The is set to kick off in Ru sia on June 14.Thirty-two teams in eight groups will vie for the FIFA World Cup, the most prestigious prize in international soccer.

This year's competition features several compelling storylines:the ongoing battle between Argentina's Lionel Me si and Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo for the title of the best player in the world; defending World Cup champion Germany's repeat bid;and the Cinderella stories such as the upstart Iceland teamand Egypt, which is making its first World Cup appearance in nearly three decades. Then, of course you have storied countries such as Brazil and England attempting to add to their lore.

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Here's a group-by-group breakdown of key teams and players to watch in the , along with our picks and predictions to Dennis Maruk Jersey emerge from each group.

World Cup 2018: Groups, teams, players to watchGroup A: Ru sia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Uruguay

Favorite:Uruguay.Uruguay has advanced past the group stage in four of the last five World Cups, but hasn't won it since 1950. It will be looking to carry on tradition in Ru sia.

Player to watch: Luis Suarez

At 31, the Barcelona man could be playing in his last World Cup. Coming off a season during which he scored 33 goals in all competitions, he's at the height of his powers and Riley Sutter Jersey ready to put on for his country.

Dark horse: Egypt

Egypt is making its first World Cup appearance in 28 years and will need a fully healthy Mohamed Salah to have a chance to emerge from its group. If he can revisit the record-breaking form he showed at Liverpool, for which he scored a Premier League record 32 goals in 38 games, in 2017-18, he could be the talk of the tournament.

Best matchup: Ru sia vs. Saudi Arabia

This game will kickoff the World Cup when it starts atLuzhniki Stadium in Moscow June 14 at 11 a.m. ET.

Picks to advance: Uruguay, Ru sia

Group B: Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Iran

Favorite:Portugal.The winner of of the 2016 Euros should come into Ru sia with all the confidence in the world.

Player to watch: Cristiano Ronaldo.Enough said.

Dark horse: Iran

It took a goal in the91st minute goal from Lionel Me si to defeat Iran back in 2014. Iran was good then, and shouldbe even better now.

Best matchup: Portugal vs. Spain

Picks to advance: Portugal, Spain

WORLD CUP 2018:

Group C: France, Australia, Peru, Denmark

Favorite:France

Player to watch:Ousmane Dembl

The 21-year-old striker who's been underwhelming since making a monster move to Barcelona from Boru sia Dortmund back in August. Amid transfer rumors, he could prove he's the world-cla s wonderkid, he's been billed as while helping lead a loaded French side to the biggest prize in international soccer.

Dark horse: Peru

Thirty-four year-old Paolo Guererro is likely playing in his final World Cup. Peru's all-time leader in caps and goals, he won't be satisfied with simply leading his country to its first World Cup since 1982.

Best matchup:

France Alex Ovechkin Jersey is head and shoulders above the rest of the competition, so the matchup between Peru and Denmark could be an all-out battle for the other spot into the Round of 16 from this group.

Picks to advance: France, Denmark

Group D: Argentina, Iceland, Croatia, Nigeria

Favorite:Argentina Mike Gartner Jersey .The World Cup is the only dragon Lionel Me si hasn't slayed. He'll have his opportunity one more time in Ru sia.

Player to watch: Lionel Me si

Again.Need we say more?

Dark horse: Nigeria

Led by a roster that includes young, energetic talent, including Alex Iwobi (Arsenal) and Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City) and veterans such as Victor Moses (Chelsea) an Odion Ighalo (Changchun Yatai), the Super Eagles could be primed to shock some people.

Best matchup: Iceland vs. Nigeria

One thing's for sure, when these two get it cracking, their supporters, some of the most uniquely vibrant in world football, will make the atmosphere extremely spirited.

Picks to advance: Argentina, Croatia

WORLD CUP GOLDEN BALL:

Group E: Brazil, Switzerland, Costa Rica, Serbia

Favorite: Brazil.Too. Much. Sauce. Brazil is just too talented and too technical not to begin following up its gold medal in the 2016 Olympics by outcla sing the rest of the competition in the group stages at the World Cup.

Player to watch: Neymar Jr./Phillipe Coutinho/Roberto Firmino

Just pick Braden Holtby Jersey one. Neymar, fully fit, will obviously be the headliner, but Brazil's roster is flush with skill all the way through with talent such as FC Barcelona midfielder Phillipe Coutinho and Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino. Brazil will be a joy to watch.

Dark horse: Costa Rica

Costa Rica was given 2,500 to 1 odds to win the World Cup in and wound up finishing eighth. It's got to be thinking it can do what many don't suspect it will again.

Best matchup: Costa Rica vs. Switzerland

Picks to advance: Brazil, Switzerland

Group F: Germany, Mexico, Sweden, Korea Republic

Favorite: Germany.The juggernaut should run through this group like a yellow light.

Player to watch: Marco Reus.The Boru sia Dortmund star was hurtwhen Germany won the 2014 World Cup, but is back in the fold in 2018 despite returning to action after yet another injury in February.

Dark horse: Mexico

Best matchup: Mexico vs. Sweden

Picks to advance: Germany

Group G: Belgium, Panama, Tunisia, England

Favorite: Belgium

You won't find a side with more proven talent, from Romelu Lukaku (Manchester United)to Eden Hazard (Chelsea) to Kevin De Bruyne and Vincent Kompany(Manchester City) Belgium has no excuse not to contend for the World Cup title.

Player to watch: Kevin De Bruyne

What can't the midfielder do? De Bruyne is one of the most skilled player isn the world and likely would've been the Premier League's Player of the Year had it not been for Salah's goal-scoring prowe s. Grab your popcorn whenever he takes to the pitch. It's going to be a movie.

Dark horse Tom Wilson Jersey : England

Don't let a disappointing finish in the Euros, which included a lo s to Iceland, England s