FIFA World Cup Countdown: What Next for the 32 Countries?

The biggest event in world football is just a couple of days away.

With club football done and dusted, the FIFA World Cup in Russia, without even starting yet, has become the center of attraction in world football.

Several players are getting ready to represent their countries on the grandest stage of all. With the competition set to start in just a few days, what’s next for the 32 countries that will be featuring at the mundial?

1. Friendly games

One of the ways teams have been preparing for the World Cup is to play friendly games between each other. But it has not been an exclusive thing. Teams that are not playing in the competition are also featuring in these friendly games.

While they may yet be friendly games, these games are being used by different managers for many different reasons.

Asides being used to keep their teams in shape, different football federations also use these friendlies to test the strength of their teams and also use it to gauge the readiness of the squad.

One other tactical reason for these friendlies is for teams to test themselves again teams that either play like their future opponents at the World Cup or come from the same continent and play the same style of football.

2. Squad lists, player omissions and inclusions

With kick-off drawing ever closer, FIFA has demanded that all teams submit their final squad that will be taking part in the competition.

In the leading up to this one, team managers have selected provisional squad lists containing players who may and may not play at the World Cup.

But the beginning of the competition is only 11 days away. There’s only room for the 23-man squad that will represent each nation. There have already been some notable inclusions and exemptions.

But 23 is the limit: No more, no less.

3. 3. The likely winners of the tournament

Going into a tourney like this, it’s understandable that some teams will be favorites to the competition compared to the others.

Being a World Cup of football, one name that is a favorite to win this year’s edition of the competition is Germany. They’re the current champions and look likely to retain their status as the best football-playing country in the world.

Some other countries that have players capable of winning the tournament include the likes of France, Spain, Belgium and Brazil.

4. The countdown continues

As mentioned earlier, the countdown to the biggest festival of football continues. Kick-off is just a couple of days away. Fans that can’t make it all the way to Russia are getting ready to support their choice teams.

Which team are you backing this World Cup? Leave us a comment and share your thoughts with us.