Soccer fans around the world are anticipating the start of the 2018 World Cup, set to begin on June 14. Russia will be hosting the 21st FIFA World Cup, which is the first time a European country has held the tournament since Germany in 2006. Thirty-two teams will compete in a total of 64 matches throughout 11 cities in Russia. The final match, which occurs on July 15, will be held at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
Twenty out of the total 32 competing teams played in the last World Cup, which was held in Brazil in 2014. Germany was victorious in that tournament, and they are also one of the top contenders in this World Cup. Soccer enthusiasts are already compiling lists of who they think will win this year’s competition and what each teams chances are.
Leading the pack with a 50.33% chance of making it into the final 16 teams is Brazil. Their first game will be held on June 17 against Switzerland at the Rostov Arena in Rostov-On-Don. They have a 34.20% chance of making it into the quarterfinals, a 21.26% chance of making it to the semifinals, and a 13.34% chance of making it to the final game.
Not far behind them are the defending World Cup champs, Germany. They are predicted to have a 45.85% chance of making into the top 16 teams, with a 30.35% chance of playing in the quarterfinals, an 18.02% chance of making it to the semifinals, and a 10.62% chance of bringing home the cup for the fifth time.
Other top contenders include Argentina, with a 10.16% chance of winning it all, France with a 9.89% chance, and Spain with a 8.71% chance. In the middle of the pack are Belgium (4.00%), Portugal (3.28%), Uruguay (3.14%), Columbia (2.72%), England (2.22%), and Japan (2.15%).
With a less than two percent chance of making it into the finals, Sweden, Croatia, Mexico, Serbia, Poland, Peru, Australia, Switzerland, Egypt, Nigeria, Iran, Senegal, Denmark, Iceland, Saudi Arabia, Costa Rica, Korea Republic, Tunisia, Panama, and Morocco have their work cut out for them. Host country Russia has a 1.93% chance of making it into the finals when they kick off the tournament on June 14 against Saudi Arabia at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.