(Mladen Antonov/AFP/Getty Images)The 2018 World Cup will not start for another 6 1/2 months in Moscow, but the first victory has already been achieved: Russia defeats the FIFA draw. Peru waited 36 years to return to the World Cup, qualifying via a playoff with New Zealand after finishing fifth in South America’s unforgiving race. With his 31st birthday falling in the middle of the tournament, Messi is probably getting his last shot at the World Cup trophy. GROUP GBelgium Panama Tunisia EnglandEngland was a terrible disappointment at the 2014 World Cup, failing to advance past the group stage. Colombia features 2014 top scorer James Rodriguez (six goals), while Japan, in a sixth straight World Cup, seeks to rebound from a poor showing in Brazil.

Source: Washington Post December 01, 2017 14:52 UTC