Picking Every 2018 World Cup Favourite's 23-Man Squad
With the March friendlies in the books, national sides should be feeling around 80 or 90 per cent settled in preparation for the 2018 World Cup. These games represent a penultimate tune-up opportunity, a chance to fling a final idea or two into the fire, a shot at fine-tuning cohesion.
When perusing the eight favourites for the tournament (according to Oddschecker) we found this to be the case for some, but not for others. For every Brazil, who have the starting XI nailed and at least 18 players guaranteed spots, there's an England, who don't even know who their goalkeeper is.
It's pretty remarkable how different the stages certain squads are at compared to others.
Here, we've checked in on the eight favourites and tried our hand at predicting a final 23-man World Cup squad for each, also noting the prominent names that would therefore miss out—and there are some big ones!
Brazil
1 of 8
Goalkeepers: Alisson, Ederson, Cassio
Defenders: Miranda, Marquinhos, Thiago Silva, Rodrigo Caio, Dani Alves, Marcelo, Alex Sandro, Fagner
Midfielders: Casemiro, Paulinho, Renato Augusto, Fernandinho, Fred, Neymar, Philippe Coutinho, Willian, Douglas Costa, Giuliano
Forwards: Gabriel Jesus, Roberto Firmino
Missing out: Diego Alves, Danilo, Filipe Luis, Geromel, Gil, David Luiz, Taison, Luan, Lucas Lima
In February, Brazil manager Tite confirmed 15 of the 23 men he'd be taking to Russia—injury permitting—to Brazilian media outlet UoL Esporte (h/t the Mirror). That made picking off the remaining eight reasonably easy, with only a few 50/50 calls potentially undermining our projection.
Danilo might assume the back-up right-back role over Fagner, while Filipe Luis could beat Alex Sandro to backing up Marcelo if his injury heals, having suffered a leg fracture earlier this month. Geromel and Gil have been involved in squads of late, so they both have a legitimate shot at Rodrigo Caio's spot.
It's likely only two forwards will be taken, and if disaster strikes for both, Neymar could move upfield and allow another attacking midfielder into the XI.
Germany
2 of 8
Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Bernd Leno
Defenders: Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels, Niklas Sule, Antonio Rudiger, Joshua Kimmich, Jonas Hector, Marvin Plattenhardt
Midfielders: Toni Kroos, Sami Khedira, Sebastian Rudy, Ilkay Gundogan, Leon Goretzka, Emre Can, Mesut Ozil, Leroy Sane, Marco Reus, Julian Draxler
Forwards: Thomas Muller, Timo Werner, Sandro Wagner
Missing out: Kevin Trapp, Matthias Ginter, Shkodran Mustafi, Benedikt Howedes, Mario Gotze, Julian Weigl, Lars Stindl, Julian Brandt, Andre Schurrle, Mario Gomez
There are seven or eight names in the "missing out" section who still have a legitimate shot at breaching Joachim Low's 23-man squad, so there's plenty to be decided here.
Howedes' bad injury luck changes the squad makeup in several positions, because he was the "swing" defender—the one who can play in every position across the back line. His absence may give, say, Rudiger, who can play full-back, the advantage over Mustafi.
Wagner's impressive form for Bayern Munich launches him into contention, potentially costing a winger like Schurrle his spot. Sule's familiarity with Hummels, Boateng and Kimmich from club level could be his saving grace.
Spain
3 of 8
Goalkeepers: David De Gea, Pepe Reina, Kepa Arrizabalaga
Defenders: Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique, Nacho, Dani Carvajal, Jordi Alba, Cesar Azpilicueta, Alvaro Odriozola
Midfielders: Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta, Koke, Thiago Alcantara, Saul Niguez, Javi Martinez, David Silva, Marco Asensio, Isco, Lucas Vazquez
Forwards: Diego Costa, Iago Aspas, Rodrigo
Missing out: Sergio Asenjo, Marc Bartra, Inigo Martinez, Juanfran, Hector Bellerin, Marcos Alonso, Nacho Monreal, Cesc Fabregas, Sergi Roberto, Pedro, Juan Mata, Vitolo, Alvaro Morata
The pile of talent Spain look set to ignore is just insane. How many other squads could leave the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Juan Mata or Alvaro Morata at home?
Perhaps one of those three makes the cut—likely Morata, if any—but even he is right up against it as things stand. Diego Costa catching fire from the off with Atletico Madrid is a massive problem for him, as Rodrigo won't stop scoring and Aspas is reliable.
Bartra and Odriozola play different positions but may just be fighting for the final defensive spot. Azpilicueta's versatility should see him make the cut, while Lucas Vazquez is the new Pedro—channel-runner, speedster, game-stretcher late on.
France
4 of 8
Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris, Steve Mandanda, Alphonse Areola
Defenders: Raphael Varane, Samuel Umtiti, Laurent Koscielny, Presnel Kimpembe, Djibril Sidibe, Lucas Digne, Benjamin Mendy
Midfielders: Paul Pogba, N'Golo Kante, Blaise Matuidi, Adrien Rabiot, Moussa Sissoko, Corentin Tolisso, Thomas Lemar, Anthony Martial, Ousmane Dembele, Kingsley Coman
Forwards: Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe
Missing out: Benoit Costil, Benjamin Pavard, Aymeric Laporte, Lucas Hernandez, Christophe Jallet, Tiemoue Bakayoko, Dimitri Payet, Nabil Fekir, Florian Thauvin, Alexandre Lacazette, Wissam Ben Yedder
Like Spain, France are stacked with talent across the board and are going to have to leave some talented players behind.
Lacazette will likely be the highest-profile casualty, and while he's out of the reckoning for Arsenal he stands little chance of changing manager Didier Deschamps' mind. Anthony Martial's in a spot of bother, too, hardly playing for Manchester United, and while we have included him for now, Nabil Fekir might yet usurp him.
We're taking a punt on Mendy's knee, presuming it heals well enough. If it does, he'll definitely go and probably start.
Argentina
5 of 8
Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero, Nahuel Guzman, Willy Caballero
Defenders: Nicolas Otamendi, Federico Fazio, Javier Mascherano, Marcos Rojo, Gabriel Mercado, Fabricio Bustos, Nicolas Tagliafico
Midfielders: Ever Banega, Lucas Biglia, Giovani Lo Celso, Leandro Paredes, Marcos Acuna, Angel Di Maria, Eduardo Salvio, Manuel Lanzini
Forwards: Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, Paulo Dybala, Angel Correa
Missing out: Agustin Marchesin, Ramiro Funes Mori, Diego Perotti, Cristian Pavon, Lautaro Martinez, Mauro Icardi
Imagine not taking Icardi, a top-tier striker in elite form, to the World Cup. You've got to be in a rather special position to be able to do that!
The thing is, Argentina can justify it; the presence of Messi, Aguero and Higuain mean Icardi isn't needed, and Dybala—whose position is hardly cemented—can operate there if required.
If only they could boast such a depth of talent everywhere else. Otamendi aside, there's a lot to be concerned about in defence and between the sticks, and there are no sublime central-midfield options either.
Belgium
6 of 8
Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois, Simon Mignolet, Koen Casteels
Defenders: Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld, Vincent Kompany, Thomas Vermaelen, Laurent Ciman, Thomas Meunier, Jordan Lukaku
Midfielders: Axel Witsel, Mousa Dembele, Marouane Fellaini, Youri Tielemans, Leander Dendoncker, Radja Nainggolan, Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Thorgan Hazard, Yannick Carrasco
Forwards: Romelu Lukaku, Dries Mertens, Michy Batshuayi
Missing out: Dedryck Boyata, Adnan Januzaj, Christian Benteke, Divock Origi
Belgium's talent pool isn't as deep as those we've previously covered, and manager Roberto Martinez will likely end up taking two or three players he won't want to see on the pitch.
The Red Devils have been burned by not taking enough centre-backs to tournaments in the past, and with Kompany and Vermaelen still as injury-prone as ever, expect them to take a healthy selection. That leaves them a little light on the flanks, but then, they've been struggling for quality and numbers there for half a decade.
Nainggolan looks like he may have finally forced his way into Martinez's plans, though he still likely won't play a major role.
England
7 of 8
Goalkeepers: Joe Hart, Jordan Pickford, Jack Butland
Defenders: John Stones, Eric Dier, Joe Gomez, Harry Maguire, Phil Jones, Kyle Walker, Ryan Bertrand, Danny Rose, Kieran Trippier
Midfielders: Jordan Henderson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jack Wilshere, Adam Lallana, Dele Alli, Raheem Sterling, Jesse Lingard, Marcus Rashford
Forwards: Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy, Danny Welbeck
Missing out: Nick Pope, Gary Cahill, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Fabian Delph, Jake Livermore
For England to succeed this summer, they'll need to embody the "greater than the sum of its parts" adage. Comparing them man for man against the other favourites here hammers that home.
Gareth Southgate seemingly still doesn't know who he'll play in goal, at centre-back or at wing-back, and his central-midfield options are being dogged by injuries, but at least the attack looks strong.
Kane should be back up to speed in time for the finals, and the form of Sterling and Lingard should ensure it won't all be on him.
Portugal
8 of 8
Goalkeepers: Rui Patricio, Anthony Lopes, Beto
Defenders: Pepe, Jose Fonte, Bruno Alves, Ruben Dias, Cedric Soares, Raphael Guerreiro, Nelson Semedo, Fabio Coentrao
Midfielders: William Carvalho, Danilo Pereira, Joao Mario, Joao Moutinho, Adrien Silva, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Ricardo Quaresma, Gelson Martins
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo, Andre Silva, Goncalo Guedes
Missing out: Rolando, Joao Cancelo, Renato Sanches, Andre Gomes, Nani, Eder
Earlier in March, Portuguese football analyst Tiago Estevao conducted some squad analysis, and it's tough to disagree with the 23-man squad he formulated off the back of it.
He left the fourth centre-back and back-up right-back options open, and we've filled those in with Jose Fonte and Nelson Semedo. That's predicated on the former playing some football in China and the latter recovering from injury well enough.
Nani, an important cog in the Euro 2016 win, has been left behind by the evolution of this team, while Renato Sanches, the emergent star, has gone completely off the boil.
