2018 world Cup Berths

32 countries including hosts Russia play-off in June-July for the celebration of football that is World Cup 2018. Five-time World Cup winners Brazil are there, as of course are defending champions Germany, plus Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Denmark, Egypt, England, France, Iceland, Iran, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia and Uruguay.

 
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How did they get there? Who will be their star performers? Who are the coaches who masterminded their qualification? What are the betting odds on the different betting sites? Which are the best sports betting sites?

World Cup 2018 – Best Sportsbooks for Canadians

Our panel of experts have spent long hours analysing the best odds on the market for the six leading teams across the range of all of our recommended sportsbooks for Canadians.

We examine the main protagonists for the World Cup 2018 title and take a closer look at the form, betting, odds and predictions of all the usual suspects and main contenders.

For your convenience below, you’ll find a table outlining the odds for each country’s Group games with the three of the main sports betting providers for Canadians (Betway, William Hill and 888 Casino).

Other great sportsbooks for Canadians with World Cup Betting Markets include PornHub and Karamba.

We answer all your questions with our definitive country-by-country guide for World Cup 2018.

*Please note – all odds current as at 27 March 2018

Russia

Russia

World Ranking 61

World Cups Won 0

Star Performer Igor Akinfeev

Coach Stanislav Cherchesov

Betting Odds to Win the World Cup 33-1

The biggest talking point has been the exclusion of Igor Denisov, who is arguably Russia’s best midfielder but has fallen out with manager Cherchesov. Russia’s attack is super-impressive. Alan Dzagoev is going strong and strikers Fyodor Smolov and Aleksandr Kokorin scored many international goals in 2017.

Date Teams Betway William Hill 888Casino
14 June 2018 Russia vs Saudi Arabia 3/10 3/10 2/7
19 June 2018 Russia vs Egypt 6/5 6/5 5/4
25 June 2018 Russia vs Uruguay 2/1 2/1 15/8

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia

World Ranking 64

World Cups Won 0

Star Performer Nawaf Al Abed

Coach Juan Antonio Pizzi replaces new Australia coach, Bert van Marwijk.

Betting Odds to Win the World Cup 500-1

Despite being the lowest ranked side at the World Cup, there are signs of quality from Saudi Arabia across the park. They won’t win the World Cup but could be well worth the 14-1 being offered to reach a quarter final.

Date Teams Betway William Hill 888Casino
14 June 2018 Saudi Arabia vs Russia 9-1 9-1 2/7
20 June 2018 Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay 10-1 10-1 10-1
25 June 2018 Saudi Arabia vs Egypt 4-1 4-1 4-1

How to use it?

Egypt

World Ranking 43

World Cups Won 0

Star Performer Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

Coach Héctor Cúper

Betting Odds to Win the World Cup 150-1

Great Defence, difficult to break down and superb on the counter, Egypt could surprise. Great value in the betting at 10-1 to make a quarter final.

Date Teams Betway William Hill 888Casino
15 June 2018 Egypt vs Uruguay 7/2 7/2 7/2
19 June 2018 Egypt vs Russia 10/3 10/3 10/3
25 June 2018 Egypt vs Saudi Arabia 5/7 5/7 11/8

Uruguay

Uruguay

World Ranking 22

World Cups Won 2 (1930, 1950)

Star Performer Luis Suárez (Barcelona) & Federico Valverde (Deportivo La Coruña, on loan from Real Madrid)

Coach Óscar Tabárez

Betting Odds to Win the World Cup 25-1

After four consecutive World Cup play-offs they finished second behind Brazil to qualify untroubled in unusual calm. Uruguay now has a big decision to make; Continue to rely on an attacking approach that has served so well or change to a defensive structure. Should qualify for the knockout phase.

Date Teams Betway William Hill 888Casino
15 June 2018 Uruguay vs Egypt 4/6 4/6 5/7
20 June 2018 Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia 2/7 2/7 2/7
25 June 2018 Uruguay vs Russia 11/8 11/8 11/8

Portugal

Portugal

World Ranking 3

World Cups Won 0

Star Performer Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)

Coach Fernando Santos

Betting Odds to Win the World Cup 20-1

Portugal seem stronger now than the side that won Euro 2016, having added creativity to defensive organisation. Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva and namesake André Silva have been important factors in the attacking shift and the team have more depth.

Date Teams Betway William Hill 888Casino
15 June 2018 Portugal vs Spain 16/5 10/3 16/5
20 June 2018 Portugal vs Morocco 40/85 1/2 40/85
25 June 2018 Portugal vs Iran 10/3 10/3 10/3

Spain

Spain

World Ranking 6

World Cups Won 1 (2010)

Star Performer Isco (Real Madrid)

Coach Julen Lopetegui

Betting Odds to Win the World Cup 7-1

Under energetic new coach in Julen Lopetegui, Spain offer the betting aficionado a great blend of experienced and young players and the essence of the playing squad that made Spain successful in the early 2010s remains intact.

Date Teams Betway William Hill 888Casino
15 June 2018 Spain vs Portugal 4/5 11/8 11/8
20 June 2018 Spain vs Iran 1/7 1/7 1/7
25 June 2018 Spain vs Morocco 1/3 1/3 1/3

Iran

Iran

World Ranking 33

World Cups Won 0

Star Performer Sardar Azmoun

Coach Carlos Queiroz

Betting Odds to Win the World Cup 400-1

Iran plays a successive World Cup for the first time. Defensively, Iran are rock solid having kept 12 consecutive clean sheets in qualifying. They depend on the counter attack for goals and they may struggle to score against the top sides. Won’t Progress.

Date Teams Betway William Hill 888Casino
15 June 2018 Iran vs Morocco 11/5 11/5 9/4
20 June 2018 Iran vs Spain 14-1 14-1 14-1
25 June 2018 Iran vs Portugal 10-1 10-1 10-1

Morocco

Morocco

World Ranking 42

World Cups Won 0

Star Performer Mehdi Benatia (Juventus)

Coach Hervé Renard

Betting Odds to Win the World Cup 300-1

Morocco are a much better side than one quoted at 300-1 to win the World Cup. That being said, they won’t. Difficult group to progress from. A young team on the rise to watch out for in four years’ time.

Date Teams Betway William Hill 888Casino
15 June 2018 Morocco vs Iran 5/4 5/4 5/4
20 June 2018 Morocco vs Portugal 11/2 11/2 11/2
25 June 2018 Morocco vs Spain 15/2 15/2 15/2

Australia

Australia

World Ranking 36

World Cups Won 0

Star Performer Tim Cahill

Coach Bert van Marwijk replaces long-time coach Ange Postecoglou

Betting Odds to Win the World Cup 250-1

Once through to the knockout stages, any side can win the World Cup, so, can Australia progress through to the second round?

There is a real chance this time (unlike the Spain, Chile, Holland, Group-of-Death in 2014) and with that comes a different Australian attitude at Russia 2018. A draw against France is achievable, meaning the Socceroos should aim for three points against Peru and at least a draw against the Danes.

Date Teams Betway William Hill 888Casino
16 June 2018 Australia vs France 14-1 14-1 14-1
21 June 2018 Australia vs Denmark 7/2 7/2 7/2
26 June 2018 Australia vs Peru 11/5 11/5 9/4

France

France

World Ranking 9

World Cups Won 1 (1998)

Star Performer Antoine Griezmann (Atlético Madrid)

Coach Didier Deschamps

Betting Odds to Win the World Cup 11/2

On the way up, France are a young side yet to peak. With endless amounts of first-rate-players to choose from in every position, coach Didier Deschamps faces a headache just trimming down to a 23-man squad. In the last two World Cups played in Europe; 1. A France win 2. A Final place. Strong team that will progress to the second round.

Date Teams Betway William Hill 888Casino
16 June 2018 France vs Australia 1/6 2/11 2/11
21 June 2018 France vs Peru 3/10 1/3 1/3
26 June 2018 France vs Denmark 4/7 4/7 4/7

Denmark

Denmark

World Ranking 12

World Cups Won 0

Star Performer Christian Eriksen (Tottenham Hotspur)

Coach Age Hareide

Betting Odds to Win the World Cup 80-1

Are they one-dimensional? Christian Eriksen reached star status in qualifying, scoring 11 goals in 12 matches. “The World Cup deserves a star like him,” says coach, Age Hareide. “We will be a danger to all teams because of him.” he added.

Date Teams Betway William Hill 888Casino
16 June 2018 Denmark vs Peru 21/20 21/20 21/20
21 June 2018 Denmark vs Australia 8/11 8/11 8/11
26 June 2018 Denmark vs France 9/2 9/2 9/2

Peru

Peru

World Ranking 12

World Cups Won 0

Star Performer Jefferson Farfán

Coach Ricardo Gareca

Betting Odds to Win the World Cup 150-1

Peru’s high World Ranking of 12 has been inflated by playing a lot at home and rarely travelling. Winning away from their Lima home is rare, as evidenced by the 0-0 draw in qualifying against New Zealand. Will struggle in Russia.

Date Teams Betway William Hill 888Casino
16 June 2018 Peru vs Denmark 5/2 5/2 5/2
21 June 2018 Peru vs France 15/2 15/2 15/2
26 June 2018 Peru vs Australia 6/5 6/5 6/5

Argentina

Argentina

World Ranking 4

World Cups Won 2 (1978, 1986)

Star Performer Lionel Messi

Coach Jorge Sampaoli

Betting Odds to Win the World Cup 8-1

It is now or never for Argentina. The greatest player alive, Lionel Messi, could win the World Cup off his own boot and its thanks to him for the last-gasp goals to qualify. Sergio Agüero is overdue to translate club form into international form. It’s a difficult group. Our tip to be first ‘big side’ knocked out.

Date Teams Betway William Hill 888Casino
16 June 2018 Argentina vs Iceland 3/10 3/10 3/10
21 June 2018 Argentina vs Croatia 8/11 8/11 8/11
26 June 2018 Argentina vs Nigeria 40/85 40/85 40/85

Nigeria

Nigera

World Ranking 52

World Cups Won 0

Star Performer Victor Moses (Chelsea)

Coach Gernot Rohr

Betting Odds to Win the World Cup $251

The Super Eagles qualified for the World Cup easily. The victory over Argentina in a recent friendly in Russia fed further hope for success. The German-coached team have a strong defence, with energetic ball-winners in midfield and the experienced calm of Mikel John Obi threading balls to the attack. Not the worst.

Date Teams Betway William Hill 888Casino
16 June 2018 Nigeria vs Croatia 3/1 3/1 3/1
22 June 2018 Nigeria vs Iceland 7/4 7/4 7/4
26 June 2018 Nigeria vs Argentina 5/1 5/1 5/1

Croatia

Croatia

World Ranking 15

World Cups Won 0

Star Performer Luka Modric (Real Madrid)

Coach Zlatko Dalic

Betting Odds to Win the World Cup 30-1

An ageing side, as always caught in a web of internal political divides not unlike the Balkans themselves, makes it difficult even for quality players to focus on the task. The last chance for many of their side before retirement.

Date Teams Betway William Hill 888Casino
16 June 2018 Croatia vs Nigeria 5/6 5/6 5/6
21 June 2018 Croatia vs Argentina 10/3 10/3 10/3
26 June 2018 Croatia vs Iceland 4/5 4/5 4/5

Iceland

Iceland

World Ranking 18

World Cups Won 0

Star Performer Gylfi Sigurdsson (Everton)

Coach Heimir Hallgrimsson

Betting Odds to Win the World Cup 30-1

Iceland bring their Viking Clap to Russia. The smallest nation in terms of population to ever qualify for a World Cup will look forward to the travelling support of about 12 percent of their population! Expect full power from Iceland, they are defiant underdogs.

Date Teams Betway William Hill 888Casino
16 June 2018 Iceland vs Argentina 9-1 9-1 9-1
21 June 2018 Iceland vs Nigeria 6-4 6-4 8-5
26 June 2018 Iceland vs Croatia 3-1 3-1 3-1

Brazil

Brazil

World Ranking 2

World Cups Won 5 (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002)

Star Performer Neymar (PSG)

Coach Tite

Betting Odds to Win the World Cup 5-1

Brazil are motivated for revenge of their 7-1 thrashing at the hands of Germany in 2014. Coach Tite has them gelled as a collective unit and his 4-1-4-1 formation accommodating Neymar on the left, Casemiro in front of the backline and Gabriel Jesus in the centre of attack is genius. Worthy favourites.

Date Teams Betway William Hill 888Casino
17 June 2018 Brazil vs Switzerland 3/10 3/10 1/3
22 June 2018 Brazil vs Costa Rica 2/11 2/11 2/11
27 June 2018 Brazil vs Serbia 1/3 1/3 1/3

Costa Rica

Costa Rica

World Ranking 25

World Cups Won 0

Star Performer Keylor Navas (Real Madrid)

Coach Óscar Ramírez

Betting Odds to Win the World Cup 250-1

Four years ago, Costa Rica were the darlings on the World Cup, reaching a quarter final. Leading tipsters and betting sites suggest they can’t emulate the feat this time around.

Date Teams Betway William Hill 888Casino
17 June 2018 Costa Rica vs Serbia 14/5 14/5 14/5
22 June 2018 Costa Rica vs Brazil 11-1 11-1 11-1
27 June 2018 Costa Rica vs Switzerland 7-2 7-2 7-2

Preview

Switzerland

Switzerland

World Ranking 8

World Cups Won 0

Star Performer Granit Xhaka (Arsenal)

Coach Vladimir Petkovic

Betting Odds to Win the World Cup 80-1

Vladimir Petkovic’s squad should at least make the last 16. “My team has a got an excellent team spirit and have a tremendous will to succeed,” says Petkovic. Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka is the heart of this team, dictating the flow of the game.

Date Teams Betway William Hill 888Casino
17 June 2018 Switzerland vs Brazil 15/2 15/2 15/2
22 June 2018 Switzerland vs Serbia 6/4 6/4 8/5
27 June 2018 Switzerland vs Costa Rica 8/11 8/11 8/11

Serbia

Serbia

World Ranking 34

World Cups Won 0

Star Performer Nemanja Matic (Manchester United)

Coach Caretaker Coach Mladen Krstajic

Betting Odds to Win the World Cup 100-1

Internal bickerings between the ageing team, coaching staff and administration will see Serbia knocked out quickly.

Date Teams Betway William Hill 888Casino
17 June 2018 Serbia vs Costa Rica 20/21 20/21 20/21
22 June 2018 Serbia vs Switzerland 7/4 7/4 7/4
27 June 2018 Serbia vs Brazil 6-1 6-1 6-1

Germany

Germany

World Ranking 1

World Cups Won 4 (1954, 1974, 1990, 2014)

Star Performer Toni Kroos (Real Madrid)

Coach Joachim Löw – the best coach in international football is looking for a second World Cup win.

Betting Odds to Win the World Cup 9/2

Joachim Löw’s side boasts class and depth across the park and a host of talented youngsters vying for spots in the team. Could suffer from the weight of expectation in a tough group.

Date Teams Betway William Hill 888Casino
17 June 2018 Germany vs Mexico 4/9 4/9 4/9
23 June 2018 Germany vs Sweden 1/2 1/2 1/2
27 June 2018 Germany vs South Korea 1/4 1/4 1/4

South Korea

South Korea

World Ranking 58

World Cups Won 0

Star Performer Heung-min (Tottenham Hotspur)

Coach Shin Tae-yong

Betting Odds to Win the World Cup 300-1

With a team lacking world-class talent, South Korea has to depend on two standout players only; Son Heung-min from Tottenham Hotspur and Ki Sung-yueng from Swansea City. They will struggle.

Date Teams Betway William Hill 888Casino
18 June 2018 South Korea vs Sweden 12/5 12/5 12/5
23 June 2018 South Korea vs Mexico 3/1 3/1 3/1
27 June 2018 South Korea vs Germany 9/1 9/1 9/1

Sweden

Sweden

World Ranking 19

World Cups Won 0

Star Performer Victor Lindelof (Manchester United)

Coach Janne Andersson

Betting Odds to Win the World Cup 100-1

Talented and hard-working, the biggest question regarding Sweden is whether Zlatan Ibrahimovic come out of international retirement for the World Cup, and if so, where will he fit into Andersson’s plans?

Date Teams Betway William Hill 888Casino
18 June 2018 Sweden vs South Korea 11/10 11/10 11/10
23 June 2018 Sweden vs Germany 9/2 9/2 9/2
27 June 2018 Sweden vs Mexico 15/8 15/8 2/1

 Mexico

Mexico

 

World Ranking 17

World Cups Won 0

Star Performer Javier “Chicharito” Hernández (West Ham United)

Coach Juan Carlos Osorio

Betting Odds to Win the World Cup 100-1

Mexico regularly beat weaker nations easily but struggle against the very best. As always with Mexico, its difficult to know what to expect, depending on ‘which Mexico’ will turn up. Look elsewhere.

Preview
How to use it?BelgiumBelgiumWorld Ranking 5World Cups Won 0Star Performer Eden Hazard (Chelsea)Coach Roberto MartínezBetting Odds to Win the World Cup 9-1Sure, Belgium broke all kinds of goal-scoring records in qualifying, but has Roberto Martinez organised the defence? The classiest teams should find no problems in breaking down Belgium’s defence in the knockout phase.PanamaPanamaWorld Ranking 53World Cups Won 0Star Performer Román TorresCoach Hernán Darío GómezBetting Odds to Win the World Cup 500-1The head coach’s words sum-it-up; “We’ll go to the World Cup to learn and compete. It’s an experience to enjoy,” says Hernán Darío Gómez, who takes his fourth different nation to the World Cup.How to use itEnglandEnglandWorld Ranking 16World Cups Won 1 (1966)Star Performer Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)Coach Gareth SouthgateBetting Odds to Win the World Cup 20-1Gareth Southgate has overseen a period of change that now has England operating with a younger, experimental team in a 3-4-2-1 formation.Have they overcome the elimination by Iceland at Euro 2016? Questions persist, but should cruise into the knockout phase.TunisiaTunisiaWorld Ranking 23World Cups Won 0Star Performer Naïm SlitiCoach Nabil MaâlouBetting Odds to Win the World Cup 400-1Tunisia are a better side than the $401 to win the World Cup being offered by many sports betting sites. The second round may elude them but they may provide an upset or two.  PolandPolandWorld Ranking 7World Cups Won 0Star Performer Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)Coach Adam NawalkaBetting Odds to Win the World Cup 40-1If you’re looking for an outsider to win the World Cup, you could do worse than Poland. Any side that has Robert Lewandowski on hand to bang in the goals must be taken seriously.ColombiaColombiaWorld Ranking 13World Cups Won 0Star Performer Davinson Sánchez (Tottenham Hotpsur)Coach José PékermanBetting Odds to Win the World Cup 33-1Colombia are looking to repeat their performance from the 2014 World Cup where they reached the quarter-finals. It will be harder this time around as they are not among the top seeds. Few sides hit on the breakaway as fast as Colombia.JapanJapanWorld Ranking 55World Cups Won 0Star Performer Maya Yoshida (Southampton)Coach Vahid HalilhodzicBetting Odds to Win the World Cup 150-1Japan traditionally play a possession-based-style but experienced new coach Vahid Halilhodzic demands the Blue Samurai play on the counter. The change is not agreed to by many of the players and internal bickerings have not subsided. Could struggle.SenegalSenegalWorld Ranking 27World Cups Won 0Star Performer Diafra Sakho (Rennes), Sadio Mané (Liverpool)Coach Aliou CisséBetting Odds to Win the World Cup 125-1M’Baye Niang of Torino, Keita Baldé of Monaco and Liverpool’s Sadio Mané allows Cissé to play an aggressive 4-3-3, with Sakho sitting just behind the front three. Not the worst side at Russia 2018.

Good Luck!!

Date Teams Betway William Hill 888Casino
17 June 2018 Mexico vs Germany 11/2 11/2 11/2
23 June 2018 Mexico vs South Korea 5/6 5/6 5/6
27 June 2018 Mexico vs Sweden 7/5 7/5 6/4
Date Teams Betway William Hill 888Casino
18 June 2018 Belgium vs Panama 2/13 2/13 1/6
23 June 2018 Belgium vs Tunisia 2/9 2/9 2/9
27 June 2018 Belgium vs England 6/4 6/4 6/4
Date Teams Betway William Hill 888Casino
18 June 2018 Panama vs Belgium 14-1 14-1 14-1
24 June 2018 Panama vs England 12-1 12-1 12-1
28 June 2018 Panama vs Tunisia 11/5 11/5 11/5
Date Teams Betway William Hill 888Casino
18 June 2018 England vs Tunisia 2/7 3/10 1/3
24 June 2018 England vs Panama 2/11 2/11 2/11
28 June 2018 England vs Belgium 7/4 7/4 7/4
Date Teams Betway William Hill 888Casino
18 June 2018 Tunisia vs England 10-1 10-1 10-1
23 June 2018 Tunisia vs Belgium 9-1 9-1 9-1
28 June 2018 Tunisia vs Panama 5/4 5/4 5/4
Date Teams Betway William Hill 888Casino
19 June 2018 Poland vs Senegal 6/5 6/5 6/5
23 June 2018 Poland vs Colombia 7/4 7/4 7/4
28 June 2018 Poland vs Japan 5/6 5/6 5/6
Date Teams Betway William Hill 888Casino
19 June 2018 Colombia vs Japan 8/11 8/11 4/5
23 June 2018 Colombia vs Poland 6/4 6/4 6/4
28 June 2018 Colombia vs Senegal 20/21 20/21 20/21
Date Teams Betway William Hill 888Casino
19 June 2018 Japan vs Colombia 7/2 7/2 7/2
24 June 2018 Japan vs Senegal 9/5 9/5 9/5
28 June 2018 Japan vs Poland 3-1 3-1 3-1
Date Teams Betway William Hill 888Casino
19 June 2018 Senegal vs Poland 9/4 9/4 9/4
24 June 2018 Senegal vs Japan 6/4 6/4 6/4
28 June 2018 Senegal vs Colombia 13/5 13/5 13/5