1454 days ago, Brazil overcame an 11th minute own goal by left back Marcelo to defeat Croatia 3-1 in front of 62,103 fans at the Arena de São Paulo. On June 14, four years and two days after Brazil’s victory, Russia and Saudi Arabia will kick off the latest edition of the most popular sporting event in the world. The 2014 Cup was one of the greatest of all time, with Cinderella stories, wild finishes, a historic blowout of the host nation, and a nail-biting final. Can the 2018 World Cup live up to the lofty standard? Here are my predictions.

Group A:

1. Uruguay

2.Egypt

3.Russia

4.Saudi Arabia

I am counting on the return of Egypt’s top player and Premier League-leading goal scorer, Mohamed Salah, to lift the Pharaohs on to the knockout rounds. In a relatively weak group, Salah should make a large difference in deciding which one of Egypt, Russia, and Saudi Arabia finishes second to Uruguay.

Group B:

1.Spain

2.Portugal

3.Iran

4.Morocco

The Spaniard’s super team takes the group while Morocco and Iran put up little resistance towards the European heavyweights.

Group C:

1.France

2.Peru

3.Denmark

4.Australia

France requires little effort to win to take this group, while Peru joins them in the knockout rounds. Bold Prediction: Fan favorite Australia puts up a major fight, losing by a goal to France and Peru and drawing Denmark.

Group D:

1.Argentina

2.Croatia

3.Iceland

4.Nigeria

I’ll be rooting for the underdogs from Iceland but it will most likely be Croatia who punch their ticket to the Round of 16 along with perennial title contenders Argentina. A decent group, but the two teams at the top are a cut above the other two.

Group E:

1.Brazil

2.Switzerland

3.Costa Rica

4.Serbia

One of the tournament’s best groups with three knockout stage teams from 2014, Brazil rules easily while Switzerland ends Costa Rica’s hopes on the final group stage match day.

Group F:

1.Germany

2.Mexico

3.Sweden

4.South Korea

Die Mannschaft and El Tri easily progress against two weak opponents in Korea and an Ibrahimovic-less Sweden.

Group G:

1.Belgium

2.England

3.Tunisia

4.Panama

Panama’s World Cup debut leaves much to be desired, while Belgium and England romp their way to the Round of 16.

Group H:

1.Colombia

2.Poland

3.Senegal

4.Japan

Robert Lewandowski carries the Polish to the next stage while Colombia makes quick work of its opposition.

Round of 16:

Portugal over Uruguay

France over Croatia

Brazil over Mexico

Belgium over Poland

Spain over Egypt

Argentina over Peru

Germany over Switzerland

England over Colombia

Quarterfinals:

France over Portugal

Brazil over Belgium

Spain over Argentina

Germany over England

Semifinals:

Brazil over France

Germany over Spain

3rd Place Match:

Spain over France

Final:

Brazil over Germany

Brazil gets revenge for the 7-1 defeat at Germany’s hands four years ago, clinching their sixth World Cup title in a thrilling final between the top two ranked teams in the world.

Awards:

Golden Ball(MVP of the tournament): Neymar, Brazil

Golden Boot(Top Scorer): Antoine Griezmann, France

Golden Glove(Top Goalkeeper): David de Gea, Spain

Best Young Player: Kylian Mbappé, France

Fair Play Award: France