Baton Rouge, La. – The World Cup – the most popular sporting event in the world – begins on Thursday June 14 and will conclude on July 15 at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia. The LSU soccer staff and athletes had a little fun and predicted who they think will advance from group play to the Round of 16, and they also picked their favorite to become World Cup champions.
Head Coach Brian Lee
Group A: Uruguay, Russia
Group B: Portugal, Spain
Group C: France, Peru
Group D: Argentina, Nigeria
Group E: Brazil, Switzerland
Group F: Germany, Mexico
Group G: Belgium, England
Group H: Poland, Colombia
World Cup Winner Prediction: Germany
“The early rounds without the United States tempers some of the excitement, but the knockout stages should be thrilling. Peru and England are my dark horses to reach the later stages, but when it’s all said and done, look for the usual suspects to be the last men standing. Only Belgium has the quality to crown a first-time winner and I would like to take a flyer on them, but common sense says Germany over Brazil in the final.”
Assistant Coach Carl Goody
Group A: Russia, Uruguay
Group B: Spain, Portugal
Group C: France, Denmark
Group D: Argentina, Croatia
Group E: Brazil, Switzerland
Group F: Germany, Mexico
Group G: Belgium, England
Group H: Poland, Colombia
World Cup Winner Prediction: Germany
“There aren’t too many holes in a very balanced squad, and you can never doubt their efficiency to win when it matters the most.”
Sophomore Defender Lucy Parker
Group A: Uruguay, Egypt
Group B: Portugal, Spain
Group C: France, Denmark
Group D: Argentina, Nigeria
Group E: Brazil, Switzerland
Group F: Germany, Mexico
Group G: ENGLAND, Belgium
Group H: Poland, Colombia
World Cup Winner Prediction: Brazil
“I think the two teams that have the best chance to win it are Brazil or Germany. I fancy France, too. It could go either way for them but they have some crazy individual talent on their squad. I would love to say England of course, but realistically I would be happy with a quarterfinals appearance – we have some good young talent.”
Senior Forward Alex Thomas
Group A: Uruguay, Russia
Group B: Portugal, Spain
Group C: France, Denmark
Group D: Argentina, Croatia
Group E: Brazil, Costa Rica
Group F: Germany, Mexico
Group G: Belgium, England
Group H: Colombia, Poland
World Cup Winner Prediction: France
“Each of the players on the French starting lineup has come off a pretty good season from their club play. Also, with the depth they have in subs, I think they’ll be hard to beat.”
Nicole Howard, two-year starter for the Lady Tigers in 2016 and 2017
Group A: Uruguay, Russia
Group B: Spain, Portugal
Group C: France, Australia
Group D: Argentina, Nigeria
Group E: Brazil, Costa Rica
Group F: Germany, Mexico
Group G: Belgium, England
Group H: Colombia, Poland
World Cup Winner Prediction: Germany
“I think that Germany will win it all because, for one, their simply the best team. Reason No. 2 is that they have my two favorite players in Jerome Boateng and Manuel Neuer.”
Director of Operations Laura Lamberth
Group A: Uruguay, Russia
Group B: Spain, Portugal
Group C: France, Denmark
Group D: Argentina, Croatia
Group E: Brazil, Switzerland
Group F: Germany, Mexico
Group G: Belgium, England
Group H: Colombia, Poland
World Cup Winner Prediction: Germany
“The internet said Germany had a good chance to win, so that’s my pick. I believe everything I read on the internet.”
Assistant Coach Megan Kinneman
Group A: Uruguay, Egypt
Group B: Portugal, Spain
Group C: France, Denmark
Group D: Argentina, Iceland
Group E: Brazil, Switzerland
Group F: Germany, Mexico
Group G: Belgium, England
Group H: Colombia, Senegal
World Cup Winner Prediction: Spain
“I’ve never been a fan of Spain, but you can’t doubt the experienced roster. David de Gea is in for an unreal tournament and will keep Spain in games all the way to the final.”
Volunteer Assistant Travis Curson
Group A: Egypt, Uruguay
Group B: Portugal, Spain
Group C: France, Denmark
Group D: Argentina, Croatia
Group E: Brazil, Switzerland
Group F: Germany, Mexico
Group G: Belgium, England
Group H: Poland, Senegal
World Cup Winner Prediction: Argentina
“I think they have a good chance to have an easier route than some other World Cup favorites. With it likely being Messi’s final World Cup, I believe he will lead them to win it all.”