GROUP A
Russia
FIFA Ranking: 70
WORLD CUP HISTORY*
10/15 FINALS / QUALIFYING CAMPAIGNS
FIRST FWC: 1958 LAST FWC: 2014
BEST ACHIEVEMENT: 4th place 1966
* Including participations of the Soviet Union
FIRST STAGE
10 APPEARANCES
SEMIFINALS
1 APPEARANCES
FINAL
0 APPEARANCES
TITLES
0 CHAMPIONSHIPS
THE COACH
STANISLAV CHERCHESOV
A former USSR and Russia international goalkeeper who was selected for the national squads at the 1994 and 2002 FIFA World Cups, Cherchesov was appointed coach in 2016. The former Dynamo Moscow and Legia Warsaw boss led the hosts at the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup.
THE GOAL
RUS – NZL (2-0) 17 JUN 2017
The hosts will be hoping forward Fedor Smolov can recreate his goal against New Zealand in their opening match victory of the FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017, when he started the move before finding
space to tap in from close range.
THE STAR
IGOR AKINFEEV
A six-time Russian title winner, Akinfeev has over 100 caps for his country. He is also the national team’s captain and will be an influential figure as they
attempt to impress on home soil.
Saudi Arabia
FIFA Ranking: 67
WORLD CUP HISTORY
4/11 FINALS / QUALIFYING CAMPAIGNS
FIRST FWC: 1994 LAST FWC: 2006
BEST ACHIEVEMENT: Round of 16 1994
FIRST STAGE
4 APPEARANCES
SEMIFINALS
0 APPEARANCES
FINAL
0 APPEARANCES
TITLES
0 CHAMPIONSHIPS
THE COACH
JUAN ANTONIO PIZZI
The Argentinian-born coach took charge of Saudi Arabia in November 2017, after his time in charge of Chile came to an end. As La Roja coach, he won the Copa America Centenario in 2016 but failed to lead Chile to Russia 2018. Pizzi was a prolific forward during his playing days. He represented Spain at international level and featured at UEFA EURO 1996 and the 1998 World Cup.
THE GOAL
KSA – JPN (1-0) 5 SEP 2017
Ending a 12-year absence from the finals, Fahad Al Muwallad’s pin-point drive sent the home crowd
into raptures as Saudi Arabia secured a crucial
final-day three points.
THE STAR
MOHAMMAD AL-SAHLAWI
Saudi Arabia’s dynamic forward enjoyed the rare distinction of finishing joint-top goalscorer in Russia 2018 qualifying with 16 goals. Fast feet and a rare
turn of pace make Al-Sahlawi a genuine star in Saudi football, following his breakthrough campaign for Russia 2018.
Egypt
FIFA RANKING: 45
WORLD CUP HISTORY
2/14 FINALS / QUALIFYING CAMPAIGNS
FIRST FWC: 1934 LAST FWC: 1990
BEST ACHIEVEMENT: First stage 1934, 1990
FIRST STAGE
2 APPEARANCES
SEMIFINALS
0 APPEARANCES
FINAL
0 APPEARANCES
TITLES
0 CHAMPIONSHIPS
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.
THE GOAL
EGY – CGO (2-1) 8 OCT 2017
With nerves of steel, Mohamed Salah stepped up in the 94th minute for one of the most important single kicks of a ball in Egypt’s sporting history.
From 12 yards, he made no mistake.
THE 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
WORLD CUP HISTORY
12/16 FINALS / QUALIFYING CAMPAIGNS
FIRST FWC: 1930 LAST FWC: 2014
BEST ACHIEVEMENT: Champion 1930, 1950
FIRST STAGE
12 APPEARANCES
SEMIFINALS
5 APPEARANCES
FINAL
2 APPEARANCES
TITLES
2 CHAMPIONSHIPS
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.
THE GOAL
URU – PER (1-0) 29 MAR 2016
A mesmeric build-up leading to a thumping finish, the telepathy of Uruguayan strike duo Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani was on full show as the Paris Saint-Germain forward sealed victory versus Peru.
THE STAR
LUIS SUAREZ
A prolific striker for club and country, Suarez is Uruguay’s all-time leading goalscorer. 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.
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