2018 World Cup primer: Who's advancing, and better yet, who's winning?

OK, I know what you’re thinking.

Sure, the US men’s national team won’t participate in FIFA’s quadrennial celebration of sport for the first time in over a generation and a half; you can step away from the ledge right now. There are no Revolution players in any of the squad listings (that’s not exactly a bad thing here, unless you really want to debate club v. country with me).

But that doesn’t mean you should avoid the World Cup, which starts at 11 a.m. today (Russia vs. Saudia Arabia, FOX) and runs until the Final on Sunday, July 15, in Russia. I can assure you that Boston — which has supporters groups for Arsenal (the Boston Gooners), Manchester United, and Liverpool (hell, Liverpool is owned by Red Sox owner John W. Henry), all of whom have players in national squads — will be watching.

And yes, so should you.

WORLD CUP TV SCHEDULE

In order to entice you further, here’s a light breakdown of the groups, with BSJ quickie analysis and insight:

GROUP A

Russia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Uruguay

Uruguay should be the favorites to win the group, but don’t count out the Pharaohs. Mohammed Salah, England’s Golden Boot winner from this recently-concluded season, found himself the victim of a horrendous Sergio Ramos take-down during the Champions League Final on May 26. On Twitter Tuesday, I saw that he is still "mending," even though he had said that he should be good to go. We'll see. I don’t expect Saudi Arabia or Russia to do much. Russia hasn’t been out of a World Cup group stage since 1986, and with most of its players playing domestically (it feels like it’s the Zenit-St. Petersberg All-Star team), I’m predicting the same thing for both teams that kick off the tournament in Moscow—and please, don’t judge the tournament on its opening match. I’m also predicting that Luis Suarez keeps his fangs to himself… at least in the group stages.

Match to watch: Egypt v. Uruguay, Friday, June 15

Sweens' advancing teams: Egypt, Uruguay

GROUP B

Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Iran

Poor Morocco. Poor Iran. Morocco’s 2026 is done, and its 2018 may live until next Wednesday, when it takes on Portugal, the reigning European champion, in its second match of the group stages. This is a clear-cut win for anyone who descends from the Iberian Peninsula (check your genealogy!), and the winner of the Portugal-Spain match on Friday should put it in the pole position to win the group. Of course, they could draw on Friday, and then feast away at two sides that are just happy to be here. Pity the goalkeepers.

Match to watch: Portugal v. Spain, Friday, June 15

Advancing: Portugal, Spain

GROUP C

France, Australia, Peru, Denmark

This might be one of the tastier groups in the entire tournament. Between all the quality of France, with Peru making its first World Cup since Spain ’82, with Australia looking to give Tim Cahill a send-off like you wouldn’t believe, and Denmark looking to reassert itself on the world stage, I’m going to not be able to peel my eyes away from Group C. Peru, of course, may be the wild card in all of this, but I’m going to take France to win the group — on goal differential.

Match to watch: France v. Peru, Thursday, June 21

Advancing: France, Denmark

GROUP D

Argentina, Iceland, Croatia, Nigeria

With Argentina and Lionel Messi (five goals in the group, bet on it) about to embark on yet another trip to the semifinals, at least, the battle is for second. Is this Nigeria’s year to shine in the group? Can Iceland, a country the size of Corpus Christi, Texas (thank you, Taylor Twellman), get through? Or can Croatia, who hasn’t been out of the group stages since its third-place finish in 1998, be another European side in the Round of 16?

Match to watch: Nigeria v. Argentina, Tuesday, June 26

Advancing: Argentina, Croatia

GROUP E

Brazil, Switzerland, Costa Rica, Serbia

Have to think it’ll be Brazil in a walk with nine points here, and it’ll be the third group-stage match between Costa Rica and Switzerland for second. Group E just doesn’t look appetizing to me.

Match to watch: Costa Rica v. Switzerland, Wednesday, June 27

Advancing: Brazil, Costa Rica

GROUP F

Germany, Mexico, Sweden, South Korea

Without the United States in this tournament, a lot of broadcasters and journos — FOX, ESPN, Sports Illustrated — have been touting Mexico as a team for American supporters to throw their faith behind, if only for just a few weeks. It would be good for CONCACAF (our region) if Mexico gets through the group stages and into the knockout phase of the competition. Mexico can score, between Chicharito and LAFC’s Carlos Vela. Will it advance, though? Sweden doesn’t have Zlatan Ibrahimovic on its roster, which means someone else has to step up and do the goal-scoring. The South Koreans are a dangerous foe. And Die Mannschaft are the reigning world champions; you can go ahead and pencil Germany into the semifinals.

Match to watch: Mexico v. Sweden, Wednesday, June 27

Advancing: Germany, Sweden

GROUP G

Belgium, Panama, Tunisia, England

If… IF… the unthinkable didn’t occur last October and the draw went as scheduled, this would have been the US’ group. Just think: another chance at England, another chance at Belgium. That didn’t happen, though, as we get to see who takes first and second between those two countries. England should win the group and advance to at least the quarterfinals, where it would more than likely go up against the Brazilians, and RIP to England’s chances. Panama would need to play its best football to nick points, but I think England and Belgium can withstand it. And England-Belgium play each other last, so it’s entirely possibly they’ll just have to play for a draw so both advance.

Match to watch: England v. Belgium, Thursday, June 28

Advancing: England, Belgium

Group H

Poland, Senegal, Colombia, Japan

Poland is the sixth-ranked team in the world, so we should expect the Polish to run roughshod over the rest of the group, but I see Colombia and James (pronounced Hi-mez) Rodriguez waiting for them in the second group-stage match and wreaking all sorts of havoc. That match should be for first, but don’t sleep on Senegal! Senegal, with Mo Salah’s Liverpool strike partner in Sadio Mane, may nick second with a win over Japan.

Match to watch: Poland v Colombia, Sunday, June 24

Advancing: Senegal, Colombia

SO, MR. SOCCER GUY, WHO'S GOING TO WIN IT ALL?

I’m going with Argentina. Germany is Germany, of course, and it would be interesting to see it win a second consecutive World Cup, but you have to think it’s going to be the Argentines this go. Messi, at age 30, has limited time remaining to heft that solid gold trophy; I recall four years ago how despondent he was at Maracana, not caring for the Golden Ball Trophy he carried down the stairs. He wanted something else. There are a few other aging players on that side who may not play at another World Cup.

Of course, the same could be said for Cristiano Ronaldo (33) and Portugal. Can you imagine the parties in Fall River and Agawam if that happens, or the tears when he retires from international football on the losing side yet again?