2018 World Cup: Most Competitive Ever?

In continuation from the last article, it is apparent that the World Cup in Russia this year is going to be simply incredible. Each team has an opportunity to perhaps go the distance, and I for one am very excited to see some very competitive games.

Peru are somewhat of an underdog in South American qualification. However, the team managed to qualify for Russia, beating arch rivals Chile to a playoff spot. Led by star man Jefferson Farfan, Peru are one of many dark horses for a late run in the tournament, with some even suggesting that they could take the trophy in July, especially with their incredible goalkeeper Pedro Gallesse between the sticks. It is evident that they can play with the big teams, out competing Brazil and Argentina to name a few during the last couple of years. I cannot wait to see how they fair in the group stages.

Heading north, there are two teams that will be in attendance whom crowds have grown to love over the past couple of tournaments. Mexico and Costa Rica were able to secure qualification from CONCACAF, and will be able to look around at other teams and really believe that they could achieve greatness. Mexico have an array of incredible players, and Costa Rica have become one of the hardest working teams on the planet, particularly in wake of the heroics they experienced in Brazil in 2014. The other team who reached the tournament from that region was Panama, snatching the last spot from USA in the closing days of qualification. Panama are one of the oldest, most experienced teams, but will go in as huge underdogs as it is their maiden tournament. This will likely galvanize the team, and I would not be shocked to see a Costa Rica-esque run at the World Cup in Russia from the Panamanians. The squad know how to play with each other to get the job done, and this is something that is very valuable in a tournament where every result matters. Any one of these teams could hit the ground running early, and not stop until late into the competition.

European teams are in abundance at the World Cup, perhaps one reason why they are switching to a 48 team format soon. One team that, like Costa Rica, have come to be known as powerhouses in terms of good work ethic is Iceland. After beating England in Euro 2016, Iceland have shown the world that they are a very talented team, and on any given day can beat anyone. Similarly, Scandinavian neighbors Sweden and Denmark could show to be dangerous opposition at the World Cup. Christian Eriksen has shown why he is one of the world’s best playmakers, both for Tottenham and Denmark, and Emil Forsberg is growing game on game for Leipzig and Sweden. Oh, and the Swedes could also bring one Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Russia if they so choose, further showing why Scandinavia is a very formidable region all around. 

We will wrap up this swift run down of teams by finishing out the European outfits. Croatia and Serbia both were able to make the World Cup after being absent in recent years. Perhaps blessed with the greatest midfield in attendance, Croatia could be a team to worry anyone, and are, like Peru, a team that many believe to be serious dark horses. Serbia have an array of defensive talents, as do Switzerland. Both of these teams will be hoping to shut up shop, and allow their powerful strikers to rack up the goals during the group stages. Either of them could show that they are growing as a team, and could do this by finishing high in the standings at the World Cup. 

The final team that I am yet to mention is a team that actually secured a #1 seed for the group stage drawings: Poland. They are a team who, like many, have always been a handful for other teams, but often fly under the radar. They have quality all over the pitch, with Robert Lewandowski a perfect example of this. The Bayern forward is one of the best in the world, and Poland will be hoping he continues his club form at the World Cup for the national team. 

Well, that is a very quick run down of all 32 teams in attendance at the 2018 World Cup. Obviously, more will be revealed over the next month or so as to who will or will not make the squads for the tournament, and as fans, we will be better set to judge as to who might perform well, and who could falter. My point is that teams like Germany or Brazil should not go into the matches too cocky, for every team has talent that can punish an opponent with ease. The big teams must go into each game with humility and strive for goals and clean sheets. They must treat any opponent as if it was a rival team or as if they were playing in the tournament final. This is the only way to make success more likely, as 2018 is perhaps the most competitive World Cup to date. Every team ought to leave Russia with their heads held high, for all of the teams should play their hearts out, and make their countries proud. Hopefully, we will be set for a series of spectacular games, with exceptional players showing why they are the best in the world. With every game to play for, let’s hope each team prepares sufficiently to achieve success on each matchday, striving to reach that World Cup final and take that trophy home.

This was part two of a two part series about the competitive nature of the 2018 World Cup. Be sure to look back for the previous edition of the story, and stay tuned for more World Cup news as the tournament gets closer to its commencement.