Portugal and Uruguay stands out as the favorites to advance, however South Korea is able to pulling off an upset, as they did by beating defending champ Germany 4 years in the past. Ghana is all the time a troublesome out, and this is no scarcity of stars in Group H, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Suárez, Edinson Cavani and Son Heung-min all there.
Coach: Fernando Santos
Highest end: Third (1966)
2018 end: Round of 16
FOX Bet odds: +1400
Key gamers: João Cancelo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva
What we’re excited to observe: As ever, the main target will probably be on Ronaldo, who might change into the primary males’s participant to attain at 5 World Cups. But this can be a fascinating squad past No. 7; with a roster stocked with starters at a number of the sport’s largest golf equipment, Portugal’s supporting solid is second to none.
What success appear to be: Winning a knockout sport. Although they completed fourth in 2006, Portugal has did not make it previous the spherical of 16 on the final three World Cups.
Achilles heel: Ronaldo. The Portuguese assault has been constructed round him for nearly 20 years, and the 37-year-old remains to be deadly in entrance of objective. But teammates typically defer to him an excessive amount of, and his lack of defensive urgent makes him a legal responsibility when his group would not have the ball.
X-Factor: Ronaldo. (It’s all the time Ronaldo.) For all his latest off-field drama with Manchester United, the residing legend is constructed for the most important moments. He’s coming again to the nurturing cocoon of the nationwide group, and he has one thing to show. Does he have yet one more star flip in him on the grandest stage?
Portugal’s residing legend
Cristiano Ronaldo is understood for his ending, technical capability and aerial capability.
Coach: Otto Addo
Highest end: Quarterfinals (2010)
2018 end: Did not qualify
FOX Bet odds: +35000
Key gamers: André Ayew, Jordan Ayew, Thomas Partey
What we’re excited to observe: The group finale in opposition to Uruguay. The Black Stars will probably be out for revenge after they meet La Celeste on Dec. 2. In 2010, Ghana was minutes away from changing into the primary African group to achieve the semis when Luis Suárez intentionally blocked a goal-bound shot together with his arm. But Asamoah Gyan missed the following penalty, and Ghana misplaced in a shootout.
What success appear to be: After lacking out fully final time, simply getting out of the group could be adequate.
Achilles heel: Current kind. Ghana has not gained in opposition to one other Qatar-bound foe in 4 tries this 12 months.
X-Factor: Inexperience. While the Ayew brothers have 189 worldwide appearances between them, 18 different gamers on Ghana’s 26-man roster have 11 caps or much less.
Coach: Diego Alonso
Highest end: Winners (1930, 1950)
2018 end: Quarterfinals
FOX Bet odds: +4000
Key gamers: Edinson Cavani, Darwin Núñez, Federico Valverde
What we’re excited to observe: This is the final dance for Cavani and fellow 35-year-old striker Luis Suarez. Do they’ve sufficient left for yet one more deep run?
What success appear to be: A proud footballing nation, Uruguayans will not be joyful if their group would not come dwelling with the trophy. That’s unlikely however not inconceivable.
Achilles heel: Speed. La Celeste’s onerous tackling however plodding again line is especially weak on the counterattack.
X-Factor: Darwin Núñez. There’s a motive Liverpool paid $100 million for the rangy striker, whose all-world ending capability alone might take Uruguay far.
Coach: Paulo Bento
Highest end: Fourth (2002)
2018 end: Group Stage
FOX Bet odds: +25000
Key gamers: Hwang Ui-jo, Kim Min-jae, Son Heung-min
What we’re excited to observe: Jeong Woo-yeong. The electrical 24-year-old is South Korea’s most enjoyable participant this aspect of Son. If Son cannot play (extra on that beneath), Jeong must step up.
What success appear to be: Survival. South Korea has made it out of the primary spherical simply as soon as of their final 4 World Cup appearances.
Achilles heel: Right again. The Koreans may very well be weak to assaults down the left flank, as coach Diego Alonso nonetheless would not have a transparent starter there heading into the match.
X-Factor: Son. He’s a bona fide world star when wholesome; final season, Son led the Premier League in objectives. But he is additionally coming off facial surgical procedure after breaking his orbital bone in a Champions League sport earlier this month, placing his availability in Qatar doubtful.
South Korea’s smiley celebrity
Son Heung-Min is is aware of for his pace, ending and passing.
More World Cup group bios:
- Group A: Ecuador, Netherlands, Qatar, Senegal
- Group B: England, Iran, United States, Wales
- Group C: Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland
- Group D: France, Australia, Denmark, Tunisia
- Group E: Spain, Costa Rica, Germany, Japan
- Group F: Belgium, Canada, Morocco, Croatia
- Group G: Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon
Doug McIntyre is a soccer author for FOX Sports. Before becoming a member of FOX Sports in 2021, he was a workers author with ESPN and Yahoo Sports and he has lined United States males’s and girls’s nationwide groups at a number of FIFA World Cups. Follow him on Twitter @ByDougMcIntyre.
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