Group C: France is the team to beat
France (FIFA rank: 7)
Australia (FIFA rank: 36)
Peru (FIFA rank: 11)
Denmark (FIFA rank: 12)
Game to watch: Denmark vs France, June 26, 2018, Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow. Time: 7:30pm IST
France will go into group C as heavy favourites to top the group. With a wealth of talent at their disposal in almost every position, and led by dynamic frontline boasting the likes of Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé, Les Bleus simply have more quality than their opponents. Denmark, with their rock-solid backline and their creative maestro Christian Eriksen pulling the strings from midfield, should prove to be France’s biggest threat. The Danish Dynamite (as they are affectionately called by fans) will hope to stifle the French attack, with their no-nonsense approach to defending. Their clash on the June 26 will be interesting to watch, as it could decide the outcome of the group.
Peru, who are appearing in the World Cup for the first time since 1982, qualified after defeating New Zealand in the play-offs. Managed by Ricardo Gareca, a former Argentina international whose goal denied Peru a place in the 1986 World Cup, Peru will try to grind out results on the back of their tenacious defence. While topping the group might be out of their reach, they might spring a surprise and qualify at the expense of Denmark.
Australia qualified for their fifth World Cup—fourth in a row—via a play-off win against Syria. Led by Tim Cahill, perhaps the country’s greatest ever player, the Soceroos will play a well organised and physically assertive brand of football. However, due to the lack of a consistent goal scorer and an uninspired midfield, advancing past the group stages will prove to be difficult. Much will depend on their clash with Denmark.
Did you know: Should Tim Cahill score in Russia, he would be in the hallowed company of Uwe Seeler, Pele and Miroslav Klose who all have found the net in four different editions of the World Cup.
Group D: Argentina in a tricky group
Argentina (FIFA rank: 5)
Iceland (FIFA rank: 22)
Croatia (FIFA rank: 20)
Nigeria (FIFA rank: 48)
Game to watch: Argentina vs Croatia, June 21, Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, Nizhny Novgorod.
Time: 11:30pm IST
Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi and Ivan Rakitic will be on opposite sides as Argentina and Croatia—the favourites to go through—meet in the World Cup after 20 years. Their only previous encounter, in the group stages in France 1998, had ended 1-0 in favour of La Albiceleste. Both teams will be keen to finish top as the second-placed team is likely to face France in the Round of 16.
Nigeria, on their day, can overpower any team in the group, but they will need to defend well to have any chance of progressing. Strikers Ahmed Musa and Odion Ighalo could trouble the opposition. Their first match is against Croatia—the first time the two teams will face each other. Another first-ever fixture is the group's opening match between Argentina and Iceland—the least populated (3.35 lakh) country ever to play the World Cup. Iceland showed their potential in Euro 2016 by reaching the quarterfinals, beating England along the way. They have played Croatia six times in World Cup qualifiers in the last eight years and had beaten them 1-0 in June 2017.
Though Messi, who will turn 31 during the tournament, may be able to play the next World Cup, he might not be able to carry his team in 2022. This, therefore, could be his last realistic chance to win a major tournament with Argentina. Messi fans across the world will be watching and hoping as the world's best player (sorry CR7 fans) makes his last stand.
Did you know: Nigeria has qualified more than any other African country. 2018 will be their sixth appearance since their debut in 1994.