The 2018 FIFA World Cup date get closer as expectations continue to build. 32 nations will be playing, in first stage; the teams have been divided into 8 groups, 4 teams into each group.
CIES Football Observatory has revealed the most likely World Cup winners. The conclusion is derived from an exclusive Power Index.
The index combines the average percentage of the matches played at domestic league level since July 2017 by the 23 most fielded players per team in the World Cup qualifying campaign with the average sporting level of employer clubs. Spain tops the list ahead of Brazil.
Spain is tipped to be in the best position to win the FIFA World Cup 2018 title.
The 23 Spanish footballers, most fielded in the qualification stage, have on an average played 81.1% of domestic league matches in the current season. This happens to be the highest percentage among all the measured teams, who have made it to the FIFA World Cup Finals 2018. The average sporting level of the clubs employing Spanish players is also the greatest overall at 1.37.
These analytics place Spain in a strong position with a perfect 100 Power Index to repeat their FIFA 2010 World Cup title triumph.
Brazil, France, and Germany are the other three teams to have an 80 plus Power Index. Panama is placed at the bottom of the Power Index chart with a mere 12 points. Iran and Saudi Arabia too have Power Index scores of less than 25.
The reports suggest that teams with less than 25 Power Index points will struggle to reach the pre-quarter-finals stage.
The Russia FIFA World Cup Finals are scheduled to start on June 14 with hosts Russia taking on Saudi Arabia in Mexico.
Here, we look at top teams who will go into the tournament as favourites
Germany
The current world champions, Germany, won the 2014 FIFA World Cup and will be chasing history as they look to be the first team in 56 years to win back-to-back World Cup tournaments.
Strength: The ability to win games and play as a team. The German national team has the nickname Die National Mannschaft, which refers to working together to achieve a common aim and thus being responsible for each other.
World Cups Titles: 1974, 1954, 1990, 2014
Brazil
The Brazil is undisputedly the best team in the history of the World Cup. They are the only nation with five titles and will be looking to add a sixth as they try to avenge their 2014 humiliation at the hands of Germany in their own backyard.
Strength: The Seleção have talented players in abundance, known for their flair. Brazil can call on a list of players to produce moments of magic to win a game. From Neymar to Coutinho, Willian, Firmino, Marcelo and Gabriel Jesus, the team will be banking on the talented roster to bring home the trophy.
World Cups Titles: 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002
Argentina
The 2014 FIFA World Cup finalists will be looking for redemption in Russia as they aim to go one better and win the cup that has eluded the country and one particular player, Lionel Messi.
To be considered the best, you must have won a World Cup. Argentina will want to write their names in the history books and win their first World Cup since 1986.
World Cups Titles: 1978, 1986
Spain
Spain, the 2010 FIFA World Cup champions who made history in South Africa, are going through renaissance as they usher new generation of Spanish technical maestros. They will be hoping their expansive brand of football can land them a second World Cup title.
Strength: Tiki-taka football is a style of play that involves short passes and starving the opposition of possession, meaning they can dictate the game.
Belgium
Belgium have been dark horses since the 2014 World Cup, but disappointing results 2014 and the 2016 Euros, as well as the lack of a top-quality manager, have cost the side dearly.
Belgium may have failed to live up to their potential in those competitions, but may turn things around at the 2018 World Cup.
Strength: A talented starting 11 with top-quality bench make Belgium a potential contender in Russia.
France
Le Bleu will be coming to this year’s tournament off the back of a successful 2016 Euro campaign, even though they lost in the final against Portugal. The team’s depth is unreal, with at least three top quality players in each position. Can Le Bleu win the World Cup exactly 20 years after France last won it? Only time will tell.
World Cup Title: 1998
Anthony Nlebem
