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World Cup fever started to build up on Friday with the groups being draw in Moscow, Russia for the 2018 tournament.
European champions Portugal will battle it out against their neighbouring country Spain, along with Morocco and Iran.
Meanwhile, Iceland were drawn into Group D will face Argentina, Croatia, and Nigeria in their first ever World Cup.
World Champions Germany will need to first get passed the Mexicans, Swedish, and South Koreans if they want to retain their title.
Overall, this World Cup definitely has an “anything can happen” feel to it, especially with the likes of Italy, Chile, Netherlands, USA and Wales all not making the competition.
It should be an exciting summer for football fans around the world.
Group A
Russia - 65th
Uraguay - 21st
Egypt - 31st
Saudi Arabia - 63rd
Facts
- Egypt are making their second appearance in the World Cup finals. The last time they qualified was way back in 1990.
- Saudi Arabian striker Mohammed Al-Sahlawi finished joint-first in goals during World Cup qualifying with 16 goals.
- Hosts Russia are the lowest ranked team in the tournament.
Here we have our hosts matched up in what could be seen as an easier group. A country that could turn heads and surprise in the group would be Egypt. They have Mo Salah playing for them who is currently scoring freely for Liverpool.
Matchday One
Russia v Saudi Arabia
Egypt v Uruguay
Matchday Two
Russia v Egypt
Uruguay v Saudi Arabia
Matchday Three
Uruguay vs Russia
Saudi Arabia vs Egypt
| Liam | Taylor | |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Uruguay | Uruguay |
| 2nd | Egypt | Russia |
| 3rd | Russia | Egypt |
| 4th | Saudi Arabia | Saudi Arabia |
Group B
Portugal - 3rd
Spain - 6th
Morocco - 40th
Iran - 32nd
Facts:
- Portugal were a top seeded team for the first time in World Cup history
- Iranian manager Carlos Queiroz managed Portugal at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
- Morocco didn’t concede a goal in qualifying in a group with the Ivory Coast and Gabon.
We have the current Euro champions in with a strong team in Spain. Really have to feel for Morocco and Iran due to them needing results to go in their favour and upsets for them to make it to the round of 16.
Matchday One
Morocco v Iran
Portugal vs Spain
Matchday Two
Portugal vs Morocco
Spain vs Iran
Matchday Three
Morocco vs Spain
Portugal vs Iran
| Liam | Taylor | |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Spain | Spain |
| 2nd | Portugal | Portugal |
| 3rd | Morocco | Morocco |
| 4th | Iran | Iran |
Group C
France - 9th
Peru - 11th
Denmark - 12th
Australia - 39th
Here we have an interesting group that will have a good battle for the runner up place. The Euro runner ups France will be heavy favourites in the group and for the tournament itself. Watching the battle between Peru and Denmark to be the talking point and eyes on matchday one.
Facts:
- Denmark are making their first World Cup appearance since 2010 where they failed to make it to the knockout stages.
- Peru became the fifth South American team to qualify for the World Cup after defeating New Zealand in a two-legged playoff game.
- Group C is the only group with three teams ranked higher than 15th in the FIFA rankings France (9th), Peru (11th), and Denmark (12th).
Matchday One
France vs Australia
Peru vs Denmark
Matchday Two
France vs Peru
Denmark vs Australia
Matchday Three
France vs Denmark
Australia vs Peru
| Liam | Taylor | |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | France | France |
| 2nd | Denmark | Denmark |
| 3rd | Peru | Peru |
| 4th | Australia | Australia |
Group D
Argentina - 4th
Iceland - 22nd
Croatia - 17th
Nigeria - 50th
This group consists the runners up of the last World Cup in Argentina who are looking to win it this year with Messi. The small nation of Iceland took many by surprise in the Euros with a strong showing. They will be challenging Croatia for the runner up spot to make it to the round of 16.
Facts:
- Iceland have qualified for their first ever World Cup.
- All four teams have little history against one and other. Croatia and Nigeria have never met in international play before and the same can be said about Iceland and Argentina.
- John Obi Mikel captains the Nigerian national team and has plenty of experience at both club and national level.
Matchday One
Argentina vs Iceland
Croatia vs Nigeria
Matchday Two
Argentina vs Croatia
Nigeria vs Iceland
Matchday Three
Nigeria v Argentina
Iceland v Croatia
| Liam | Taylor | |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Croatia | Argentina |
| 2nd | Argentina | Croatia |
| 3rd | Iceland | Iceland |
| 4th | Nigeria | Nigeria |
Group E
Brazil - 2nd
Switzerland - 8th
Costa Rica - 26th
Serbia - 37th
Brazil will lead the way in Group E, but besides them the other three teams will find themselves fairly even. Switzerland will be the favourites to qualify for the knockout rounds, however, lets not forget what Costa Rica did back in 2014. As for Serbia, they have a solid defensive unit after averaging only one goal against per game in qualifying.
Facts:
- Serbia qualify for their second World Cup tournament as an independent nation.
- Brazil were the second team to qualify for the 2018 tournament (Second to hosts Russia)
- Costa Rica will be looking to make it the knockout stages for the second straight World Cup.
Matchday One
Costa Rica vs Serbia
Brazil vs Switzerland
Matchday Two
Brazil vs Costa Rica
Serbia vs Switzerland
Matchday Three
Serbia vs Brazil
Switzerland vs Costa Rica
| Liam | Taylor | |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Brazil | Brazil |
| 2nd | Switzerland | Costa Rica |
| 3rd | Costa Rica | Switzerland |
| 4th | Serbia | Serbia |
Group F
Germany - 1st
Mexico - 16th
Sweden - 18th
South Korea - 59th
Many fans are calling group f this summers “Group of Death”. With World Champions Germany the top seeded team, and the likes of Mexico - a team who are always a tough opponent - Sweden - who knocked out Italy - and South Korea - the only Asian team to make it to a World Cup semi final - you can see why. Every game will be extremely competitive with no win guaranteed.
Facts:
- Only group in which all four teams have hosted a World Cup.
- Sweden eliminated four time World Cup winners Italy on their Road to Russia.
- Germany entire the World Cup as favourites to win it all.
Matchday One
Germany vs Mexico
Sweden vs South Korea
Matchday Two
Germany vs Sweden
South Korea vs Mexico
Matchday Three
South Korea vs Germany
Mexico vs Sweden
| Liam | Taylor | |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Germany | Germany |
| 2nd | Mexico | Sweden |
| 3rd | South Korea | Mexico |
| 4th | Sweden | South Korea |
Group G
Belguim - 5th
Panama - 56th
Tunisia - 27th
England - 15th
It’ll be exciting to watch both England and Belgium battle it out on match day three to decide who wins the group. Tunisia and Panama, unfortunately for them, do not compare with the star power of both the European nations. Those two teams will likely earn respect from the fans rather than a victory over either England or Belgium.
Facts:
- England, Belgium, and Tunisia all went unbeaten in the qualifying rounds.
- The last time England and Tunisia played against each other in a World Cup England manager Gareth Southgate was part of the England squad.
- Panama were the only team to make it to Russia will a negative goal difference.
Matchday One
Belgium vs Panama
Tunisia vs England
Matchday Two
Belgium vs Tunisia
England vs Panama
Matchday Three
England vs Belgium
Tunisia vs Panama
| Liam | Taylor | |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Belgium | Belgium |
| 2nd | England | England |
| 3rd | Tunisia | Panama |
| 4th | Panama | Tunisia |
Group H
Poland - 7th
Senegal - 23rd
Columbia - 13th
Japan - 55th
This will be a fun group to watch with no real top team in the foursome. Poland and Columbia will be favourite to go through, but don’t count out Senegal or Japan. Senegal will be lead Liverpool forward Sadio Mane whilst the Japanese will want to maintain their good form from the qualifying rounds. Overall, this group has plenty of star power and each team; if there is one group that will see an unlikely team make it to the knockout stages it’ll be this one.
Facts:
- Group H is the only group in the tournament without a previous World Cup winner.
- Senegal will enter only their second ever World Cup finals in Russia
- Japan topped their qualifying group finishing above fellow World Cup qualifiers Saudi Arabia and Australia.
Matchday One
Poland vs Senegal
Colombia vs Japan
Matchday Two
Japan vs Senegal
Poland vs Colombia
Matchday Three
Japan vs Poland
Colombia vs Senegal
| Liam | Taylor | |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Colombia | Colombia |
| 2nd | Poland | Poland |
| 3rd | Senegal | Japan |
| 4th | Japan | Senegal |
Knockout Stage
Liam:
Round of 16
Uruguay vs Portugal
France vs Argentina
Brazil vs Mexico
Belgium vs Poland
Spain vs Egypt
Croatia vs Denmark
Germany vs Switzerland
Colombia vs England
Quarter Finals
Uruguay vs France
Brazil vs Poland
Spain vs Denmark
Germany vs England
Semi Finals
France vs Brazil
Spain vs Germany
Final
Brazil vs Germany
Taylor:
Round of 16
Uruguay vs Portugal
France vs Croatia
Brazil vs Sweden
Belgium vs Poland
Spain vs Russia
Argentina vs Denmark
Germany vs Costa Rica
Columbia vs England
Quarter Finals
Portugal vs France
Brazil vs Belgium
Spain vs Argentina
Germany vs England
Semi Finals
France vs Belgium
Spain vs Germany
Final
France vs Germany
