2018 FIFA WORLD CUP GROUP A PREVIEW
Much has been made about the relative weakness of Group A in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Arguably the weakest of the eight groups, it remains wide open beyond Uruguay as the favorites to advance.
URUGUAY
Current FIFA ranking: 17
12th World Cup Finals
Best finish: 1930, 1950 champions
“Experience” is the keyword for La Celeste this summer, as a talented core from 2014’s squad returns. Add in rising stars José Giménez, Nahitan Nández, and Federico Valverde, and this is a team that could be in the final reckoning.
When it comes to potent strikeforces, you will be hard-pressed to find a better partnership than Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani. Cavani is one to especially watch, as he is coming off a 40-goal season at club level.
Uruguay should win this group at a canter, and provided they navigate past a Round of 16 matchup against (presumably) Spain or Portugal, they have the right mix of experience and talent to go all the way. Anything less than a quarterfinals finish would be a disappointment.
RUSSIA
Current FIFA World Ranking: 66
10th World Cup Finals
Best finish: 1966 semifinals, 4th place
The hosts may be the lowest-ranked team in the field this year, but they will be hard to dismiss. By virtue of automatic qualification, they have not had to play any competitive fixtures for the last couple of years. The loss of prolific goalscorer Aleksandr Kokorin will be a blow. However, they can still call on the talent of Fyodor Smolov up front, with Alan Dzagoev the playmaker behind him.
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On his day, goalkeeper and team captain Igor Akinfeev is arguably one of the world’s best. Despite his tendency for howlers, home fans can take solace in knowing that he is a more than capable stopper.
Optimistically, the best Russia can really hope for is to advance to the Round of 16. However, it would also not be surprising if they became just the second host nation to fail to advance past the Group Stage.
EGYPT
Current FIFA World Ranking: 46
3rd World Cup Finals
Best finish: 1930, 1990 Group Stage
Anyone with a vested interest in Egypt’s fortunes this summer has been holding their breath since Mohamed Salah‘s tumble in the UEFA Champions’ League final. There is simply no way to overstate his importance, and much will hinge on his fitness.
Beyond Salah, this is a team that is extremely stout at the back. Even with their top striker on the pitch, they will still focus on frustrating opponents. Defenders Ahmed Fathy and Ahmed Hegazi are the keys to what could prove to be a dull but effective gameplan.
The Egyptians open up on June 15th with their toughest Group A fixture against Uruguay. After that, they have a very good chance at positive results to earn their way into the Round of 16. The road will likely stop there, but it will still be a tremendous achievement for them.
SAUDI ARABIA
Current FIFA World Ranking: 67
4th World Cup Finals
Best finish: 1994 Round of 16
While Egypt may prove to be the most defensive-minded team in the tournament, the Saudis will be the polar opposite. This is a team that subscribes to the adage of “The best defense is a good offense,” and they will venture forward with aplomb.
The problem is that defensively, this is a team whose back line would be best described as “amateurish.” There will be generous gaps for opposing teams to exploit, but Mohammad Al-Sahlawi has the finishing ability to capitalize on counterattacks.
In 1994, the Saudis lit things up with energetic play, including one of THE most memorable goals ever. They have the potential to score a few goals, but they are also going to give up even more. It will be a short stay in Russia for them.
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