With the four-year wait almost over, World Cup 2018 is just around the corner. The road to the World Cup was laden with unprecedented upsets, chiefly Italy missing their first World Cup since 1958 and powerhouse Netherlands forced to watch from home.

Without doubt, this will be another fascinating and exciting World Cup with most of the usual suspects having qualified, as well as some who will be featuring for the first time. So without further ado, let’s have a look at who are the absolute favourite to be crowned champions this year?

1 – Germany

The reigning champions are again favourites to win a second consecutive World Cup, despite having failed to win Euro 2016. Germany, however, qualified with top honours in their qualifying group, winning 10 out of 10 games and booking their ticket to Russia with a 3-1 win over Northern Ireland in Belfast. Drawn in Group F with Mexico, Sweden and South Korea, Germany will need to be on top form. Yet, if their qualifying performance is any indication they will surely be guaranteed a place in the Round of 16.

2 – Brazil

Like Germany, Brazil topped their group, in the South American qualifications with an impressive qualifying run and look to be a revitalised side under coach Bacchi, affectionately known as Tite. The national team take on a different dynamic with likes of Neymar, Casemiro, Coutinho and Gabriel Jesus aiming to lift the trophy for the first time since their 2002 victory. Brazil are always expected to do well, but this year they have more to prove than usual. In what Ladbrokes calls one of the most remarkable scorelines in World Cup history, Brazil need to avenge their 7-1 semi-final thrashing by Germany. This new Brazil side are looking forward to taking on Switzerland, Costa Rica and Serbia in Group E. Expectations will be high for them to collect all nine points and advance to the next round.

3 – Spain

The Come Back reports that Spain have a star-studded squad laden with stars from top European clubs including Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Chelsea. Spain are in top form and are again looking like the side that won three consecutive tournaments from 2008 to 2012. In qualifying, Spain emerged as winners of their group, and are now contending with Iberian neighbours Portugal, along with Morocco and Iran in Group B, for top spot.

4 – France

A talented squad with top performers in their qualifying run, this new French squad look to follow in the steps of Zinedine Zidane at World Cup 1998. Having won Group A in the qualification stage, albeit with a minor hiccup of being held to a scoreless draw by Luxembourg, what Les Bleus needed was a difficult World Cup group. The Bleacher Report believe that this will reduce complacency and force them into top gear. Drawn in Group C with Australia, Peru and Denmark, they will have to be wary of complacency.

5 – Argentina

Despite a less than stellar qualifying run which almost left the squad at home, Argentina are still among the favourites this year. 2014’s runner-ups will be looking to go one better, and with this year being Messi’s last World Cup, expect some fireworks. In their group are first timers Iceland, as well as Croatia and Nigeria. When the tournament begins, with Messi at the helm, Argentina will be firing on all cylinders.

Article by: J.Sports News