FIFA 2018 Team Profile and Predictions

FIFA RANKING: 45

FIRST FWC: 1934

LAST FWC: 1990

BEST ACHIEVEMENT: First stage 1934, 1990

THE COACH: HÉCTOR CÚPER- A former coach of Valencia and Internazionale, Cuper took charge of Egypt in March 2015 and led the Pharaohs to the 2017 CAF Africa Cup of Nations final. The Argentinian then guided the North Africans to their first World Cup appearance since 1990, as they topped African zone Group E.

TO GET THE GOALS: Mohamed Salah

STAR: MOHAMED SALAH- The speedy Liverpool star is undoubtedly Egypt’s talisman. Salah netted a remarkable 71 per cent of the Pharaohs’ goals in Russia 2018 qualifying, scoring in every one of their third-round victories.

URUGUAY

FIFA RANKING: 14

FIRST FWC: 1930

LAST FWC: 2014

BEST ACHIEVEMENT: Champion 1930, 1950

THE COACH: OSCAR WASHINGTON TABAREZ- Tabarez is an institution in Uruguayan football, having taken charge of the national team at Italy 1990, South Africa 2010 and Brazil 2014. The mastermind of Uruguay’s 2011 Copa America title win, El Maestro is an attack-minded coach fabled for his astute tactics and fatherly approach to his players.

TO GET THE GOALS: Edinson Cavani

STAR: LUIS SUAREZ- A prolific striker for club and country, Suarez is Uruguay’s all-time leading goal scorer. A European and world champion with Barcelona, the forward has scored five times at the FIFA World Cup, having starred at South Africa 2010 and Brazil 2014.

MOROCCO

FIFA RANKING: 41

FIRST FWC: 1970

LAST FWC: 1998

BEST ACHIEVEMENT: Round of 16 1986

THE COACH: HERVÉ RENARD- The first coach to win the CAF Africa Cup of Nations with different countries, Renard is a figure respected throughout the Mother Continent and the wider world. He took charge of Morocco in 2016 and led the Atlas Lions to their first FIFA World Cup since 1998.

TO GET THE GOALS: EL KAABI

STAR: MOHAMMAD MEDHI BENATIA- Powerful, athletic and good on the ball, Benatia is one of the best defenders in Africa. The center- half’s talents have taken him to European superpowers Bayern Munich and Juventus in big-money moves. 

IRAN

FIFA RANKING: 37

FIRST FWC: 1978

LAST FWC: 2014

BEST ACHIEVEMENT: First stage 1978, 1998, 2006, 2014

THE COACH: CARLOS QUEIROZ- The vastly experienced Portuguese coach will be in the dugout for a third FIFA World Cup, having led his native country in 2010 and Iran in 2014. Queiroz, who also won two FIFA U-20 World Cup titles with Portugal, oversaw a near-flawless Russia 2018 preliminary campaign, with Iran the first Asian team to qualify.

TO GET THE GOALS: Mehdi Taremi

STAR: SARDAR AZMOUN- Touted as the heir to Iran goalscoring icon Ali Daei, striker Azmoun has enjoyed prolific form for his country since bursting on to the scene at the 2015 AFC Asian Cup. Something of a poster-boy among supporters of Team Melli, the silky-skilled Azmoun plays his club football for Russian side Rubin Kazan.