World Cup Futures – Germans Still Superb

We are 833 days away from the 2018 World Cup in Russia; but, at this point in time, it looks like the 2018 version could end much the same way as 2014. The defending champs from Germany are still a full-on powerhouse and top the odds for 2018. They’ll be looking to become the first back-to-back champs since Brazil in 1958 and 1962.

The big question is: who will give Deutschland the biggest challenge? Argentina with Lionel Messi playing his fourth World Cup? Spain with their unique ball-possession style? Or Brazil with Neymar in what should be his prime?

No team from South America has ever won a World Cup played in Europe. That’s why you’ll find the odds leaning towards the Europeans. The best odds for a South American team belong to Argentina, and that’s all thanks to Messi.

Team USA has the best odds from CONCACAF, while Ivory Coast remain the top African contender. The hopes of Asia are pinned to longshot Japan.

The next Euro 2016 tournament, which starts this June, will provide us with a better idea of where the European powers are at right now, so expect the odds to shift in the summer. But here are how the teams are stacking up at this point in time.

2018 World Cup Futures:

Germany: 5/1

Argentina: 7/1

Spain: 8/1

Brazil: 8/1

Netherlands: 11/1

France: 12/1

Italy: 13/1

Belgium: 16/1

England: 20/1

Russia: 20/1

Colombia: 22/1

Portugal: 28/1

Chile: 33/1

Croatia: 50/1

Poland: 50/1

Ukraine: 50/1

Uruguay: 50/1

USA: 50/1

Mexico: 66/1

Switzerland: 66/1

Denmark: 80/1

Sweden: 80/1

Serbia: 100/1

Ivory Coast: 100/1

Greece: 100/1

Algeria: 150/1

Nigeria: 150/1

South Korea: 150/1

Australia: 300/1

Costa Rica: 500/1

(Photo credit: Agência Brasil [CC BY 3.0 br (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/br/deed.en)], via Wikimedia Commons. Photo has been cropped.)