World Cup 2018: Top 5 contenders from Europe

#2 Spain

The Spaniards will look to pass their way to the trophy once again

Following from the success of its clubs in European club football (AGAIN), the expectations that the national side can once again rise to the occasion and deliver silverware have risen among the Spanish public and indeed the world.

After the disastrous 2014 World Cup campaign in Brazil, and the failed defence of the European Championship in 2016, former FC Porto and U-21 national team manager Julen Lopetegui was brought in and has initiated a gradual evolution, carefully introducing the younger generation to play alongside the old guard.

At least 11 of the senior players of the woeful team that played in Spain’s last two tournaments under Vicente Del Bosque are in the team going to Russia. Lopetegui has deviated from Del Bosque’s lazy and almost slavish devotion to Real Madrid and Barcelona players and has picked a solid 23-man squad based on present form and not historical achievements.

With a strong core from the Madrid clubs: UEFA Champions League winners Real Madrid (6) and Europa League champions Atletico Madrid (3), as well as 3 players from double domestic champions FC Barcelona, La Furia Roja’s squad, is filled with seasoned professionals who know what it takes to win titles at club and national level.