With less than 40 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.
Our focus team is:
BELGIUM
Belgium have appeared in the finals of the FIFA World Cup on twelve occasions, the first being at the maiden edition in 1930 where they finished in eleventh.
The 2014 quarter finalist are one of the favorites to win the World Cup in Russia even though they have never won a major international competition. Their best World Cup run was a semi-final spot in the 1986 World Cup. Die Roten Teufel have one of the strongest teams going into the competition. It is a multi-talented team starting in goal with Thibaut Courtois, Vincent Kompany Jan Vertonghen in defense, Radja Nainggolan, Kevin De Bruyne in midfield with Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku in attack. This is a team filled with many stars which means that leadership will be a key factor in handling all the strong characters who are superstars in their respective clubs.
Roberto Martinez team had an almost impeccable qualification series to Russia winning nine matches and a draw in their qualifiers. They plays possession football and with the vast array of creativity midfielders available, they hardly the field without scoring a goal.
Surprisingly, they suffered a shock exit at the quarterfinal stage at the last European Championship raising the questions if this golden era will fulfill its potential.
The Red Devils been handed a fairly easy group, with England their toughest opponent alongside minnows Panama and Tunisia. It would be interesting to see how the former Wigan and Everton coach performs at the biggest stage with the super talented available at his disposal. Can the Belgians stars learn to play together or will Belgium become its own enemy when it matters most?
Belgium kick off their World Cup campaign against Panama on Monday 18 June 2018 at the Fisht Olympic Stadium, Sochi.
Their second game is against Tunisia on Saturday 23 June 2018 at the Otkritie Arena, Moscow.
The biggest game in the group which is also the final game against England is Thursday 28 June 2018 at Kaliningrad Stadium, Oktyabrsky Island, Kaliningrad.
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