Ultimate World Cup Books - World Cup 2018 Russia Essential Guide

DUTTON

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Copyright 2018 by Dutton

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ISBN 9780525539445 (trade paperback)

ISBN 9780525539452 (eBook)

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FIFA.com rankings accurate as of May 7, 2018.

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After over three years of qualification matches, the FIFA World Cup will open in Russia on June 14, 2018.

Thirty-two nations from six confederations around the world will make a bid for the most cherished cup in world soccer. The teams have been drawn into eight groups (AH), with four teams each. Theyll face every opponent in their group, and the top two teams will advance to the knockout rounds.

Many players will have competed into the early summer with their club teams in domestic leagues around the world. But playing for your country is a different kind of honorand another challengealtogether. Theyll need to quickly settle into their first games if they want to move past the groups.

There are some notable absences in 2018Chile, Italy, the Netherlands, and the United States all failed to qualifyand some intriguing newcomers as well. Will we see a new champion this year?

JUNE 14

Russia vs. Saudi Arabia

JUNE 15

Egypt vs. Uruguay

JUNE 19

Russia vs. Egypt

JUNE 20

Uruguay vs. Saudi Arabia

JUNE 25

Saudi Arabia vs. Egypt

Uruguay vs. Russia

Group A looks to be one of the easiest in the Cup, and that should come as a big relief to the Russians. Theyll desperately want to win their first game, both for fan morale and to have any hopes of moving through to the next round. Standing in their way? Clear group favorite Uruguay, an exciting Egyptian squad, and an ambitious Saudi Arabian side.

EGYPT

COACH: HCTOR CPER

TEAM NICKNAME: THE PHARAOHS

PREVIOUS APPEARANCES: 2 WINS: 0 FIFA RANKING: 31

Egypt is back in the World Cup after a 28-year absence. The teams record in decades past has been a disappointment to their fansand they have yet to ever win a World Cup matchbut as last years runner-up at the prestigious Africa Cup of Nations, the Egyptians have reason to feel optimistic.

Egypts defense had an excellent record in qualifying matches. By using many players to lie deep and guard the goal, they limited most of their opponents to no more than one goal per game. Such a defensive style of play is not always fun to watch. But it gets results and will likely come in handy against teams like Russia and Saudi Arabia, which might not have much attacking power, and teams like Uruguaywhose big-name offensive players will still find the Egyptian defense tough to break down. Behind the defense, Egypts goalkeeper and captain, Essam El-Hadary (age 45), is set to become the oldest player in World Cup history.

But for Egyptians, this Cup will center on one man: right winger Mohamed Mo Salah. The star Liverpool player and 2018 PFA Player of the Year has been instrumental to his club teams fast-paced style this past season. His two goals against Congo in qualifying earned Egypt its spot at the World Cup. Look for Mo Salah and midfielder Mohamed Elneny to create chances on their side of the pitch.

RUSSIA

COACH: STANISLAV CHERCHESOV

TEAM NICKNAME: SBORNAYA (NATIONAL TEAM)

PREVIOUS APPEARANCES: 10 WINS: 0 FIFA RANKING: 65

Russia automatically qualified by hosting the tournament, but they now have an uphill battle ahead of them. Several key issues could make or break Russias performance. Their squad consists mostly of players from the Russian leagues; teammates are familiar with one anothers styles, but Russia lacks the star power of many of the other Cup teams. Their best-known player, Igor Denisov, could have provided creativity and technical ability in midfieldbut after conflicts with the team coach, it looks like hes off the squad.

Russias aging defense could also be a cause of concern, especially since their preferred team setup creates a lot of work for them. Veteran defenders like Yuri Zhirkov and Dmitri Kombarov must keep up with the rigorous demands of their group matches, but youngsters like Viktor Vasin, Fedor Kudryashov, and Georgi Dzhikiya could help out their older counterparts. The Russian goalkeeper and captain, Igor Akinfeev, should provide a steady hand behind them, and their main forward player, striker Fedor Smolov, has been a top goal scorer for his club team, FC Krasnodar.

The pressures of hosting can become a huge burden to the home side (ask Brazil!), but they can also galvanize players to unexpected heights. Will Team Russia crack under the pressure, or will they find hometown glory?

SAUDI ARABIA

COACH: JUAN ANTONIO PIZZI

TEAM NICKNAME: THE GREEN FALCONS

PREVIOUS APPEARANCES: 4 WINS: 0 FIFA RANKING: 63

Its the Saudis first appearance at the World Cup since 2006. And this time around, theyre managed by the former Chile national team coach Juan Antonio Pizzi. (He helped his former side win the 2015 Copa Amrica.) The Saudi squad will all know one another like brothers, because most have played for years with the same top teams of the Saudi Arabian club league.

Forward Mohammad Al-Sahlawi will give Saudi Arabia its best chance at goals: He tied for the leading goal scorer in World Cup qualification with 16 goals. Hell be supported by midfielders Taisir Al-Jassim and Nawaf Al-Abed. Coach Pizzi has also been experimenting with adding more attacking excitement to his teams. That means potentially giving untested young players from the Saudi league a real shot at getting coveted game time.