International Power Rankings: Our favourites for Russia 2018 | OneFootball

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Dan Burke·22 March 2018

International Power Rankings: Our favourites for Russia 2018

Article image:International Power Rankings: Our favourites for Russia 2018

There are now just 84 days to go until the World Cup kicks off in Russia and anticipation is hotting up.

It’s got us thinking about who the favourites to lift the Jules Rimet trophy will be this summer, and we’ve whittled the 32 participating nations down to the ten we believe have the best international football teams on the planet heading into the tournament.


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Never mind the FIFA World Rankings, this is the one that really counts…

10 Colombia

Article image:International Power Rankings: Our favourites for Russia 2018

They may have qualified for the 2018 tournament by the skin of their teeth but there are plenty of reasons for the Colombians to be optimistic about their chances of at least matching the quarter-final berth they managed four years ago. James Rodríguez, Radamel Falcao and Davinson Sánchez are just three of those reasons.

9 Uruguay

Article image:International Power Rankings: Our favourites for Russia 2018

Óscar Tabárez’s side finished runners-up to Brazil in CONMEBOL qualifying and should perhaps be considered one of the dark horses in Russia. A side containing such talent as Luis Suárez and Edinson Cavani should never be taken lightly.

8 England

Article image:International Power Rankings: Our favourites for Russia 2018

You might struggle to find too many England fans who are genuinely optimistic about their country’s chances of success in Russia and the pressure being off could be just the tonic for this Three Lions side. Gareth Southgate might not be the world’s most inspiring coach but he’s at least trying to cultivate a progressive style of play and in Harry Kane, England have one of the finest goalscorers the nation has produced for a generation.

7 Belgium

Article image:International Power Rankings: Our favourites for Russia 2018

Is this finally going to be the Golden Generation’s time to shine? With Roberto Martínez at the helm, we’re not so sure, but there’s no doubt the Red Devils squad is packed full of world-class talent and we’re looking forward to watching them in Russia as much as anyone else the tournament.

6 Portugal

Article image:International Power Rankings: Our favourites for Russia 2018

The Euro 2016 champions breezed through their qualifying campaign and have at least an outside chance of making it to the latter stages of Russia 2018. Cristiano Ronaldo will be well aware that this surely represents his last chance of winning a World Cup and he won’t let it go without a fight.

5 France

Article image:International Power Rankings: Our favourites for Russia 2018

On paper, the French will have arguably the most mouth-watering collection of talent at the tournament. The big challenge for Didier Deschamps will be to get the likes of Antoine Griezmann, Paul Pogba and Ousmane Dembélé playing at the level expected of their lofty reputations. This summer marks 20 years since Les Bleus last won a World Cup and their next triumph is long overdue.

4 Argentina

Article image:International Power Rankings: Our favourites for Russia 2018

Like many of the nations already mentioned in this list, Argentina’s dearth of recent international success truly boggles of the mind. After narrowly averting disaster by qualifying for this summer’s tournament at the 11th hour, it’s time Lionel Messi and co stepped up to the plate on the world stage, because for some of them, this could be their last chance to do so.

3 Spain

Article image:International Power Rankings: Our favourites for Russia 2018

Spain’s sensational run of international success finally came to an end with a disappointing showing at Euro 2016 but they were unbeaten in qualifying for the World Cup and an exciting squad of old masters combined with emerging talent is unlikely to do itself a disservice two tournaments running.

2 Brazil

Article image:International Power Rankings: Our favourites for Russia 2018

The drab Dunga years are now a thing of the past, the 7-1 is a distant memory and Tite’s Verde-Amerela are heading to Russia brimming with confidence. They smashed their qualifying campaign and boast some of the most exciting attacking talent on the planet. Keep an eye out for these lads, they’re handy.

1 Germany

Article image:International Power Rankings: Our favourites for Russia 2018

They won the World Cup in 2014 and if you ask us, the Germans should be considered the favourites to do the same again this summer. Joachim Löw could genuinely pick at least two different XIs of the highest quality on any given day and has at least one world-class player at his disposal for every position on the field. A genuinely terrifying proposition.