Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
WORLD CUP TEAMS GROUP F AT A GLANCE
Argentina
FIFA world ranking: 5. Last World Cup: 2010. Best World Cup finish: Twotime champion (1978, ’86).
How qualified: CONMEBOL round-robin winner.
It’s a fact: Fans in Argentina credited “divine intervention” on the part of Buenos Aires-born Pope Francis— a fervent soccer fan— for the country being drawn into what appears to be the softest of the World Cup’s eight groups.
The skinny: Although its national team includes one of the best players in history in Lionel Messi, Argentina hasn’t won a major championship since capturing the Copa America in 1993 when Messi was 6. Messi needs a World Cup title to secure his legacy and, playing in neighboring Brazil, he’ll lead a team so explosive coach Alejandro Sabella will use a 4-3-3 setup to get forwards Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain on the field. The midfield, anchored by playmaker Angel di Maria, and back line, led by attackminded Pablo Zabaleta, can be exploited.
Bosnia-Herzegovina
FIFA World ranking: 21. Last World Cup: First appearance.
Best World Cup finish: First appearance. How qualified: UEFA Group Gwinner. It’s a fact: Bosnia-Herzegovina, the only team making its World Cup debut this summer, will be the 77th country to appear in the tournament.
The skinny: Bosnia narrowly missed qualifying for the 2010World Cup and 2012 Euro, losing twice in playoffs with Portugal. So after going 8-1-1 in UEFA qualifying, outscoring opponents by 24 goals to win its group and a spot in its first World Cup as an independent nation, more than 50,000 fans welcomed the team home. With Manchester City’s Edin Dzeko and former St. Louis University All-America Vedad Ibisevic up front, Bosnia can score in bunches. But the lack of a solid holding midfielder leaves its defense vulnerable and puts pressure on keeper Asmir Begovic (Stoke City).
Iran
FIFA World ranking: 43. Last World Cup: 2006. Best World Cup finish:
Group stage.
How qualified: AFC Group Awinner. It’s a fact: The cash-strapped Iranian soccer federation is so short of uniforms it banned players from participating in the traditional postgame exchange of jerseys with their opponents.
The skinny: Most teams are booked at lush resorts during the World Cup, but Iran’s short stay in Brazil will reportedly be at an airport hotel in Sao Paulo’s gritty Guarulhos district. But then again, due to economic and political sanctions, Iran has had to do everything on a budget in the leadup to this World Cup, which is why it went 119 days without a game after qualification. Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz built his team around foreign-based players who qualify for Iranian citizenship, including San Jose, Calif., native Steven Beitashour (Vancouver Whitecaps), Germany’s Ashkan Dejagah (Fulham) and Reza Ghoochannejhad (Charlton Athletic), who grewup in the Netherlands.
Nigeria
FIFA World ranking: 44. Last World Cup: 2010. Best World Cup finish: Round of 16 (1994, ’98).
How qualified: Beat Ethiopia in CAF playoff.
It’s a fact: Nigeria’s president briefly banned the national team from international competition after going winless in its last two World Cups appearances.
The skinny: The reigning African champion warmed up with draws against Mexico, Scotland and Greece and a loss to the U.S. It hasn’t won a game at the World Cup since 1998.