Brazil can go all the way
Ahead of Friday’s kick-off, Sam Wilson looks at the likely contenders in this year’s World Cup in Russia.
GROUP C: Australia
Group C opponents: France, Denmark, Peru
How they reached Russia: Australia were forced to take a less direct route to their fifth successive World Cup having finished behind Japan and Saudi Arabia in the third Asian qualification round. One to watch: Huddersfield Town’s Aaron Mooy enjoyed an excellent first season in the Premier League and a strong performance in Russia could lead to interest from bigger clubs. Fifa world ranking: 40 Coach: Bert van Marwijk Captain: Mile Jedinak Nickname: Socceroos World Cup history: Qualified five times (1974, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018) Best World Cup result: Round of 16 (2006) TAB odds: 301-1
Prediction: Australia head to Russia in a state of flux having being forced to appoint a new coach six months out from the tournament. It would take a mighty effort to make it past the group stage.
GROUP A: Russia
Group A opponents: Saudi Arabia, Uruguay, Egypt How they reached Russia: As hosts, Russia qualified automatically for their second World Cup in a row. It’s unlikely they would have made it on merit. One to watch: FK Krasnodar striker Fedor Smolov has been in prolific form in the Russian league.
Fifa world ranking: 66 Coach: Stanislav Cherchesov
Captain: Igor Akinfeev Nickname: Sbornaya (The National Team) World Cup history: Qualified 11 times (1958*, 1962*, 1966*, 1970*, 1982*, 1986*, 1990*, 1994, 2002, 2014, 2018**) *As Soviet Union ** Qualified as hosts Best World Cup result: 4th (1966) TAB odds: 36-1 Prediction: Despite being handed a favourable group, Russia lack quality across the park and face a group stage exit.
GROUP B: Spain
Group B opponents: Portugal, Morocco, Iran How they reached Russia: Julen Lopetegui’s side qualifed unbeaten after nine wins and one draw from their 10 group games. One to watch: Manchester City’s David Silva enjoyed another outstanding season. Fifa world ranking: 8
Coach: Julen Lopetegui
Captain: Sergio Ramos
Nickname: La Roja (The Red One) World Cup history: Qualified 15 times (1934, 1950, 1962, 1966, 1978, 1982*, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018) *Qualified as hosts Best World Cup result: Winners (2010)
TAB odds: 7-1 Prediction: Spain have what it takes to make it to the decider, but may have to settle for the runners-up spot.
GROUP D: Argentina
Group D opponents: Croatia, Nigeria, Iceland How they reached Russia: Argentina needed a win against Ecuador in their final game to be sure of a place.
One to watch: For some, Lionel Messi is already the greatest player to have ever played the game.
Fifa world ranking: 5
Coach: Jorge Sampaoli
Captain: Lionel Messi
Nickname: La Albiceleste (The White and Sky Blue) World Cup history: Qualified 17 times (1930, 1934, 1958, 1962, 1966, 1974, 1978*, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018) *Qualified as hosts Best World Cup result: Winners (1978,
1986)
TAB odds: 9-1 Prediction: The Argentinians should
make the quarterfinals without too much trouble.
GROUP E: Brazil
Group E opponents: Serbia, Switzerland, Costa Rica
How they reached Russia: After sacking coach Dunga Brazil sailed through the qualifying section.
One to watch: All eyes will be on captain and superstar Neymar as Brazil bid to banish the ghosts of four years ago.
Fifa world ranking: 2 Coach: Tite Captain: Neymar Nickname: Selecao World Cup history: Qualified 21 times (1930, 1934, 1950*, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1966, 1970, 1974, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014*, 2018) *Qualified as hosts Best World Cup result: Winners (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002) TAB odds: 5-1
Prediction: Brazil will be champions for the first time since 2002.
GROUP F: Germany
Group F opponents: Mexico, Sweden, South Korea How they reached Russia: Joachim Low’s world champions won all 10 of their qualifying matches. One to watch: Marco Reus makes his first appearance at the finals aged 28.
Fifa world ranking: 1
Coach: Joachim Low
Captain: Manuel Neuer
Nickname: Die Mannschaft (The Team)
World Cup history: Qualified 19 times (1934, 1938, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1966, 1970, 1974*, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006*, 2010, 2014, 2018) *Qualified as hosts Best World Cup result: Winners (1954**, 1974**, 1990**, 2014) **As West Germany TAB odds: 5-1 Prediction: Germany are on a collision course with Brazil so may have to settle for the semifinals this time round.
GROUP H: Colombia
Group H opponents: Japan, Poland, Senegal How they reached Russia: Colombia ended the gruelling South American section in fourth place, avoiding a twolegged playoff with New Zealand. One to watch: Bayern Munich midfielder James Rodriguez is the undoubted star of this Colombian team. Fifa world ranking: 16
Coach: Jose Pekerman Captain: Radamel Falcao
Nickname: Los Cafeteros (The Coffee Growers) World Cup history: Qualified six times (1962, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2014, 2018) Best World Cup result: Quarterfinals (2014)
TAB odds: 36-1 Prediction: Colombia should negotiate their way through Group H but a stiffer challenge awaits them in the round of 16, where they may come unstuck.
GROUP G: England
Group G opponents: Belgium, Tunisia, Panama How they reached Russia: England qualified with ease from a weak European qualifying group.
One to watch: With England’s midfield lacking a creative spark, Gareth Southgate really needs Dele Alli to be at the top of his game.
Fifa world ranking: 13
Coach: Gareth Southgate
Captain: Harry Kane
Nickname: The Three Lions World Cup history: Qualified 15 times (1950, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1966*, 1970, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018) *Qualified as hosts
Best World Cup result: Champions (1966) TAB odds: 13-1
Prediction: Boasting a young and talented squad, England really should cruise through Group G alongside Belgium, and a place in the
quarterfinals is well within their grasp if they can play to their potential and not buckle under the pressure of expectation.