Who is going to win the World Cup?

The 2018 FIFA World Cup is a week underway, and already some have teams qualified for the next round, while other squads are heading home. Let's look at some of the remaining favorites, outsiders and countries dreaming of shocking the world. All odds are from oddschecker.com.

Favorites:

1. Brazil 🇧🇷
Current odds 9/2

Despite a disappointing start against Switzerland, Brazil remains the favorite. It looked like they were going to be held scoreless by Costa Rica, but the "Little Magician" Philippe Coutinho came up with the game's first goal in the last minute. At this point, all that really matters for the Brazilians is getting out of the group stage. Brazil has world class players all over the pitch, and they are undoubtedly among the favorites.

2. Spain 🇪🇸
Current odds 9/2

Spain took a huge risk by firing its manager two days before the World Cup began, but with its quality in the squad, the new manager shouldn't need long to adjust. The 2010 World Cup champions lost twice in the group stage in 2014, but the team will be hoping for a better result this time. Diego Costa leads the line with a world-class midfield behind him. Throw the best goalkeeper in the world into the mix, and there is no doubt Spain could reclaim its trophy.

3. France 🇫🇷
Current odds 8/1

There's no doubt France is among the favorites. Its squad is built on pace and technical ability. Any side with players like Pogba, Kanté, Mbappé and Griezmann will always be fancied, and France is looking for its first World Cup triumph since 1998. A tough win against Australia gave the team a good start, and they followed that up by edging out a scrappy Peru squad. France choked at Euro 2016, but they have the quality to go all the way this time. 

4. Germany 🇩🇪
Current odds 8/1

Following its opening day defeat to Mexico, Germany's odds have changed from 5/1 to 8/1. They may no longer by the favorites, but it would be crazy to write the 2014 World Cup champions off. Joachim Löw has an incredible record at major tournaments and I still expect them to make it out of the group stage. A potential mouth-watering last 16 match with Brazil could await them.

5. Belgium 🇧🇪
Current odds 9/1

Belgium reached the quarterfinals at the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Euros, and the "Golden Generation" might be running out of time to make its incredible pool of talent count. Key pieces like Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne have matured into genuine world-class players, which gives them a real chance at this World Cup. This squad should make it out of the group stage with ease, but it will be interesting to see if they can handle the pressure going forward.

Outsiders:

6. England 🇬🇧
Current odds 12/1

Apart from its only triumph in 1966, England usually disappoints in World Cup competition. If their opening game against Tunisia is anything to go by, Harry Kane needs to have the tournament of his life if England is to even come close to winning it all. England hasn't won a knockout game since 2006, so even making the quarterfinals could be seen as success for Gareth Southgate's bunch.

7. Croatia 🇭🇷
Current odds 12/1

Croatia is definitely an outsider, but the team's results against Argentina and Nigeria have people taking notice. They look like a team, they play for each other, and have a world class player in Luka Modrić. Can they win the whole thing? Probably not, but don't write them off just yet .

8. Portugal 🇵🇹
Current odds 20/1

Portugal has Cristiano Ronaldo. That means Portugal has a chance. Ronaldo has four goals in two games. He has hit the ground running, and his performance against Spain was truly incredible. The Euro 2016 winners have the belief they can go all the way again, but it won't be easy. Some of Ronaldo's supporting cast will have to step up.

9. Argentina 🇦🇷
Current odds 33/1

Argentina was so close to not making the World Cup, and based on the evidence of their first two games, they don't deserve to be there. A draw against Iceland followed up by a humiliation by Croatia means that one of the early favorites is on the verge of flaming out. It's going to take a small miracle for them to make the last 16. However, you can never write off Lionel Messi.

Surely not...

10. Uruguay 🇺🇾
Current odds 28/1 

Two games, two goals, two wins. Uruguay has looked solid and organized, and in Luis Suárez they have a world-class striker. They haven't set the tournament ablaze yet, but they have comfortably made it to the last 16.

11. Mexico 🇲🇽
Current odds 50/1

Their opening day victory over Germany has people thinking. Could they go all the way? It seems unlikely, but there is no doubt they outplayed the Germans and deserved the victory. Mexico has never made it past the last 16, so let's see if they can achieve that before we think about them winning the trophy.

12. Russia 🇷🇺
Current odds 50/1

The tournament's hosts have had the best start of any host nation since the World Cup began in 1930. They made it to the last 16 with ease, but will likely face Spain or Portugal. Home support will help, but as the lowest ranked team in the competition, you just can't see them going all the way.

My prediction 

It is still so early into the competition, and usually teams take a game or two to find their feet. I think France may have the most talented roster, but we have seen time and time again fail to produce when it really matters. Brazil is another team that is full of talent, but don't forget, every World Cup ever hosted in Europe has been won by a European team. I think Spain will continue to grow into the competition, but I am personally going to back the French. I think they will use the heartbreak they suffered at Euro 2016 and will go all the way this time.


Who do you think will be lifting the famous trophy on July 15th?

-Josh Pitt (@josh_rocket)