ARGENTINA: One of the World Cup’s traditional powerhouses, the 2022 tournament could see a return to the old order of Argentina, as a major force to be reckoned with. Lionel Messi is now 35 and Qatar will be the last chance for him to add the World Cup trophy to his already bulging cabinet and cap off a remarkable career.
Argentina head into the tournament as Copa America champions following their victory over arch-rivals Brazil last year.
RANKING: 3
TITLES: 2
APPEARANCE: 17
COACH: Lionel Scaloni
KEY PLAYERS: Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria, Giovani Lo Celso
SAUDI ARABIA: In their last four involvements at the World Cup, Saudi Arabia’s exit has come in the group stages. Herve Renard’s team deserve credit for finishing above Australia in qualifying. The entire Saudi squad currently plays in their home country.
RANKING: 51
APPEARANCE: 6
COACH: Herve Renard
KEY PLAYERS: Saleh Al-Shehri, Salem Al-Dawsari, Salman Al-Faraj
MEXICO: Mexico extended their streak of appearing at every World Cup since 1994 by finishing as runners-up to Canada. The El-Tri has a roster that relies on individuals who feature in Europe and North America. Mexico don’t score or conceed many goals and coach Gerardo Martino can hope his wards can stifle their group opponents
RANKING: 13
APPEARANCE: 16
COACH: Gerardo Martino
KEY PLAYERS: Raul Jimenez, Hector Herrera, Hirvin Lozano
POLAND: Poland’s Robert Lewandowski won the battle of the talismans against Sweden’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic, to book the Eastern Europeans a spot in the finals via the playoffs route, following a 2-0 win. Czecslaw Michniewicz’s side have an incredible history at the World Cup having twice finished third..
RANKING: 26
APPEARANCE: 8
COACH: Czeslaw Michniewicz
KEY PLAYERS: Robert Lewandowski, Piotr Zielinski, Matty Cash.
GROUP D
FRANCE: The winners of the last World Cup in 2018, France will be determined to retain their crown. Although, they will have to fare better than they did at EURO 2020, when they were knocked at the round of 16 by Switzerland. Remarkably, the group will see a repeat for three teams who faced each other at the same stage of RUSSIA 2018.
France, Denmark and Australia, were all part of Group C in that tournament, with France and Denmark progressing and Australia finishing last.
RANKING: 4
APPEARANCE: 15
TITLES: 2
COACH: Didier Deschamp
KEY PLAYERS: Olivier Giroud, Kylian Mbappe, Karim Benzema
DENMARK: Denmark could be one of the most poignant and emotionally resonant stories at this world cup, as they aim to build upon an impressive showing at EURO 2020 in a tournament that began in horrific circumstances as talisman Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest during ther opening day defeat to Finland in Conpehagen. The playmaker thankfully pulled through and his teammates rallied in his absence by making it to the semi-finals where they fell just short against England in extra-time.
RANKING:10
APPEARANCE: 6
COACH: Kasper Hjulmand
KEY PLAYERS: Christian Eriksen, Joakim Maehle, Mikkel Damsgaard
TUNISIA:-Tunisia made it to back-to-back World Cups,thanks to a final qualifying round win over Mali booking their sixth appearance at the finals.Most of the squad is based in europe with Montpellier forward Wahbi Khazri their chief creator,while Man United youngster Hannibal Mejbri is one of the names to look out for.
RANKING:30
APPEARANCE:5
COACH: Jalel Kadri
KEY PLAYERS: Wahbi Khazri, Hannibal Mejbri, Ali Maaloul
AUSTRALIA: The Socceroos won a single elimination FIFA intercontinental playoffs to earn the final place in Group D, beating Peru in a penalty shoot-out.The Socceroos have been regulars at the World Cup since the turn of the century advancing to the competition proper on five consecutive occasions.
RANKING: 38
APPEARANCE: 5
COACH: Graham Arnold
KEY PLAYERS: Mat Ryan, Aaron Mooy.
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