Every four years soccer world is celebrating. FIFA World Cup is not just a common tournament. It is the tournament of tournaments. This year the World Cup will be played in Russia from June, 14 till July, 15. We, in SOCCERsoda.com, like soccer and like to play. Therefore we thought hard over the probable outcome of upcoming World Cup. Hope you will enjoy our Bold FIFA World Cup 2018 Predictions as much as we like writing them.
Introduction
FIFA World Cup 2018 Predictions – Group Stage
FIFA World Cup 2018 Predictions – Round of 16
FIFA World Cup 2018 Predictions – Round of 8 (Quarterfinals)
FIFA World Cup 2018 Predictions – Semifinals
FIFA World Cup 2018 Predictions – Finals – Who will win FIFA World Cup 2018?
FIFA World Cup 2018 Predictions – Top Goalscorer
Introduction
Predicting the outcome of FIFA World Cup is a pretty tough thing. Just imagine, there are just eight countries who won FIFA World Cup in the past. Really, just eight winners in the past. That means that even reaching the final or semifinal is a big thing for any participating nation. Believe it or not, even teams (if you are not Brazil or Germany) finishing at a 4th place can count on a big celebration in front of crowds when coming home.
FIFA World Cup Winners
Number of Trophies | Years | |
Brazil | 5 | 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002 |
Germany | 4 | 1954, 1974, 1990, 2014 |
Italy | 4 | 1934, 1938, 1982, 2006 |
Argentina | 2 | 1978, 1986 |
Uruguay | 2 | 1930, 1950 |
England | 1 | 1966 |
France | 1 | 1998 |
Spain | 1 | 2010 |
The old rule says that when World Cup is played in Europe than European team is winning (with the exception in 1958, when Brazil won World Cup held in Sweden). Till 2010 all FIFA World Cups played outside of Europe were won by a South American team. However, Spain in South Africa 2010 and Germany in Brazil 2014 canceled this rule.
FIFA World Cup 2018 Predictions – Group Stage
Group A, Group B, Group C, Group D,
Group E, Group F, Group G, Group H
Group A
This group looks like an easy bet. Uruguay has a pretty impressive squad full of players with experience from La Liga and Seria A. Winning Group A for Uruguay is just a first obligatory step for them and Russia, Egypt and Saudi Arabia should not be a real threat. Uruguay can lose a point or two in a group, but it would be a big surprise if they lose a match.
Fight for second place will be much harder. Russia is in full training mode for two years (as host country they do not need to qualify for World Cup), on another hand they miss an experience of competition match pressure. Egypt can be strong or weak depending on the state of Mohamed Salah, the player of the year in Premier League, who suffered arm injury in Champions League Final. His presence in World Cup matches is still in doubt. This uncertainty makes Russia my pick for 2nd place in Group A
A1 – Uruguay, A2 – Russia
Group B
Two of big favorites of World Cup will meet in one group in their first match on June 15. Spain and Portugal should play a big role even in knock-out phase so nobody doubts these two teams will take first two places in Group B. Who will win the group depends on the outcome of the first match which is pretty hard to guess. Overall taking into the account possible results against Morocco and Iran, we prefer Spain little bit more for first place.
B1 – Spain, B2 – Portugal
Group C
Group C offers one clear favorite. And that is France, of course. One clear outsider, which is naturally Peru and two contenders for second group place. Australia or Denmark? We never underestimate Australian team but Denmark seems to be the better team at the moment.
C1 – France, C2 – Denmark
Group D
This group is not easy to predict. Argentina looks like the favorite, but Croatia and Nigeria are strong contenders too. Iceland does not look like a threat to the above-mentioned trio, but remembering their excellent performance during Euro 2016 should give us a minute for thinking about results again. In the end, we will be a little bit bold as our title says it.
D1 – Croatia, D2 – Argentina
Group E
Brazil should be the best team in Group E even without Neymar (in case he stays injured during group matches). However, their accommodation to Russia and Europe could be harder than everybody expects. We do not expect Brazil to dominate this group and expect hard fought matches until the end. Serbia, Costa Rica and Switzerland could mess things up and we can see whatever combination to fill first and second group place. In the end, we voted and see Brazil and Switzerland qualify for the knock-out phase
E1 – Brazil, E2 – Switzerland
Group F
Germany in the group means, that you have to pick Germany as a winner. Mexico looks always good in every World Cup. Sweden was able to beat Italy in qualifying but their performance was so heroic, that it will be hard to repeat. Korea team is a big unknown for me, but we do not expect they will endanger Germany or Mexico.
F1 – Germany, F2 – Mexico
Group G
Most fans would pick Belgium and England for first two places in Group G, but we see more drama in this group. England will show young team in Russia, so some surprises are possible. Just Harry Kane and Delle Alli will shoot them in knock-out phase, leaving Tunisia sad.
G1 – Belgium, G2 – England
Group H
I would like to see some African team in Round of 16, but Senegal will face too strong opponents in Colombia and Poland. Japan will play they usual football with a lot of an effort, but skills are missing there this year. Colombia will be stronger than it looks on paper and will overcome Poland in Group H.
H1 – Colombia, H2 – Poland
What to do when your kid starts with soccer? Check our guide for all you need to know when your kid starts with soccer!
FIFA World Cup 2018 Predictions – Round of 16
Our group predictions were probably not as bold as you expected, but we promise now it is time for a change.
The pairs are derived from our group standings predictions.
1C – 2D
France – Argentina
What a match. Whoever loses it will be hardly missed. We love Leo Messi, but France will be a too tough opponent.
Our pick: France
1A – 2B
Uruguay – Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo will do everything to win World Cup, but we see Portugal team not good enough against Uruguay.
Our pick: Uruguay
1B – 2A
Spain – Russia
This will be the end of the World Cup story for the home team. Spain is too strong almost for everyone not just for Russia.
Our pick: Spain
1D – 2C
Croatia – Denmark
Croatia will be a black horse of FIFA World Cup 2018 and even good Denmark performance will be not good enough.
Our pick: Croatia
1E – 2F
Brazil – Mexico
We promised to be bold and here it is. Mexico can finally do it.
Our pick: Mexico
1G – 2H
Belgium – Poland
Belgium was a team of future two years ago and now they are a team of the present. Their time is definitely now.
Our pick: Belgium
1F – 2E
Germany – Switzerland
No chance that younger brother will beat the older one.
Our pick: Germany
1H – 2G
Colombia – England
Surprise for many, but not for us. This England team is not the threat.
Our pick: Colombia
FIFA World Cup 2018 Predictions – Round of 8 (Quarterfinals)
1A/2B – 1C/2D
Uruguay – France
This can be the match we will remember for years. A lot of offensive and lot of goals. In the end, we like France little bit more.
Our pick: France
1E/2F – 1G/2H
Mexico – Belgium
We would wish Mexico success, but with the clear mind, we know that Belgium will be too much for them.
Our pick: Belgium
1B/2A – 1D/2C
Spain – Croatia
We say bold prediction and here it is. Spain is good, really good, but not as good like five or six years ago. Croatia has plenty of talent and also experience. If everything “clicks in”, they can go further.
Our pick: Croatia
1F/2E – 1H/2G
Germany – Colombia
Germany knows how to play important matches. That is all we need to say about this quarterfinal match.
Our pick: Germany
FIFA World Cup 2018 Predictions – Semifinals
We will see all European semifinals in July. Maybe bold, but it is our prediction for FIFA World Cup 2018.
France – Belgium
Both teams are very talented, both have plenty of experience (maybe France little bit more). And experience will probably decide this match.
Our pick: France
Croatia – Germany
Germany usually wins such type of matches, when everything is in the stake. But now, we have such strange feeling. This year it could be different. Croatia always looks promising, but this year they finally deliver.
Our pick: Croatia
FIFA World Cup 2018 Predictions – Finals – Who will win World Cup 2018?
Third place game:
Belgium – Germany
Match of disappointment usually brings weak defense and lot of goals. And in the crazy matches more experienced team will win.
Our Pick: Germany
Finals:
France – Croatia
Will we see 9th nation to celebrate FIFA World Cup win? We say no. France is just a little bit better.
Our pick: France
Top Goalscorer:
Antoine Griezmann
And what do you think? Show us your opinion about FIFA World Cup 2018 in our SOCCERsoda.com poll
Check our updated knock-out bracket filled right before first knock-out match started here
All you need to know about FIFA World Cup 2018
FIFA World Cup 2018 Schedule & Results
FIFA World Cup Team Line-Ups