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After roughly three years of qualifying, involving 871 games around the globe, we have the final 32 teams that will be contesting in Russia for the most coveted trophy in World football. The 32 countries that are headed to Russia next summer have learned their group fates today.
The 2018 World Cup draw took place at Kremlin on Friday in front of some of the superstars of World football including Diego Maradona, Cafu, Fabio Cannavaro, Carlos Puyol, Laurent Blanc, Diego Forlan and Miroslav Klose.
The 32 nations are divided into four pots of eight as given below and 1 team from each pot will go into each of the eight groups.
Pot 1: Russia, Germany, Brazil, Portugal, Argentina, Belgium, Poland, France
Pot 2: Spain, Switzerland, England, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay, Croatia, Peru
Pot 3: Iceland, Costa Rica, Sweden, Tunisia, Egypt, Senegal, Iran, Denmark
Pot 4: Nigeria, Australia, Japan, Morocco, Panama, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Serbia
Let's have an in-depth look at each of the group.
Group A
Teams (ranking): Uruguay (21), Egypt (31), Saudi Arabia (63), Russia (65)
Locations: Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow; Central Stadium, Yekaterinburg; Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg; Rostov Arena, Rostov-on-Don; Cosmos Arena, Samara; Volgograd Arena, Volgograd
Matchdays: 14 June, 15 June, 19 June, 20 June, 25 June
Host Russia plays the opening game of the World Cup against Saudi Arabia at the Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow. They are both the lowest ranked teams in the competition and a must-win game for Russia to have any hopes of qualifying for the round of 16.
Uruguay is too good a team to miss out on last 16, leaving Russia and Egypt to fight for the second spot in Group A. 2010 African champions Egypt will be making their appearance after 12 years and Russia holds the edge in their battle, courtesy home conditions.
Saudi Arabia may have to settle for the 4th spot.
Key Fixtures: Uruguay vs Russia and Egypt vs Uruguay
Prediction: Expect Uruguay and Russia to reach the knockout stage.
1) Uruguay (Q)
2) Russia (Q)
3) Egypt
4) Saudi Arabia
Group B
Teams (ranking): Portugal (3), Spain (6), Iran (32), Morocco (40)
Locations: Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg; Fisht Olympic Stadium, Sochi; Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow; Kazan Arena, Kazan; Mordovia Arena, Saransk; Kaliningrad Stadium, Kaliningrad
Matchdays: 15 June, 20 June, 25 June
The 2010 FIFA World Cup Champions and 2016 European Champions will fancy themselves to qualify from Group B. Spain were unbeaten in the qualifiers and Portugal too finished on top of Group B.
Iran is playing their fifth World Cup and their only win came in 1998 against the United States while Morocco is making their World Cup appearance after 20 years and once reached the last 16. Upset is highly unlikely, expect an easy path for Spain and Portugal to last 16.
Key Fixtures: Portugal vs Spain and Portugal vs Morocco
Prediction: Expect Spain and Portugal to reach the knockout stage.
1) Spain (Q)
2) Portugal (Q)
3) Morocco
4) Iran
Group C
Teams (ranking): France (9), Peru (11), Denmark (12), Australia (39)
Locations: Central Stadium, Yekaterinburg; Fisht Olympic Stadium, Sochi; Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow; Kazan Arena, Kazan; Mordovia Arena, Saransk; Cosmos Arena, Samara
Matchdays: 16 June, 21 June, 26 June
The 1998 Champions have a relatively easy group. They were drawn with Peru from Pot 2, weakest of the second seeds and qualifying after a gap of 36 years. Australia are making their fifth appearance in the World Cup and their best run came in 2006 when they reached the last 16.
Denmark too are playing their fifth World Cup and reached quarter-finals once in 1998. There could be a three-way battle for the second place.
Key Fixtures: Denmark vs France and Peru vs Denmark
Prediction: Expect France to cruise through. Denmark could most likely take the second place.
1) France (Q)
2) Denmark (Q)
3)Peru
4) Australia
Group D
Teams (ranking): Argentina (4), Croatia (17), Iceland (22), Nigeria (50)
Locations: Otkrytiye Arena, Moscow; Kaliningrad Stadium, Kaliningrad; Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, Nizhny Novgorod; Volgograd Arena, Volgograd; Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg; Rostov Arena, Rostov-on-Don
Matchdays: 16 June, 21 June, 26 June
The two times champions will fancy themselves in Group D but their qualifying campaign was not so great. They merely scraped through, courtesy Messi's brilliance. Croatia are one of the most consistent performers in World Cup and their best performance came in 1998 when they lost to France in the Semi-finals.
Iceland finished above Croatia in qualifying and are playing their first World Cup. Nigeria from Pot 4 makes this a Group of Death. There are no clear favorites in Group D and there won't be any easy games either.
Key Fixtures: Argentina vs Croatia and Iceland vs Argentina
Prediction: Expect Argentina to take the top spot and a two way battle between Croatia and Iceland for the 2nd place.
1) Argentina (Q)
2) Croatia (Q)
3) Iceland
4) Nigeria
Group E
Teams (ranking): Brazil (2), Switzerland (8), Costa Rica (26), Serbia (37)
Locations: Cosmos Arena, Samara; Rostov Arena, Rostov-on-Don; Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg; Kaliningrad Stadium, Kaliningrad; Otkrytiye Arena, Moscow; Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, Nizhny Novgorod
Matchdays: 17 June, 22 June, 27 June
5-time winners are the clear favorite to take the top spot in Group E. There is absolutely nothing between the other 3 three teams, making it an intriguing battle for the second spot. Switzerland had a great qualifying campaign as they finished level on points with Portugal in Group B.
Costa Rica finished on top of the group at Brazil in 2014 and will not be a pushover by any means. Serbia are playing their 12th World Cup and more than capable of beating anyone on their best day.
Key Fixtures: Brazil vs Switzerland and Serbia vs Brazil
Prediction: Brazil to finish on top.
1) Brazil (Q)
2)Switzerland (Q)
3)Serbia
4)Costa Rica
Group F
Teams (ranking): Germany (1), Mexico (16), Sweden (18), South Korea (59)
Locations: Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow; Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, Nizhny Novgorod; Fisht Olympic Stadium, Sochi; Rostov Arena, Rostov-on-Don; Kazan Arena, Kazan; Central Stadium, Yekaterinburg
Matchdays: 17 June, 18 June, 23 June, 27 June
Germany could not have asked for an easier group than this. The defending Champions are expected to top the group without any trouble. There is nothing much to separate Mexico and Sweden. Mexico have reached the knockout stage in each of their past six World Cup.
Sweden defeated Italy in the playoffs to reach the World Cup and South Korea are one of the most consistent Asian team in the World Cup history. With the top spot sealed, expect Mexico and Sweden to battle it out for the second place in Group F.
Key Fixtures: Germany vs Sweden and Sweden vs Mexico
Prediction: Germany will take the top spot. Mexico or Sweden for second place.
1) Germany (Q)
2) Sweden (Q)
3) Mexico
4) South Korea
Group G
Teams (ranking): Belgium (5), England (15), Tunisia (27), Panama (56)
Locations: Fisht Olympic Stadium, Sochi; Volgograd Arena, Volgograd; Otkrytiye Arena, Moscow; Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, Nizhny Novgorod; Kaliningrad Stadium, Kaliningrad; Mordovia Arena, Saransk
Matchdays: 18 June, 23 June, 24 June, 28 June
Belgium and England are both unbeaten in the qualifying campaign finishing on top of their respective groups. They both are too strong for Tunisia and Panama. This will be Tunisia's fifth appearance in the World Cup and they have never crossed the group stages.
Panama reached the World Cup at the expense of United States and this will be their first World Cup appearance. Expect a two way battle for the top spot.
Key Fixtures: Belgium vs England and Tunisia vs England
Prediction: It will be a close battle for the top spot. Expect England to beat Belgium.
1) England (Q)
2) Belgium (Q)
3) Tunisia
4) Panama
Group H
Teams (ranking): Poland (7), Colombia (13), Senegal (23), Japan (55)
Locations: Otkrytiye Arena, Moscow; Mordovia Arena, Saransk; Central Stadium, Yekaterinburg; Kazan Arena, Kazan; Volgograd Arena, Volgograd; Cosmos Arena, Samara
Matchdays: 19 June, 24 June, 28 June
This will be the evenly contested group in this year's World Cup. There is nothing much to separate Poland and Columbia while Sadio Mane's Senegal will be a dangerous opponent.
Poland finished on top of the group in their qualifying campaign while Columbia finished behind Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina in theirs. This will the second appearance for Senegal in the World Cup and they have some quality players in their squad to make it count.
Japan are a constant presence in the competition and expect them to cause an upset or two.
Key Fixtures: Poland vs Colombia and Senegal vs Colombia
Prediction: Expect Colombia to edge Poland for the top spot
1) Columbia (Q)
2) Poland (Q)
3) Senegal
4) Japan
