Brazil are considered the favourites to win the World Cup, with a 21% chance, according to a study of all teams’ relative strengths and previous performances.

Predictions based on one million simulations by Gracenote — who captures, curates and distributes in-depth sports data — estimates

percentage chance of each World Cup match being a win, draw or loss for each of the teams.

Teams from Europe and South America are predicted to dominate second round – with only Mexico, from Central America, anticipated to qualify from rest of the world.

The 33-year-old will lock horns with six of his Real Madrid team-mates as the Spaniards attempt to shrug off the shock sacking of coach Julen Lopetegui following the announcement that he will take over at the Bernabeu next month.

It is worth wondering what Ronaldo might have known of Lopetegui’s imminent appointment at Real, given the relationship both have with Portuguese super-agent Jorge Mendes, at a time when the forward’s own club future remains the source of speculation.

But now, amid all that, Ronaldo’s focus is on the World Cup, the one major honour still missing from his CV.

It is a stretch to make Portugal one of the favourites to win the trophy, even with Ronaldo, but they are nevertheless in Russia as the reigning European champions after surprising France on home soil two years ago.

Ronaldo is 33 now, still in fantastic physical condition and the reigning Ballon d’Or winner. He can probably play on for as long as he wants, but it is hard to imagine him returning for a fifth World Cup in Qatar in 2022.

If he is to cap his career with a World Cup winner’s medal, then now is his time, and what better way to start than by inspiring Portugal to victory over their neighbours and put themselves in pole position in Group B.

“Of course Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player in the world at the moment and he will be the top player at this World Cup. There are no words to describe him,” said admiring team-mate Joao Mario at Portugal’s base near Moscow this week.

– Father figure –

Ronaldo was playing the last time Portugal beat their rivals in a major tournament, winning 1-0 to eliminate Spain in the group stage at Euro 2004.

He was just 19 then, and has gone on to become his country’s leading scorer with 81 international goals.

He won his 150th cap in the recent friendly against Algeria. And yet he has never quite managed to replicate his club form on the major tournament stage.

He lasted just 25 minutes before coming off injured in the Euro 2016 final, watching from the sidelines as Eder’s extra-time goal shocked France.

At the World Cup so far, Ronaldo has managed just three goals in three tournaments: a penalty against Iran in 2006; one against North Korea in 2010, and one against Ghana in 2014.

There will be an obvious determination to improve that record in Russia, with Portugal also facing Morocco and Iran in their group.

But he also needs to act as a father figure to the talented young members of Fernando Santos’s squad, like Bernardo Silva, Goncalo Guedes and Gelson Martins.

The latter is one of four Portugal players — along with William Carvalho, Bruno Fernandes and Rui Patricio — who say they will be breaking their contracts with Ronaldo’s first club, Sporting Lisbon, after being attacked by disgruntled fans last month.

Ronaldo has a responsibility to unite the squad and focus minds ahead of his fourth World Cup.

“Ronaldo is our captain, he sets an example for us and is advising us younger players and sharing his experience,” said Manchester City’s Silva.

That experience, and inside knowledge of many of the Spain players, will be crucial on Friday by the Black Sea.

Russia get the ball rolling against Saudi Arabia at the completely refurbished 80,000-capacity Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow after an opening ceremony attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Brazil have won the title a record five times while defending champions Germany are on four and determined to draw level with the Brazilians when the final is played at Luzhniki on July 15.

There was little romance in the prelude as Russia’s problems — from racism and hooliganism to a foreign policy sharply at odds with the West — were exposed and scrutinised.

Britain and some eastern European states still haunted by Moscow’s rule in the Soviet era tried to organise a diplomatic boycott over the poisoning in England of a former Russian spy.

Neither the British royal family nor British government members will attend, but a wider boycott effort fizzled out.

Russian organisers say they expect more than 20 heads of state to attend the opening match.

“We would like to underscore the validity of the FIFA principle of sport being outside politics,” Russian leader Putin told a meeting Wednesday of football’s governing body FIFA.

“Russia has always adhered to this principle,” Putin said.

– Hearts and minds –

Russia is spending more than $13 billion (11 billion euros) on its most important event since the 1980 Moscow Summer Olympics.

The money will boost Putin’s already sky-high prestige at home even further by giving many of the 11 host cities their first facelifts in generations.

Cities like Saransk were sleepy outposts with decaying buildings until World Cup construction workers put them firmly in the 21st century.

The tournament also offers Putin a chance to project Russia as a global player that is accepted and respected even while being at odds with the United States.

Russia is pulling it all off while bearing the brunt of international sanctions that began after it invaded and annexed Ukraine’s Crimea in 2014.

Moscow’s military backing of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria and alleged meddling in the 2016 US election on President Donald Trump’s behalf only deepened its worst rift with the West since the Cold War.

Putin hopes the most watched event on the planet provides Russia with the ‘soft power’ needed to capture a sceptical world’s hearts and minds.

“Our goal is to make everyone, from football stars to ordinary fans, feel the good will and hospitality of our people … so that they want to come back here again,” Putin said Wednesday.

– Racism and riots –

Russia’s troubles do not end in the high-brow world of geopolitics.

The bloody beating English fans took from nearly 200 Russian thugs at Euro 2016 in France has plagued preparations as much as any diplomatic dispute.

Neo-Nazi hooligans who organise mass fights in forests and chant racist slurs at players have lorded over Russian stadiums for years.

The anti-discrimination network Fare said Russia’s football federation was making matters worse by punishing those who reacted to racist abuse “while ignoring the perpetrators”.

Security services have either locked up or checked in on hundreds of hoodlums to make sure they do nothing to tarnish Russia’s image.

The scare tactics have worked. Some football gang members say they will be skipping town once the games begin to avoid getting rounded up.

Russia refused to issue tickets to nearly 500 of its supporters with suspected football underworld ties. England has forced over 1,000 known hooligans to hand in their passports.

– Field of dreams –

Yet from the moment Russia gets the party started against the Saudis — they are the two lowest-ranked teams in the tournament — the focus will shift to the pitch.

Brazil enter the fray on Sunday when they take on Switzerland. The Germans start their campaign against Mexico the same day.

The World Cup received its first dose of drama when 2010 winners Spain sacked coach Julen Lopetegui just two days before their opening game Friday against Portugal.

Brazil held its breath waiting for Neymar’s right foot to heal from a March 3 operation, but the world’s most expensive player has scored in his last two matches.

Less certain is the strength of the shoulder Egypt’s super-striker Mohamed Salah hurt in Liverpool’s Champions League loss to Real Madrid, but Salah is training again.

And the preparations of Argentina and Lionel Messi — the attacking genius who has won everything but a World Cup — were jolted by a scandal over their cancellation of a controversial friendly with Israel in Jerusalem.

Russia’s own buildup has been wrought with worries about the team embarrassing in front of a global audience of billions.

The hosts have broken Russian and Soviet records by going winless in seven matches and dropping to 70th in the world, meaning no coach faces as much pressure as Stanislav Cherchesov.

“We have to take all the criticism and turn it into something positive,” Cherchesov said.

On a course famed for its tough scoring conditions, the 28-year-old hopes to simply play in all four rounds at the year’s second major and finish in the top-30. Anything more would be a bonus.

“This is only my second US Open and we know this tournament is always very difficult. Anything inside the cut line, if I can make the top-30 on Sunday, it’ll be good for me,” said Kiradech, who missed the halfway cut in his debut appearance in 2016.

Two impressive top-five finishes at the World Golf Championships-Mexico Championship and World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play have pushed Kiradech to the brink of becoming the first Thai to earn a full PGA Tour card.

The strong run of form has seen Kiradech earn 340 FedEx Cup points and temporary tour membership via unlimited sponsor’s invitations for the remainder of the season. He then needs to make the top 125 in the final FedEx Cup points standing to gain his card, which is expected to be around 365 points.

While a PGA Tour card is his ultimate goal, the Thai is fully focused at the task ahead at Shinnecock Hills. “I played nine holes each day over the last two days and the course looks fantastic. Everybody recognises it’s always going to be a tough course with high scores. But If you find plenty of fairways, you have a chance to hit it near the flags but if you make mistakes, it will hurt,” said Kiradech, a former Asian Tour No 1.

“My game is in good shape,” said Kiradech, who will play the first two rounds with China’s Haotong Li and South Korea’s Si Woo Kim.

“I’ve been sticking to my routine here and I’ve learned to not overdo things in big events. Just stay focused and stay calm. I’ve been playing good golf over the past few months.”

Kiradech, who won the ISPS Handa World Super 6 in Australia on the Asian and European Tour in February, also enjoyed being part of an International team dinner on Tuesday at the invitation of team captain Ernie Els.

“It was an honour to be invited and meet the other prospective International team members. We don’t know who the 12 players will be for next year but it’s good to know each other better now, and to hear what Ernie has in his mind. I can see Ernie is really looking at every detail ahead of the 2019 Presidents Cup,” said Kiradech, who is ranked 31st in the world and currently the fourth highest ranked International team member after Jason Day, Hideki Matsuyama and Marc Leishman.

He is determined to become the second Thai after close friend Thongchai Jaidee to feature in the Presidents Cup, which sees the International team facing a Tiger Woods-led United States at Royal Melbourne in December of 2019.

“It’s not about winning money, it’s about playing for the team, pride and having the honour to represent the International team. We represent billions of people, so it’s very important for me to get into the team, said Kiradech.

The FIFA World Cup begins on June 14 and countries across the world are gearing up for it. Only five Asian countries – Australia, South Korea, Japan, Iran and Saudi Arabia have qualified to compete for the world’ most coveted trophy in football.

On the global ranking, Australia is the only country from Asia that figures in the top 50.  Australian team named Socceroos is ranked 36. The Socceroos are in Group C with France, Peru and Denmark.

South Korea is ranked 57 and is the only Asian country that has qualified nine times for the world cup. It is also the only Asian country to win the most entertaining team award at 2002 FIFA world Cup.  Two players from the team were also voted members of the MasterCard All Star Team, the only Asians to be voted in. South Korean team is in Group F with Germany, Sweden and Mexico.

Japan is ranked 67 and will be making its sixth appearance in this year’s World Cup. It is one of the most successful Asian team having qualified for the World Cup for last six consecutive years. It is in Group H with Poland, Senegal and Columbia.

China is ranked 75. The highlight of the football feat in the country has been the year 2002 when the team qualified for the World Cup. India has never participated in the World Cup although the team qualified by default in 1950 when others team in the group withdrew. Currently it is ranked 97

Vietnam is ranked 102 followed by North Korea which is ranked 108.

Despite being one of the oldest teams in Asia that has been playing at international level as early as 1913, Philippines has never qualified for the World Cup. It is ranked 115. Thailand’s ‘War Elephants’ as the team is known were eliminated in the third round this year and couldn’t qualify for the World Cup. It is ranked 122.

Myanmar, Maldives and Nepal are ranked 138, 150 and161 respectively.

Indonesia under the name of Dutch East Indies national football qualified for the World Cup in 1938 and since then has never been able to qualify. It is ranked 164 and is followed by Cambodia and Singapore ranked 166 and 169 respectively.

Malaysia’s best standing in FIFA was ranking of 1993 when it was at 75th position. Currently the country is ranked 171 followed by Laos and Bhutan ranked 178 and 183 respectively. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are ranked very low at 194 and 200 respectively.

Pakistan is lowest ranked Asian team in FIFA ranking. It is ranked at 203rd position out of 211 teams in the world rankings.

The North American bid received 134 of the 203 votes, while Morocco polled 65 in the ballot at a FIFA Congress held in Moscow on the eve of the 2018 World Cup.

Football’s showpiece event will return to the North American continent for the first time since 1994 when the United States hosted the tournament.

Delegates had been faced with a clear choice — the joint North American bid boasts modern, established stadiums and well-developed transport links underpinned by Mexican football fervour.

Morocco, on the other hand, promised a “European” World Cup in Africa, playing on the north African nation’s proximity to Europe.

But compared to North America, Morocco’s bid existed largely on paper — many stadiums and roads would have had to have been built and critics questioned how it would have coped with the 2026 tournament, which will be expanded to 48 teams.

FIFA inspectors classified the north African nation’s stadiums, accommodation and transport as “high risk”, awarding it just 2.7 out of five in an evaluation report, with concerns raised over several critical aspects.

They warned “the amount of new infrastructure required for the Morocco 2026 bid to become reality cannot be overstated”.

The report made the US-Canada-Mexico bid the clear favourite after rating it four out of five, and Morocco was not able to bridge the gap.

In a surprise announcement on Tuesday, Real Madrid appointed Lopetegui as Zinedine Zidane’s successor to take over after the tournament in Russia, sparking outrage among the federation and Spanish fans at the timing of the announcement.

At a severely delayed press conference at Spain’s World Cup base in Krasnodar, Spanish football federation (RFEF) chief Luis Rubiales expressed dismay at the timing of events that threaten to derail Spain’s World Cup chances.

“The national team is the team for all Spaniards and there are some decisions we feel obliged to take to protect some values,” said Rubiales.

“Negotiating is legitimate but it took place without the RFEF being informed until five minutes before a press statement was released. There has to be a message for all workers in the federation that there is a right way to do things.”

Later Wednesday, Spain named Hierro as the coach for the tournament in Russia.

“Fernando Hierro will assume coaching responsibilities at the World Cup in Russia,” the Spanish football federation announced.

The 50-year-old Hierro’s only real coaching experience came when he was in charge of second division Spanish outfit Oviedo for one season.

Lopetegui had signed a contract extension until 2020 just last month and never tasted defeat in his 20 games in charge as Spain boss.

Spain are due to face European champions Portugal in Sochi on Friday before taking on Iran and Morocco in Group B.

– Players support –

There were fears Lopetegui’s appointment by the European champions could open up old divisions between the Real Madrid and Barcelona factions in the Spain squad.

For the first time since 2006, there are more players from Madrid in a Spanish squad for a major tournament, with a six-strong Real contingent and just Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets from Barca.

However, according to reports in the Spanish media, the players tried to intervene at the last minute to prevent Rubiales sacking Lopetegui.

“I have spoken with the players and what I can guarantee is that the players will do everything in their power, along with the new technical team to take the team as far as possible,” said Rubiales.

La Roja were among the favourites to lift the trophy this summer but the astonishing developments of the past two days could have a devastating affect on their chances.

Lopetegui had a short playing career at both Madrid and Barcelona as a reserve goalkeeper.

However, his coaching career had been far from distinguished before being handed the role as Spain coach after a last-16 exit at Euro 2016 brought Vicente del Bosque’s eight-year reign to an end.

After short spells at Rayo Vallecano and with Madrid’s youth team Real Madrid Castilla, Lopetegui enjoyed a successful time with Spain’s under-19s and under-21s.

He then spent 18 months in charge of Porto but was sacked after exiting the Champions League at the group stage in his second season.

While curious locals have clamoured to see the likes of Lionel Messi and Neymar, it has proved a slow build-up to the June 14-July 15 showpiece, which is being held in Russia for the first time.

The tournament opener featuring Russia and Saudi Arabia at the imposing 80,000-capacity Luzhniki stadium has so far failed to capture the imagination of Muscovites, although they have warmly welcomed foreign fans.

Groups of South American supporters with drums and whistles took to the streets around Red Square this week, posing for pictures with shoppers.

In response, a small knot of local fans gathered, waving flags and good-naturedly chanting “Russia, Russia”.

But it has been outside the capital where enthusiasm for the beautiful game has really taken hold.

Australia were pleasantly surprised Monday when a crowd of 3,200 turned up to see Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk put the Socceroos through their paces in Kazan, a two-hour flight east of Moscow.

A public holiday gave fans the opportunity to show their support at Australia’s state-of-the-art training complex in the capital of the semi-autonomous Republic of Tatarstan.

“It was good to see all the fans from Kazan come out and support us, we didn’t really expect it,” said Australia defender Josh Risdon, who postponed his honeymoon following his selection to the Socceroos’ squad.

“Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Go, Go, Go,” screamed sections of the crowd, many waving yellow and green Australia flags handed out by organisers.

Defender Josh Risdon appreciated the backing ahead of Australia’s Group C campaign against Euro 2016 finalists France at the Kazan Arena on Saturday.

“It was good to see all the fans from Kazan come out and support us, we didn’t really expect it,” said the player, who postponed his honeymoon following his selection to the Socceroos’ squad.

– Brazil pulling power –

In the Black Sea resort city of Sochi about 5,000 people turned out to watch the Brazilian squad train, chanting the name of Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar.

Croatia had barely touched down in Russia before they launched a charm offensive that won over supporters at Roshchino outside Saint Petersburg.

Hours after arriving they staged a training session where free footballs, scarves and flags were launched into the stands.

Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric also exchanged passes with delighted youngsters.

The build up has not been without controversy, with Egypt’s Mohamed Salah attracting critical headlines in Britain after posing for a photograph with Chechen strongman Ramzan Kadyrov.

Reports said Kadyrov, who with Moscow’s support rules Chechnya with an iron fist, personally picked up the Liverpool, striker at his team hotel in Grozny and drove him to training in front of 8,000 cheering fans.

While the atmosphere remains muted in the larger of the 11 host cities such as St Petersburg, it is sure to intensify as an estimated one million fans from 32 participating nations pour into the country.

President Vladimir Putin said in a televised address last week that he wanted the event, which has cost Russia $13 billion to host, to be “an unforgettable experience” for all involved.

“We want this event to be a celebration, filled with passion and emotions,” he said.

– Opening match –

How can anyone miss the opening game at the World Cup? It sets the tone for a month-long festival of football, even if in this case it brings together the two lowest-ranked teams in the competition.

Hosts Russia will walk out onto the pitch at the 80,000-capacity Luzhniki Stadium ranked a lowly 70th in the world, three spots below Group A rivals Saudi Arabia, and without a victory in eight months.

However, Russia has spent more than $13 billion on preparations for the big event, and President Vladimir Putin will be eager for the hosts to get off to the best possible start.

In contrast, a defeat against minnows Saudi Arabia would heighten the prospect of Russia becoming just the second host nation to be eliminated in the group stage, after South Africa eight years ago.

– Portugal v Spain –

The standout fixture in the first round is this Iberian derby in Sochi, as Spain look to make an early statement of intent when they take on Cristiano Ronaldo and the reigning European champions in Group B.

It is the fourth meeting of the countries at a major tournament in the past 14 years, with the last coming at Euro 2012, when Spain won on penalties in the semi-finals en route to winning the title.

Extra spice has been added to Friday’s game after Tuesday’s announcement that Julen Lopetegui will leave the Spain job at the end of the World Cup to become Ronaldo’s coach at Real Madrid.

– Salah return? –

Mohamed Salah has been in the headlines in the past few days thanks to the photograph of him posing with Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov at the Egyptian team’s base in Grozny.

However, Egyptians will be more concerned about Salah’s fitness, with the Liverpool forward in a race against time to be ready for their Group A opener against Uruguay in Yekaterinburg on Friday.

The 25-year-old is recovering from the shoulder injury suffered in a challenge with Sergio Ramos in the Champions League final against Real Madrid, when he was forced off the pitch in tears.

Egypt are pinning their hopes on Salah after his prolific season in England, as the Pharaohs prepare for their first appearance at the World Cup since 1990.

– England v Belgium –

The very last group game will be played in the exclave of Kaliningrad on June 28, and it will be worth the wait, as these sides are expected to be competing for top spot in Group G.

The Belgians are ranked third in the world, and Roberto Martinez’s squad contains some of the best players in the Premier League, so there will be no surprises for Gareth Southgate’s England.

The English have a talented young squad, and for once expectations at home are not over the top. It will be fascinating to see how they fare against Belgium’s golden generation, led by Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku.

– VAR –

Will the introduction of Video Assistant Referees cause World Cup chaos, or will it prove to be a welcome addition to the competition?

VAR has been used to varying degrees of success in Serie A and the German Bundesliga, while FIFA used the system at the Confederations Cup in Russia last year and are confident it will help officials on the field.

FIFA director of referees Massimo Busacca admits the system has been rushed in for the tournament, but said: “We are ready, we know we must be ready as there can be no experiments here.”

Controversial incidents will be replayed on big screens inside grounds so fans can see why decisions were reached. And, curiously, VAR officials in the Moscow control room will watch games in full kit.

“VAR officials sweat with the stress — believe me,” said Pierluigi Collina, chairman of FIFA’s referees committee.

The US$300,000 Asian Tour event, held in honour of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, will be played for the first time at the highly-rated Phoenix Gold Golf and Country Club in Pattaya, which hosted the Royal Cup last December.

Malaysia’s Nicholas Fung, who won by one shot to claim his first Asian Tour victory at the Queen’s Cup last year, will defend his title against a star-studded line-up when the storied event gets underway later this month.

Shiv Kapur of India will also be returning to the venue where he won the Royal Cup for his third victory of the season and became the only player to win three times on the Asian Tour in 2017.

Since its inception in 2009, the Queen’s Cup has welcomed many worthy champions such as 2016 Order of Merit champion Scott Hend of Australia and Thai veterans Prayad Marksaeng and Thaworn Wiratchant, who have each won the title twice from 2012 to 2015.

Sakon Wannapong, Governor of The Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) said: “The Sports Authority of Thailand is very pleased and honoured to be supporting the Queen’s Cup once again this year.

“We believe that this prestigious event will continue to develop the game of golf in our nation and gain more interest among fans in Thailand and across the region. We also hope to boost the tourism in Thailand with the staging of the Queen’s Cup.”

Chanya Swangchitr, President of Phoenix Gold Golf and Country Club said: “It’s our pleasure to host the Queen’s Cup, which has always been a highly-regarded event in Thailand. We look forward to welcoming both local and international golfers to compete at our championship course.”

Asian Tour Chief Executive Officer Josh Burack is confident that the long-running event will continue to play a key role in stirring up fervent support for the sport, especially with Bangchak Corporation coming on board as the presenting sponsor this year.

“We are pleased to work in close partnership with the Sports Authority of Thailand and the Phoenix Gold Golf & Country Club once again. We would also like to thank the Bangchak Corporation for coming on board as the presenting sponsor for the event this year.

“The success achieved by Thai golfers on the Asian Tour and around the world has been tremendous to watch and we hope the staging of this prestigious event will help unearth more talented players in Thailand and across the region,” said Burack.

The Bangchak Corporation, a Thai energy company engaging in business alongside social and environmental stewardship, is no stranger to golf activities as it has been involved with golf for several years through individual sponsorship of professionals and junior golf development.

The Queen’s Cup presented by Bangchak will mark the Tour’s third stop in Thailand this season, following the Qualifying School in January and the recently-concluded Thailand Open, where local rising star Panuphol Pittayarat claimed his second Asian Tour victory