In a little more than two weeks, the most watched and anticipated sporting event will finally kick off. Billions from around the world will tune in to watch the 2018 World Cup. There is no clear favorite for this year’s tournament, as both Brazil and Germany have a couple crucial injury concerns heading into the event. That could lead to some surprising results as the top teams from six different continents meet to determine who is the best in the world.
Once every four years, the world's most popular game has its biggest tournament. The World Cup is as big as it gets all over the world, especially for the 32 countries who have earned the right to partake in this tournament. We think of the World Cup as a four-week tournament in June and July every few years, but this is actually a tournament where every FIFA team in the world has a chance to make it to the big stage.
The 2018 World Cup in Russia will begin on Thursday, June 14 and run through the final on Sunday, July 15. All of the action can be seen on FOX, FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sports 2.
FIFA 2018 World Cup Betting Odds
Brazil +415
Germany +425
Spain +650
France +675
Argentina +875
Belgium +1150
England +1701
Portugal +2736
Uruguay +2852
Croatia +3250
Colombia +4600
Russia +4750
Poland +7500
Denmark +9500
Mexico +11050
Switzerland +11050
Egypt +12000
Sweden +15000
Peru +19448
Nigeria +20000
Serbia +22500
Iceland +25000
Senegal +25000
Morocco +30000
Iran +30000
Australia +35000
Costa Rica +35000
Japan +35000
South Korea +50000
Saudi Arabia +50000
Tunisia +50000
Panama +50000
The Favorites
Brazil and Germany are the two favorites to win the World Cup. These two countries have won the World Cup a combined nine times, and they both have oodles of talent. However, each country has a major injury concern.
For Brazil, it’s Neymar. The country’s talisman was injured at the last World Cup and again succumbed to injury this season. He is supposedly healthy enough to play, but he has admitted that he is not yet 100 percent. That’s worrisome for a Brazilian side that needs his goal scorers’ touch.
Germany is waiting for Manuel Neuer to return to action. Neuer was seen as the best goalkeeper in the world before he was injured back in September. He just started training again back in April and recently played with the U-20 team. Until he proves he can play the full 90 minutes in a friendly, Germany will be worried though.
Next in line
France was seen as the favorite to win the 2016 Euros, and they ended up falling just short. The French have a bevy of young talent, and they boast the top player from that tournament in Antoine Griezmann. Griezmann has been in great form this year, willing Atletico Madrid to a Europa League title. He and Paul Pogba will be essential to France’s hopes.
Following a disappointing result in 2014, Spain is looking to prove they are among the world’s elite. La Roja failed to make it out of the group stage last time, but they have a very talented midfield, a veteran back line, and a solid goalkeeper in David De Gea. This will be a team to keep an eye on.
Lionel Messi will be looking to change his legacy at the World Cup. He is considered by many to be the greatest player never to lead his country to international success. Messi has taken Argentina to the precipice a handful of times, but they have never ended up victorious. This is likely he, and Argentina’s, last real shot for a while.
Longshots
There are two teams to keep an eye on at this World Cup because of favorable draws. The first is Uruguay. They have some of the best forwards in the world and are placed in a winnable group. Uruguay is favored to win Group A, and they may not receive any real challenge if Mo Salah is not able to suit up for Egypt.
The other team to keep an eye on is Colombia. This team is in the weakest group of them all, Group H, where there is no clear favorite. Colombia was one of the breakout teams of the last World Cup, and they have a chance to go even further in 2018.
