The 2018 FIFA World Cup is set to start in under 20 days. Hosts Russia will take on Saudi Arabia in the opening match at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium. With the best of world football showcasing their talents, this bonanza will certainly entertain fans around the world.
While Netherlands and Italy will be missed, faithfuls will want another Costa Rica story (underdogs defying odds) at this World Cup.
Fans around the world will want Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to perform well in what is likely to be their last world cup.
In this set of articles, we will preview the eight groups of the tournament. It can help us provide insights in predicting how the world cup will shape.
Group B
Iran (24- man final squad was announced on 20th May 2018)-
Goalkeepers: Alireza Beiranvand (Persepolis), Mohammad Rashid Mazaheri (Zob Ahan Esfahan), Amir Abedzadeh (Marítimo)
Defenders: Pejman Montazeri (Esteghlal), Ramin Rezaeian (Oostende), Morteza Pouraliganji (Al-Sadd), Milad Mohammadi (Akhmat Grozny), Mohammad Reza Khanzadeh (Padideh), Rouzbeh Cheshmi (Esteghlal), Majid Hosseini (Esteghlal)
Midfielders: Ehsan Hajsafi (Olympiacos), Masoud Shojaei (captain) (AEK Athens), Ashkan Dejagah (Nottingham Forest), Vahid Amiri (Persepolis), Omid Ebrahimi (Esteghlal), Saeid Ezatolahi (Amkar Perm), Mehdi Torabi (Saipa), Saman Ghoddos (Östersund), Ali Gholizadeh (Saipa)
Forwards: Karim Ansarifard (Olympiacos), Reza Ghoochannejhad (Heerenveen), Alireza Jahanbakhsh (AZ), Sardar Azmoun (Rubin Kazan), Mehdi Taremi (Al-Gharafa)
Manager: Carlos Queiroz
One of the heavyweights of Asian football, this will be Iran’s fifth appearance at the world cup. Under Queiroz, they have been tough to beat – losing just eight out of 69.
However, Iran’s only win in World Cup history has come against the USA during France 1998.
This year, Iran will feature in another tough group with Portugal and Spain. While it can be another group stage exit for the Persians, they can be tough customers for any team.
They have a stellar defensive organisation and are difficult to break down. In Azmoun they have one of the deadlier strikers in world football with 23 goals in 31 matches for the national team. Additionally, his experiences with Rubin Kazan can make him easily acquainted with the challenges of playing in Russia.
Their 15th June clash against Morocco can be instrumental in deciding Iran’s performance in this world cup. A big win can boost their confidence and increase their chances to reach the knockouts.
Morocco (23-man final squad was announced on 17th May 2018)-
Goalkeepers: Munir Mohamedi (Numancia), Yassine Bounou (Girona), Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti (IR Tanger)
Defenders: Medhi Benatia (captain) (Juventus), Nabil Dirar (Fenerbahçe), Manuel da Costa (İstanbul Başakşehir), Romain Saïss (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Hamza Mendyl (Lille), Badr Banoun (Raja Casablanca), Achraf Hakimi (Real Madrid)
Midfielders: Mbark Boussoufa (Al-Jazira), Karim El Ahmadi (Feyenoord), Younès Belhanda (Galatasaray), Nordin Amrabat (Leganés), Fayçal Fajr (Getafe), Hakim Ziyech (Ajax), Youssef Aït Bennasser (Caen), Mehdi Carcela (Standard Liège), Sofyan Amrabat (Feyenoord), Amine Harit (Schalke 04)
Forwards: Khalid Boutaïb (Yeni Malatyaspor), Aziz Bouhaddouz (FC St. Pauli), Ayoub El Kaabi (RS Berkane)
Manager: Harve Renard
With their fifth world cup appearance, Morocco are playing this tournament after 20 years. Led by Juventus’s Medhi Benatia, they have proved to be a strong defensive unit so far. While they will miss Sofiane Boufal, Ziyech will be their main offensive threat.
This fine attacking midfielder scored nine and assisted further 14 for Ajax Amsterdam this season. He seems set to seal move to a bigger club.
A strong world cup can make him a household name beyond Morocco and Netherlands. Except these two, players like Boussouffa, Belhanda, Dirar and Amrabat bring loads of pedigree which makes Morocco an exciting prospect.
In a few ways, they appear the most underestimated team of the tournament. In Renard, they have one of the most competent coaches. Alongside him, 16 out of 23 players are playing in Europe. However, featuring in a group with Spain and Portugal can hinder their progression to the next round.
Their 15th June clash with Iran will set the tone of their tournament. If they can muster four points in first two matches, Morocco can prime themselves to qualify to the knockouts.
Portugal (A 23-man final squad was announced on 17th May 2018)-
Goalkeepers: Rui Patrício (Sporting CP), Beto (Göztepe), Anthony Lopes (Lyon)
Defenders: Cédric (Southampton), Ricardo Pereira (Porto), Pepe (Beşiktaş), José Fonte (Dalian Yifang), Bruno Alves (Rangers), Rúben Dias (Benfica), Raphaël Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund), Mário Rui (Napoli)
Midfielders: João Moutinho (Monaco), William Carvalho (Sporting CP), João Mário (West Ham United), Manuel Fernandes (Lokomotiv Moscow), Adrien Silva (Leicester City), Bruno Fernandes (Sporting CP), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)
Forwards: André Silva (AC Milan), Gonçalo Guedes (Valencia), Gelson Martins (Sporting CP), Ricardo Quaresma (Beşiktaş), Cristiano Ronaldo (captain) (Real Madrid)
Manager: Fernando Santos
Cristiano Ronaldo (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Much water has passed under Tagus since Portugal’s first round elimination in 2014 World Cup. They have been rebuilt, become the champions of Europe (in France 2016) and come into this world cup full of confidence.
This is likely to be captain Ronaldo’s last World Cup. The best player in the world has already netted more than 80 times for his national side.
He is on top of his game after being Real Madrid’s best player when they won a third consecutive UEFA Champions League. A strong world cup can make his case much stronger for an unprecedented sixth Balon D’Or trophy.
Portugal have an amazing mixture of youth (Andre Silva, Goncalo Guedes, Bruno Fernandes), experience (Patricio, Quaresma, Moutinho, Pepe) and talent (Bernardo Silva, William Carvalho, Joao Mario). These alongside the presence of Ronaldo makes them a dreaded side.
Portugal can ensure qualification to the next round before their ‘local derby’ against Spain with wins against Iran and Morocco.
Except Nani and Renato Sanches, they have nearly the same team of the victorious European championship. While winning the tournament is far-fetched, Portugal can pay a fitting tribute to captain Ronaldo by going all the way.
Spain (A 23-man final squad was announced on 21st May 2018)-
Goalkeepers: David de Gea (Manchester United), Pepe Reina (Napoli), Kepa Arrizabalaga (Athletic Bilbao)
Defenders: Sergio Ramos (captain) (Real Madrid), Gerard Piqué (Barcelona), Jordi Alba (Barcelona), César Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Nacho (Real Madrid), Álvaro Odriozola (Real Sociedad), Nacho Monreal (Arsenal)
Midfielders: Andrés Iniesta (Barcelona), Koke (Atlético Madrid), Isco (Real Madrid),
Thiago (Bayern Munich), Marco Asensio (Real Madrid), Saúl (Atlético Madrid), David Silva (Manchester City), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona)
Forwards: Diego Costa (Atlético Madrid), Iago Aspas (Celta Vigo), Lucas Vázquez (Real Madrid), Rodrigo (Valencia)
Manager: Julen Lopetegui
With one of the most balanced and talented squads of the tournament, Spain start as a favourite. They have numerous players at their prime (De Gea, Alba, Carvajal, Azpilicueta, Koke, Isco, Thiago, Costa, Busquets), several young prodigies (Saul, Vazquez, Asensio) and veterans who are not slowing down (Ramos, Iniesta, Silva).
Andres Iniesta (AP Photo/Francisco Seco, File)
They will love to put 2014 World Cup and 2016 European Championship debacle behind them and post a renewed challenge to reign supreme on world football. Lopetegui is yet to lose a match (12 wins out of 16) and La Roja will love to continue their bulldozing form.
It will be fun to watch Spain try and break down strong Iranian and Moroccan defences.
However, their first real test of the tournament will be in their third match against Portugal. Spain can be assured of winning the group with 3 points against their ‘local rivals’.
For a team which thrives on short passing, quick movement and free-flowing possession, Spain possess immensely talented players. They will want to assimilate and function together to reclaim the World Cup trophy that they last won in 2010.
Likely qualifiers from this group
1) Spain
2) Portugal
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