Group D
- Group D has Argentina, Iceland, Nigeria and Croatia.
The matches in the group will be played at the Otkritie Arena, Moscow, Kaliningrad Stadium, Kaliningrad, Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, Nizhny Novgorod, Volgograd Arena, Volgograd, Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg and Rostov Arena, Rostov-on-Don.
Argentina
Champions in 1978 and 1986, Argentina are featuring in their 11th consecutive World Cup since 1974. Their first appearance was in 1930. Argentina qualified for Russia 2018 by finishing third in the CONMEBOL qualifiers.
Captained by Barcelona star Lionel Messi, Argentina also have Manchester City record scorer Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain and others. They play their first match against Iceland on June 16.
Iceland
Debutants Iceland came into consciousness when they defeated England in the round of 16 at the 2016 European Championship. They qualified for the Russia 2018 World Cup by finishing top of Group I ahead of Croatia, Ukraine and Turkey. They have relatively popular players like Everton’s Gylfi Siggurdsson and Aron Gunnarsson of Burnley.
Croatia
They play their first match against three-time African champions Nigeria on June 16. Croatia reached Russia 2018 through the playoffs after they finished behind Iceland in the European qualifiers Group I. Their best World Cup outing was a third-place finish in 1998. They will be making their fifth appearance in Russia. With stars like Real Madrid and Barcelona midfielders Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic, Croatia will want to see how far they can go at the tournament.
Nigeria
Three-time African champions Nigeria were the first African country to qualify for Russia 2018. They beat off stiff competition from current African champions Cameroon, North African giants Algeria and Zambia to top Group D of the African qualifiers unbeaten. The Super Eagles are making their sixth appearance since their debut in 1994. Their best outing at the World Cup has been a second round finish at the 1994, 1998 and 2014 editions. They have exited the group stages on two occasions. Nigeria hinge their hope of reaching a first quarterfinal at the World Cup on the youngest team at Russia 2018 which has Chelsea star Victor Moses, Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi, China-based captain Mikel Obi and Leicester City duo Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi.
Group E
- Group E has Brazil, Costa Rica, Switzerland and Serbia.
The matches in the group will be played at the Cosmos Arena, Samara, Rostov Arena, Rostov-on-Don, Kresvtovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg, Kaliningrad Stadium, Kaliningrad, Otkritie Arena, Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, Nizhny Novgorod.
Brazil
Record winners of the World Cup (five times), Brazil have appeared at every edition of the World Cup since 1930. They qualified for the Russia 2018 World Cup by finishing top of the CONMEBOL qualifiers. Brazil finished fourth on home soil in 2016, when they hosted the tournament. With stars like Barcelona’s Philippe Coutinho, PSG’s Neymar, Real Madrid’s Marcelo and Casemiro, they will be hoping to further extend their record of the most wins. They play their first match against Switzerland on June 17.
Costa Rica
They reached Russia 2018 by finishing second in the CONCACAF qualifiers. Costa Rica are making their fourth World Cup appearance since their debut in 1990. Their best outing is a quarterfinal finish in 2014. Their most popular player is goalkeeper Keylor Navas of Real Madrid. They play their opening match against Serbia on June 17.
Serbia
Serbia topped Group D of the UEFA qualifiers to reach Russia 2018. They finished ahead of the Republic of Ireland and Wales. They are making their second appearance at the tournament since 2010 – having failed to qualify for Brazil 2014. Their most popular players are Aleksandar Kolarov of Roma and Southampton’s Dusan Tadic.
Switzerland
Since their debut in 1934, Switzerland have made 10 previous World Cup appearances before Russia 2018. Their best outing was a quarterfinal finish in 1954. They qualified by finishing second in the UEFA qualifying Group B – behind Portugal. They defeated Northern Ireland 1-0 in the playoffs to reach Russia. Their star players include Stoke City’s Xerdan Shaqiri and Granit Xhaka of Arsenal and captain Stephan Lichtsteiner (Arsenal).
Group F
- Group F consists of Germany, Mexico, South Korea and Sweden.
The matches in the group will be played at the Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, Nizhny Novgorod, Rostov Arena, Rostiv-on-Don, Fisht Olympic Stadium, Sochi, Kazan Arena, Kazan and Central Stadium, Yekaterinburg.
Germany
Current world champions boasting an array of stars like Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil, Madrid’s Toni Kroos, Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Juventus’ Sami Khedira, Germany will be aiming to successfully defend the title they won in Brazil – thereby equaling the number of titles won by Brazil (five). Their first test comes up against Mexico on June 17. They qualified for Russia 2018 by topping Group C of the UEFA qualifiers. Germany have appeared at all previous editions of the World Cup except in 1930 and 1950.
Mexico
Mexico are making their 16th appearance at the World Cup since their debut in 1930. They have yet to win the title but have their best outing in 1970 and 1986 when they finished in the quarterfinals. They reached Russia 2018 by finishing top of the CONCACACF qualifiers. Guillermo Ochoa of Standard Liege, West Ham’s Javier Hernandez and Miguel Layun of Sevilla are the stars of the Mexican team.
Sweden
They finished as runners-up in 1958 and placed third in 1950 and 1954. The Europeans are making their 12th appearance in Russia. They qualified for the tournament by finishing second behind France in Group A. They defeated Italy 1-0 in the playoffs to book a place in Russia. In the absence of star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Sweden will rely on Manchester United’s Victor Lindelof, Sebastian Larsson of Hull City and captain Andreas Granqvist to cause an upset in Russia. They play their opening match against South Korea on June 18.
South Korea
South Korea finished second behind Iran in the AFC qualifiers to reach the 2018 World Cup. They are making their ninth World Cup appearance. Their best outing was at the 2002 edition, which they co-hosted with Japan. They finished fourth. Their star player is Son Heung-min of Tottenham Hotspur.
Group G
- Group G has Belgium, Panama, Tunisia and England.
The matches in the group will be played at the Fisht Stadium, Sochi, Volgograd Arena, Volgograd, Otkritie Arena, Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, Nizhny Novgorod, Mordovia Arena, Saransk and Kaliningrad Stadium, Kaliningrad.
Belgium
Belgium boasts an array of star players like Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku, Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard, Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany, Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and Barcelona defender Thomas Vermaelen. Their first match will be against Panama on June 18. Belgium’s best outing ia a fourth-place finish at the 1986 edition. They are making their 13th appearance at the Mundial, which they qualified for by topping Group H of the UEFA qualifiers.
Panama
The small Central American country was thrown into wild jubilations after qualification for their first-ever World Cup. Along with Iceland, they are the second country making their debut Russia. They finished third in the CONCACAF qualifying group. None of their players are quite popular as they ply their trade in different leagues across North and Central America. Only a few play in the second division in Spain and Belgium.
Tunisia
One of Africa’s five representatives, Tunisia beat off stiff competition from DR Congo to qualify for Russia 2018 after they topped Group A with 14 points – against DR Congo’s 13. They are featuring in their first World Cup after failing to qualify for the last two editions. They are making their fifth appearance since their debut in 1978. Tunisia, however, have never gone beyond the group stages of the World Cup. Their first match is against England on June 18. Tunisia have relatively-unknown players going to the World Cup.
England
Winners of the World Cup on home soil in 1966, England are making their 15th World Cup appearance in Russia. They qualified for the tournament from a group which had Slovakia, Scotland and Slovenia behind them. England are the only team at Russia 2018 with all their players based at home.
Group H
- Group H has Colombia, Japan, Poland and Senegal.
Matches in the group will be played at the Mordovia Arena, Saransk, Cosmos Arena, Samara, Kazan Arena, Kazan, Volgograd Arena, Volgograd, Otkritie Arena, Moscow and Central Stadium, Yekaterinburg.
Colombia
Colombia qualified for Russia 2018 behind Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina in the CONMEBOL qualifiers. They are making their sixth appearance at the Mundial in Russia. Their best outing is a quarterfinal finish in 2014. They have star players like Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina, captain Radamel Falcao of Monaco, James Rodriguez of Bayern Munich and Juan Cuadrado of Juventus. They play Japan in their tournament opener on June 19.
Japan
After finishing top of Group B of the OFC qualifiers, Japan are making their sixth World Cup appearance in Russia. Their debut was in 1998. They finished in the round of 16 on two occasions – 2002 and 2010. Leicester City forward Shinji Okazaki is their star player.
Poland
Poland finished top of the UEFA Group E qualifiers to reach Russia 2018. They are making their eighth appearance at the tournament. Before 2018, Poland’s last appearance was at the 2006 World Cup, where they exited in the group stage. They have finished third at the World Cup twice – in 1974 and 1982. Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski, Borussia Dortmund midfielder Lukasz Piszczek, Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and Swansea keeper Lukasz Fabianski are their most popular players.
Senegal
Senegal beat off the challenge of Burkina Faso to qualify for Russia 2018. Liverpool star Sadio Mane carries the hope of the West African country along with his teammates as they hope to go further than their quarterfinal exit in 2002, when they debuted. They are appearing at the World Cup for the second time in their history. They play Poland in their first match on June 19. Idrissa Gueye of Everton, Badou Ndiaye of Stoke City and captain Cheikhou Kouyate of West Ham are the other popular names in their team.
