With less than 50 days to the start of the 21st edition of the FIFA World Cup, we begin our countdown to the biggest singular sporting competition in the world. Since the global fiesta started in 1930, we have seen only eight winners lift the gold trophy. The last edition hosted by Brazil in 2014 saw Germany lift the trophy at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
In our build up to the Mundial, we shall preview some of the teams we believe can win the 32 carat gold trophy in Moscow come 15 July 2018.
ARGENTINA
The 2014 runners up are one of the favorites to win the World Cup in Russia. La Albiceleste have in the ranks Barcelona super star Lionel Messi who is at his prime to lead his country to glory. This could be his last World Cup finals and after losing at the last final in Brazil, the entire South American nation would be banking on the little magician to take them one step better than 2014.
Argentina did not have it easy booking their ticket for Russia. In the COMEBOL qualifying zone, they made it through on the final day thanks to a Lionel Messi hat-trick in Quito. Jorge Sampaoli’s team won seven, drew seven and lost four in the 18 rounds marathon qualifying series. They finished third on the table but were far from impressive.
Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli adopts an attacking philosophy with high pressing and playing out from the back. We saw his Chile team demonstrate that during his time with La Roja but we are yet to see that in the Blue and White team from South America. Their last four friendly matches result after qualifying for the World Cup has been a bag of mixed results. They beat World Cup host Russia and lost to Nigeria last November. In March, they tamed the Azurris in Italy but were easily brushed aside by a rampant Spain.
The onus is on Sampaoli to find the best combination of players for his team ahead of the finals in Russia. This current generation of Argentine players are lucky to have Leo Messi in their team and should make it count as they bid to win their third FIFA World Cup.
Argentian kick off their World Cup campaign against Iceland on Saturday 16 June 2018 at the Otkritie Arena, Moscow.
Their second game is against Croatia on Thursday 21 June 2018 at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, Nizhny Novgorod and final game against Nigeria is Tuesday 26 June 2018 at Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg.
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