The FIFA world cup is around the corner. Here is the Herald’s take on the key players and predictions for each of the 32 teams.
Group A
Russia
Russia will be hoping that they can rekindle some of their 2008 European Cup form for the World Cup.
Traditionally host nations do reasonably well at the World Cup. Although Russia enters the competition as the lowest ranked team of all 32 teams, the relatively chilled summers that Russia experiences may have an effect on some of the African or South American sides.
Key Player
Although Russia has plenty of experience with the likes of veterans such as Sergei Ignashevich and Yuri Zhirkov. Their key player for this tournament must be captain and goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev. He has been a goalkeeper since he was four years old, has close to 400 caps for his club CSKA Moscow and over 100 caps for the Russian senior setup. He is a talented level headed keeper but has been prone to mistakes in big games.
Saudi Arabia
The Saudi team will have a tough time getting past the group stages of this competition. They have the notorious record of not winning a match in the World cup since 1994, something that will probably not change in the 2018 edition of the tournament.
Key Player
Mohammad Al-Sahlawi is by far the star player of this squad. The 31-year-old striker has scored 28 times in 39 outings for the Green Falcons. If he holds onto his form from the qualifying rounds they might scare a few of their more fancied opponents in the group.
Egypt
Solid defence marshalled by West Brom centre-back pairing Ali Gabr and Ahmed Hegazi they might hold off attacks from the hosts who lack prolific firepower. While Mohamed Salah is in fiery form and seemingly scores at will. They should beat Saudi Arabia and if they can score a win against Russia, the Pharaohs will do better than what they have ever done in a World Cup.
Key Player
The Liverpool goal-scoring machine looks to have recovered from his injury in the Champions League final. Mohamed Salah will be instrumental in Egypt’s campaign. If he can stay fit and the defence remains the brick wall that we have become accustomed to, great things can be in the making for Egypt.
Uruguay
The men from South America are favourites to top group A.
Few can argue otherwise with the likes of Edison Cavani and Luis Suarez both firing at all cylinders they will be hard to beat in the group.
Key Player
It is a hard split between Suarez and Cavani, but Suarez slightly pips his striking partner simply because he has found the goal slightly more times than Cavani. Suarez has scored 50 goals in 97 outings for The Sky Blue while Cavani has managed 47 goals in 100 games. Both are dangerous forwards who should contribute greatly to their team’s cause.
The Herald predicts Uruguay and Egypt to proceed to the round of 16
Group B
Portugal
Outside of Bafana Bafana, Portugal is probably the most supported team in South Africa. The Navigators had a good qualifying campaign finishing without a loss. Although their 2018 friendly matches didn’t go as planned as they racked up defeats against the Netherlands, who did not qualify for the World cup and being to two draws by Belgium and Tunisia. With an ageing defence in Bruno Alves, Pepe and Jose Fonte who are 36, 35 and 34 respectively, the Portuguese leave themselves vulnerable to counter attacks
Key Player
Who else? But the indomitable Cristiano Ronaldo. He has earned 0ver 149 caps for Portugal, scoring 81 goals. He holds numerous international records, including the youngest player in Portugal to reach 100 caps and the most hat-tricks (5). This will be Ronaldo’s fourth World Cup, he will be hoping to lead his team to World Cup gold to add to his already impressive trophy collection.
Spain
Great qualifying campaign, although one wouldn’t expect less from La Roja, although their friendlies in 2018 have been up and down. Playing to a draw against Russia and Switzerland but still putting six goals past a strong Argentina.
Key Player
La Roja is like Germany, known for their strong team play which makes it difficult to pick out a stand out player within the squad. The youngsters, Asensio and Isco linking up with experienced players such as Iniesta and Silva in Spain’s signature Tiki Taka-style of play is something that most teams should really fear. But the real key to Spain’s success is the prodigal keeper, David de Gea. He is a lean mean, goal stopping machine.
Morocco
Unfortunate to have been drawn in a difficult group, the North African side could have progressed much further. If their pre-cup friendlies are anything to go by they hold their own with top international sides. They beat Ivory Coast, South Korea, Slovenia and Serbia. Although they are a slick outfit, the Atlas Lions will find it difficult to beat either Spain or Portugal.
Key Player
Without a doubt, Hakim Ziyech, the Dutch footballer of the year, Ajax player of the year who also has the most Eredivisie assists for the 17/18 season, is the obvious choice for the Moroccans. He is a mobile, streetwise playmaker who shares some of the qualities of his Ajax predecessor at No. 10, Christian Eriksen.
Iran
They have only ever managed to win one match at a World Cup, back in 1998. This year they will probably not win even one. Although in friendlies they were able to beat Panama and hold Russia to a draw, alas the Iranians have been drawn in a group which have killed their hopes before they even developed.
Key Player
Ashkan Dejagah, a bustling winger and Fulham’s player of the year in 2014, has just completed six injury-wrecked months with Forest in the Championship.
Portugal and Spain will most likely proceed top two from this group.
Group C
France
With the talent of young players such as Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Thomas Lemar, Griezmann, Paul Pogba etc. They should be favourites for the 2022 World Cup. Although their qualifying campaign went well, beating the Netherlands as well as Italy in a friendly. Their inexperience will be their downfall against sides such as Spain who have a better mix of experience and youth.
Key Player
Antoine Griezmann, a sinuous dribbler with extraordinary ball skill and a wide range of tricks which he employs pertinently and a wonderfully efficient finisher.
Australia
A mostly Solid side doomed to be knocked out in the group stages. Simply because they have no established striking options. Tim Cahill is part of the squad but at 39 and not being able to complete a club game all season, gaffer Bert van Marwijk can’t rely on him.
Key Player
Aaron Mooy, Huddersfield’s old school industrious schemer, excels in a deeper role, spraying passes with both feet and shielding the defence.
Peru
The Incas have a strong football culture. Ricardo Gareca has restored the short, rhythmical passing and ball-hogging veneration of possession of the great Peru sides of the past taking them to their first World Cup since 1982.
Key Player
Paolo Guerrero would have been the top man in the side if he had not been sidelined for a while for doping. Thus the honour goes to the nimble, powerful wingman, Lokomotiv Moscow’s Jefferson Farfan, once of PSV and Schalke. Farfan is Peru’s top scorer in CONMEBOL World Cup qualification, with 16 goals.
Denmark
A refreshingly vigorous approach that aims to exploit Eriksen’s eye for a pass and acute finish. They lack an international class centre-forward – the Danish Dynamite will work their socks off but leave too much responsibility on Eriksen.
Key Player
Christian Eriksen – sometimes taken for granted in England but a £80m-calibre world-class midfield talent, with consummate skill and vision.
France and Denmark should progress to the next round.
Group D
Argentina
Besides Messi, a potent strike force of Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuian and Paulo Dybala could provide sufficient firepower to top the group. Their preparation was unsettling (including a 6-1 friendly defeat to Spain), line-up not certain, they almost did not qualify.
Key Player
If you need help with this question, perhaps football is not for you.
Iceland
Heart, teamwork, unity, beards. The smallest nation ever to qualify for the World Cup will give it their all and are not to be underestimated. Shame for Iceland that their international bunny, England, is not an opponent.
Key player
Gylfi Sigurdsson is without a doubt the class act, but the Everton man has not played since March with a knee injury. Worth the gamble.
Croatia
Quality and experience all over the pitch, from 104-cap Modric to 90-cap Ivan Rakitić, the Barcelona midfielder, and powerful forward Mario Mandzukic of Juventus. The first XI looks a serious outfit but is not the youngest and there’s a gulf in quality to the squad players.
Key player
Real Madrid’s Luka Modric is a beautiful midfielder whose vision, passing and ability to prompt teammates is as good as it gets.
Nigeria
Composure and solidity in midfield, plus direct running up front from Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho, suggests a team that could cause trouble on the breaks. With the exception of Elderson Echiéjilé, the defensive players are young and raw. Few have big-time experience.
Key player
Captain John Obi Mikel has bags of experience and presence in central midfield. Chelsea’s Victor Moses, on the other hand, perhaps has more x-factor.
Look for Argentina and Croatia to progress to knockout rounds
Group E
Brazil
An attack of Neymar, Philippe Coutinho and Gabriel Jesus is as exciting as you could ask for. This feels like a proper Brazil side again. Flamboyant full-back Marcelo is a joy going forward but is not alone in regarding defensive positioning as being beneath him. All things considered
Brazil needs to be the favourite for the win.
Key Player
Unquestionably Neymar, who has the charisma and skills to become an international great, which he already thinks he is.
Switzerland
Have a good blend of youth and experience, have Granit Xhaka (who is a better player than his sometimes irritating work for Arsenal suggests) to distribute, only let in seven goals in qualifying. Solid defence is hurt by a toothless attack. Likely starting forward Haris Seferovic has just 11 international goals and hasn’t scored for Benfica since October: that’s 15 goals for club and country.
Key Player
Xherdan Shaqiri. Has been called the Alpine Messi (not sure if he can ski) but certainly has the skills to slalom past opponents.
Costa Rica
Perhaps the most stable team in the tournament: they could easily start eight of the XI who drew 0-0 with England in 2014. Having qualified with two games to spare this time, and having topped a group ahead of Italy, Uruguay and England in Brazil, they can no longer summon underdog fire.
Key player
Keylor Navas (Real Madrid) – Probably the best-known player in the squad, the goalkeeper’s strong showing in Brazil secured a move to Madrid in 2014.
Serbia
Classy, experienced, no-nonsense professionals like skipper Aleksandar Kolarov, Branislav Ivanović, and Nemanja Matić know how to win games at the top level. Given that the coach is so new they might be unpredictable either gelling or falling apart.
Key Player
Branislav Ivanovic (Zenit St Petersburg) – Defensive experience from a stellar career for Chelsea used to anchor the defence. Played in all ten World Cup qualifiers.
Brazil and Serbia should qualify for the second round.
Group F
Germany
Serial winners: they are the champions, and holders of the Confederations Cup as well. Went unbeaten in 2017.
Key player
Quality throughout, but the intelligent, metronomic and stylish Toni Kroos of Real Madrid is perhaps the most vital cog.
Mexico
Experience, and consistency. Regulars in the knockout stages, having reached the last 16 in the last six World Cups. Javier Hernandez is a fine marksman but the team can struggle to break teams down and create chances for him, as seen in recent 0-0 with Wales.
Key player
Javier Hernandez – Likely to line up in the front with Jesus Corona and Hirving Lozano.
Sweden
Solid defence: Manchester United’s Victor Lindelof, Pontus Jansson of Leeds, Swansea’s Martin Olsson, and Celtic full-back Mikael Lustig. They will likely play a 442 and tend toward the predictable. Don’t have the pace up front to trouble any serious opponent.
Key player
Emil Forsberg, who replaced Ibrahimovic is an attacking midfielder with a gift for the killer pass.
South Korea
Every World Cup since 1986 has featured South Korea. This time looks likelier to be a repeat of 2014’s meek group-stage exit than 2002’s swashbuckling run to the semi-finals. Defence is pretty ropey and the manager seems unsure as to whether he should play a flat back four or a strolling back three.
Key player
Son Heung-min – The top-scoring Asian player in Premier League history.
Germany and Mexico must progress to the next round
Group G
Belgium
It’s time to deliver for a team featuring such exceptional talent. But Belgium is a country that is yet to break into the semi-finals of a tournament. The squad is the envy of almost every nation on the planet. It could be difficult to shake the culture of underachievement at major tournaments.
Key player
Plenty to choose from, but Kevin De Bruyne overshadowed Eden Hazard at the 2014 World Cup, he has only grown in stature, especially since his move to City and his more withdrawn position on the pitch.
Panama
A first-ever qualification for the World Cup earned Panama a national holiday. Panama has only four million people, but finished ahead of the United States, which has about 320 million. They’re not very good. Panama will have the oldest squad at the World Cup and will be physical and ultra-defensive: their 5-4-1 formation will occasionally look like a 9-0-1.
Key player
Not many to speak of. Striker Gabriel Torres, who made his international debut aged 16, has pace and attracted the interest of Manchester United… 11 years ago.
Tunisia
Unbeaten during their qualifying campaign, Tunisia is making a return to the World Cup for the first time in 12 years. The Eagles of Carthage qualified for Russia ahead of Democratic Republic of Congo, Libya and Guinea and will take part in their fifth World Cup. They have never got beyond the group stage.
Key player
Saif-Eddine Khaoui has been tasked with supplying the creativity in the absence of the injured Youssef Msakni.
England
Expectations in England have plummeted because of the team’s embarrassing performances in recent major tournaments – exiting the 2014 World Cup at the group stage and losing to Iceland in the round of 16 at Euro 2016.
A young squad will be taken to Russia, so getting out of the group is as much as can realistically be hoped for.
Key player
Harry Kane emerged as one of the tops strikers in the world this year, scoring freely for his club in the Premier League and Champions League. Has 12 goals in 23 games for England.
Belgium and England will probably move into the knockouts
Group H
Poland
Poland is largely unchanged from the team that reached Euro 2016 quarter-finals where they lost on penalties to eventual champions Portugal. One concern in qualifying was a 4-0 thrashing by Denmark in September that raised concerns about the defence.
Key player
Robert Lewandowski is already Poland’s record goalscorer, he scored a European-high 16 goals in qualifying.
Senegal
Senegal is back at the World Cup for the first time since their stunning debut in 2002 when they beat defending champions France on the way to the quarter-finals, then only the second African team to make the last eight.
Poland and Senegal are our picks to land in the round of 16
