Russia World Cup 2018
Hosts Russia come into this World Cup as the lowest FIFA ranked nation at the tournament, but will be hoping home advantage can spur them on to cause a few surprises and advance to the latter stages.
History at the World Cup
Russia’s World Cup history doesn’t stretch back too far, with their first appearance at a finals as the Russia we know today coming at USA 1994. They were knocked out in the group stage of that tournament, losing to Brazil and Sweden before a 6-1 consolation victory over Cameroon ended the campaign on a high note. Since then, they have qualified for just two finals tournaments, at South Korea & Japan in 2002, and Brazil 2014.
In 2002, they began the tournament with a 2-0 win over Tunisia, but lost to Japan and Belgium to again exit at the group stage. They failed to make it through to the knock out stages for a third consecutive World Cup in 2014. Draws with South Korea and Algeria, as well as a 1-0 defeat to Belgium saw them finish third in the group again.
Between 1930 and 1994, Russia were part of the Soviet Union and their World Cup history is a little more successful. The Soviet team appeared at seven World Cup finals tournaments, finishing fourth in 1966 and reaching the Quarter Final on three separate occasions.
- World Cup Finals Tournaments – 3 (as Russia), 7 (as Soviet Union)
- Previous Best Performance – Group Stage (3 times since 1994), Fourth Place (as Soviet Union)
How they qualified
Russia were given automatic qualification, and the first spot in the draw, as the host nation. So, the past couple of years have been filled with international friendlies and the Confederations Cup, a warm-up for the World Cup, in the summer of 2017.
At the Confederations Cup, Russia beat New Zealand and lost to Portugal and Mexico. This meant they finished in the same group position, third, as they have done at the last three World Cup’s they have qualified for. 2017 hasn’t ended well for them, with two draws and a defeat from their last three friendly matches.
Coach/Manager
Stanislav Cherchesov is a former goalkeeper, who was appointed Russia head coach in August 2016.
As a player, Cherchesov earned 39 international caps between 1992 – 2002 and was in the squad for both the 1994 and 2002 World Cup finals tournaments.
After Russia finished bottom of their group at Euro 2016, the search was on for a new manager and Cherchesov was the man they turned to in August of that year.
He was given a two-year contract, with the rather unreal expectations of taking Russia to at least the Semi Final of this World Cup.
It’s a little harsh to think that Cherchesov will be out of a job if Russia do not meet these expectations, but the pressure is certainly on for him and his team to deliver a performance the fans and Russian FA are happy with.
Star Players
The Russia team isn’t exactly filled with worldwide stars, with most of the squad playing in their home nation.
Just two players who have earned recent squad call-ups play outside of Russia, with those being Koln’s Konstantin Rausch and Roman Neustadter of Fenerbahce.
Perhaps Russia’s two star players are the CSKA Moscow pair of Igor Akinfeev and Alan Dzagoev.
Goalkeeper Akinfeev has made over 100 appearances for his country and has kept more clean sheets than any other keeper in Russian history. The CSKA stopper has been a member of three European Championship squads and played at the 2014 World Cup.
Dzagoev looked like a star in the making, having been joint top scorer at Euro 2012, but he was a substitute in all three World Cup matches in 2014 and has seen the past couple of years hampered by injury.
In fact, injuries robbed him of a place in the Euro 2016 and 2017 Confederation Cup squads.
He, and Russia, will be hoping he is fit and at his best ahead of their home World Cup.
Russia World Cup 2018: Assessing Their Chances & Odds
The coach has been tasked with leading Russia to at least the last four of this tournament, but we think it’s more likely they will finish third in their group for a fourth consecutive World Cup.
They are the lowest ranked nation in the tournament and face a tough challenge to qualify for the knock out stages, in a group with Uruguay, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia.
Home advantage may play a huge part in lifting the squad to perform above and beyond what their ranking would suggest, but it still may not be good enough.
Uruguay are the favourites to top the group and should make it through with ease, which leaves Russia to compete with a Mo Salah inspired Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, for the runners-up spot.
Amazingly, the bookmakers have Russia priced as second favourites to top the group, at odds of 5/4. This is almost as short as the odds for Uruguay, 11/10, so obviously the bookmakers believe home advantage will work wonders. We aren’t so sure.
Our Russia World Cup Prediction
Our prediction is that Russia will start with a victory over Saudi Arabia, to whip the nation into a frenzy, but be found out by the far superior teams of Uruguay and Egypt. So, it looks likely to be another third place group finish for Russia.