2018 World Cup discussion and information thread

[tomahawk9]

Finally, we have all participants of the 2018 World cup in Russia.
Now we are waiting for the draw which will be held on 1st of December.
I hope we (Serbia) will not get too hard opponents
Russia Peru Iran would be cool

You guys have a great team, however, i wouldn't underestimate Peru or Russia. The south american squad have a great team, mixing youth (Carrillo, Cueva, Tapia, etc)and experience (Farfán, Paolo Gurrero, Yotún, etc). Russia on the other hand are playing at home,  might be a plus in the early stages of the cup.

Just 2 more weeks to know the official groups for the World Cup. I'm excited to see the group that gets Spain, it's going to make things very interesting in the first round.

[1714627766]

1714627766

[drachman]

Heart attacks in Italy,if Italy will not qualify it will be national tragedy,but lets see maybe penalties like again Germany during Euro

I’m extremely disappointed in Italy performance, they failed to qualify to the world cup, they did not score a single goal against Sweden they deserve to miss the world cup, but man a world cup without Italy is going to be weird, maybe this is a sign of things to come.

[siti25]

Heart attacks in Italy,if Italy will not qualify it will be national tragedy,but lets see maybe penalties like again Germany during Euro

I’m extremely disappointed in Italy performance, they failed to qualify to the world cup, they did not score a single goal against Sweden they deserve to miss the world cup, but man a world cup without Italy is going to be weird, maybe this is a sign of things to come.

Italy are playing badly, their squad is also much different from the Italian level in World Cup 2OO6. Sweden qualified, eventually they qualified but without the Great Zlatan. It was a terrible fate for Zlatan, his country qualified for the World Cup after Zlatan retired for the national team. In his heart there must be a sense of want to return to play for the national team to play in the World Cup.

[f150]

Heart attacks in Italy,if Italy will not qualify it will be national tragedy,but lets see maybe penalties like again Germany during Euro

I’m extremely disappointed in Italy performance, they failed to qualify to the world cup, they did not score a single goal against Sweden they deserve to miss the world cup, but man a world cup without Italy is going to be weird, maybe this is a sign of things to come.

Italy are playing badly, their squad is also much different from the Italian level in World Cup 2OO6. Sweden qualified, eventually they qualified but without the Great Zlatan. It was a terrible fate for Zlatan, his country qualified for the World Cup after Zlatan retired for the national team. In his heart there must be a sense of want to return to play for the national team to play in the World Cup.

I am also disappointed that Italy failed to qualify and will only be a spectator in the 2018 World Cup, after a draw with Sweden made Italy lose to Sweden. Italian attacks tend to be monotonous and many attacks are wasted even if they get a good chance, but none of them leads to the Swedish goalkeeper.

[Nibeloss]

Heart attacks in Italy,if Italy will not qualify it will be national tragedy,but lets see maybe penalties like again Germany during Euro

I’m extremely disappointed in Italy performance, they failed to qualify to the world cup, they did not score a single goal against Sweden they deserve to miss the world cup, but man a world cup without Italy is going to be weird, maybe this is a sign of things to come.

Italy are playing badly, their squad is also much different from the Italian level in World Cup 2OO6. Sweden qualified, eventually they qualified but without the Great Zlatan. It was a terrible fate for Zlatan, his country qualified for the World Cup after Zlatan retired for the national team. In his heart there must be a sense of want to return to play for the national team to play in the World Cup.

I am also disappointed that Italy failed to qualify and will only be a spectator in the 2018 World Cup, after a draw with Sweden made Italy lose to Sweden. Italian attacks tend to be monotonous and many attacks are wasted even if they get a good chance, but none of them leads to the Swedish goalkeeper.

Too many moments were wasted team Italy against team Sweden. Now let's see what can make the new head coach of this team, to regain the trust of the fans.

[cicciobtc]

there are some rules for the December 1st draw for the next World Cup:

in each group there can be only one nation per federation, except for the European confederation being 14 nations,
in that case there will be at most 2 European nations in each group.

-for example Brazil and Argentina (1st pot) will not be in their group: Uruguay, Peru, Colombia (2nd pot)
so Brazil and Argentina will have in their group 1 team among these 5: Spain, England, Switzerland, Croatia, Mexico.

-Tunisia, Egypt, Senegal (3rd pot) will not have in their group Morocco and Nigeria (4th pot)

-Mexico (2nd pot), Costa Rica (3rd pot), Panama (4th pot), will be in different groups

-Iran (3 pot) will not be in the same group with Australia, Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea (4 pot).

-There will be at least 6 groups, with 2 European teams,

[buwaytress]

Great update ciccio and thanks. Will be really interesting to see gow bookmakers change their odds now, though I might wait for the actual draws before selecting early winners.

I might take a couple of risky bets on perhaps Iceland or Senegal to win a semifinal berth, if there's any bookie offering.

P.s. england and brazil kits are leaked as usual. Nothing special but could be a surprise when them colourful African teams show up with theirs.

Anyone for some early side bets?

[Dux2K]

there are some rules for the December 1st draw for the next World Cup:

in each group there can be only one nation per federation, except for the European confederation being 14 nations,
in that case there will be at most 2 European nations in each group.

-for example Brazil and Argentina (1st pot) will not be in their group: Uruguay, Peru, Colombia (2nd pot)
so Brazil and Argentina will have in their group 1 team among these 5: Spain, England, Switzerland, Croatia, Mexico.

-Tunisia, Egypt, Senegal (3rd pot) will not have in their group Morocco and Nigeria (4th pot)

-Mexico (2nd pot), Costa Rica (3rd pot), Panama (4th pot), will be in different groups

-Iran (3 pot) will not be in the same group with Australia, Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea (4 pot).

-There will be at least 6 groups, with 2 European teams,

We always have 2 Europe team in group stage cuz they have most participant in WC.
Also think that we will have at least 2 "death" groups when 1st december comes draw.

It would be hard for some teams but think that this time maybe we will see that some team will defend title, Germany have good team but my pick will be maybe on Spain or Brazil this time.

[dmamigo]

Heart attacks in Italy,if Italy will not qualify it will be national tragedy,but lets see maybe penalties like again Germany during Euro

I’m extremely disappointed in Italy performance, they failed to qualify to the world cup, they did not score a single goal against Sweden they deserve to miss the world cup, but man a world cup without Italy is going to be weird, maybe this is a sign of things to come.

Italy are playing badly, their squad is also much different from the Italian level in World Cup 2OO6. Sweden qualified, eventually they qualified but without the Great Zlatan. It was a terrible fate for Zlatan, his country qualified for the World Cup after Zlatan retired for the national team. In his heart there must be a sense of want to return to play for the national team to play in the World Cup.

I am also disappointed that Italy failed to qualify and will only be a spectator in the 2018 World Cup, after a draw with Sweden made Italy lose to Sweden. Italian attacks tend to be monotonous and many attacks are wasted even if they get a good chance, but none of them leads to the Swedish goalkeeper.

Actually Italy played pretty bad, and Sweden played the second leg just to make sure atleast their opponent should not score and they did well. Not even the fans, but many felt disappointed. But personally I love both the teams, so when its either one of them it didn't kind of matter, but yes I wished I could see them both. 

[grermezter]

Heart attacks in Italy,if Italy will not qualify it will be national tragedy,but lets see maybe penalties like again Germany during Euro

I’m extremely disappointed in Italy performance, they failed to qualify to the world cup, they did not score a single goal against Sweden they deserve to miss the world cup, but man a world cup without Italy is going to be weird, maybe this is a sign of things to come.

Italy are playing badly, their squad is also much different from the Italian level in World Cup 2OO6. Sweden qualified, eventually they qualified but without the Great Zlatan. It was a terrible fate for Zlatan, his country qualified for the World Cup after Zlatan retired for the national team. In his heart there must be a sense of want to return to play for the national team to play in the World Cup.

I think Zlatan should expect given the opportunity to represent his country at the world cup,  Even though he played no part in the qualifications I think he will be very helpful to the squad if he is included in the team to the World Cup next year.

[cicciobtc]

Clamorous Peru could be excluded from 2018 World Cup,
Italy would take its place because it is the team with the best ranking among the eliminated teams

There is a proposed law put forward by Paloma Noceda which would put their football federation under the control of the State, which is not allowed under FIFA rules.

Fifa prohibits links between sports and political federations.

Bookmakers are listing the possibility of Italy at the next world cup at@50.00 !

[GalaWan]

It may be possible to see a stronger Italy in the future. A renewed italy can be better prepared this is good both the resignation of the federation president and the technical director.

[cicciobtc]

Who will win the next World Cup?

Germany  @6.00
Brazil        @6.00
France       @6.50
Spain         @8.00
Argentine  @9.00
Belgium   @12.00
England    @18.00
Portugal    @23.00
Croatia      @30.00
Russia       @35.00
Uruguay    @40.00
Colombia  @45.00
Poland       @55.00
Switzerland, Mexico    @65.00
Sweden, Denmark,Serbia  @80.00
Nigeria,Senegal,Islanda,Peru,Japan @150.00
Australia ,Morocco Egypt @250.00
Tunisia, Costa Rica, Iran,South Korea @500.00
Saudi Arabia, Panama @1000.00

Germany, Brazil and France are the great favorites.
Very interesting the quotes of Portugal and England.
Panama and Saudi Arabia are quoted at@1000

[grermezter]

Who will win the next World Cup?

Germany  @6.00
Brazil        @6.00
France       @6.50
Spain         @8.00
Argentine  @9.00
Belgium   @12.00
England    @18.00
Portugal    @23.00
Croatia      @30.00
Russia       @35.00
Uruguay    @40.00
Colombia  @45.00
Poland       @55.00
Switzerland, Mexico    @65.00
Sweden, Denmark,Serbia  @80.00
Nigeria,Senegal,Islanda,Peru,Japan @150.00
Australia ,Morocco Egypt @250.00
Tunisia, Costa Rica, Iran,South Korea @500.00
Saudi Arabia, Panama @1000.00

Germany, Brazil and France are the great favorites.
Very interesting the quotes of Portugal and England.
Panama and Saudi Arabia are quoted at@1000

The three teams are indeed the favorites to win the World Cup and to be sure about their abilities, I wouldn't mind if there was a friendly match between them to ascertain which among them would be the clear favorites but I will be choosing France though.

[cicciobtc]

Fifa World Ranking (updated 23 november):

1)Germany      1602   =
2)Brazil            1483   =
3)Portugal        1358   =
4)Argentina      1348  =
5)Belgium        1325   =
6)Spain             1231  +2
7)Poland           1209   -1
8 Switzerland   1190  +3
9)France            1183   -2
10)Chile            1162   -1
11)Perù             1128   -1
12)Denmark     1099   +7
13)Colombia    1078    =
14)Italy            1052   +1
15)England      1047    -3
16)Mexico        1032    =
17)Croatia        1018   +1
18 Sweden          998  +7
19)Wales           985     -5
20)Netherlands  952    +0


in this top 20 there are even 4 teams that will not participate in the next wolrd cup: Chile, Italy, Wales, Netherlands

[grermezter]

Fifa World Ranking (updated 23 november):

1)Germany      1602   =
2)Brazil            1483   =
3)Portugal        1358   =
4)Argentina      1348  =
5)Belgium        1325   =
6)Spain             1231  +2
7)Poland           1209   -1
8 Switzerland   1190  +3
9)France            1183   -2
10)Chile            1162   -1
11)Perù             1128   -1
12)Denmark     1099   +7
13)Colombia    1078    =
14)Italy            1052   +1
15)England      1047    -3
16)Mexico        1032    =
17)Croatia        1018   +1
18 Sweden          998  +7
19)Galles            985  -5
20)Netherlands  952    +0


in this top 20 there are even 4 teams that will not participate in the next wolrd cup: Chile, Italy, Wales, Netherlands

Whyhas Italy been awarded one pint even though they are not participating in the World Cup and they haven't won any of their last two games which was played in less than a forthnight ago, with the exception of that, I am okay with the top twenty standings as it is.

[CasinoBetGame]

Heart attacks in Italy,if Italy will not qualify it will be national tragedy,but lets see maybe penalties like again Germany during Euro

I’m extremely disappointed in Italy performance, they failed to qualify to the world cup, they did not score a single goal against Sweden they deserve to miss the world cup, but man a world cup without Italy is going to be weird, maybe this is a sign of things to come.

Italy are playing badly, their squad is also much different from the Italian level in World Cup 2OO6. Sweden qualified, eventually they qualified but without the Great Zlatan. It was a terrible fate for Zlatan, his country qualified for the World Cup after Zlatan retired for the national team. In his heart there must be a sense of want to return to play for the national team to play in the World Cup.

i hope zlatan ibrahimovic can participate in wold cup 2018
maybe last playing before retire

[siti25]

Fifa World Ranking (updated 23 november):

1)Germany      1602   =
2)Brazil            1483   =
3)Portugal        1358   =
4)Argentina      1348  =
5)Belgium        1325   =
6)Spain             1231  +2
7)Poland           1209   -1
8 Switzerland   1190  +3
9)France            1183   -2
10)Chile            1162   -1
11)Perù             1128   -1
12)Denmark     1099   +7
13)Colombia    1078    =
14)Italy            1052   +1
15)England      1047    -3
16)Mexico        1032    =
17)Croatia        1018   +1
18 Sweden          998  +7
19)Galles            985  -5
20)Netherlands  952    +0


in this top 20 there are even 4 teams that will not participate in the next wolrd cup: Chile, Italy, Wales, Netherlands

I did not expect to see Poland and Switzerland as far above England. I think England are playing well until now, unless they play in the original competition. In Friendly Match and their World Cup qualifiers look very good, I think is better than Poland and Switzerland.

[drachman]

Fifa World Ranking (updated 23 november):

1)Germany      1602   =
2)Brazil            1483   =
3)Portugal        1358   =
4)Argentina      1348  =
5)Belgium        1325   =
6)Spain             1231  +2
7)Poland           1209   -1
8 Switzerland   1190  +3
9)France            1183   -2
10)Chile            1162   -1
11)Perù             1128   -1
12)Denmark     1099   +7
13)Colombia    1078    =
14)Italy            1052   +1
15)England      1047    -3
16)Mexico        1032    =
17)Croatia        1018   +1
18 Sweden          998  +7
19)Galles            985  -5
20)Netherlands  952    +0


in this top 20 there are even 4 teams that will not participate in the next wolrd cup: Chile, Italy, Wales, Netherlands

Whyhas Italy been awarded one pint even though they are not participating in the World Cup and they haven't won any of their last two games which was played in less than a forthnight ago, with the exception of that, I am okay with the top twenty standings as it is.

Don't look too much into the FIFA rankings, it has always been a joke, most of the time people do not agree with the rankings since they use a formula created by mathematicians that do not know a lot about soccer, most of the time the only ones that are correct are the top 5 teams and even sometimes there are disagreements in those spots as well.

[tomahawk9]

Well, the groups are completed. Which group do you guys think is the toughest group? I think Group F with Germany, Mexico, Sweden, South Korea, looks absolutely insane.

Spain and Portugal is going to be a great match, C.Ronaldo will face his teammates and the Barcelona players know him, but I think Portugal has a stronger squad than the one in the WC 2014.

Russia, well, their group looks "easy" on paper, how convenient.

Iceland debuting in a world cup and their first match is against Argentina, I'm confident that Iceland will be very competitive. But Nigeria and Croatia are both really strong squads. Argentina are favorites, but if they keep playing like they did during the qualifiers, then I don't see them advancing to the next rounds.

France does have an easy group, with Australia, Panama and Denmark. Same with Brazil.

Belgium and England are favorites in their group. And last but not least, Group H is probably the second toughest group with Colombia, Senegal, Japan, Poland.

Now we can start to speculate and guess which team are going to advance to Round of 16, for example, if Russia wins group A they will play against the runner-up Group B (could be Portugal or Spain).