Contenders: Brazil, Germany, Italy, Spain, France, Argentina History suggests a European team will win it. Brazil is in fine form and its young team has quite a bit of experience already (e.g. last WC, Copas, and Olympics). Argentina's current form doesn't mean anything. I don't expect them to win the tournament given their choker status but given their talent, we can't rule out the possibility entirely. Germany is Germany. Its their birth right to at least make the WC semis. You can never rule out Italy. Spain has a solid team all around. They don't have much pressure on them. I expect them to go far. France has an excellent team and will be fun to watch. My only doubt is their relative inexperience. They'll also be contenders for the 2022 WC. Other teams that will cause problems are Croatia, Portugal, Belgium, and Switzerland. Ultimately, I expect Europe to dominate the tournament and the victor to ultimately come from the continent.
My bet is on Brazil. Their team has the depth to make it till the end and loaded with talent. They could, of course, implode again but I believe the worst is behind them now and they can only get up from here. I think this coming cup will be a more one-sided affair than the last one. The gap between absolute favorites to win it all and the dark horses is far bigger this time around. Spain is on the rise, getting rid of Del Bosque did wonders for them. Germany is still a force to be reckoned with but they are getting kind of hampered down by Low and it remains to be seen if he can sort the issues in the defense out. France has the raw firepower to trash anyone but just as is the case with Germany their coach is the biggest problem, I don't know if France can take the cup under Dechamps. The midfield doesn't flow well and the defense concedes a lot. France relies solely on individual talent right now. Argentina, Portugal, Croatia, Italy and England have a chance to win it all as well but that depends on certain factors. I have strong doubts that an African/North American /Asian team can make an impact on this cup. It can go the other way of course, as nobody expected Costa Rica to make waves on the last cup.
It always seems like that right before the World Cup. I think in the last WC it was fairly clear who the best team was (Germany). But the WC was played in South America, so that had a balancing effect, and created more doubt about whether Germany would actually pull it off. I think if that WC was played in Europe, Germany would've had an easier time of it (well, not in the semis - can't get easier than that - but overall).
Even before the World Cup started I was certain Germany were going to win. The only reason people had doubts was because Brazil were hosts.
I honestly wasn't sure before the World Cup 2014 started. I thought it would be Spain again or Germany, or maybe the Netherlands. I never thought Brazil would win it honestly considering that they didn't do that good in 2010 World Cup. I kind of had a feeling Spain would win it again though, but Germany was definitely up there as one of my picks.
Spain would do well to integrate Thiago Alcantara and use Azpilicueta instead of Jordi Alba. They don't need to be super creative offensively to win a seven match tournament. They need to do three things; have a more compact midfield (I think the three-man shape leaves them too open at times because of the characteristics of the players involved) which is able to use possession as a form of defense the way they used to, be better positionally defensively, especially in the immediate aftermath of losing the ball up the pitch (hence no Jordi Alba), evade the frantic high press teams will use against them once they realize Spain has accomplished the first two items.
This easy: Brazil / France semifinal Germany / Argentina-Chile semifinal Brazil - Germany final Brazil wins
I'll be honest I thought Brazil would win the last one. In the hotel before the semifinal the Germans were conceding defeat... didn't know they were setting me up for schadenfreude Lol. When Brazil got pounded I mentally broke down and went home lol. Don't ever send tickets via DHL. I tried to send one for the final and it got caught in customs in Panama then all rerouted into Colombia and then to Sau Paulo instead of Rio de Janeiro. Was a mess. Use Fedex!!!
I find it pretty funny that a couple people have written off France and used the 0-0 draw against Luxembourg as further proof for their believe. It's almost like a few days earlier when they beat Netherlands 4-0 it was forgotten, despite Netherlands being fairly weak now, they are still miles ahead of Luxembourg. No way to know anything for sure, but I'm pretty confident France will be a force come WC 18
Netherlands were 1 man down for most of the game, and Strootman was the man to get sent off (arguably their second best player). You are right France are miles ahead of Luxembourg, but I don't see them as a force or one of the best teams either. I'll repeat: Brazil, Spain, Chile, Italy, Croatia, Portugal, and Argentina are all better. And don't tell me about Chile and Argentina in danger of missing the WC. They might but they would beat France though. Its just South America is really tough qualifying, and many teams underperform in qualifying campaign anyway.
Did you watch that match before Strootman was ever sent off? It was evident France was always going to win comfortably. Also I mean no offense, but it is a pet peeve of mine when people say things with certainty when it's opinion rather than fact. You should have said " I think Chile or Argentina would beat France" not "They would beat France" Because personally I believe France is stronger than both right now and I'm confident time will prove me right.
Yes France would have beaten Netherlands anyway but more like 2-1 maybe. France is not a rubbish team, but they aren't good either. Well yeah of course upsets happen and you can never be 100% sure but I do believe Chile or Argentina would be favorites against France in the real World Cup when the time comes.
As it stands either Argentina or Chile won't make the World Cup. With a chance that both won't make it.
They can both qualify. If they both win their last two games, they will both pass Peru, who plays Argentina next.
I can see Argentina winning their last two matches in ugly fashion. I can't see Chile winning in Brazil though. No team has ever won in Brazil in Qualifying and they will be looking to keep it that way.
The passion and impetus of the Chilean team will be missed in the World Cup 2018. Conmebol has the toughest qualifying games. I hope a miracle happens