Group E: Not easy for Brazil
Brazil (FIFA rank: 2)
Switzerland (FIFA rank: 6)
Costa Rica (FIFA rank: 23)
Serbia (FIFA rank: 34)
Game to watch: Brazil vs Switzerland, June 17, Rostov Arena, Rostov-on-Don. Time: 11:30pm IST
It is a reunion of sorts for Brazil, Switzerland and Serbia as they were all together in the first-round group at Brazil 1950 (Serbia, then part of Yugoslavia). The fourth team then was a Latin American country—Mexico. Now, 68 years later they are joined by another Latin American team—Costa Rica.
While Mexico had lost all three matches then, much more is expected of Costa Rica, thanks to their exploits in Brazil 2014—they had topped the group comprising Uruguay, Italy and England. Facing them in the group's opening match will be Serbia. It is a six-pointer for the group's two lowest-ranked teams, as a win would give them a real shot at qualifying. Though Serbia is not fancied to make it past the group stages, their midfield, marshalled by the talismanic Nemanja Matic, could make things difficult for the likes of Brazil.
The favourites, Brazil and Switzerland, will be keen to top the group so as to avoid reigning champions Germany in the Round of 16. The match between them is likely to be entertaining, with Brazil's attacking football and Switzerland's pace on the counter-attack. It was a difficult couple of years for the Selecao after the 7-1 drubbing by Germany at home in 2014. But the appointment of Tite as coach saw them rediscover their touch and become the first team to seal their place in Russia. Not to mention, the world's most expensive player is looking for redemption, much like Ronaldo was in 2002.
Did you know: Brazil are the only team to have played in all editions of the FIFA World Cup.
Group F: Who will stop Germany?
Germany (FIFA rank: 1)
Mexico (FIFA rank: 15)
Sweden (FIFA rank: 24)
South Korea (FIFA rank: 57)
Game to watch: Mexico vs Sweden, June 27, Ekaterinburg Arena, Ekaterinburg. Time: 7:30pm IST
No team in this group looks like it has a chance, on paper, against the Germans But football keeps on surprising us. And before betting on Germany, it would be worth remembering that three of the last four reigning champions were eliminated in the first rounds of subsequent World Cups. Is that the fate awaiting Germany? Well, to put it mildly, NOT LIKELY.
The Germans are expected to comfortably top the group. And, therefore, the competition for second place will be all the more fierce. Two days after Germany opens the group against Mexico on June 17, Sweden and South Korea will face off in a match that could decide their future in the competition. Though the Koreans are sure to pose a challenge, the second place is most likely to be decided in the Mexico vs Sweden match on June 27.
South Korea, surprisingly, have played Germany thrice and Sweden four times. They have faced Mexico an unbelievable 12 times, including once in the World Cup. Mexico won that 1998 group stage match 3-1. Mexico holds the record for qualifying the most times—16—without winning the World Cup. Sweden edged out the Netherlands in the first round of European qualifiers for Russia 2018. They then beat Italy 1-0 in a two-legged play-off to qualify. The task is not going to get any easier in Russia for Sweden, Mexico or underdogs South Korea. Because the team which survives the scrap for second place will face likely Group E winners Brazil in the next round.
Did you know: Two matches between Germany and Sweden during the 2014 World Cup qualifiers produced 16 goals. A 4-4 draw in 2012 and a 5-3 German win the next year.