The biggest football festival in the world begins today and football fans across the globe will for the next one month be fed with mouthwatering football from some 32 nations.

The Eastern European nation of Russia is set to become home to some 736 players who will be doing battle to bring glory and honour to their nations. Fans of Messi, Ronaldo, Mohammed Salah and Neymar are backing their idols to lead their countries to glory to bolster their chances of winning next year’s Ballon d'Or.

The usual suspects of Germany, Brazil, Argentina, France and Spain have their eyes fixed on the trophy. Germany aims to make history as the first nation to have defended the title, Brazil led by Neymar also hope to give their people back home something to cheer about having failed to ‘host and win’ the tournament, 4 years ago.

The Messi-Ronaldo debate continues unabated and supporters of either players are expecting their stars to replicate their form at club level to the international stage. Can Messi finally win the World Cup? Having led Portugal to successful Euro 2016, can Ronaldo lead dark houses Portugal to glory in Russia?

Africa is being represented by five nations, Egypt, Senegal, Morocco, Tunisia and Nigeria. Mo Salah looks to have overcome a shoulder injury and will be leading Hector Cuper’s men in Russia. Senegalese Coach Aliou Cisse was part of the Senegal team that made it to the quarterfinals of the World cup back in 2002, can he lead Senegal to make history as the first Africa nation to have made it to the semis?

Ghanaweb took to the streets to solicit views from football fans on their expectations of the World Cup, the country that will win the tournament and which of the five nations representing Africa will make significant impact at the World Cup.

Fans are expecting this year’s World Cup to be an improvement on the 2014 edition with Brazil the pick of a majority of our interviewees to lift the 2018 World Cup.

Ronaldo’s Portugal and Messi’s Argentina were also mentioned as potential winners.

For Africa, people expect Mohammed Salah to take Egypt to at least the quarterfinals. Nigeria are also being backed to make good use of their jerseys which many have tagged as the best in the tournament.