FIFA 2018 Team Profile and Predictions
posted on Jun 14, 2018 | 74 likes
Egypt Vs Uruguay
EGYPT
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.
GROUP B
PORTUGAL
FIFA RANKING: 4
FIRST FWC: 1966
LAST FWC: 2014
BEST ACHIEVEMENT: 3rd Place 1966
THE COACH: FERNANDO SANTOS- Santos was appointed in 2014 after a successful spell with Greece, whom he led to the last eight at EURO 2012 and the Round of 16 at Brazil 2014. The Lisbon-born coach made history by leading Portugal to their first major tournament success at EURO 2016 and followed that up by guiding them through the Russia 2018 qualifiers.
TO GET THE GOALS: Andre Silva
STAR: MOHAMMAD CRISTIANO RONALDO- Ronaldo is one of the greatest footballers in history. He is the all-time leading scorer for both Portugal and Real Madrid and has been named The Best FIFA Men’s Player for the last two years running.
SPAIN
FIFA RANKING: 10
FIRST FWC: 1934
LAST FWC: 2014
BEST ACHIEVEMENT: Champion 2010
THE COACH: JULEN LOPETEGUI- A former Barcelona and Real Madrid goalkeeper, who was part of Spain’s 1994 World Cup squad, Lopetegui was appointed to succeed Vicente Del Bosque after UEFA EURO 2016. Prior to taking charge of Spain, he had coached FC Porto and Spain’s youth teams, winning both the U-19 and U-21 UEFA European Championships.
TO GET THE GOALS: Isco
STAR: MOHAMMAD SERGIO RAMOS- Ramos is Spain’s second-most capped player and is closing in on Iker Casillas’ all-time record of 167. He also captains La Roja and was a key player in the teams that won two European Championships and one World Cup between 2008 and 2012.