PARIS: Lionel Messi knows the teams he fears most at the 2018 World Cup: champions Germany, Brazil, France and Spain. The five giants have won 13 of the last 16 World Cups between them. According to FIFA, Mexico has the third highest number of registered footballers — behind only Brazil and Germany — amongst World Cup finalists, yet in 15 finals appearances, they have never gone past the quarter-finals. With a population of just over three million and two World Cup titles, Uruguay are again following their own successful template. Egypt have won more African titles than any other nation but their World Cup record is miserable, and this is only their third appearance.

Source: Pakistan Today November 16, 2017 10:41 UTC