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Finally, Russia does not have to share a news headline with United States President Donald Trump! The 2018 World Cup is around the corner, is going to be huuuge and Mr Live Wire has got the ‘covfefe.’ Naturally.
Warning: Italy, Netherlands and United States fans, please look away now. (Soca Warriors supporters should be used to this by now—let’s keep it real!)
Cry me a river, Timmy!
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/CA-Images/Wired868)
First up, there will be no genuine group of death at the Russia tournament—this is, after all, a generation that doesn’t exactly thrive on open confrontation. But there will be some, cough, exotic match-ups and the odd inconvenience when the greatest single sport event on the planet kicks off in Moscow on 14 June, 2018.
Russia lift the curtain on the 2018 edition when they tackle Saudi Arabia on Thursday 14 June. And, to be honest, football fans are probably looking forward to that clash as much as they would a trip to the dentist!
But, on Friday 15 June, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal square off against Sergio Ramos’ Spain in a “battle of the hair gel” and—whoop whoop!—we have lift-off!
The opening groups are not too taxing—deep breaths for Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Neymar and everyone else with dodgy accountants—but it will get mighty interesting from the quarterfinal round when Argentina, should they advance, will almost certainly be pitted against either Portugal or Spain.
Dammit. Someone please make sure Messi packs his cape!
Brazil could end up facing Belgium in the quarter-final round too, should both teams top their groups. Will Casemiro turn Eden Hazard into a casserole? Or will Marouane Fellaini use Neymar as a toothpick?
Meanwhile, defending champions Germany could easily advance all the way to the semi-finals without playing anyone more challenging than Colombia. So extra siesta time for Mesut Ozil then… Yeah!
Who is your money on?!
(Copyright AFP 2014/Christophe Simon)
World Cup groups
Group A: Russia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Uruguay
Group B: Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Iran
Group C: France, Australia, Peru, Denmark
Group D: Argentina, Iceland, Croatia, Nigeria
Group E: Brazil, Switzerland, Costa Rica, Serbia
Group F: Germany, Sweden, Mexico, South Korea
Group G: Belgium, Panama, Tunisia, England
Group H: Poland, Senegal, Colombia, Japan
Germany playmaker Mesut Özil (standing) tries to escape a desperate challenge from Austria midfielder Paul Scharner during a Euro 2012 qualifier.
(Copyright AFP 2014/Joe Klamar)
Knock-out stage
[Bracket One]A1 v B2; C1 v D2
E1 v F2; G1 v H2
[Bracket Two]B1 v A2; D1 v C2
F1 v E2; H1 v G2
Editor’s Note: Each Bracket represents half of the knockout schedule with the overall winner on each line meeting in the quarter-final. The dominant team from each Bracket meets in the final… Isn’t maths fun?!
(Copyright AFP 2014/Fabrice Coffrini)
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Lasana, how does Argentina face either Portugal or Spain in the second round? You mean the quarter finals!
Yes. You’re right. The quarterfinals. And the way Argentina are playing, they can’t afford to take getting there for granted! ??
I agree but I feel the Argentina in the WC will be much better than the Argentina in the qualifiers!
Nigel I will be looking to see who gets packed for that trip. If I see Benedetto, I’m going straight into the foetal position. ?
I now starting to enjoy the thing and it finish yes. Lmao
This is the real Group of Death. Everybody in it dead already. Lol
..Steups. At the end of the day, if you want to win ANY World Cup you have to beat The Gods of Thunder. O Brasil!!..
Tell dem Keith!
..Talking ’bout dis team and dat like dey eh know..
Brasil not even getting past quarter finals
With them Chinese low mein players
Belgium ought to be a serious contender. Germany is always a beast. Brazil is always my heart and soul horse and the talent, last Olympic’s win, Neymar’s youth tied to his maturity and very sizable experience – I am pleased for a great chance this go-around. Argentina has a dead focused Messi who has to leave his best-ever player legacy with a WC gold-place. Portugal is a good, top second tier contender.
Lasana,I like this article ,especially when you said Ronaldo vs Ramos ,The battle of the hair gel lol
Terence William Fenwick, you have faith in Southgate’s boys?
There are some groups which are tougher than others but then football can be unpredictable sometimes. Who knows?
I must look back to last World Cup to see if there were many upsets. Can’t remember many though.
Belgium wasn’t the force that I had hoped for in the last world cup
Mark don’t be too hard on Belgium. They ran into Messi in 2014. ?
Costa Rica 3 Uruguay 1 without Luis Suarez
I think they beat Italy too
True that to Lasana,the best team in the world
June yes that group had genuine upsets. Also Chile’s win over Spain and I’d say Greece against Ivory Coast. Maybe USA draw with Portugal too.
Group B only has 2 teams? 🙂 🙂
Don’t underestimate Iran. They are experts at keeping nuclear weapons hidden. 🙂
Hahaha
Hahaha wtf??
I think Groups D (ARG, ICE, CRO, and NIG) and F (GER, MEX, SWE, and KR) are two very tricky groups. We’ll likely see some upsets coming from these two groups. And we are guaranteed to see upsets in any group that England is in. England – the perennial chokers:-)
So why you want to see an upset in Argentina’s group? Why you don’t hope for an upset against Brazil?! Dem really good yes. Lol
Brazil bro? Upset against Brazil? What a heretical comment. You got jokes Mr Wired868:-)
And by the way Lasana – don’t forget we have a bet on-going. Ah eh forget;-)
Carlos what was the bet again? We need screenshots yes. Lol
I’ll tell you when I win:-)
Carlos you best have a screenshot yes. You’re sounding like Neymar’s accountant! ??
Don’t mind Lasana Carlos. He just trying to find ways to cut his losses. Lol
Perfect, England & Belgium 1 & 2 in Group ‘G’ and don’t meet each other again until the FINAL!
COME ON ENGLAND!!!
Hahaha… Hope springs eternal eh?!
At this stage in terms of current strength I’d put Germany and France in my first tier, closely followed by Spain and Brazil. Then comes the team which shall peak at the right time…Argentina.
There is a reason why I like you
And vice versa Mel.
Is that because you both (along with Lasana) share Argentine delusions of grandeur Mel? Lol.
I hope Sweden put a good cuta$$ on Brazil
(runs away)
Sweden couldn’t even put a cuta$$ on Sweden! Lol. But if Belgium or England turn over Brazil… Let’s just say I won’t be displeased. 🙂
ok wrong team. It’s Switzerland in the same group with Brazil.
Now Costa Rica has the job! 🙂
Once you have Messi, you have a ticket. Not so Amery and Brian? Lol. Who’re you supporting Mel?
Les Blues for the win yet my heart is with Messi and Argentina
More like…..once you have Neymar ??? ???
Neymar getting to take all free kicks and penalties? Lol
While singing We Are The Champions…….
You putting shitty Spain over Les bleus
Yep based on ONE position…GOAL-KEEPER…Spain own SUPERIOR by far…and I dare YOU to call HIM shitty LMAO ???
Germany and Spain with Poland as a dark horse…they have a suckeye group to advance from and could build some momentum.
Momentum my tail. I doubt Poland getting out of their group! Lol. I don’t even who’s in the Senegal team and I still feel they could beat Poland! Hahaha
Let me pull a Kendall Tull on you…want to make a bet on that? ?
Lemme go check out Poland and Senegal a bit closer. It’s only so much beers I can buy for people! Lol
Ha ha ha ha
Croatia is the dark horse of the tournament
Brian trying to hedge his losses against you Lasana. It’s a trap. Lol
Kendall Tull How you could sellout a brother so??? 🙂
Lasana in the same boat as you Brian. You have to find another mark. Lol
Sigh! Almost had him at the start yes…ah well the search continues ?
??? I haven’t passed on that offer yet Brian. Just doing due diligence.
Senegal have players such as Mané, Keita Balde and Kalidou Koulibaly. Lewandwski will be in Koulibaly’s back pocket lol.
Roneil inspired me. It’s on Brian!
Hmmn not sure if you bluffing or maybe I might have to do a rethink myself Lasana lol
Hahahahahahaha. Don’t back out now Brian. You got your wish.
Ok Lasana you see Kendall egging me on is def a Red Flag…let me do my due diligence as well ?
We have to be the wussiest pair of gamblers ever! ???
Ent? ?