World Cup 2018 Winner Prediction Updated for January 2025

Updated: 21st January 2025

World Cup 2018 Winner Prediction and preview of the leading contenders.

Our World Cup 2018 Winner Prediction

Spain at 6/1 to win World Cup

Spain look an exciting prospect. They haven't lost since 2016 under the guidance of Lopetegui. Spain look a solid World Cup 2018 winner prediction. Take the 6/1 ( odds correct as of 09/06/2018 ) at the William Hill World Cup odds page.

The 2018 World Cup kicks off on June 14 in Moscow. Host team Russia will take on Saudi Arabia in the first match and five weeks of intense international football will commence. Day 2 of the World Cup will see the tournament's first big match as two of the competition's favourites to win, Spain and Portugal, clash.

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The World Cup is nearing and sportsbooks from around the globe have placed their odds on the 32 teams that will descend on Russia. Currently, Brazil have been given the best odds to win the tournament at 9/2, while Germany – the reigning World Cup winners – are at 9/2.

With only a few weeks until the World Cup kicks off, which team will win this year's event in Russia?. Our World Cup 2018 winner prediction will answer that question for you.

Who will win the 2018 World Cup in Russia?

In late 2017, TalkSPORT posted an article on a super computer that predicted the World Cup matches from the knockout stages to the final. It wasn't Paul the Octopus, but some of the computer's selections seem likely to occur.

The computer's World Cup final selection pits Argentina and Brazil with the two South American rivals going to extra-time to determine the winner. In the end, the super computer World Cup 2018 winner prediction had Brazil to win the tournament final by a 2-1 score line.

Can Argentina win the World Cup?

The computer's World Cup 2018 winner prediction sounds plausible; but are Argentina and Brazil good enough to play in the final? Well, yes and no.

Argentina featured in the World Cup final in 2014. The Lionel Messi side lost to Germany in the match, 1-0, after extra-time. Messi is one of the two best players in the world today, depending who you ask. So, predicting the Argentines to make the final isn't much of a stretch.

Do Argintina rely too much on Messi?

Looking deeper into Argentina's post-World Cup 2014, however, does seem to make this prediction a little more unlikely. Argentina may have the fifth best odds at 9/1 to win the Jules Rimet Trophy, but the team struggled through qualifying.

Their final finish in third place flattered the team.

Anyone who watched Argentina play will know they suffered when Lionel Messi wasn't on form. Argentina, like Barcelona, have a reliance on Messi that is difficult for them to overcome.

In four friendlies since World Cup qualifying ended, Argentina have won twice and lost twice. The losses came against Nigeria – a team that will be in their World Cup group – and versus Spain.

Sore Defeat by Spain

The Spain defeat was incredibly alarming as the Argentines lost 6-1. Messi wasn't on the pitch that night, but Argentina did have many of their other stars.

Can Brazil win the World Cup?

The super computer's World Cup 2018 winner prediction of Brazil winning the World Cup is a solid tip. The Brazilians have an excellent, star-studded squad led by Neymar.

This summer looks set to be riddled with more transfer speculation as Neymar is being linked with a move to Real Madrid less than one year after his mega deal to Paris Saint-Germain. While he wasn't able to get PSG over the hump in the Champions League, he could lead Brazil to glory in Russia.

Neymar another Robinho?

Brazil and Neymar have a lot to prove. Neymar is considered the next best player to Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi, yet the Brazilian has only shown flashes of that greatness. He relied on Messi and Luis Suarez at Barcelona and his decision to play in France against perceived weaker sides doesn't help his case for best player in the world.

If he can lead Brazil to the World Cup trophy, then claims of Neymar being the best are more believable.

However, until he does that – or wins the Champions League without Messi or Suarez – Neymar will just be another Robinho.

Brazil do have a highly talented squad, but they did in 2014 when Germany dismantled them 7-1 in the semifinal. Despite how well they played in qualifying, Brazil won't want to see the likes of Germany, Argentina or Spain until the latter stages of the competition.

Our World Cup 2018 Winner Prediction

After winning the 2010 World Cup, Spain were humiliated in 2014 as the team was knocked out at the group stages. Spain became the second straight winner to be eliminated in group play – could it happen to Germany this year?.

The Spanish have regrouped under former Porto manager Julen Lopetegui. He may be an unknown to some, but Lopetegui has worked in the Spanish national setup for some time and brings a different perspective to the team. Spain are third favourite to win the World Cup at odds of 6/1.

Lopetgui has fresh, young, hungry players in his side, and many of those World Cup winners in 2010 have all been moved on. Of course, there are some holdovers including captain Sergio Ramos and centre-back partner Gerard Pique. He also has the likes of David De Gea, Dani Carvajal, Diego Costa, Isco and Thiago in his squad.

Spain may not have the star power of Brazil this summer or the efficiency of Germany; but the Spanish are an exciting team that hasn't lost under Lopetegui since he took over in 2016. They look a solid World Cup 2018 winner prediction.

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