“I’m constantly being asked about individuals. The only way to win is as a team.”       -Pele

Which countries had the teams and players to make it to this tournament? Only the best. Keep reading to find out more.

The Host Nation: Russia

This year the most prestigious soccer tournament on earth, the FIFA World Cup, was held in Russia. Russia has participated in four World Cups since 1991, but has never won.

The Defending Champion

Germany was the defending champion, having won the 2014 World Cup Final against Argentina 1-0. In the 2018 World Cup they were beaten by Mexico and South Korea in the Group Stage, so they did not proceed to the Round of 16.

The 32 Countries that Participated

Thirty-two countries participate in the World Cup. This year, of the Europeans, the countries which played were Russia, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Iceland, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. The South American teams were Argentina, Brazil, Columbia, Peru, and Uruguay. The North American, Central American, and Caribbean countries to play were Mexico, Costa Rica, and Panama. The countries of Asia were Australia, Iran, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and South Korea. The African countries were Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, and Tunisia.

Key Players

This World Cup sees the greatest soccer players on Earth, as they compete for the most esteemed title in the soccer world: FIFA World Cup Champion. Hundreds of players competed, but only the best from each team will be talked about here.

Russia: Goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev. Akinfeev is Russia’s best starting goalkeeper, and made his international debut in 2004 at age 18.

Belgium: Forward Eden Hazard. Hazard is the captain of the team.

Croatia: Midfielder Luka Modric. Modric plays for Real Madrid. His club has won the Champions League three times since signing him.

Denmark: Midfielder Christian Eriksen. Eriksen formerly played for Ajax.

England: Striker Harry Kane. Kane is one of the best strikers in the world, and in 2007 was only nine goals behind Lionel Messi.

France: Striker Antoine Griezmann. Griezmann was the top scorer in the Euro 2016 Final.

Germany: Midfielder Toni Kroos. Kroos helped Germany win the last World Cup in 2014.

Iceland: Midfielder Gylfi Sigurðsson.  Sigurðsson is a sublime goalscorer and currently plays for Everton F.C.

Poland: Forward Robert Lewansowski. Lewandowski currently plays for Bayern Munich.

Portugal: One of my favorites is forward Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo has been voted best player in the world four times and has won numerous awards.

Serbia: Defender Branislav Ivanovic. Ivanovic is nearing his 100th cap and is the captain of the team.

Spain: Attacking center midfielder Isco. Isco plays for Real Madrid.

Sweden: Forward Marcus Berg. Berg plays for Al Ain F.C.

Switzerland: Forward Xherdan Shaqiri. Shaqiri scored a hat trick against Honduras in the 2014 World Cup.

Argentina: Forward Lionel Messi. Messi has been voted the best player in the world five times and is Ronaldo’s greatest rival.

Brazil: Forward Neymar. Neymar in 2015 was the UEFA Champions League Top Goalscorer.

Columbia: Attacking midfielder James Rodriguez. Rodriguez won the Golden Boot in the 2014 World Cup.

Peru: Midfielder Farfan. Farfan has made seventy-nine appearances for Peru, and for them has scored twenty-three goals.

Uruguay: Forward Luis Suarez. Suarez is Uruguay’s record goalscorer and works well with Edinson Cavani.

Mexico: Winger Hirving Lozano. Lozano has quickly become the star of Mexico’s international team.

Costa Rica: Defender Giancarlo Gonzalez. Gonzalez plays for Real Madrid.

Panama: Center defender Roman Torres. Torres plays for the Seattle Sounders.

Australia: Midfielder Tim Cahill. Cahill scored 11 goals during qualification and formerly played for Everton F.C.

Iran: Striker Sardar Azmoun. Azmoun is said to be the country’s best striker since Ali Daei.

Japan: Center midfielder Shinji Kagawa. Kagawa plays for Borussia Dortmund.

Saudi Arabia: Winger Yahya Al Shehri. Al Shehri was in 2013 the most expensive Saudi soccer player.

South Korea: Forward Son Heung-min. Heung-min currently plays for Tottenham Hotspur F.C.

Egypt: Forward Mohamed Salah. Salah plays for Liverpool and scored five goals while qualifying for Russia.

Morocco: Defender Medhi Benatia. Benatia plays for Juventus and is Morocco’s captain.

Nigeria: Midfielder John Mikel Obi. He is the captain and has been awarded 80 caps.

Senegal: Forward and midfielder Sadio Mane. He plays for Liverpool and has 48 caps.

Tunisia: Centre-back Aymen Abdennour. Abdennour has 57 international caps is currently on loan at the French club Marseille.

These are the best of the world, the players competing for the most prestigious title in the sports world: FIFA World Cup champion.