World Cup 2018: Who are the favourites?

The World Cup is just around the corner and football fans from across the globe have already begun preparations buying their 2018 FIFA World Cup tickets online at Football Ticket Pad.

In a matter of weeks, Russia will be swarming with colour as 32 nations compete for the biggest prize in football. It is set to be a historic occasion with 64 matches taking place across eleven host cities.

Can Germany retain their crown? Or can Argentina, beaten finalists in 2014, go one step further with Lionel Messi and clinch their third title? Meanwhile, Brazil remain the favourites to win the World Cup for the first time since 2002 and lets not forget, England. Can the Three Lions put 52 years of hurt behind them and roar in Russia?

Football Ticket Pad takes a look at the favourites and rates their chances of glory this summer. Big names like Italy and Netherlands and Chile have all missed out on World Cup qualification which just goes to show how competitive it is this year. Buy your World Cup tickets now with tickets available for every game, including World Cup Final tickets in Moscow!

Brazil

The Samba stars are the joint favourites to lift the trophy in Russia and it is hard to look past them with the firepower they have in their squad. They have talent all over the pitch and a well balanced team alongside the diamond that is Neymar. The likes of Philippe Coutinho, Willian and Gabriel Jesus will provide support in attack with the experience of Dani Alves, Thiago Silva and David Luiz behind them.

They are the most successful team in World Cup history with five trophies, despite not winning it since 2002. Fans from across the world will be desperate to watch the iconic yellow and blue live in action.

Despite having one of the strongest squads in the tournament, ultimately their success will depend on the fitness of Neymar and if he can return from his broken foot in time as they look to rebuild their reputation following their 7-1 humiliation to Germany at the 2014 World Cup. Buy Brazil tickets now!

Germany

Joachim Low’s side are the ‘Rolls Royce’ of world football and are currently ranked the best team in the world according to the latest FIFA rankings.

The current World Cup holders will be hoping to hang onto their title of world champions and history suggests they will certainly go far when the World Cup kicks off in June. They are sure to be there or thereabouts at the end of the tournament and are the best European side in the competition.

Germany have an ideal blend of experience and youth, in the likes of Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, Mats Hummels, Toni Kroos and Leroy Sane as Dutchland bid to become the first nation to win back-to-back World Cups. Buy Germany tickets now!

France

'Les Bleus' have a squad capable of great things and one which opposition managers can only envy.

Didier Deschamps is simply spoilt for choice when it comes to picking his best XI. If he can produce a well balanced blend they will be tough to beat. One selection headache he faces is who will miss out in attack when your options include; Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Antoine Griezmann, Thomas Lemar, Kingsley Coman, Anthony Martial, Alexandre Lacazette and Olivier Giroud?

They possess three of the five most expensive footballers in history with Paul Pogba, Ousmane Dembele and Kylian Mbappe, but there are question marks about how to turn these stars into a team. Their squad depth is astonishing with options in every position. France could go far as they look to win the World Cup for the second time in their history. Watch France in Russia with hundreds of France tickets available!

Spain

The 2010 world champions were eliminated in the group stages last time, but look much stronger heading into the 2018 World Cup.

Spain looked good in qualifying and in their recent friendlies. Andres Iniesta is still pulling the strings in midfield alongside Sergio Busquets, Isco has hit goalscoring form and highly decorated centre-backs Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique remain in front of David de Gea, arguably the best goalkeeper in the world.

However, the main query is who will play up front. Alvaro Morata was dropped from the recent squad of friendly matches due to his poor form for Chelsea. Whereas, Diego Costa Rodrigo and Iago Aspas will have to impress to get the nod and lead the line in Russia. Get your hands on Spain tickets today!

Argentina

This is the last World Cup where Lionel Messi will be at the peak of his powers and it is surely now or never for Argentina.They reached the final in 2014 and they will need other star names to perform like Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero.

On paper, Jorge Sampaoli has a very talented squad but they are heavily reliant on Messi producing the magic in Russia. So much so, players like Paulo Dybala and Mauro Icardi could be left at home.

Argentina almost didn't qualify for the 2018 World Cup. A Messi hat-trick in their last qualifier, a 3-1 win against Ecuador saved their blushes. However, friendly defeats to Nigeria and a 6-1 trouncing to Spain without Messi ultimately shows their frailties. Watch Messi and Co with Argentina tickets online now!

Belgium

Belgium's golden generation are in their prime. However can they cope with the pressure?

A defence of Vincent Kompany, Toby Alderweireld, and Jan Vertonghen. A midfield of Kevin De Bruyne, Mousa Dembele and Radja Nainggolan. An attack of Dries Mertens and Romelu Lukaku is a mouthwatering proposition.

They will be hoping to build on quarter-final eliminations in their past two tournaments as they bid to win the World Cup for the first time in their history under Roberto Martinez. Watch the 'Red Devils' with cheap Belgium tickets.

England

We couldn’t possibly write this post without mentioning little old England.

English football fans have become accustomed to disappointment at major tournaments and it will all undoubtedly come to a crushing end in a penalty shoot-out some point along the way.

However, Gareth Southgate and his team have plenty of reason to be optimistic. They have been drawn in a favourable group alongside Tunisia, Panama and Belgium and should advance to the latter stages. However, we all remember Iceland so let’s not get too carried away! England tickets are sure to be in high demand.

Although it is undecided on who the England goalkeeper will be, the Three Lions look settled on playing a back three with a five man midfield and Harry Kane leading the attack. The Semi-Finals would be a decent achievement for England but knockout football throws up plenty of surprises and this *we hope* could just be England’s year.