Germany favourites to lift World Cup as Peru become final team to qualify for Russia 2018

After a long an arduous World Cup qualifying process which began over two-and-a-half years ago, the teams that will be playing in Russia next summer are finally known.

Timor Leste’s 4-1 win over Mongolia in March 2015 kicked it all off, with Brazil becoming the first team to qualify (outside of the hosts) in March of this year before Peru rounded it off when they beat New Zealand in the second leg of their intercontinental play-off to be secure their place as the 32nd and final team at the World Cup.

It is perhaps no surprise that ahead of the draw for the group stages of the finals - which will take place on 1 December - reigning champions Germany are favourites to lift the trophy but it looks an open betting heat.

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Joachim Low’s team are 5/1 (6.0) with dabblebet to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to retain the Jules Rimet and join them as five-time winners of the tournament - which is certainly astrong possibility after their second string team waltzed to the Confederations Cup over summer.

Naturally, the Selecao are next on the list at just 11/2 (6.50) after they dominated South American qualifying and will be determined to go better than the semi-finals after they were embarrassed 7-1 by Germany at that stage last time around.

Also priced at 11/2 (6.50) are France, who reached the final of Euro 2016 on home turf last summer and could well prove a force to be reckoned with as Antoine Griezmann looks set to dazzle on the world stage.

A poor showing in 2014 saw Spain crash out in the group stages means La Roja have a score to settle, and can be backed at 7/1 (8.0), with Argentina quoted at 8/1 (9.0) as Lionel Messi searches for one title that has always evaded him in what could be his last attempt to clinch it.

Belgium, who seem to have been dark horses for over a decade now, barely broke a sweat in qualification and are 12/1 (13.0) to win the World Cup for the first time in their history.

At 18/1 (19.0) are England, who could take an inexperienced side after their youthful squad claimed 0-0 draws with Germany and Brazil in the last week, whilst European champions Portugal are quoted at 20/1 (21.0); however, despite winning the Henri Delaunay Trophy, Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. won just one game in normal time and will have to be more consistent in Russia to fulfil their World Cup dreams.