Ahead of the commencement of the FIFA World Cup group games, we take a look at the teams most likely to progress from each group before the real battle begins in the knockout rounds.
Group A
Eighth in the latest FIFA Ranking, The Netherlands will boast favourites in this group and rightly so. They are the highest ranked nation in the group and head to Qatar on a run of unbeaten in their last ten games.
Their biggest test in the Group will be against African Champions, Senegal but even they will be expected to come out on top.
Players like Frenkie De Jong, Cody Gakpo, Virgil van Dijk and Memphis Depay if fit in time will be very crucial for their chances in the competition.
However, even if they don’t play at their best, it will take something out of the ordinary to see them not finish group winners.
Senegal are the second best ranked nation in the group and the West African must be very pleased to have been drawn in such a group as it gives them the best chance to equal their best run in the competition.
Lions of Teranga reached the quarter finals in 2002 when they made their debut in the FIFA World Cup. They were eliminated by Turkey in a 1-0 scoreline and this time, they have the chance to equal and maybe surpass history.
Trying their best to get a result against The Netherlands in their first match of the competition will go a long way in giving the team a confidence boost and Qatar and Ecuador later, in games they will be favourites, it is only right that they grind out the win if they really want to take their chances in the global competition.
The group they have been placed makes them Africans best hope of reaching a first semi final in the history of the FIFA World Cup and the responsibility couldn’t be better shouldered by none but the Champions of Africa itself.
Sadio Mané, Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy, Ismaila Sarr and others are main men for head coach, Aliou Cisse – the Senegal National Team is also coached by a Senegalese, which historical placed them amongst the favourites to win the World Cup as no nation with a foreign coach has ever won the tournament.
Ecuador, playing first against the host nation will try to establish an advantage as they are still better ranked than Qatar.
However, a problem they will face is the home support, one of the most difficult task in competitions like this is facing the host nation on the opening day.
The atmosphere is always very tense for the other team, thus, their slim advantage over Qatar could be nullified, making it difficult for them all together.
But against Qatar is their best chance for points in the group and they could from there try to get something in their final group game against Senegal, a match which can be presumed as the battle for second spot.
For Qatar, South Africa in 2010 are the only host nation to be eliminated in the group stages in the history of the World Cup and even though Qatar is the least ranked nation in this group, the group draw was a fair one for them.
They played the curtain raiser against Ecuador, a nation six places above them on the FIFA ranking but that wouldn’t matter with the support awaiting them at the in the Bayt Stadium on the 20th of this month.
Moreso, if they can put on the shows as they did in their final four games of the last international break, which saw them beat Guatemala, Honduras and Panama while also holding Chile to a two all draw in Austria.
Qatar are making their first ever appearance in a World Cup finals and even though they don’t have the team to go all the way to the title, they will be looking to enjoy every moment.
Hassan Al-Haydos, captain and most capped player in the country’s history will lead his teammates and countrymen as they prepare for history on home soil.
The team will be eager to do well and make their people proud not only because they host the tournament but for their performance in it. Their best chance come on the opening game when they take on Ecuador and manager, Felix Sanchez will also acknowledge this opportunity.
They play Senegal next before their final group game against The Netherlands when their fate must already be known.
Group summary
The Netherlands are predicted group winners
Senegal should give a fight but for now placed runner up
Ecuador and Qatar to be eliminated from the group stage
Group B
England are in a dream group and captain, Harry Kane will be hoping to capitalize on such fixtures to boost his chances of defending the FIFA World Cup top scorer award he won in Russia, 2018.
At least, that should be the only worry for the Three Lions – how many would they score against these teams. Even with their dip form in the last few months, they are still expected to walk their way to the top of the group.
Ranked fifth in the latest FIFA ranking, it is no joke that England have reached at least the semi final of the last two major international competitions and it is that winning instincts that has eluded them so far they will look to find.
Having endured a horrific UEFA Nations League group campaign, the lessons has been learnt for Gareth Southgate and his minions but injury to major players ahead of Qatar 2022 is still headache for the nation ahead of the naming of final squad for the tournament.
England have talents as well as prospects while most of them have developed quickly playing in the most prophesied league in the world. This makes the pressure even more intense on Southgate as he prepares to announce his final squad.
Harry Kane, Phil Foden, Jordan Pickford, Mason Mount, Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka are players on form and without a doubt will all be on board to Qatar later this month.
However, there are other regulars of the national team who are not at their best at the moment. Raheem Sterling and Harry Maguire both headline this set albeit they are still expected to be named in the final squad.
James Maddison has arguably been England’s best player in the league since the start of last season but the manager continues to overlook him. Others like Ben White and Lewis Dunk have also been rather sensational for their respective clubs.
Injury to Reece James and Kyle Walker has put Southgate in a position where he now has to find a replacement from outside his usual group and the fact that he is spoilt of choice is reason enough for fans to question his selection.
But Southgate has the final say and it will be interesting to see who makes and doesn’t make the cut on Thursday.
England are odds on to qualify as group winners and then, awaiting them will the runner up in Group A, where Senegal will most likely be their opponent from our prediction.
Runner up spot will be evenly contested amongst the other three countries in the group, hence, it is very difficult to predict a team making it out of the three.
Wales, with the magic of Gareth Bale and the form of their young players can seize the opportunity in their first appearance in the competition since 1958.
Wales have just one win in their last eight games and that is not an impressive one from their part but the stake in Qatar is known to the players and they might just do enough to outst their counterparts.
Goalkeeper, Wayne Hennessy might have lost his place at club level to Dean Henderson but he is expected to be Wale’s number one in Qatar.
Ben Davies, Neco Williams, Brennan Johnson and Kieffer Moore are reliable players who have also been doing fairly well at club level. Taking their current form to Qatar will go a long way in helping manager, Robert Page enjoy a successful outing, albeit they are not expected to go all the way to win the title.
The United States reached the semi finals of the maiden edition of the World Cup but since then, they have struggled to match that feat and doing so is not getting easy years after years.
In the new age, with European and South American countries dominating the competition, the USMNT have become underdogs and their best run bar 1930 came in Korea/ Japan 2002, where they were beaten by eventual runner up, Germany.
Having missed out on the last edition, Gregg Berhalter’s US qualified for Qatar by finishing third, behind Canada and Mexico in the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) qualifying campaign.
Current for has not been encouraging but adding to the headache for the manager, some of their best legs are not getting regular minutes at club level.
Captain and poster boy of the country, Christian Pulisic is not considered good enough to start for Chelsea while there have also been calls for the 24 years old to be dropped from the starting XI in the national team.
This is not going be a decision the manager can easily arrive because of the marketing aspect of it.
Goalkeeper, Zack Steffen had to leave Manchester City on loan to get minutes with Middlesbrough ahead of the World Cup but he has not been convincing in the Championship, while Matt Turner at Arsenal only get to play in the Europa League.
The situation seems to have improved this season with other players in the likes of Brenden Aaronson, Joshua Sargent, Tyler Adams and the likes. Some of these have moved elsewhere while some have proven good enough to start in their clubs.
Making the group very competitive bar England who look to be well above the others in terms of quality yet not on form.
The US have a good shout for second spot but it is not going to be easy. They will need their goalkeeper and defenders on their heels to stop Gareth Bale when they come up against Wales.
Good luck to them doing that.
Set to make their sixth appearance in the FIFA World Cup, Iran has never progressed from the group stage in five previous attempts and unfortunately, that is not expected to change in Qatar, albeit the group draw was kind on them.
Portuguese manager, Carlos Queiroz has been reappointed as the new head coach of the team following his departure after the 2019 Asian Cup.
The number one ranked Asian nation will have a difficult task of England’s Three Lions in their first game in Qatar, which will not do well to help their confidence should they allow the inevitable onslaught from Gareth Southgate’s men.
Moving on to face Wales, who seems to be another country with the better chance of progressing into the next round and then US in their final group game, there is cause for alarm yet, better will be expected from Iran.
Wales and the US are one and four places ahead of them in the FIFA ranking respectively so a win for Queiroz’s men will not be a total upset and the fans, who have made their way to Qatar from a neighboring country will hope to be treated to good football.
To achieve that, Queiroz will need his main man and Porto’s in form striker, Mehdi Taremi to be at his most clinical form and convert the few chances they will be able to create in the games – mostly against Wales and the USMNT.
Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Karim Ansarifard, Ali Gholizadeh, Saman Ghoddos and Sadegh Moharrami are some of players the country will look up to for inspiration.
Iran beat Uruguay in the last international break with Luis Suarez, Federico Valverde, Darwin Nunez, Rodrigo Bentancur, Matias Vecino and even Ronald Araujo all in the match. This is a massive confident boost for them so they will be no pushover for anyone but maybe England in group B of the World Cup.
It is only a slim advantage for any other nation expect England. The battle for runner up spot in this group will be one of the most exciting battles in the first round of the tourney.
Group summary
England are predicted group winners
Wales should be able to win the battle for runner up spot
USMNT and Iran to both be eliminated from the group stage
Group C
Argentina will be the undisputed favourite in this group by a country mile and their objective will be finishing as group winner, a feat which should not be farfetched given the quality they parade and their reputation in the competition.
The two time world Champions are currently one of the heavy favourites to clinch the title and are currently on a run of 35 games unbeaten.
During the run, they have won the Copa America title, which had eluded them since 1993 while they also beat European Champions, Italy 3-0 win Wembley to claim the Finallisima title in the summer.
The star-studded side, led by Lionel Scaloni and captained by one of the greatest of all time Lionel Messi, who has won it all but the World Cup still missing in endless list of his achievement, they will be looking to bring home a first world cup title since Argentina last won it in Mexico back in 1986.
Not only Lionel Messi but Argentina do have several other world class players. Angel Di Maria scored the only goal that won the the final of the Copa America at the Maracana in 2021 and he is arguably their best after Messi.
From Goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez to the likes of Lisandro Martinez, Christian Romero, Juan Foyth and Nahuel Molina in defence.
Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo de Paul, Guido Rodriguez and the likes in midfield not forgetting Paulo Dybala, Lautaro Martinez, Julian Alvarez and several others, Argentina are one of the few bound to have a strong outing in Qatar.
They play Saudi Arabia and Mexico in their first two games before facing Poland in the final group game. Argentina will be expected to seal top spot conveniently and avoid the best team from the other group.
This battle for spot will be a tug of way between Mexico and Poland. Hugely experienced in the World Cup albeit their record isn’t so impressive, Mexico ranks 13th in the latest FIFA Ranking, exactly double the position occupied by Poland.
Poland were winners by a score line of 3-1 when both side clash in their first ever and only competitive meeting, which came in the 1978 World Cup in Argentina.
Nonetheless, a lot of things has changed and even Mexico are now unbeaten in five against Poland, winning three including a 1-0 win in their last meeting around this time in 2017.
Mexico are expected to have the edge if they can do enough to silence Robert Lewandowski when the two clash in their opening match of the tournament at the Stadium 974.
However, it will not be easy doing so. Their first game against each other will go a long way in determining who makes it to the next round.
While for now, Mexico have a slim advantage, that can easily change before or during the game, as the side with momentum could seize advantage and get a desired result.
Poland do have what it takes to beat a side like Mexico. As earlier mentioned, Robert Lewandowski. Wojciech Szczesny in goal and the likes of Kamil Glik, Jan Bednarek, Matty Cash and Michal Karbownik makes them fairy comfortable in defence.
The form of Piotr Zielinski and Sebastian Szymanski along with the experience of Grzegorz Krychowiak in middle of the park gives manager, Czeslaw Michniewwicz hope that services will get to Robert Lewandowski or Arkadiusz Milik upfront.
When Poland made their second appearance in the World Cup back in 1974, they reached the semi finals and won the third place match. The same was the case eight years later in Spain 1982.
However, equaling those achievements will be asking too much of the current side, given the level of competitiveness of the other countries. Even, having Lewandowski, who is one of the best players in the world right now will not be enough to do so.
What will however hurt the Poles more is not making it out of the group.
Not taking anything away from Mexico, themselves boast the likes of Hirvin Lozano, Edson Alvarez, Hector Herrera, Raul Jimenez and of course Goalkeeper, Guillermo Ochoa, who is always a different player when it is the World Cup.
Mexico will be appearing in the World Cup finals for the 17th time and have never reached the semi finals of the competition. They have the worst of records in the competition for a nation that has played so many games.
Their inability to win it in the years of yore will continue to haunt them because these days they have fallen in the pecking order and this generation will not bring them the World Cup glory, at least by the look of things today.
Apart from Argentina walking their way out of the group, fingers will be crossed to see who comes out on top in the clash between Poland and Mexico, which unarguably will determine who amongst the two progresses to the next round.
Qualified for a consecutive World Cup having missed out in 2010 and 2014, Saudi Arabia finds themselves in a Group where they can on paper, hope to make it to the next round for only the second time after first doing so in their first appearance in the competition in US 1994.
Playing against sides who are well above them on the FIFA Ranking but they can also take solace in the fact that Poland is ranked 15th in Europe while Mexico, despite being number one in CONCACAF did not have an easy qualifying round.
Themselves ranked sixth in Asia, they can see themselves upsetting the odds but the chances is very slim, so advantage Mexico and Poland.
Group summary
Argentina to qualify as undisputed group winner
A close battle between Mexico and Poland for second spot to be won by Mexico
No chance for Saudi Arabia and are expected to be eliminated
Group D
Defending Champions France will not have it their way and if they will do, they will have to conquer a Denmark side, which seems to have grown bigger since the last time they appeared at the World Cup just over four years ago in Russia.
Tables have turn and here, Denmark are the favourites to qualify as group winners given their record lately and their consistency even against the big sides.
They met with World champions, France over two legs in the UEFA Nations League group campaign and did the double over Didier Deschamps’ side but only falling to eventual group winner, Croatia.
Denmark have what it takes to go all the way albeit it is known it won’t come easy for them just as it wouldn’t for any other side even if you are Brazil, Argentina or Germany.
Ranked 10th in the world, coach Kasper Hjulmand will hope his side can better the round of 16 run achieved by Åge Hareide’s led side in Russia 2018.
Inspired by their successful European Championship outing in 2021 which ended with a 2-1 semi final loss to England no thanks to a controversial penalty, Denmark will hope to build on their form and write a better history for the country in the global competition.
Their best finish is quarter finals reached in France 1998 and this time presents their best chance yet to better history.
France, no thanks to their poor form and injuries to main players have had the chances of defending the title they won just over four years ago become very limited.
Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kanté, the midfield duo whose contributions were vital to lifting their second World Cup title, will not be going Qatar while their backup Goalkeeper, Mike Maignan has also been ruled out.
The injury to Kanté and Pogba is huge blow for France, who are looking to wave away the curse of defending Champions of the World Cup, which has seen every winner since the 2010 edition not make it past the group stage in the following edition.
Making it out of the group stages can not be ruled out for France but the injuries and their poor form will spell trouble for them if the likes of Tunisia and Australia can stand up to them in Qatar.
Tunisia are tipped to come out ahead of Australia albeit it will be evenly contested. The North African were impressive in their preparation friendlies before the 5-1 humiliation in the hands of Brazil no thanks to a first half red card to Dylan Bronn.
The understanding built amongst their players, most of whom are home based has always given them the advantage over their opponents in African, just like their North African counterparts and they will hope to do enough to better Australia and maybe pounce on France’s poor form to go one better than expected.
Players will also arrive from Europe. Mostly those who have been impressive for their clubs so far this season. Ellyes Skhiri, Aissa Laidouni, Hannibal Mejbri, Wahbi Khazri and several others can help boost their chances.
Qualified for a fifth consecutive World Cup finals, only in Germany 2006 has Australia made it pass the first round in their six appearance in the competition, starting from their debut in Germany 1974.
They found themselves in a group where they are again considered the weakest because of their placement in the FIFA ranking.
It is not going to be an easy outing for them and are not expected to make it to the next round.
For them, consistently appearing in the tournament is enough for achievement for now as they continue to hope for better fortunes in the future.
Group summary
Denmark as group winner
France as runner up
Tunisia to come third and be eliminated alongside Australia
Group E
Spain will be expected to come out on top in an evenly contested clash with Germany and the top spot in Group E. However, it would come as an upset if it also goes the other way round.
Both nations are reputable in the competition but Germany have not been at their best of late, so the opportunity is there for Spain to capitalize on this and emerge as the group winner.
Manager, Luis Enrique has helped Spain turn things around and in competitions of late, they have enjoyed success though they have not been able to get it to the finishing line.
He will hope his young sides would have already acquired the needed experience to excel on the bigger stage from their semi final exit in the European Championship and UEFA Nations final loss to France.
A lot of player have been called back into the team as Enrique prepares name his final squad for Qatar.
Sergio Ramos, Alejandro Balde, Pedri, Gavi, Thiago Alcantara, Sergio Canales, Borja Iglesias and even Ansu Fati have all been named in the provisional squad list.
Germany, in the runner up position will be hopeful of the fitness of Manuel Neuer and other players.
The good news for manager, Hansi Flick is that Leon Goretzka is finally back to full fitness and has been playing consistently for Bayern, alongside Joshua Kimmich and Jamal Musiala.
Ilkay Gundogan is also doing fine with Manchester City and has been playing very frequently for a side labeled with squad rotation.
Everyone of their players look in form except Kai Havertz, who seems to be always lost when with Chelsea. Good for them reverse is the case when he represents the national team.
The injury to Timo Werner is a major set back but the void can still be filled by other players in the Bundesliga, so Hansi Flick won’t have much headache selecting his final 26 man squad.
Germany did suffered a upset in Russia, where they did not even manage to qualify from the group, losing to both Mexico and South Korea. The lesson has obviously been learnt and they will want to take the bull by the horn when they set out in Qatar.
Japan are expected to just about topple Costa Rica and qualify as the third best team in the Group. They are the first nation to name their final squad, which means coach, Hajime Moriyasu has no troubles picking the men he trust as flag bearers of the country in Qatar.
Kaoru Mitoma, Takumi Minamino, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Wataru Endo, Daichi Kamada and veteran, Maya Yoshida will be the countries main men as they look to make a stand for themselves against Spain and Germany while defending their favourite tag against Costa Rica.
Costa Rica are predicted to be the least in the team as they already are in the FIFA ranking. No chance of them staging an upset and will only make efforts to avoid humiliation, and maybe stand up to Japan in their second group game.
Group summary
Spain to win the group
Germany to claim second spot
Japan to come ahead of Costa Rica as both exit from the group stage.
Group F
Croatia, beaten finalist in 2018, are one of the favourites to win the title in Qatar as well as their group rival, Belgium. Albeit the Belgian Red Devils are well ahead in the FIFA ranking, Zlatko Dalic’s men are our pick to finish as the group winner.
The Croats are playing some exciting football at the moment and taking the form into the World Cup will make them arguably unstoppable.
Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic, Ivan Perisic and Mateo Kovacic are very technical players who can help keep possession and frustrate opposition players and even managers.
Heading to Qatar on the back of a successful UEFA Nations League campaign, where they finished group winners ahead of Denmark, France and Austria, surely the confidence level is at the climax.
Belgium and their golden generation will set out for what maybe their penultimate major competition together and will hope for better fortune this time as time is running out for them to make something of their gifted generation.
Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Thibaut Courtois, Youri Tielemans, Axel Witsel, Leandro Trossard and others will defend the country’s flag while Roberto Martinez continues to sweat on the fitness of Romelu Lukaku.
Belgium will need to improve on their recent performance to match the strength of the other heavyweights if they intend to go past the semi finals they achieved in Russia 2018.
They are predicted to finish as runner up to Croatia and will hope to have gathered enough momentum to see them outst the other heavyweights in the knockout rounds of the tournament.
Morocco and Canada are the other two teams that make up the group and it is North African side, Morrocco that are prognosticated to come out on top when both go ahead to head in their final group game, when both are expected to be already eliminated.
Despite their impressive run in the qualifiers, which saw them finish top of the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association (CONCACAF) World Cup qualifying campaign, much is expected of Canada in Qatar but unfortunately, they find themselves in a tough group.
It is only their first appearance in the competition since making their debut over 36 years ago in Mexico.
Still sweating on the fitness of Alphonso Davies, they also have striker Jonathan David, who has been on fire in the Ligue un but this pull is not considered enough to see them through to the next round.
Group summary
Croatia as group winner
Belgium as runner up
Morocco to come in third place
Canada fourth
Group G
Brazil are all set to storm Qatar following the announcement of the 26-man squad list by Tite on Monday evening.
Led by Neymar Junior, Brazil have a lot of superstars, some of them who are popular by name and most important by what they do.
Blessed in the Goalkeeper department and can call on any of the three named in the list, Alisson Becker, Ederson Moraes or even Weverton.
They are incredibly strong in the Center back postions but not too strong full back options and that contributed to reasons why a 39-year old Dani Alves has been named in the squad.
Casemiro, Ribeiro, Bruno Guimarães and Lucas Paqueta are players in form in the middle of the park and uptop, they are spoilt for choice.
From Neymar, Gabriel Jesus, Raphinha, Richarlison, Antony, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and even Gabriel Martinelli, anyone called on by Tite can effectively perform the magic.
They are Brazilian after all and they have the flairs, techniques and also the talent. Brazil will be a force in Qatar as they look to deliver another World Cup title and add to the five they already have since last winning it in 2002.
Returning to Asia, where they won their last and fifth World Cup title, Brazil will be pumped to do it again and it won’t come as a surprise if they go all the way in Qatar.
Switzerland are expected to just nick second spot ahead of Serbia albeit both enjoyed an impressive qualifying campaign.
The form of Aleksandar Mitrovic, Dusan Vlahovic and Dusan Tadic will ask a lot of questions from the Swiss but they have shown that they have what it takes to withstand the pressure.
Goalkeeper Yann Sommer, Premier League quartet of Fabian Schar, Manuel Akanji and Granit Xhaka, Remo Freuler. Xherdan Shaqiri, Nico Elvedi, Breel Embolo and Haris Seferovic all ready to fly the flag of their country in Qatar.
It is going to be close, even with Cameroon not completely out of the equation but it is always going to be in the order of Switzerland, Serbia and Cameroon.
The form of Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa will make it difficult for anyone coming up against the Indomitable Lions, who also boast the internationally incredible Vincent Aboubacar.
Karl Toko Ekambi and Inter Milan goalkeeper, André Onana will all want to do their nation and Africans proud in Qatar and albeit they are the least ranked nation in the group, they will still be expected to give a good account of themselves.
Group summary
Brazil as group winner
Switzerland as runner up
Serbia and Cameroon will both give a good fight for second spot but one will come third and fourth
Group H
Portugal are favourites to win the group and per quality, none of the other countries in the group come close.
Since winning the European Championship in 2016, the Fernando Santos’ side have established themselves as one of the powerhouse in European football but their inconsistency against the big sides lately is the only flaws in their game.
Nonetheless, they are expected to see off competitors and make their way to the next round as group winners, eliminating the chances of playing the best side from the other group.
Cristiano Ronaldo, going into what will be his final World Cup and yet the only achievement missing from his trophy laden career, he will hope to find his form again and lead his team to glory in Qatar.
Portugal have the quality bar Ronaldo. There is Bernardo Silva, Diogo Costa, Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias, Bruno Fernandes, Nuno Mendes and other stars who are capable of producing moment and moments of magic.
They have lost Diogo Jota to injury but they have enough talents to make up for his absence and in the likes of Joao Felix, Goncalo Guedes and several others, they can be rest assured Jota won’t be a huge miss.
The Black Stars of Ghana, led by Arsenal midfielder, Thomas Partey will battle for second spot with Uruguay as both have almost the same chance to progress into the next round.
Both Ghana and Uruguay share a history in the competition going back to the 2010 edition where both clashed in the quarter finals. Luis Suarez handled a goal bound effort on the line and the former Barcelona striker was sent off and a penalty awarded to Ghana.
However, Asamoah Gyan could not convert and Uruguay went on to win on penalties, denying Ghana the chance to become the first African country to reach the semi final of the competition.
Ghana have introduced a host of new players to the national team having secured a place in Qatar and luck has been kind on them with the current situations of their main rivals in the group.
Coach, Otto Addo will hope his minions can put up an impressive show in their first group game against favourite, Portugal so as not to detriment their confidence level ahead of the other group games where their chances lies.
Uruguay, with the likes of Federico Valverde, Darwin Nunez, Rodrigo Bentancur and not forgetting Luis Suarez himself. They have what it takes to even challenge Portugal for the top spot so will be interesting to see how the results pan out.
Son Heung-Min will be at the World Cup, maybe with a mask so that is something positive for South Korea while Ronald Araujo will not be fit for the group games, so Ghana have the opportunity, if an unfortunate event does not befall their own players before and during the tournament.
Group Summary
Portugal to win the group
Uruguay and Ghana to battle for second spot maybe Uruguay takes it because of the schedule
South Korea to come fourth
Of course there are bound to be upsets and that is the real excitement of the FIFA World Cup. They will happen but not much difference is expected from this picks.
The World Cup group games kickoff on the 20th of November and ends on December second, when 32 nations would have been down to 16.
Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi
