Chris (@Chris10Pricey) is back with the second half of his deep dive into the World Cup groups, sections E to H. Previews for each group, players to watch and key match-ups. [All times are GMT]
- Group E – Spain, Costa Rica, Germany, Japan
- Group F – Belgium, Canada, Morocco, Croatia
- Group G – Brazil, Switzerland, Serbia, Cameroon
- Group H – Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay, South Korea
Group E
Embed from Getty ImagesGroup E Fixtures
- Germany vs Japan – Wednesday, November 23 at 1pm
- Spain vs Costa Rica – Wednesday, November 23 at 4pm
- Japan vs Costa Rica – Sunday, November 27 at 10am
- Spain vs Germany – Sunday, November 27 at 7pm
- Japan vs Spain – Thursday, December 1 at 7pm
- Costa Rica vs Germany – Thursday, December 1 at 7pm
Preview
In Group E, the attention is immediately drawn to the 2 European superpowers, in Spain and Germany, winners of 2 of the last 3 tournaments between them. However, if they think they are nailed on for a place in the second round, they will need to think twice and for the Germans, only have to look back at Russia 2018 for proof of that.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Germans come into the tournament of the back of an almost exemplary qualifying record, winning 9 of their 10 games. Their only defeat coming in a surprise home defeat to North Macedonia, who were unlucky in their own attempt to qualify. However, looking deeper at their group, it was not the strongest and did not put up the challenge that his World Cup group will. Their Nations League showed signs of a regeneration, including a thumping 5-2 win over Italy. Hansi Flick has revitalised a side that had gone stale under the successful Joachim Low.
There is undoubted talent in their squad, Manuel Neuer, the evergreen Thomas Muller who has been playing forever and Joshua Kimmich, who is just a delightful footballer. There are also some joy and sorrow stories in the squad, with Mario Gotze recalled, but unfortunately Marco Reus misses out again, one of the unluckiest footballers ever to be involved in the international game. But behind that experience are some exciting youngsters including Jamal Musiala, likeable just for his rejection of England, and Youssoufa Moukoko, who has been lighting up the Bundesliga this season. It is hard to make your mind up with how good this German team might be, but it almost feels inevitable they will be involved in the knock out rounds.
Embed from Getty ImagesSince winning the World Cup in 2010, Spain have endured some awful performances at the World Cup. Dumped out in the group stages in 2014 and a disappointing defeat to Russia in 2018, mean that Spain may not be the force they were in the late noughties, early teens. They even started qualifying for 2022 in a drab fashion before rallying and beating Sweden in a decider on the final matchday. Their Euros performances have been better, but their defeat to Italy in the 2020 semi-final was a drab representation of a what was tiki-taka total football for many growing up. Like the Germans, there is undoubted and proven talent throughout the squad and with Pedri, Gavi and Fati, they have three of the game’s most promising young prospects.
Japan qualified comfortably for the tournament, winning 7 of their 10 games, finishing second behind Saudi Arabia and ahead of Australia in Asian Qualifying. Looking through their results, they were solid at the back but lacked firepower, with many games finishing 1-0. Another result that jumps out, is their narrow defeat to a strong Brazil team in the Kirin Cup in June. In their squad, there are several recognisable faces, the majority of whom play in leagues across Europe. They are led by Maya Yoshida, mostly known by many for his time at Southampton. They will be hoping their defensive abilities will be able to keep games close and then take their chances, if they are to cause a shock in Group E.
Embed from Getty ImagesFinally, Costa Rica qualified with an impressive record in the CONCACAF qualifying group. They finished just 3 points behind Canada and Mexico, and they did not get the 7 goals needed to qualify above the USA in their final group game, so had to go through the inter confederation playoffs. In their play off, an early Joel Campbell goal, once of Arsenal, was enough to see of New Zealand. Their most notable players are Keylor Navas, who has played for Real Madrid and PSG, Bryan Oviedo, who played for Everton and Sunderland and Bryan Ruiz, who was most remembered for his time at Fulham. Other than those 3 many players play in their domestic league, with a few exceptions. They will rely on the expertise of those key players and the fact there is an enormous number of caps and experience in their squad. They are on an excellent run and will make things challenging for their more glamourous group opponents.
Embed from Getty ImagesKey Game
Spain vs Germany – Sunday, November 27 at 7pm – Easy choice in this group, it is the standout game. With it being second game in the group for both teams, will either team go for the win, which would put the loser in a precarious position ahead of the final game?
Prediction
- Germany 2. Spain 3. Japan 4. Costa Rica
Group F
Embed from Getty ImagesGroup F Fixtures:
- Morocco vs Croatia – Wednesday, November 23 at 10am
- Belgium vs Canada – Wednesday, November 23 at 7pm
- Belgium vs Morocco – Sunday, November 27 at 1pm
- Croatia vs Canada – Sunday, November 27 at 4pm
- Croatia vs Belgium – Thursday, December 1 at 4pm
- Canada vs Morocco – Thursday, December 1 at 4pm
Preview
A group that almost seemed destined to contain us, since our story has seemed intertwined with Belgium and Croatia’s over the last few years.
Embed from Getty ImagesBelgium come into the group as overwhelming favourites, but unfortunately for them, their golden generation is ending and the perennial dark horses for the tournaments, seem to have run out of course. They qualified comfortably in our group without losing a game and came 2nd in our Nations League group.
The quality is clear to see in their squad, with Kevin De Bruyne, making a case for being the Premier League’s greatest ever midfielder and a supporting cast that others could only dream of. The worry for the Belgians is their ageing backline and their mentality. Although there is lots of experience at the back and devastating ability going forward, you do feel a team with pace will cause them lots of defensive problems. Do they have the mental resilience to get over the narrow misses in 2021 and 2018 to the eventual winners and a certain night in Lille in 2016? And for their sake, they really would not want to see us again!
Embed from Getty ImagesSimilarly, Croatia are well known to us having been in our Euro 2020 qualifying group and will be in our Euro 2024 qualifying group. There was a feeling after 2018 and after a raft of retirements that Croatia may not be the force they were. They qualified by beating Russia in their final group game of qualifying after overcoming a less than impressive start. Their stunning form in a difficult Nations League group and qualifying for the final next summer will give them hope of emulating their superb run to the final in 2018. Their midfield is stacked with quality, none more so than the aesthetically pleasing Luka Modric, and have clear attacking quality in Perisic and Orsic. Again, it may be at the back where Croatia have problems and although they are highly likely to get out of the group, it is unlikely they will repeat their heroics of 2018.
Embed from Getty ImagesFor some reason, it feels like Canada should be a regular at a World Cup but incredibly this is their first World Cup since 1986 and only their second ever appearance. Their qualifying campaign was a resounding success, finishing top above the USA and Mexico and their rise was backed up by their narrow extra time defeat to Mexico in the Gold Cup semi-finals. Much of their squad is made up of MLS players but there are some jewels in there. They will be reliant on their talisman Alphonso Davis being passed fit, Jonathan David continuing his fine form from last season and Premier League cult hero Junior Hoillett causing problems. They have been lauded for their organisation and off the ball work and they will need that if they are to harbour any hopes of getting out of the group. Unfortunately for them, this group may be a step too far, but they will be delighted if they can put the building blocks in place for when they host part of the tournament in 4 years’ time.
Embed from Getty ImagesCompleting Group F is Morocco. To qualify, they comfortably beat DR Congo in the 2nd leg of their play-off and made the AFCON quarter-finals before losing to Egypt in extra time. They are the 2nd highest ranked African team behind Senegal. The big news for them is that they have recently recalled Hakim Ziyech after 15 months, as he was dropped for his reportedly poor attitude. He will be key to any hopes they have of improving on their showing in 2018, where they managed a credible draw with Spain in their final group game. There are other known names in their squad such as Hakimi of PSG and Illyas Chair, who has lit up the Championship with QPR. Unfortunately for Neil Warnock, Adel Taarabt did not make the cut! Although they will be well organised and defensively solid, it is hard to make a case for them getting out of the group, with such heavyweights in their way.
Embed from Getty ImagesKey Game
Morocco vs Croatia – Wednesday, November 23 at 10am – I have gone away from the obvious in this group to look at it from another angle. The timing of this game caught my eye, as the heat and humidity might play into Morocco’s hands, and if there is going to be a shock in this group, it would be here. Croatia have enough quality to win the game, but if they are to be caught out here, it would make qualifying a lot more challenging.
Prediction
- Belgium 2. Croatia 3. Morocco 4. Canada
Group G
Embed from Getty ImagesGroup G Fixtures:
- Switzerland vs Cameroon – Thursday, November 24 at 10am
- Brazil vs Serbia – Thursday, November 24 at 7pm
- Cameroon vs Serbia – Monday, November 28 at 10am
- Brazil vs Switzerland – Monday, November 28 at 4pm
- Cameroon vs Brazil – Friday, December 2 at 7pm
- Serbia vs Switzerland – Friday, December 2 at 7pm
Preview
Group G has an almost mirror image of Group E from the 2018 World Cup, with Brazil, Switzerland, Serbia making up most of the group, this time joined by Cameroon.
Embed from Getty ImagesIt is not a World Cup until you see the yellow jersey, but it is now 20 years since they last won the World Cup and, in that time, Brazil have suffered some of their most painful and humiliating moments. They go into this World Cup as favourites, as they often do, with their strongest squad since that 2002 win.
All their players are instantly recognisable, and such is the strength in their squad, they have both of the Premier League’s top keepers in there. The most surprising squad selections come with the exclusion of Roberto Firmino and the inclusion of the 39-year-old Dani Alves, who will surely be involved in lots of people’s yellow card betting! They come into the tournament on the back of an unbeaten qualifying campaign and only one defeat this decade, albeit a painful one in the Copa America Final to Argentina. They are rightly favourites to top the group and go on a lot further, even if their group opponents may prove stubborn.
<Embed from Getty ImagesIt is hard to understand how Switzerland have been so good over recent years and they are often underestimated, but that stubbornness and resilience was evident in their run to the Euro 2020 quarter finals, with a stunning comeback against France and then narrowly losing out to Spain. Since then, their qualifying campaign was outstanding as they were unbeaten and beat reigning European Champions, Italy to top spot. They followed this up with a dreadful start to their Nations League campaign with 3 straight defeats before bouncing back with 3 straight wins including wins against Spain and Portugal.
They will be hoping for the continued renaissance of Granit Xhaka, who is integral to their midfield and has been outstanding for Arsenal recently. He is supported by the superb goalkeeping of Yann Sommer (which we found out about in Baku) and the mercurial Xherdan Shakiri. If there is a worry for them, it is the number of goals they will score and that might be their downfall.
Embed from Getty ImagesIn stark contrast with the lack of goal threat the Swiss have, is the threat posed by Serbia’s front 2. Aleksander Mitrovic, who never could do it in the Premier League, now can and is racking up the goals for Fulham. His physicality provides them with a focal point, and he is supported by one of Europe’s hottest prospects in Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus. There is a wealth of talent around them playing in Europe’s top leagues, to provide the service and if they get it, they could secure 2nd spot and once in the knockout stages will pose a threat to anyone.
Serbia come into the tournament in superb form having topped a qualifying group unbeaten and beating Portugal in Lisbon in a sensational group decider. They backed this up with an excellent promotion securing League B Nation League campaign, beating Norway in the process. With all this in mind, they will be desperate to do improve on 4 years ago and I am confident they will.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe final group place goes to Cameroon. They qualified in dramatic circumstances, beating Algeria on away goals after extra time. This was off the back of a 3rd place finish in the AFCON. In the dugout is a recognisable face to 90’s Premier League fans in Rigobert Song. They will be reliant on Eric-Maxime Choupo Moting, yes that one, the one you are thinking of, the bloke from Stoke, who has been in sterling form for Bayern Munich this season.
Their squad does have some names you would recognise, including Olivier Ntcham from Swansea, Andre Onana at Inter Milan, Bryan Mbeumo at Brentford, and Karl Toko Ekambi, who will be well known to those that play FM or FUT (if you do not know, do not ask!) Unfortunately for Cameroon, it is hard to see them finishing anywhere but bottom in this group as the luck of the draw has put them in an almost impossible situation.
Embed from Getty ImagesKey Game
Serbia vs Switzerland – Friday, December 2 at 7pm – I think the final group game, just hours before the start of the 2nd Round, will be a straight shoot-out for 2nd place in this group. Unfortunately, with both sides style, it suggests a war of attrition between the 2 and a single goal will be enough. It will be tight, tense and could potentially be full of drama.
Prediction
- Brazil 2. Serbia 3. Switzerland 4. Cameroon
Group H
Embed from Getty ImagesGroup H Fixtures:
- Uruguay vs South Korea – Thursday, November 24 at 1pm
- Portugal vs Ghana – Thursday, November 24 at 4pm
- South Korea vs Ghana – Monday, November 28 at 1pm
- Portugal vs Uruguay – Monday, November 28 at 7pm
- South Korea vs Portugal – Friday, December 2 at 3pm
- Ghana vs Uruguay – Friday, December 2 at 3pm
Preview
It might not be a group of death, but no other group throws up the storylines this one does. All four teams will feel they have an equal chance of going through, but conversely face several challenges if they are to make the knockout stages.
Embed from Getty ImagesPortugal would have felt VAR injustice had they not qualified after the farcical scenes early in the group that led to Serbia qualifying above them in the group. But their task was made a little easier in the play offs with North Macedonia shocking Italy and subsequently expending themselves in the process, leading to a comfortable final.
Since breaking our hearts in 2016, the Portuguese have gone out in the Round of 16 in the last 2 major tournaments. In their squad are numerous well-known players from across the Premier League and the top sides in Europe. The attention is clearly drawn to Ronaldo, even when Piers Morgan is not interviewing him, who is still arguably the greatest of all time and will be eying up that potential final Messi showdown. However, it would be naïve just to focus on him, as their squad oozes quality, and a steeliness provided by Pepe, who is going to play forever! They will be favourites to top the group but will not be able to take any of their opponents lightly.
Embed from Getty ImagesSouth Korea will be doing whatever they can to ensure their talisman Son Heuing Min can recover from his eye surgery last week if they are to harbour hopes of making the knockout rounds. They have a few recognisable names and some that play in Europe including Hwang Hee Chan at Wolves and defender Kim Min-Jae at Napoli, but many of their players are domestically based.
They qualified comfortably in 2nd place behind Iran in their qualifiers, their only defeat coming when they had already qualified. Their results over the last few years show good form and some impressive results and their collectiveness will be important, especially if Son is not fit. Although not suggesting they are a one-man team, but they are a different prospect with and without him. If nothing else, their kits are always eye-catching!
Embed from Getty ImagesGhana scraped through into the tournament, beating Nigeria in their 2 legged play off on away goals after qualifying for them above South Africa by virtue of one more goal scored! They were poor at the AFCON and will have to improve dramatically if they are to cause a shock in this group. Unfortunately, The Black Stars are not the force they were and gone are the star names that were instrumental in successful Premier League sides.
There are some recognisable players in their squad including Tariq Lampety, who chose Ghana over England this year, Jordan Ayew, Daniel Amartey, Kudos of Ajax, as well as the questionable inclusion morally of Thomas Partey. A big blow for them will be losing their first-choice keeper, Jojo Wollacott on the eve of the tournament. There was also no place for Asamoah Gyan, who was targeting a sensational concluding chapter to his career. More on him later.
Embed from Getty ImagesAnd finally in this preview, the steely South American sluggers of Uruguay. As the saying goes, youth and exuberance are no match for age and treachery and in naming Luis Suarez and Edison Cavani in their squad, Uruguay are clearly looking at experience. Looking through their squad they are littered with names that will be recognised, who all have a steeliness and a knowing of the dark arts. Godin, Coates, Bentancur, Nunez, Valverde will all provide the stamina, never say die attitude that we would come to expect from them, but all provide quality that should get them through to the last 16. It is hard to believe that at the end of 2021, they looked like they wouldn’t qualify, but they have had an excellent 2022 and go into the tournament full of confidence.
Key Game
Ghana vs Uruguay – Friday, December 2 at 3pm – I have picked this on pure nostalgia and a sense of injustice. Cast your mind back to South Africa 2010, the quarter finals and one of the most memorable moments in World Cup history. Last minute, goal bound header, Suarez punches it off the line. He’s sent off, Gyan missed the penalty and Uruguay go on to win on penalties. The action divided opinion, his celebrations shown on every news bulletin, gamesmanship or down right cheating? 12 years later, Ghana could re-right that wrong. And what they wouldn’t give to knock out Uruguay and Suarez in the process.
Prediction
- Portugal 2. Uruguay 3. South Korea 4. Ghana