One of the world’s most important sports tournament, the FIFA World Cup, will be held in Brazil next year. After three long years of hard work from all national football teams around the world, the final thirty two spots have been filled. For the first time ever, we will feature eight previous champions including: Brazil, Italy, Germany, Uruguay, Argentina, England, France and Spain (defending champions.) However, there are many teams out there with the possibility of giving the big surprise.
The rest of the teams that qualified are:
AFC: Australia, Iran, Japan and South Korea.
CAF: Algeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Nigeria.
CONCACAF: Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico and USA.
CONMEBOL: Chile, Colombia and Ecuador.
UEFA: Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Netherlands, Portugal, Russia and Switzerland.
All teams except Bosnia and Herzegovina have been present on the big party before, but with players like Miralem Pjanić, Vedad Ibišević and Edin Džeko, they could get far on their debut. Also with a young, developing and talented squad, Belgium has the opportunity to excel in this tournament. Many of its starting players are key pieces in Europe’s strongest clubs. Portugal, with the mighty Cristiano Ronaldo and a handful of players with a few tournaments on their backs, have the chance to get to the Top 4. The Netherlands, last edition’s runner-ups, could also better themselves with a strong lineup and with players like Arjen Robben and Robin Van Persie being in top form this year.
Many other teams have exceptional players that could carry them to the top. However, in such a short and demanding competition, relying on only one or two players isn’t the most ideal situation. The teams that get to the very top have a full roster that would be the envy of any manager in the world, a chemistry on the field that works flawlessly and a very defined tactical system and dynamics. It’s good to point out that after a long and demanding club season, many players will probably be exhausted, which is why former champions shouldn’t be too confident. Last edition’s final was between two teams that had never won the trophy before. If they could beat the titans, so can many of the team’s on the final stage.
While all of this is pure speculation and thoughts from betting houses, critics, fans, players and managers, it seems like the teams with the biggest chances of winning the title are Brazil, Germany and Spain. All three of these teams have exceptional players who have many matches on their back and have had a developing system throughout the years that has settled into a very defined style. However, we can’t be sure that they will be in the best form next year, since a lot could happen between now and June 12. Nevertheless, one thing remains clear: this edition will bring world-class entertainment, plus it will be the birthplace of new stars and/or the crowning of deserving old veterans. For now, we have to wait until December 6th for the seeding of the group stage. Until then, we can start our countdowns and anticipate the world’s biggest football party.
