FIFA 2018 World Cup in Russia has been fulfilled halfway as 32 out of the 64 games have been played. With this, all the teams have one more game to play in the group stage before the knockout stage begins next weekend with 16 teams.

I hope you are having a great Worldcup experience? My predictions are quite shaky as I was in 90th place out of 115 on Scorum Draft FreeRoll MD2 with 46 points and 147th place out of 152 in MD1 with 21 points.

I'll do better next time.

Back to 2018 World Cup

It has been a competition of amazing surprises as Argentina failed to win any match. They had a losing match to Croatia.

Apparently, it was hard to tell if Croatia trained for the match against Argentina or against Messi.

Two Group G teams, Belgium and England, had fabulous performances.

These surprises have have a great impact on the rankings as Nigeria had a heavy move 11 steps upward. Teams like Argentina fell as Belgium and England soared high.

Here is the ranking:


  1. Belgium; +4

Analysis

The team has eight goals in two games with two wins.

Their position will be tested when they face England this week. We'll see if the early results are a product of facing poor teams or if the Red Devils are a legitimate contender to win it all.


2. England;  +5

Analysis

Harry Kane has five goals. I still think it was a game of luck as he had two penalties and a fluke goal.

The Three Lions might just lucky dudes of hot for the game in there next match.

3. Brazil; -2

Analysis

Although falling from the top, Brazil came alive in added time against Costa Rica to earn three much-needed points. The team is at risk of crashing out, so it must get a result against Serbia.

4. Spain; -2

Analysis

They beat Iran with a fortunate goal, so it slips two spots in our rankings. Once this team gets going, watch out. Spain has a new coach, after all. I still think if Iran played better, they wouldn't stand the chance.

5. France; -2

Analysis

Thought France was outplayed by Peru. It has six points but this team feels far from a sure thing. There is very little creativity in the final third.

6. Germany: -2

Analysis

Toni Kroos came up big when it mattered most, putting Germany right back in the thick of things. And that's without playing well. If this team starts to click, it can repeat as champs. But so far, it hasn't looked impressive.

7. Uruguay; -1

Analysis

Hasn't looked sharp despite winning its first two games. The midfield has struggled and it allowed Saudi Arabia to stay in the game. Not a good sign. El Maestro Tabarez has some work to do.

8. Mexico; +3

Analysis

Two wins and El Tri are still at risk of being eliminated. Sweden did them no favors. Filled with confidence though, and I like Mexico's chances of moving on.

9. Croatia; +3

Analysis

Taking care of business. Playing well, especially in the middle and made Argentina pay. Nobody is going to want to play Croatia in the next round.

10. Russia; +1

Analysis

The host nation continues to look strong, especially in the final third. Eight goals and clicking. Denis Cheryshev's revival has been huge.

11. Portugal; -2

Analysis

Outplayed by Morocco. Feels like Euro 2016 all over again, where it endured terrible matches on the way to the title. Ugly, but effective. Doing it again here seems like too much to ask. This team is Ronaldo and 10 other guys.

12. Colombia; +1

Analysis

Caught fire against Poland and control its own destiny. Boy, how 90 minutes can change things.

13. Switzerland; +1

Analysis

Win at the death against Serbia and is now in good shape to move on. Big last game against an eliminated Costa Rica side that may not have much to play for.

14. Senegal; +11

Analysis

Deserved more against Japan, but it moves up a bunch because of its play. Calm, sharp, fast and effective, this team is a threat to make a run. But now it is going to

need to probably get at least a draw against Colombia.

15. Denmark; --

Analysis

Could have locked up a spot in the round of 16 against Australia, but there wasn't enough there in the final third. Christian Eriksen can't do it all. Now it's in a

little bit of trouble with France up next.

16. Nigeria; +8

Analysis

Jumped into second place with a win over Iceland. Lots of confidence and will be favored against Argentina. If Jorge Sampaoli goes with three at the back or four with

Eduardo Salvio, there is going to be a ton of room on the wings to do damage, just like Ahmed Musa did against Iceland.

17. Argentina; -7

Analysis

This team has stunk, thanks to Sampaoli's tactics. The players need to rally together -- forget their coach -- and play for themselves and the fans. Can't believe

Argentina still has a shot to move on. Put together its best performance in a while, and it probably moves on. A 3-0 win is likely enough, but is this team capable of

that kind of result?

18. Japan; +4

Analysis

Hard-fought point against Senegal. This team has some serious skills. Keisuke Honda is a super sub. Needs a win over Poland to move on.

19. Serbia; -2

Analysis

Buzzkill losing to Switzerland especially in the last minute. Now, you've got to get something against Brazil. Yeah, good luck with that.

20. Sweden; --

Analysis

Game plan nearly worked against Germany. Unfortunate to not get a draw, but what a silly tackle late to set up the winning free kick. Pressure is on against Mexico.

21. Poland; -3

Analysis

Thanks for coming. Robert Lewandowski led the European qualifiers in goals, beating out Ronaldo. In this tournament, he's empty-handed in two matches, and that's because his team mates aren't doing enough to set him up.

22. Iceland; -1

Analysis

Brought back down to Earth against Nigeria and now must beat Croatia. Not an easy task, but the belief and desire is there.

23. South Korea; --

Analysis

Did well to create opportunities in the first two matches, but just couldn't finish nearly enough. South Korea is still alive, though, but its chances of advancing are very slim.

24. Peru; -8

Analysis

Headed home. Zero goals in two matches, which, for a team that has quality in attack, is just devastating.

25. Costa Rica; -6

Analysis

Another team without a goal. Fail to score in the first two games, and you know where you are headed.

26. Iran; +3

Analysis

Big chance to beat Portugal and pull off a shocker. A lot of heart in this team, despite the lack of quality. No goals scored by, with only an own goal in the opener to show. Not enough.

27. Australia; --

Analysis

Can't rely on penalty kicks to get points. Time for Daniel Arzani to start and play most of the match. He's special.

28. Morocco; -2

Analysis

This team has been impressive and tough, but it has wasted more chances in attack than any other team I can think of.

29. Egypt; -1

Analysis

Thanks for coming. Having Mohamed Salah wasn't nearly enough.

30. Tunisia; --

Analysis

This team gave it everything it had, but going up against Belgium and England to start is almost an impossible mission.

31. Saudi Arabia; +1

Analysis

Only lost by one to Uruguay! By my analysis, the team is still a newcommer as they have had just 5 appearances of which the last appearance was in 2006.

32. Panama; -1

Analysis

No team has allowed more goals than Panama's nine, but who cares. The first-time participants scored its first World Cup goal and the fans are enjoying the ride.

The competition just began. Get ready for some action.

Source: RGonzalez