By Andrew Posadas
With the draw for the 2018 World Cup completed this past weekend, soccer fans around the world can now decipher how each group plays out. There are a handful of questions that will be debated from now until the first game on June 14 between Saudi Arabia and host-country Russia. Which group is the easiest? The one that takes the unfortunate title of “Group of Death”? Who is the dark-horse nobody is talking about? Finally, the “easiest” question of them all: who leaves Moscow with the Cup?
The easiest group by far: Group C.
Clearly the best team in the group, the French, do not look to be challenged in group stage play. Peru has been in the middle of the pack in South American WC qualifying. If South American champion Chile had played at its best, Peru would likely not be in this position. Denmark finds itself back in the WC, but its group in European qualifications consisted of teams such as Romania, Armenia and Montenegro. Hard to see how good Denmark will be considering their easy path to get here in the first place. As for Australia, it doesn’t even have a manager to lead the team right now. No matter who the new manager is, the limited amount of time left to prepare will be a major deficit. Expect France to breeze through this group. The only interesting aspect of the group comes in the unpredictability of which team takes second place and a spot in the knockout stage.
The “Group of Death”: Group D.
It took Leo Messi’s heroics in the last games of WC qualifying to punch Argentina’s ticket to Russia. However, Messi’s potentially last chance at earning the WC trophy that has eluded him will not be easy. Group D looks to be the most balanced and competitive of the tournament. Iceland is the smallest nation ever to qualify for a WC. Regardless, Iceland has become a feel-good story after making it to the quarterfinals of the 2016 Euro Cup. Playing the role of David, each Goliath in the tournament field, including Argentina, should be put on notice. Croatia is consistently one of the better teams in Europe. Having finished second to Iceland in European qualifying, Croatia will be looking for revenge. In the 2014 WC, Nigeria was also grouped with Argentina. The Nigerians finished second to them on their way to the knockout stage and lost to Argentina 3-2 in group play. Nigeria felt it could compete with Argentina. I believe Nigeria will be ready to compete with Messi and company again. Expectation? Competitive and chaotic games from this group.
The Dark-Horse of the field: Belgium.
I absolutely love this Belgium squad. This team put itself on the map in 2014 at the last WC. It went undefeated in group stage and beat the United States in the first knockout round. Despite the team losing to eventual runner-up Argentina 1-0, the optimism of this team has carried over nearly four years later. The team is more experienced and seasoned, and its balance is downright scary. Filled with stars Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku who have tasted WC success, the expectations are through the roof. This team is ranked fifth in FIFA, so some may ask, “How are they a dark-horse?” Easy: nobody is talking about them. We talk about superstars like Ronaldo and Messi leading their respective countries. Then, the same nations are brought up as favorites to win it all, like the reigning champions of the world Germany. And then Brazil, Spain, France, Argentina, Portugal. Belgium is being lost in the fold. Don’t be fooled. This team will make it to the semi-finals. It can make it to the WC final. It could lift the trophy come July 15. It’s time for a new nation to take the crown as the best soccer team in the world; Belgium fits the bill.
So, who wins? Unfortunately, I’m no soccer Nostradamus. However, if you want my opinion, reread the paragraph above for my pick to win it all. Now then, what do you think will happen in the upcoming World Cup?