Looking at these two groups, it’s hard to look past Argentina and their team captain, Lionel Messi. While La Seleccion have solid players on their roster, this is their engine.
Both groups have a clear favorite to finish first in their respective groupings, but it is for the second and final advancing spots where the real battle will take place. Switzerland and Nigeria should advance out of the group, but it wouldn’t be a total surprise if Equador and Bosnia-Herzegovina were the teams that made it to the round of sixteen. It is here that the level of competition will offer up some of the best matches.
4. Honduras
Honduras has enjoyed some localized success, having advanced to either the quarter or semi-final match in every CONCACAF Gold Cup match since 2005. The world stage has proven to be a bit more difficult, however. This is the third time that Los Castrachos have qualified for the World Cup. The first time was in 1982 and again in 2010, when they lost two games and tied one, finishing with one point and exiting at the end of group play. They have not yet won a World Cup game, with a record of three loses and three ties. Based upon their opponents, Honduras can expect another difficult group of matches.
What to watch for: Honduras will try to make the most of their free kicks and other opportunities. Their forwards are older and have lost a couple steps, so counterattacks might not be an option. Hard to see how Honduras advances beyond the group stage.
Goalkeepers: Noel Valladares, Donis Escober (both Olimpia), Luis Lopez (Real Espana)
Defenders: Brayan Beckeles (Olimpia), Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic/Scotland), Juan Carlos Garcia (Wigan/England), Maynor Figueroa (Hull City/England), Victor Bernardez (San Jose Earthquakes/USA), Osman Chavez (Qingdao Janoon/China PR), Juan Pablo Montes (Motagua)
Midfielders: Arnold Peralta (Rangers/Scotland), Luis Garrido (Olimpia), Roger Espinoza (Wigan/England), Jorge Claros (Motagua), Wilson Palacios (Stoke/England), Oscar Garcia (Houston Dynamo/USA), Andy Najar (Anderlecht/Belgium), Mario Martinez (Real Espana), Marvin Chavez (Colorado Rapids/USA)
Forwards: Jerry Bengtson (New England Revolution/USA), Jerry Palacios (Alajuelense/Costa Rica), Carlo Costly (Real Espana), Rony Martinez (Real Sociedad/Spain)
3. Ecuador
Ranked 28th in the current FIFA World Rankings, the last time Ecuador qualified for the World Cup was in 2006, when they advanced to the round of 16, losing to England. In the local tournament, the Copa America, they failed to advance beyond the 1st round almost every time since the 1970s. So while playing on their continent might seem to be an advantage, they have not enjoyed much success in South America. It is hard to see how they could overtake Switzerland and France and advance beyond the group stage.
What to watch for: A stout defense coupled with opportunistic goals, mostly through free kicks. They finished in the top four during their qualifying campaign, but I see them struggling in this group.
Goalkeepers: Maximo Banguera (Barcelona, Ecuador), Adrian Bone (El Nacional), Alexander Dominguez (Liga de Quito)
Defenders: Gabriel Achilier (Emelec), Walter Ayovi (Pachuca), Oscar Bagui (Emelec), Frickson Erazo (Flamengo), Jorge Guagua (Emelec), Juan Carlos Paredes (Barcelona, Ecuador
Midfielders: Segundo Castillo (Al Hilal), Carlos Gruezo (Stuttgart), Renato Ibarra (Vitesse Arnhem), Fidel Martinez (Tijuana), Cristian Noboa (Dynamo Moscow), Pedro Quinonez (Emelec), Luis Saritama (Barcelona, Ecuador), Antonio Valencia (Manchester Utd)
Forwards: Jaime Ayovi (Tijuana), Felipe Caicedo (Al-Jazira), Jefferson Montero (Morelia), Joao Rojas (Cruz Azul), Enner Valencia (Pachuca), Armando Wila (Universidad Catolica)
2. Switzerland
While the Swiss didn’t make it out of the group stage in 2010, they should advance this time around. Switzerland has their own league, but the national team is a mix of local and European based players. Looking at the size of the country, the national team has made the most of their players, and I expect them to make it out of the group stage.
What to watch for: A stifling defense and an opportunistic offense, along with unselfish team play.
Goalkeepers: Diego Benaglio (Wolfsburg), Roman Buerki (Grasshopper), Yann Sommer (Basel)
Defenders: Johan Djourou (Hamburg), Michael Lang (Grasshopper), Stephan Lichtsteiner (Juventus), Ricardo Rodriguez (Wolfsburg), Fabian Schaer (Basel), Philippe Senderos (Valencia), Steve von Bergen (Young Boys), Reto Ziegler (Sassuolo)
Midfielders: Tranquillo Barnetta (Eintracht Frankfurt), Valon Behrami (Napoli), Blerim Dzemaili (Napoli), Gelson Fernandes (Freiburg), Goekhan Inler (Napoli), Xherdan Shaqiri (Bayern Munich), Valentin Stocker (Basel)
Forwards: Josip Drmic (Nurnberg), Mario Gavranovic (Zurich), Admir Mehmedi (Freiburg), Haris Seferovic (Real Sociedad), Granit Xhaka (Borussia Moenchengladbach)
1. France
After a long history of success in the World Cup, the 2010 tournament saw dissention and an early exit for the national team, finishing 29th overall. Some players left the team before the end of the matches, and they (along with the manager) were subsequently relieved of any national team duties. The new manager (Didier Deschamps) is a former French footballer and national team captain who has garnered the respect of the team and ensured no repeat of the 2010 debacle.
What to watch for: The French have a well balanced team that should allow them to advance out of the group stage. It is important to remember, however, that they had to play a home and away playoff series against Ukraine for the final World Cup spot, winning on aggregate 3-2. So while their play should be an improvement over 2010, it is important to remember that they still have a ways to go to resurrect themselves as the powerhouse they once were on the national stage.
Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham), Steve Mandanda (Marseille), Mickael Landreau (Bastia)
Defenders: Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal), Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal), Mamadou Sakho (Liverpool), Raphael Varane (Real Madrid), Eliaquim Mangala (Porto), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), Lucas Digne (PSG)
Midfielders: Yohan Cabaye (PSG), Clement Grenier (Lyon), Blaise Matuidi (PSG), Rio Mavuba (Lille), Paul Pogba (Juventus), Moussa Sissoko (Newcastle), Mathieu Valbuena (Marseille)
Forwards: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Olivier Giroud (Arsenal), Antoine Griezmann (Real Sociedad), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich), Loic Remy (QPR)
4.Iran
The Iranian squad punched its ticket to the World Cup by finishing in first place in their 4th round of qualifiers, albeit playing against a fairly weak group of competitors. Team Melli are ranked 1st in Asian soccer, but 37th world-wide in the FIFA rankings. Arguably the biggest difference has been the addition of their manager, Carlos Queiroz, who has the difficult task of separating politics from football.
A major change has been the inclusion of some foreign based players, which was not the case in the past three decades. The addition of these players has made the team more competitive and a powerhouse within the Asian groupings. However, moving to the world stage has proven to be a difficult transition, having not advanced in group play in any World Cup since 1996. Will this be their year to advance? Probably not.
What to watch for: Even with the addition of some foreign based players, most still play on local clubs and while there is some symmetry there, there is not outside competition for these players to improve their skills against the world’s best, and that is what will be needed in this venue. While playing for national pride, expect Team Melli to exit Brazil after the group stage, and Carlos Queiroz to return to his native Portugal to seek out his next job
Goalkeepers: Daniel Davari (Eintracht Braunschweig/GER), Rahman Ahmadi (Sepahan Isfahan), Alireza Haqiqi (Sporting da Covilha/POR)
Defenders: Hossein Mahini (Persepolis), Jalal Hosseini (Persepolis), Amir Hossein Sadeqi (Esteghlal), Hashem Beykzadeh (Esteghlal), Mehrdad Pouladi (Persepolis), Ahmad Alenemeh (Naft Tehran), Pejman Montazeri (Umm Salal SC/QAT), Steven Beitashour (Vancouver Whitecaps FC/CAN), Mohammad Reza Khanzadeh (Zob Ahan Isfahan)
Midfielders: Reza Haghighi (Persepolis), Andranik Teymourian (Esteghlal), Ghasem Hadadifar (Zob Ahan Isfahan), Bakhtiar Rahmani (Foolad), Javad Nekounam (Kuwait SC/KUW), Ehsan Hajsafi (Sepahan Isfahan)
Forwards: Khosrow Heidari (Esteghlal), Karim Ansarifard (Tractor Sazi), Reza Ghoochannejhad (Charlton Athletic/ENG), Alireza Jahanbakhsh (NEC/NED),Masoud Shojaei (UD Las Palmas/ESP), Ashkan Dejagah (Fulham/ENG)
3. Bosnia and Herzegovina
The Dragons are one of the newest teams to form, having joined FIFA in 1996, and are currently ranked in 25th place. Their country is one of the smallest in Europe, having been carved from the former Yugoslavia republic. So to qualify for the World Cup in such a small amount of time is really a distinction in itself. However, advancing beyond the group stage will be a daunting task. They qualified by finishing first in their qualifying group, but the other teams in the group were fairly weak (Greece, Slovakia, Lithuania, Latvia and Liechtenstein). Expect their matches to be competitive, as The Dragons have a mix of some foreign based players who excel (Edin Dzeko) and some home grown talent.
What to watch for: Their style is as much physical as it is technical, so look for some gritty, hard fought matches. They are heavily reliant on their European based stars Edin Dzeko, so it is critical that those players do not suffer any injuries or receive suspensions. In any case, I would be surprised to see them advance beyond the group stage.
Goalkeepers: Asmir Begovic (Stoke City), Asmir Avdukic (Borac Banja Luka), Jasmin Fejzic (VFR Aalen).
Defenders: Emir Spahic (Bayer Leverkusen), Toni Sunjic (Zorya Lugansk), Sead Kolasinac (Schalke), Ognjen Vranjes (Elazigspor), Ervin Zukanovic (Gent), Ermin Bicakcic (Eintracht Braunschweig), Muhamed Besic (Ferencvaros).
Midfielders: Miralem Pjanic (Roma), Izet Hajrovic (Galatasaray), Haris Medunjanin (Gaziantepspor), Senad Lulic (Lazio), Anel Hadzic (Sturm), Tino Susic (Hajduk), Sejad Salihovic (Hoffenheim), Zvjezdan Misimovic (Guizhour Renhe), Senijad Ibricic (Erciyesspor), Avdija Vrsajevic (Hajduk).
Forwards: Vedad Ibisevic (VfB Stuttgart), Edin Dzeko (Manchester City), Edin Visca (Istanbul BB)
2. Nigeria
While the Nigerian team is ranked in 36th place by FIFA, I believe they will advance beyond the group stage. Their players are mostly foreign based, and play in a hodge-podge of leagues around the world. They have several veteran players available to provide leadership at key positions (Yobo, Obi Mikel and Ameobi) on a squad with several promising younger players. The Super Eagles won the African Cup in 2013, and, while not having much past success in past World Cups, they should advance out of the group stage.
What to watch for: While some of their veterans have lost a step of two in their pace, expect Nigeria to play a more open style of football, creating breaks for themselves through quick counterattacks that some of the other competing teams won’t have the quickness to prevent. Their speed and quickness will be key to any success the Nigerians will have.
Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Lille/FRA), Chigozie Agbim (Gombe United), Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheva /ISR)
Defenders: Elderson Echiejile (Monaco/FRA), Efe Ambrose (Celtic/SCO), Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor/TUR), Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves), Kenneth Omeruo (Middlesbrough/ENG), Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod FC/ISR), Joseph Yobo (Norwich City/ENG), Kunle Odunlami (Sunshine Stars)
Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea/ENG), Ogenyi Onazi (Lazio/ITA), Gabriel Reuben (Beveren/BEL), Michael Uchebo (Cercle Brugge/BEL), Ramon Azeez (Almeria/SPA)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow/RUS), Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United/ENG), Victor Moses (Chelsea/ENG), Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbahce/TUR), Peter Odemwingie, (Stoke City/ENG), Uche Nwofor (Heerenveen/NED), Babatunde Michael (Volyn/UKR)
1. Argentina
So how do you pick the best 23 players in a country like Argentina where futbol is a way of life? A nice problem to have. La Albiceleste have advanced to the quarter-finals of the World Cup the last two times, losing to Germany in both matches. Their current squad appears to be at least as talent laden as their past teams, with mostly foreign based players sprinkled with a few Argentinian club players. To follow the sport makes their players easily recognizable, starting with their team captain, Lionel Messi. Playing on their continent also gives them the advantage of familiar surroundings. Expect this team ranked 6th by FIFA to go deep into tournament play.
What to watch for: In past international play, Messi has been somewhat withdrawn, not seeming to be a major part of the offense as he generally is for club team Barcelona. Argentina has other weapons, but they will rely on Messi as a team leader and a difference maker as Argentina moves beyond the group stage.
Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (Monaco), Mariano Andujar (Catania), Agustin Orion (Boca Juniors).
Defenders: Ezequiel Garay (Benfica), Federico Fernandez (Napoli), Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City), Marcos Rojo (Sporting Lisbon), Jose-Maria Basanta (Monterrey), Hugo Campagnaro (Inter Milan), Martin Demichelis (Manchester City).
Midfielders: Fernando Gago (Boca Juniors), Lucas Biglia (Lazio), Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid), Maxi Rodriguez (Newell’s Old Boys), Ricardo Alvarez (Inter Milan), Augusto Fernandez (Celta Vigo), Enzo Perez (Benfica).
Forwards: Sergio Aguero (Manchester City), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Paris Saint-Germain), Rodrigo Palacio (Inter Milan).
[Photo credits: Pinterest (Group E & Group F)]
Missed any of the other group previews? No problem! Check them all out [here].
