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| The one trophy to rule them all |
Brazil
The Selecao upheld their tradition of being the only team to qualify for every world cup after breezing through the tricky South American qualifications finishing top of the final standings 10 points clear of second placed Uruguay.
After the disappointment of their home world cup Brazil will be out to prove a point and with head coach Tite steering the ship that looks to be on the cards. The former Corinthians coach only took over the national side only two years ago, but in that short time he's seen his charges to win 10 games drawing two, scoring 30 goals while conceding three during the qualification phase.
Brazil's squad is probably one of the most stacked its ever been boasting the likes of Coutinho, Gabriel Jesus, Roberto Firmino and, of course the player who makes it all happen, PSG star Neymar along with other big names from back to front.
Germany
After the disappointment of their home world cup Brazil will be out to prove a point and with head coach Tite steering the ship that looks to be on the cards. The former Corinthians coach only took over the national side only two years ago, but in that short time he's seen his charges to win 10 games drawing two, scoring 30 goals while conceding three during the qualification phase.
Brazil's squad is probably one of the most stacked its ever been boasting the likes of Coutinho, Gabriel Jesus, Roberto Firmino and, of course the player who makes it all happen, PSG star Neymar along with other big names from back to front.
Germany
Although they haven't won their last three international matches, defending champions Germany go into this World Cup, alongside Brazil, as hot favourites to lift the coveted trophy.
This looks like a probability considering not only the names within their squad, but also their fine pedigree at the world cup. Back in 2014 Germany made a fourth consecutive appearance in the last four, their 12th overall, and finally got rid of their bride's maids tag beating South American giants Brazil and Argentina on the way to winning the trophy.
Germany's success has, in large part, come down on a thriving youth system which has worked like a conveyor belt allowing the best to rise to the top.
As soon as one great player retires another equally capable player is there to take his place, just look in the cases of Miroslav Klose and Phillip Lahm being replaced by Joshua Kimmich and Thomas Muller respectively, and new stars could be set to rise with Leipzig star Timo Werner and Bayern bound Leon Goretzka set to make their bow after impressing at last year's FIFA Confed Cup.
Spain
Another team on the road to redemption, Spain go into the world cup on the back of a disastrous outing back in 2014 where they were unceremoniously sent crashing out in the group stages after coming into the tournament as defending champions.
La Furia Roja have seemingly put that behind them going undefeated in the qualifiers scoring 36 goals and only conceding 3.
Spain will look to regain the form that once saw them win back-to-back Euros and the world cup seeing as the Spanish squad consists of a whole host of big names like Sergio Ramos, Diego Costa, Barcelona's Sergio Busquests and Andres Iniesta and some young talent to boot.
It is also worth noting that the squad also consists of Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid players who tasted glory in Europe after winning the Champions League and Europa League respectively. Which means Spain not only have experience, individually, but they can also deliver in those crunch moments during big games.
France
France exited the world cup in Brazil after being edged out by eventual winners Germany 1-0 in the quarters. Les blues would go on to finish as runers-up to Portugal in the Euros two years later by all indications France have been developing over the years and on paper are likely to be a threat to any they encounter.
The once world cup winners, just like the other sides on this list, are also jam packed with big names too and it will be particularly interesting how things develop for them with their squad which is top heavy with some of the best young attacking talent in the world.
Kylian Mbappe, Thomas Lemar, Ousmane Dembele and the ball playing ability of Paul Pogba will be part and parcel of the French attack throughout along with the evident goal threat from Atletico Madrid sharp shooter Antoine Griezmann aiming to guide them to world cup success.
Belgium
Belgium are undoubtedly in the best position they've ever been with their golden generation ready to take on the world. The Belgians had a good test drive in the previous world cup exiting at the quarter finals and in 2018 will be aiming to play for much higher stakes.
Their last world cup outing will undoubtedly have emboldened the Belgians as they now have experience to back the precocious talent at their disposal.
The Belgians look to have a bit of everything with solidity at the back with Spurs pair Jan Vertongehn and Toby Alderweireld along with Man City captain Vincent Kompany; the swaggering displays of Chelsea star Eden Hazard, the pin point passing of Kevin De Bruyne and with the battering ram that is Romelu Lukaku Belgium look set for some interesting times in Russia.
This looks like a probability considering not only the names within their squad, but also their fine pedigree at the world cup. Back in 2014 Germany made a fourth consecutive appearance in the last four, their 12th overall, and finally got rid of their bride's maids tag beating South American giants Brazil and Argentina on the way to winning the trophy.
Germany's success has, in large part, come down on a thriving youth system which has worked like a conveyor belt allowing the best to rise to the top.
As soon as one great player retires another equally capable player is there to take his place, just look in the cases of Miroslav Klose and Phillip Lahm being replaced by Joshua Kimmich and Thomas Muller respectively, and new stars could be set to rise with Leipzig star Timo Werner and Bayern bound Leon Goretzka set to make their bow after impressing at last year's FIFA Confed Cup.
Spain
Another team on the road to redemption, Spain go into the world cup on the back of a disastrous outing back in 2014 where they were unceremoniously sent crashing out in the group stages after coming into the tournament as defending champions.
La Furia Roja have seemingly put that behind them going undefeated in the qualifiers scoring 36 goals and only conceding 3.
Spain will look to regain the form that once saw them win back-to-back Euros and the world cup seeing as the Spanish squad consists of a whole host of big names like Sergio Ramos, Diego Costa, Barcelona's Sergio Busquests and Andres Iniesta and some young talent to boot.
It is also worth noting that the squad also consists of Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid players who tasted glory in Europe after winning the Champions League and Europa League respectively. Which means Spain not only have experience, individually, but they can also deliver in those crunch moments during big games.
France
The once world cup winners, just like the other sides on this list, are also jam packed with big names too and it will be particularly interesting how things develop for them with their squad which is top heavy with some of the best young attacking talent in the world.
Kylian Mbappe, Thomas Lemar, Ousmane Dembele and the ball playing ability of Paul Pogba will be part and parcel of the French attack throughout along with the evident goal threat from Atletico Madrid sharp shooter Antoine Griezmann aiming to guide them to world cup success.
Belgium
Belgium are undoubtedly in the best position they've ever been with their golden generation ready to take on the world. The Belgians had a good test drive in the previous world cup exiting at the quarter finals and in 2018 will be aiming to play for much higher stakes.
Their last world cup outing will undoubtedly have emboldened the Belgians as they now have experience to back the precocious talent at their disposal.
The Belgians look to have a bit of everything with solidity at the back with Spurs pair Jan Vertongehn and Toby Alderweireld along with Man City captain Vincent Kompany; the swaggering displays of Chelsea star Eden Hazard, the pin point passing of Kevin De Bruyne and with the battering ram that is Romelu Lukaku Belgium look set for some interesting times in Russia.
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