With less than 30 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.
BRAZIL
The 2002 winners are one of the favorites to win the World Cup in Russia. The South American nation is the most successful team in World Cup history with five trophies. They will be looking to rebuild their reputation after the semi-finals 7-1 thrashing to Germany in Belo Horizonte four years ago. The world’s most expensive footballer, Neymar, will lead his country alongside his fellow global superstars such as Phillipe Coutinho and Gabriel Jesus.
Brazil won 12 matches, had five draws and a single defeat in their 18 games World Cup qualifiers. They finished top of the CONMEBOL qualifying zone, 10 points clear of second-placed Uruguay. Since then they have beaten Japan and drawn against England in November, before a 3-0 win over Russia and 1-0 victory over the World Champions – Germany in Berlin.
Since Tite took over, the former Corinthians has restored the spirit that had evaporated under Dunga; now he has brought back some of the old magic. According to a former Brazil International Neto, Tite is a great coach, one of the best in the world. He just doesn’t have the status of Guardiola and Mourinho because he’s not in Europe. But he’s as good as these guys”.
The Seleção have announced their squad for the World Cup with Dani Alves being the biggest name off the list due to injury sustained by the Paris Saint-Germain defender. The Brazilian team greatest quality is the fact they will not be relying heavily on Neymar as in the 2014 World Cup, when its game depended on the player’s individual moves. Certainly Neymar is the key player but the group surpasses the individual. This is a balanced Brazilian team so it is hard to spot weaknesses even though they exist.
The expectation from this team is to restore Brazil’s pride and honor after the July 8 2014 disaster in Belo Horizonte. Winning the World Cup is not beyond this current group but it would be interesting to see how they respond against elite teams.
Can Brazil be the champion? Yes. Do they have the team for that? I think so.
Brazil have been drawn into Group E with Switzerland, Costa Rica and Serbia.
They kick off their World Cup campaign against Switzerland on Sunday 17 June 2018 at the Rostov Arena, Rostov-on-Don.Their second game is against Costa Rica on Friday 22 June 2018 at Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg and final game against Serbia is Wednesday 27 June 2018 at Otkritie Arena, Moscow.
Predict and win big during the Mundial by visiting Babaijebu.ng