![sorld_cup_trophy.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmaYHw29rWv8yR6bB3vnfj4mYhScieENW8hy2SfiLdiWnt/sorld_cup_trophy.jpg)

Host Nation - Russia

[Russia]( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russia_national_football_team) was chosen to host the [2018 FIFA World Cup](https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/destination/index.html). It is a first for Russia. And as one can imagine, the preparations started as early as 2009 when the groundwork was being laid. An estimated $10 billion is to be spent for the 2018 soccer tournament. It was announced on 2nd December 2010 that Russia will be [host](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfyPi5MnPSY). ![worldcup_russia_host.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmasnA9MbaUPdXqQQ4fCbBsVM6e6K3yUqcrQPU3dbGKjmy/worldcup_russia_host.jpg)

Brief History - Russia Soccer

Looking at the [FIFA World Rankings](https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/ranking-table/men/index.html), Russia sits at **Number 70**. I would have expected Russia to crack at least the top 60, considering Japan is #61 and South Korea #57. ![worldcup_rank_russia.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmSt9JLUA8su5ARK7uLTfSWW2pT9UEKjYKULRV12Dwz6fm/worldcup_rank_russia.jpg)^{[source](https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/ranking-table/men/index.html)} Russia has their own [Premier League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Premier_League), which is the best in Eastern Europe – [Ukraine's](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukrainian_Premier_League) comes close. When we start looking at Russia’s past record at major tournaments - Euro 2012 & 2016, World Cup 2010 & 2014. It is clear they had under-performed. Many factors were cited. Lack of adaptability to weather / pitch conditions, internal strife, quality of players and coaching staff.

![worldcup_2012_russia.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmXqYq829f43UhsgFwzxCf3huzjQZUm7u2qj9ukfDXnTi7/worldcup_2012_russia.jpg)^{**Euro 2012 [Group Stage](http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=2012/standings/round=15172/group=700964/index.html): Did not qualify for Knockout**} ![worldcup_2016_russia.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmP74MkZG5Dnnp8L4Tt7NdEUZtWtgAUKCnxLisQuERHDYn/worldcup_2016_russia.jpg)^{**Euro 2016 [Group Stage](http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=2016/standings/round=2000448/group=2002442/index.html): Did not qualify for Knockout**} ![worldcup_2010_russia.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmbmw4tjN18iFCBLfqiz7qi9sVBAh6DwWkV4v9JSCNM27q/worldcup_2010_russia.jpg)^{**World Cup 2010: Did not even qualify - [source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russia_national_football_team)**} ![worldcup_2014_russia.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmPpcK3rRVs6Bdmsrc9sWFBjL3ARzmJ1R8PtRCo6ShbDcb/worldcup_2014_russia.jpg)^{**World Cup 2014 [Group Stage](https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/brazil2014/groups/index.html): Did not qualify for Knockout**}

A few note-worthy points: 1. Russia did not even qualify for the 2010 World Cup, which was held in South Africa. 2. The 2002 World Cup was co-hosted by South Korea and Japan 3. South Korea finished 4th in the 2002 World Cup!

![worldcup_2002.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmdnXiifzD9sqdztAJqrYPHuLadCJWDbVbGnuJsJgZ6prM/worldcup_2002.jpg)^{**2002 World Cup [Knockout Stage](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002_FIFA_World_Cup): South Korea Finished 3rd**}

Expectation - World Cup Host

![world cup list of hosts.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmcuuqsdeaE3j1QcewGcZdArxkFhbDR8FdubuCttdtGWdK/world%20cup%20list%20of%20hosts.jpg) ^{List of Host Country and Winners: [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIFA_World_Cup_hosts)}

It is worth pointing out that the countries which hosted the past World Cups made it to at least the Knockout Stages - Round of 16, with the exception of Team South Africa in 2010, who was eliminated in the group stage. A majority of those host nations minimally reached the Quarter-Finals. Sports fans around the globe know the value of home ground advantage, as a study [conducted in 2011](https://www.sbnation.com/2011/1/19/1940438/home-field-advantage-sports-stats-data) showed.

Home Advantage - Round of 16

Russia has already qualified for the last 16, after their excellent 3-1 victory of Egypt yesterday. Full highlights [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59Gx6-enwmk).

![worldcup_2018_A.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmTZ6D7o8aN5ZWw3bcGmF18TWmt9eEaw2B1Bg1mbeSCo3J/worldcup_2018_A.jpg)^{2018 World Cup [Group A](https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/groups/)} ![worldcup_2018_B.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmb4dBjGALB4konkEV7NqR8bGmBtSv7ZLmVJPzuzoBCcvS/worldcup_2018_B.jpg)^{2018 World Cup [Group B](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_FIFA_World_Cup_Group_B)}

With the knowledge that the **Round-of-16 is in the bag**, Russia will be facing the winner/runner-up of Group B, in the knockout stages. Barring any surprises, **Russia may likely face Spain or Portugal**. Tough opponents, but they could rest their key players in the 3rd match, keeping them fresh for the knockout stages. And playing to a home crowd of 144 million Russians cheering and rooting for their motherland, the question is:

How far can Russia advance in this unpredictable 2018 FIFA World Cup?

***I dare say the Quarter-Finals is within Russia's grasp!***

![Line Big Steem Blue Divider.png](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmTmwRbJG8FrWYFpkLR9GKTDcQAD1peWkCsLcCotMiBoqm/Line%20Big%20Steem%20Blue%20Divider.png)

What are your thoughts about the 2018 FIFA World Cup? Has it lived up to your expectation thus far? Can the host nation rise up to the occasion and out-perform their history? **Leave your comments below and we can have a great discussion.** Head over to @steem-oracle to participate in the Wisdom-of-the-Crowd contest to win some [SBI](https://steemit.com/basicincome/@steembasicincome/steem-basic-income-a-complete-overview). This is a project by my buddy @Culgin. We are @teamsingapore!

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