Ecuador
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Gustavo Alfaro
This is Ecuador’s fourth World Cup and there are hopes they will equal their best performance, reaching the last 16. Read the team guide here.
Star player
Moisés Caicedo
Strengths
Ecuador have a very young team and with that comes speed, energy and adrenaline, with several new talents hoping to make their mark.
Weaknesses
Goalscoring. La Tricolor do not concede a lot but on the other hand they don’t find the net that often themselves either.
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Moisés Caicedo
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Netherlands
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Louis van Gaal
The Dutch arrive in decent shape with Van Gaal set to become the most successful Oranje coach ever win-wise. Read the team guide here.
Star player
Virgil van Dijk
Strengths
The switch to 5-3-2 seems to have worked well, although some players were initially against it, and the form is good, as the Nations League showed.
Weaknesses
Creativity wise they are dependent on De Jong and Depay, both of whom who have suffered from injuries this season.
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Virgil van Dijk
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Qatar
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Félix Sánchez
A historic first World Cup beckons for the hosts but they are in a tough group with Senegal, Netherlands and Ecuador. Read the team guide here.
Star player
Akram Afif
Strengths
Familiarity. Coach Sánchez has been in charge since 2017 and key members of the team have emerged together from the Aspire Academy.
Weaknesses
Physically this is a team that has been outmuscled on a number of occasions. How they cope off the ball will be crucial.
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Akram Afif
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Senegal
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Aliou Cissé
The reigning Afcon champions have great ambitions for the World Cup to end an already good year on a high. Read the team guide here.
Star player
Sadio Mané
Strengths
Their confidence is sky-high and there are leaders in all areas of the team but they need Sadio Mané to be fit.
Weaknesses
Quite a few players have struggled with injuries and/or being out of their club sides and arrive lacking playing time.
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Sadio Mané
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England
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Gareth Southgate
Semi-finalists in 2018 – and Euro finalists three years later – Southgate’s side aim to go all the way – but have they peaked? Read the team guide here.
Star player
Harry Kane
Strengths
In Kane England have one of the most lethal goalscorers around and he is backed up by creative, young talent such as Foden and Saka.
Weaknesses
Southgate has been criticised for being overly cautious and there are real concerns about the defence because of injuries and poor form.
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Harry Kane
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Iran
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Carlos Queiroz
This will be Iran’s sixth World Cup and, boosted by a good performance in Russia, their aim is to get out of the group. Read the team guide here.
Star player
Mehdi Taremi
Strengths
The reappointment of Carlos Queiroz means that Team Melli are very unlikely to concede any soft goals. He offers defensive stability.
Weaknesses
The handling of the former coach, Skocic, divided senior players and those feelings could resurface should Iran get off to a bad start.
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Mehdi Taremi
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United States
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Gregg Berhalter
USA are back at the World Cup after missing out on Russia but qualifying was anything but plain sailing. Read the team guide here.
Star player
Christian Pulisic
Strengths
Coach Berhalter has injected youth into the squad and the press can be effective, while there is creativity up front with Pulisic, Reyna and Aaronson.
Weaknesses
Centre-back and centre-forward positions are problematic and frequent injuries have prevented Berhalter from playing his best XI.
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Christian Pulisic
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Wales
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Wales arrive for their first World Cup in 64 years free of expectation but are determined to do more than merely make up the numbers. Read the team guide here.
Star player
Gareth Bale
Strengths
A band of brothers spirit underpins a modest squad decorated with a pair of game-changers in Bale and Ramsey.
Weaknesses
If Joe Allen is not fit, they could lack nous in midfield. They also have only one bona fide No 9 in the squad in Moore
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Gareth Bale
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Argentina
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Lionel Scaloni
Argentina arrive in Qatar in unashamedly good shape having gone 35 games undefeated. Read the team guide here.
Star player
Lionel Messi
Strengths
Scaloni has created a team and made Messi smile while playing for his country again. That may take them far.
Weaknesses
Losing Lo Celso to injury is a blow – he is an important player for Argentina – and Romero’s hamstring problems are a worry too.
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Lionel Messi
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Mexico
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Gerardo Martino
El Tri have reached the Last 16 in every tournament since 1994 but that record feels under threat now. Read the team guide here.
Star player
Hirving Lozano
Strengths
Mexico should be able to cause opponents real problems on the wings with Vega and Lozano both dangerous and hard-working.
Weaknesses
Psychologically they seem to fall apart as soon as they concede and can be really inconsistent in games.
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Hirving Lozano
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Poland
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Czeslaw Michniewicz
Having qualified Poland have a new target: reaching the knockout round for the first time in 40 years. Read the team guide here.
Star player
Robert Lewandowski
Strengths
Firepower. In Lewandowski Poland have one of the best strikers in the world, with other players capable of scoring too.
Weaknesses
Defensive consistency. This has been lost since Euro 2016 and Poland can concede a lot of goals.
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Robert Lewandowski
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Saudi Arabia
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Hervé Renard
Renard’s new generation dominated Asian qualifying, but face a tough ask to repeat the achievements of 1994’s groundbreaking squad. Read the team guide here.
Star player
Salem Al-Dawsari
Strengths
They boast the Middle East’s finest player in Al Dawsari, plus a welcome blend of experience and youth. Conceded only 10 goals in 18 qualifiers.
Weaknesses
Goals have dried up and there is no clear favourite to start up top. Expected No 1 Al Owais is short of match practice.
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Salem Al-Dawsari
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Australia
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Graham Arnold
Australia have had their hopes of progression from a tough group further tempered by a spate of injuries. Read the team guide here.
Star player
Ajdin Hrustic
Strengths
The Socceroos are more than the sum of their parts and, cringeworthy as it may sound, have a collective mentality built to exceed expectations.
Weaknesses
A dearth of problem-solving skills against hard-to-break-down opposition is problematic, as is midfield possession and defensive mobility.
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Ajdin Hrustic
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Denmark
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Kasper Hjulmand
Having reached the semi-finals at the Euros and beaten France twice in the Nations League, Denmark arrive high on confidence. Read the team guide here.
Star player
Christian Eriksen
Strengths
Denmark are a well organised team, defending well as a unit and able to change formation and tactics during the game.
Weaknesses
Some of the forwards are out of form and goals could be a problem. A lot, as always, will depend on Eriksen.
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Christian Eriksen
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France
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Didier Deschamps
Fourth in the world rankings, this is a squad in flux, not unlike the one that showed promise in 2014. Read the team guide here.
Star player
Kylian Mbappé
Strengths
France’s attack is their strong point – they have shown themselves capable of scoring nearly at will with a full complement of players.
Weaknesses
Defence: injuries and a loss of form have decimated France’s back line. Pogba and Kanté will be missed in midfield too.
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Kylian Mbappé
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Tunisia
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Jalel Kadri
Tunisia have lost only once since January but the 5-1 defeat against Brazil showed how far up it is to the top sides. Read the team guide here.
Star player
Youssef Msakni
Strengths
The midfield is the team’s strongest area with Ferencvaros’ Laïdouni capable of running the show against most opponents.
Weaknesses
Against better teams they struggle to create chances and are a bit too reliant on 32-year-old captain Msakni.
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Youssef Msakni
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Costa Rica
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Luis Fernando Suárez
Coach Suárez only arrived in the middle of 2021 but has completely revamped the squad. Read the team guide here.
Star player
Keylor Navas
Strengths
The youngsters, such as 18-year-old Bennette, has had a really positive impact while there is stability in defence.
Weaknesses
This Costa Rica team does not score a lot of goals (13 in 14 qualifiers) and at one point Suárez tested too many players.
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Keylor Navas
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Germany
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Hansi Flick
Germany may be one of the giants of world football but they are having a wobble. Semi-finals still a minimum requirement though. Read the team guide here.
Star player
Leon Goretzka
Strengths
There are so many good creative midfielders that someone such as Gündogan may not start. Sané and Gnabry offer real threat from the flanks.
Weaknesses
The midfield is vulnerable defensively and there is no world-class central striker. Also, the quality of the full-backs are not at the highest level.
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Leon Goretzka
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Japan
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Hajime Moriyasu
Moriyasu has overhauled the squad and brought through a new generation with such little fuss that the public do not give him enough credit. Read the team guide here.
Star player
Junya Ito
Strengths
With Tomiyasu and Yoshida at the back, plus Endo and Morita anchoring the midfield, this is arguably Japan’s strongest defensive foundation ever.
Weaknesses
Moriyasu gets criticised whomever he picks among the many attacking options but Japan do have an issue finding the right fit at No 9.
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Junya Ito
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Spain
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Luis Enrique
‘We go for the win from the first minute,’ says Luis Enrique and Spain expect to go far as always. Read the team guide here.
Star player
Pedri
Strengths
Gavi and Pedro offer exuberance and energy in midfield and have a certain Busquets by their side to protect them (and the defence).
Weaknesses
Goals are not always that easy to come by and Morata was heavily criticised by fans at the Euros. He is still Spain’s focal point.
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Pedri
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Belgium
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Roberto Martínez
There is the sense that this generation of players have peaked and that the bronze from four years ago is as good as it will get. Read the team guide here.
Star player
Kevin De Bruyne
Strengths
There is an abundance of talent in the squad and any team with Courtois and De Bruyne will be expected to go deep into the tournament.
Weaknesses
The defence is ageing and slow and the main goal threat, Lukaku, has been struggling with injuries this season.
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Kevin De Bruyne
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Canada
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John Herdman
Back on the biggest stage after a 36-year absence they were the best team in Concacaf qualifying, finishing above Mexico and USA. Read the team guide here.
Star player
Alphonso Davies
Strengths
Players such as Davies, David and Buchanan offer speed and explosiveness in transition. The team spirit is superb too.
Weaknesses
Canada lack experience at this level and do not have the star power in defence they have in other outfield areas.
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Alphonso Davies
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Croatia
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Zlatko Dalic
Reached the final four years ago and have the potential to play even better this time. It is a new team but with the same midfield core. Read the team guide here.
Star player
Luka Modric
Strengths
The classy midfield can dictate games and the new defence looks good. Croatia have a remarkably deep and versatile squad.
Weaknesses
The goalkeepers are unreliable; the defenders inexperienced and there is no established goal-scoring presence up front.
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Luka Modric
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Morocco
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Walid Regragui
A second consecutive Word Cup for the Atlas Lions, they qualified for Qatar without many of the mainstays from four years ago. Read the team guide here.
Star player
Achraf Hakimi
Strengths
There is stardust in Hakimi and Ziyech in a hard-working squad with Amrabat offering balance in midfield.
Weaknesses
Coach Regragui has been accused of playing defensive football in the past and has only been able to work with the squad for two and a half months.
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Achraf Hakimi
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Brazil
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One of the favourites, they are ranked the best team in the world and there seems to be harmony in the squad. Read the team guide here.
Star player
Neymar
Strengths
Brazil still have Neymar but are no longer Neymar-dependant with Vini Jnr, Richarlison and Raphinha taking some weight off the No 10’s shoulders.
Weaknesses
Tite has said he may play five attacking players, which would leave Casemiro vulnerable, and the defence is not the quickest.
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Neymar
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Cameroon
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Rigobert Song
There is a lack of stars in Cameroon’s squad but that may not be a bad thing. Read the team guide here.
Star player
André-Frank Zambo Anguissa
Strengths
The squad has an impressive mental strength and the FA has worked hard to add players of dual nationality, such as Mbeumo.
Weaknesses
The coaching staff and players have only worked with each other for eight months and form has been patchy.
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André-Frank Zambo Anguissa
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Serbia
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Dragan Stojkovic
Every tournament is the same in Serbia: expectations that do not match the reality. However, there may be ground for optimism this time. Read the team guide here.
Star player
Dusan Vlahovic
Strengths
All the attacking players are on the rise and full of confidence. There are no egos and coach Stojkovic gives them freedom to play.
Weaknesses
The defence does not instil a lot of confidence in Serbian fans and one single mistake can lead to a full-blown collapse.
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Dusan Vlahovic
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Switzerland
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Murat Yakin
Yakin has been able to build on Petkovic’s foundation and they stayed in the Nations League top group despite a poor start. Read the team guide here.
Star player
Granit Xhaka
Strengths
The generation that won the Under-17 World Cup in 2009 are in their peak years and players such as Akanji and Embolo are in fine form.
Weaknesses
Three of the four goalkeepers have had injury problems and the decision to take only two recognised full-backs could backfire.
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Granit Xhaka
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Ghana
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This is a young Black Stars team in transition. The quality is there but this World Cup could be either a spectacular failure or a rip-roaring success.
Star player
Mohammed Kudus
Strengths
Ghana outsmarted Nigeria in the play-off and have added players of dual nationality since then, especially in defence and on the wings, and look better for it.
Weaknesses
Where will the goals come from? That is the main question for coach Addo. If that is answered, Ghana could go far in Qatar.
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Mohammed Kudus
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Portugal
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Fernando Santos
Cristiano Ronaldo’s power is on the wane and Fernando Santos has lost some of the credit gained in 2016 but Portugal have never had a stronger squad.
Star player
Cristiano Ronaldo
Strengths
Portugal have excellent goalkeepers, some of the best full-backs in the world and quality solutions all over midfield. Oh, and firepower up front.
Weaknesses
Santos does not have an abundance of centre-backs and up front Ronaldo’s struggles and Jota’s injury have cast a cloud over the preparations.
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Cristiano Ronaldo
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South Korea
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Paulo Bento
Things were looking good for manager Bento, until Son broke his eye socket. He could still play though.
Star player
Son Heung-min
Strengths
Bento’s 4-1-4-1 system worked well in qualifying with a 2-0 win against Iran the highlight.
Weaknesses
Son’s injury the major concern but several key players, such as the two Hwangs and Kwon, have been out of form.
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Son Heung-min
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Uruguay
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Diego Alonso
Uruguay are an unknown quantity but Diego Alonso has a good mix of youth and experience in the squad.
Star player
Federico Valverde
Strengths
Alonso has one of the best midfields at the tournament, led by Valverde, while Núñez, Suárez and Cavani are a threat up front.
Weaknesses
There are huge question marks about the defence with the fitness of Godín, Giménez and Araujo uncertain.
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Federico Valverde
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