiful game. They won 2 UEFA European Championships in 2008 and 2012 and their first ever World Cup in South Africa in 2010 courtesy of a lone Andreas Iniesta goal deep into extra time against the Netherlands. Their fabulous Spanish dynasty all came crashing down in 2014 following their group stage exit and infamous 5-1 mauling at the hands of a brilliant Dutch performance. In the 4 years since, Spain have been recuperating. Tending their wounds, feeling sorry for themselves, and ruing their golden generations decline. Then they began plotting. They began raising a new generation of players; an elegant mix of youth and experience primed to avenge their predecessors grizzly end. Littered with incredible talent across defence and midfield, Spain have been preparing to right their wrongs for some time and look to Russia as their endgame. La Roja are to be underestimated at their mercy and certainly have the squad and era-defining system to challenge deep into this tournament.

One to watch: Isco FIFA Ranking: 10th

3. France

Like the much maligned Spain team of 08-12, the France team of 1996-2000 is also thought of as being one of the greatest teams in the sport. Awash with world beaters like Zidane, Henry and Vieira, they won the World Cup in 1998 followed by the Euros in 2000. Managed by 'golden generation' captain Didier Deschamps, this French team has set its sights on similar targets. This France side remind me somewhat of a current Man Utd side under Mourinho; yes they've got some incredible individuals and should certainly be capable of winning the biggest trophies, but they both are comprised of a team of individuals as opposed to a collectivist team and that's where and why these two teams fall short. Perhaps they are mismanaged. Perhaps they just can't all fit together in one system. We saw it in the premier league with Utd this season and in the last Euros with France. Although he seems hugely mismanaged, Paul Pogba is the common link between the two. Regardless, France will no doubt will charm and allure the world with their glamourous superstars, pizzazz and flair deep into the tournament.

One to watch: Antoine Griezmann FIFA Ranking: 7th

2. Germany

Ahh, Ze Germans! That famous German efficiency and exceptionality is present throughout this team. The World Cup holders are out to defend their title and win a joint record 5th World Cup this summer and their squad strength speaks volumes when boss Joachim low is able to leave a player of Leroy Sane's quality at home. Germany are blessed with world class players in every department, especially so in midfield with Toni Kroos dictating the tempo better than a metronome. German participation in the latter stages of World Cups is as consistent as the sun shining. What France lack in a collective team is what Germany have in abundance and their tactical system under long-term boss Low is certainly one of the best in international football. Everyone has a job. Everyone knows their job. And everyone will perform their job. Efficiency; ze German vay. The only thing that stops me putting Germany top is what happened on 8th July 2014.

One to watch: Toni Kroos and Thomas Muller FIFA Ranking: 1st

1. Brazil

On the 8th July 2014 Brazil were beaten 7-1 by Germany in a truly remarkable match that will go down in history. That day on home soil in Belo Horizonte is considered the day football died in Brazil. The repercussions lasted 2 years until the departure of fiery coach Dunga and the arrival of the pragmatic Tite. Dunga was never a long term replacement for Phil Scolari following his national embarrassment at the last World Cup at the hands of an at times merciful German team. Dunga was to take the weight of the shame and bear it down until a platform could be established to make amends. Tite is that form of amendment. Winning the World Cup a record 5 times, and never having failed to qualify, the selecao always believe it is written in their will that they will win. Football is a birth right in Brazil and their remarkable footballing heritage spurns it on and on and on. They pin their hopes more than ever on the pressure-laden Neymar whose goalscoring record is simply magnetic. At the time of writing, his 56 goals in 86 appearances places him 3rd behind Ronaldo and Pele and at just 26 years old he will quickly eclipses both juggernauts. It's not just Neymar; the rest of the squad is superb and is blessed with quality in Thiago Silva, Coutinho, Marcelo, and Jesus. What separates Brazil from other contenders is their history, their tactics, their grace, and this year more than any before; their will for retribution.

One to watch: Neymar and Coutinho FIFA Ranking: 2nd

What now?

Sit back, relax and enjoy. Preferably with a cold beverage and some mates. Anyway, my money's on Brazil. Or Germany. Actually maybe Spain. Fuck it. I cannot wait.