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Match 12
Morocco v Croatia
Morocco will be out to shock their opposition at this World Cup, boasting a squad brimming with x-factor. Wide players are Morocco’s strength, though they will have a battle for right-back on their hands with Achraf Hakimi and Noussair Mazraoui. Hakim Ziyech is the creative fulcrum, while Sofiane Boufal is a solid attacking option. The biggest issue for Morocco is their stability through the middle of the pitch and their ability to match it with the superstar midfielders they’ll face in the group, including Luka Modric in this match. Morocco has not won a game at the World Cup since 1998, when they beat Scotland 3-0.
2018 runners-up Croatia return determined to clinch a maiden World Cup title in Qatar. Most of the 2018 squad remains intact with 37-year-old Modric leading the team both on and off the pitch. Modric’s midfield partners Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic have taken another step in their careers during the past four years and will play a key role. Croatia were an unknown quantity in 2018 - their unpredictability one of their biggest strengths. Four years on, they have lost the element of surprise. Coach Zlatko Dalic utilises a regimented system that he rarely tinkers with which has left an aura of predictability around the team.
Match 11
Germany v Japan
Germany will be hoping to end a horror run of results and rediscover their form as they look to win their fifth World Cup title. Coach Hansi Flick had a strong start when he took over as coach, with only one loss in his first 15 games, but he is now desperate for a win, with only one victory in his last six. There is a national calm in Germany that Flick will have the team performing when it matters most. Nevertheless, Die Mannschaft will have their work cut out in what has been dubbed the 'group of death', with their first opponents Japan posing a real threat to the German side.
The Samurai Blue will be looking to improve on their 2018 World Cup performance, with a quarter-final berth the goal. It is their seventh appearance at the World Cup. Takumi Minamino is one of Japan's highest profile stars but his form leading into the tournament will be one of the biggest questions. A move to Monaco from Liverpool was supposed to give the winger more opportunity but he has struggled to settle in Ligue 1.
Match 10
Spain v Costa Rica
Spain have changed a lot as a team over the past four years with coach Luis Enrique blooding a new generation of players for the national team. Gone are former mainstays Pique and Sergio Ramos, with young stars like Pedri now the fulcrum of the side. Enrique has shown he will chop and change his side to suit the opposition and will pick a squad with plenty of options. The biggest question for Spain is: where will the goals come from? Alvaro Morata will most likely be Enrique’s first-choice striker but he has his shortcomings. Ansu Fati and Ferran Torres will need to help carry the burden at their first World Cup.
Costa Rica were the last team to book their spot in Qatar when they edged New Zealand in the intercontinental play-off. It will be Los Ticos' fifth appearance at the World Cup and they will once again bring the same gritty defensive performances they have become renowned for at the tournament. The big question is: will they be able to match it against their star studded Group E opponents such as Spain? Keylor Navas is the leader and highest profile player – a lot will rest on his shoulders.
Match 9
Belgium v Canada
Belgium will be eyeing World Cup Glory in Qatar and should be one of the tournament favourites. It will be arguably one of the final chances for the nation’s golden generation, with superstars Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois now all in their thirties. The Red Devils finished the 2018 World Cup in third place after being eliminated by France in the semi-finals. Two big questions surround Belgium’s chances. Firstly, will the club struggles of Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku stunt the Belgian attack? Secondly, will an ageing Red Devils defence led by Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen be able to hold strong against the world’s best?
Canada return to the World Cup arena for the second time in their history and first time in 36 years. They bring a burgeoning squad to Qatar determined to make history. Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies is the main man for Canada, while striker Jonathan David is having another impressive season with Lille. Their one and only previous World Cup showing was in 1986, where they lost all three games and failed to score. While it will be difficult to get out of the group – expect them to improve on their last World Cup appearance.
