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Five early favorites for the 2018 FIFA World Cup

By Tushar Bahl

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JULY 13: Philipp Lahm of Germany lifts the World Cup trophy with teammates after defeating Argentina 1-0 in extra time during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Final match between Germany and Argentina at Maracana on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JULY 13: Philipp Lahm of Germany lifts the World Cup trophy with teammates after defeating Argentina 1-0 in extra time during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Final match between Germany and Argentina at Maracana on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images) /
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RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – JULY 13: Philipp Lahm of Germany lifts the World Cup trophy with teammates after defeating Argentina 1-0 in extra time during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Final match between Germany and Argentina at Maracana on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – JULY 13: Philipp Lahm of Germany lifts the World Cup trophy with teammates after defeating Argentina 1-0 in extra time during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Final match between Germany and Argentina at Maracana on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images) /

The biggest sporting event on Earth is still six months away, but there is already a great amount of buzz for the FIFA World Cup 2018.

The draw took place last Friday in Russia and there are already many mouth-watering games on offer in the group stages. While all the big nations were handed relatively easy draws and there are no groups of death, we could be in for a few shocks at the Finals next year.

And while all 32 teams will dream about lifting the coveted World Cup trophy, only one nation will triumph in the end.

So will Germany become the first nation to defend their World Cup crown since Brazil (1958,1962)? Or will Brazil lift the trophy, four years after that debacle in Mineirão? Will France’s talented squad prevail? Or will Spain’s experienced squad win their second World Cup in the last three editions?

We will not find out who triumphs until July 15, 2018. But here is a look at the five early favorites for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Keep in mind that the tournament is still six months away and potential injuries and other scenarios could change the chances of success for these nations.

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