Group A
Obviously Uruguay should win this group easily and for me it's out of Russia or Egypt for second. With Sallah out possibly I think Russia sneak through.
Group B
Portugal cane third in their group in Euro 2016 but luckily still made it though. They weren't very good but still snuck through each match by their skin of their teeth. They need more than luck this time though and can't afford to finish outside the top 2 here. Morocco are the dark horses and will beat Iran and prove difficult to beat and may take points off Portugal. I think Spain will beat the lesser two teams and may draw with Portugal which will be enough to see them win the group and send Ronaldo through too. And as I type this I just see that Spain have sacked their manager so hopefully they get a 2014 humiliation that they deserve again.
Group C
France should prove too good for everyone else here and win. Australia are playing well right now but I think it is out of Denmark or Peru for the last spot. Peru did so well to make it and shocking sent one of the favourites to win the whole thing Chile out but Denmark I think may pip them.
Group D
Group of Death? Argentina were dreadful in qualifying but maybe South America is just the toughest federation right now? I think they will go through here. Nigeria is possibly the best African team here, but Croatia while not the contenders they were say 4 years ago will beat them in the opening match and rule them out. I'm not counting it Iceland either, but I thing Croatia will avenge themselves at they are a big tournament team.
Group E
Brazil should walk this but why if the others could go through. In my result predictions I had Costa Rica best Switzerland, Switzerland best Serbia Ave in the opening round Costa Rica Ave Serbia to draw. So the heroes of 2014 Costa Rica advance again.
Group F
Germany win this one. I can't see Korea doing much sadly, so it's either Mexico or Sweden. It will come down to that last match between them. I love Mexico and want them to do well, but I fear Sweden who've already claimed the scalps of two of the favourites Netherlands and Italy will beat Mexico too.... But I'm going with my heart and saying Mexico.
Group G
Oh dear God. Okay I think Belgium are the best and will win all 3. Panama are the worst and will lose all 3. So it's Tunisia or England for the runner up spot. So England surely? Ehhh I don't know. I have vivid memories of England failing to beat lesser teams like Costa Rica, Iceland and Algeria in recent tournaments and Tunisia are playing incredible well right now. It could come down to the match between the two that opens the group, but I think that'll be a tie. So likely it will be go differnce. Who can beat Panama by the most or perhaps most crucially who can lose to Belgium by the least and I think that's England.
Group H
Colombia were the second best South American side in qualifying and I think they win here. I think it is either Poland or Japan and I will go for the surprise Japan victory.
Round 2
Uruguay vs Portugal.
Tough game! I think Portugal somehow scrape through yet again.
France vs Croatia.
Oooh another big game! 4 years ago I would have said Croatia, but their side is an old one so French youth go on.
Brazil vs Mexico
Another corker! Mexico want revenge but yet again they fall in round 2.
Belgium vs Japan
Japanese hearts are broken in round 2 once more.
Spain vs Russia
Spain with no manager will implode. But here though. Easy win.
Argentina vs Denmark. I can't see why way Denmark win this.
Germany vs Costa Rica
Germany are playing awful right now,but just like every other time they will find their form at the world cup.
Colombia vs England.
Well luckily for England they are opposite to the group with the weakest best team. They would lose to say other group winner, but they have a chance against Colombia. I would have said Colombia as recently as yesterday, but as the world cup gets closer I'm dreaming yet again. An England without the shackles of a useless Wayne Rooney makes me so excited. Sod it, England to win.
Quarter Finals
Portugal vs France
Euro 2016 grudge match! This time Portugal's luck runs out.
Brazil vs Belgium.
For all their hype Belgium fail to beat the top top teams yet again.
Spain vs Argentina.
This is where Spain's fragility with no manager fails them.
Germany vs England.
Oh God.... Well Germany are playing really poor right now... But they beat England. Again.
Semi Final
France vs Brazil
Ooooh damn. France... Just. Not bad for the only team that wasn't a semi finalist 4 years ago still in.
Argentina vs Germany.
The old rivals meet once more in a rematch of the 2014 final. This time the Argies win!
Third Place
Brazil vs Germany
Germany.
Final
France vs Argentina.
Sorry Messi. Runner up one again.
France.