Playing for 90
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
Isco will lead the charge for Spain next summer. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)
Isco will lead the charge for Spain next summer. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images) /

4. Spain

Spain could quite easily be higher up in the list. They have a heavily talented squad and an impressive manager in Julen Lopetegui, who has done a remarkable job of picking this team back up after two disastrous tournaments.

La Roja were eliminated by Italy in the last 16 of Euro 2016. Before that, they failed to get out of their group in the 2014 World Cup.

But after getting rid of some experienced players and bringing in some talented fresh blood, Lopetegui has made Spain a team to beat once again. They already got rid of one possible World Cup rival in Italy, when they beat them 3-0 in qualifying.

Spain’s new generation, led by Isco, Thiago, Alvaro Morata, Koke and David de Gea, combined with the experienced trio of Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique and Sergio Busquets makes them a threat for almost any team in the World Cup.

Like Germany, they have a packed midfield with exceptional talents, and it may cause problems for Lopetegui, as he looks to decide his best XI.

But expect Spain to at least make it to the semi-finals in Russia next year.

Home/World Cup