WORLD CUP: A LOOK AT ALL 32 TEAMS IN RUSSIA AND THEIR STAR PLAYER(S).
WORLD
CUP: A LOOK AT ALL 32 TEAMS IN RUSSIA AND THE STAR PLAYER(S).
The
World Cup kicks off Thursday in Russia, and each team has submitted its 23-man
roster. Leroy Sane, Radja Nainggolan, and Karim Benzema are just a few of the
top names set to miss the tournament, with multiple other surprising moves also
taking place. Here are each of the 32 national team’s full 23-man squads, and
key players to watch on each roster.
ARGENTINA: Lionel Messi
Argentina's Lionel
Messi takes part during a team training session at the Sports Center FC
Barcelona Joan Gamper, in Sant Joan Despi, Spain, Friday, June 1, 2018. Israel
will play against Argentina next 9 June in a friendly soccer match. (AP
Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Goalkeepers: Franco Armani, Willy Caballero, Sergio Romero.
Defenders: Marcos Acuña, Cristian Ansaldi, Federico Fazio,
Gabriel Mercado, Nicolas Otamendi, Marcos Rojo, Nicolas Tagliafico.
Midfielders: Ever Banega, Lucas Biglia, Angel Di Maria, Giovani
Lo Celso, Manuel Lanzini, Javier Mascherano, Maximiliano Meza, Cristian Pavon,
Eduardo Salvio.
Forwards: Sergio Aguero, Paulo Dybala, Lionel Messi, Gonzalo
Higuain.
Who to Watch: After losing the 2014 World Cup Final, Lionel
Messi leads a dynamic Argentina attack into Russia alongside strikers Gonzalo
Higuain and Sergio Aguero in search of redemption on the sport’s biggest stage.
Other teams in Group D: Croatia, Iceland, Nigeria
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FILE - In this
Tuesday, March 27, 2018. file photo, Australia's Tim Cahill walks on the pitch
during a friendly soccer match between Colombia and Australia in London. (AP
Photo/Tim Ireland, File)
Goalkeepers: Mat Ryan, Brad Jones, Danny Vukovic.
Defenders: Josh Risdon, Trent Sainsbury, Matthew Jurman, Aziz
Behich, Mark Milligan, Milos Degenek, James Meredith.
Midfield: Aaron Mooy, Tom Rogic, Massimo Luongo, Mile Jedinak,
Dimitri Petratos, Jackson Irvine, Mathew Leckie, Daniel Arzani.
Forwards: Tim Cahill, Tomi Juric, Jamie Maclaren, Andrew
Nabbout, Robbie Kruse.
Who to Watch: 38 year-old Tim Cahill makes his fourth World Cup
appearance for the Socceroos, and will be looking to become the fourth player
to score in four separate World Cup tournaments.
Other Teams in Group C: Denmark, France, Peru
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Belgium's Eden
Hazard, left, runs with the ball during a friendly soccer match between Belgium
and Portugal at the King Baudouin stadium in Brussels, Saturday, June 2, 2018.
(AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)
Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois, Simon Mignolet, Koen Casteels.
Defenders: Toby Alderweireld, Dedryck Boyata, Laurent Ciman,
Leander Dendoncker, Vincent Kompany, Thomas Meunier, Thomas Vermaelen, Jan
Vertonghen.
Midfielders: Yannick Carrasco, Kevin De Bruyne, Mousa Dembele, Marouane
Fellaini, Youri Tielemans, Axel Witsel, Nacer Chadli.
Forwards: Michy Batshuayi, Eden Hazard, Thorgan Hazard, Romelu
Lukaku, Dries Mertens, Adnan Januzaj.
Who to Watch: Belgium is led up front by an electric Premier
League trio in Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne, and Eden Hazard, all of which
directly contributed to at least 15 goals each during their club seasons.
Other Teams in Group G: England, Panama, Tunisia
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Brazil's Neymar
reacts during a friendly soccer match between Brazil and Croatia at Anfield
Stadium in Liverpool, England, Sunday, June 3, 2018. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)
Goalkeepers: Alisson, Ederson, Cassio.
Defenders: Miranda, Marquinhos, Thiago Silva, Geromel, Marcelo,
Fagner, Danilo, Filipe Luis.
Midfielders: Casemiro, Fernandinho, Paulinho, Renato Augusto,
Philippe Coutinho, Willian, Fred.
Forwards: Neymar, Gabriel Jesus, Firmino, Taison, Douglas Costa.
Who to Watch: Neymar scored in his return from injury on Sunday,
showing that the Brazilian superstar hasn’t missed a step in his three month
absence. Brazil also boasts one of the competition’s strongest goalkeeper duos,
with Manchester City’s Ederson backing up AS Roma’s Alisson.
Other Teams in Group E: Costa Rica, Serbia, Switzerland
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Colombia's soccer
player James Rodriguez, left, talks to his teammate Radamel Falcao during a
practice session in preparation for the World Cup in Russia, at El Campin
stadium in Bogota, Colombia, Thursday, May 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
Goalkeepers: David Ospina, Camilo Vargas, Jose Fernando
Cuadrado.
Defenders: Cristian Zapata, Davinson Sanchez, Santiago Arias,
Oscar Murillo, Frank Fabra, Johan Mojica, Yerry Mina.
Midfielders: Wilmar Barrios, Carlos Sanchez, Jefferson Lerma,
Jose Izquierdo, James Rodriguez, Abel Aguilar, Mateus Uribe, Juan Fernando
Quintero, Juan Guillermo Cuadrado.
Forwards: Radamel Falcao, Miguel Borja, Carlos Bacca, Luis
Muriel.
Who to Watch: Superstar midfielder James Rodriguez won the
Golden Boot four years ago in Brazil scoring six goals. He won’t be the team’s
only goalscoring option in Russia, however, as AS Monaco striker Radamel Falcao
(who scored 25 goals across all competitions this season) partners with
Rodriguez up the middle.
Other Teams in Group H: Japan, Poland, Senegal
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Costa Rica
goalkeeper Keylor Navas, left, places the captain band on teammate Celso Borges
before Navas was replaced during a friendly soccer match against Northern
Ireland in San Jose, Costa Rica, Sunday, June 3, 2018. (AP Photo/Moises
Castillo)
Goalkeepers: Keylor Navas, Patrick Pemberton, Leonel Moreira.
Defenders: Cristian Gamboa, Ian Smith, Ronald Matarrita, Bryan
Oviedo, Oscar Duarte, Giancarlo Gonzalez, Francisco Calvo, Kendall Waston,
Johnny Acosta.
Midfielders: David Guzman, Yeltsin Tejeda, Celso Borges, Randall
Azofeifa, Rodney Wallace, Bryan Ruiz, Daniel Colindres, Christian Bolanos.
Forwards: Johan Venegas, Joel Campbell, Marco Urena.
Who to Watch: Champions League winner and Real Madrid goalkeeper
Keylor Navas hopes to carry the momentum of his club season into Russia, where
Costa Rica will try to have a repeat of their performance in 2014 when they
reached the quarterfinals.
Other Teams in Group E: Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland
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Croatia's Luka
Modric, right, battles for the ball with Brazil's Philippe Coutinho, left, and
Brazil's Marcelo during the friendly soccer match between Brazil and Croatia at
Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, England, Sunday, June 3, 2018. (AP Photo/Dave
Thompson)
Goalkeepers: Danijel Subasic, Lovre Kalinic, Dominik Livakovic.
Defenders: Vedran Ćorluka, Domagoj Vida, Ivan Strinic, Dejan
Lovren, Sime Vrsaljko, Josip Pivaric, Tin Jedvaj, Duje Caleta-Car.
Midfielders: Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic, Mateo Kovacic, Milan
Badelj, Marcelo Brozovic, Filip Bradaric.
Forwards: Mario Mandzukic, Ivan Perisic, Nikola Kalinic, Andrej
Kramaric, Marko Pjaca, Ante Rebic.
Who to Watch: Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic joins Real Madrid’s Luka
Modric and Mateo Kovacic in one of the most talented midfield groups in the
World Cup. Up front is Mario Mandzukic, who netted 10 goals across all
competitions this past season.
Other Teams in Group D: Argentina, Iceland, Nigeria
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FILE - In this
Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017 filer, Denmark's Christian Eriksen celebrates after
scoring his side's third goal during the World Cup qualifying play off second
leg soccer match between Ireland and Denmark at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
(AP Photo/Peter Morrison, File)
Goalkeepers: Frederik Ronnow, Jonas Lossl, Kasper Schmeichel.
Defenders: Andreas Christensen, Henrik Dalsgaard, Jannik
Vestergaard, Jens Stryger Larsen, Jonas Knudsen, Mathias Jorgensen, Simon
Kjaer.
Midfielders: Christian Eriksen, Lasse Schone, Lukas Lerager,
Michael Krohn-Dehli, Thomas Delaney, Willian Kvist.
Forwards: Andreas Cornelius, Kasper Dolberg, Martin Braithwaite,
Nicolai Jorgensen, Pione Sisto, Viktor Fischer, Yussuf Yurary Poulsen.
Who to Watch: Tottenham’s magical Christian Eriksen contributed
to 29 goals in the 2017/18 season, and is backed by fellow Premier League stars
Andreas Christensen (Chelsea) and Kasper Schmeichel (Leicester City).
Other Teams in Group C: Australia, France, Peru
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FILE - In this Oct.
8, 2017 file photo, Egypt's Mohamed Salah celebrates after defeating Congo
during the 2018 World Cup group E qualifying soccer match at the Borg El Arab
Stadium in Alexandria, Egypt. Salah, one of the hottest soccer players in the
world right now, was once rejected by his local team. That he succeeded anyway
is being latched onto by fellow Egyptians as a sign of hope for a country for
years mired by political instability and violence, deadly terrorist
attacks and an economic crisis. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty, File)
Goalkeepers: Essam el Hadary, Sherif Ekramy, Mohamed el Shennawy
Defenders: Saad Samir, Ahmed Hegazi, Omar Gaber, Ali Gabr,
Mohamed Abdel Shafy, Ayman Ashraf, Ahmed Fathy, Mahmoud Hamdy, Ahmed el
Mohamady.
Midfielders: Sam Morsy, Mohamed el Neny, Tarek Hamed, Abdullah
el Said, Mahmoud Hassan, Amr Warda, Mahmoud Abdel Razek, Ramadan Sobhy.
Forwards: Mahmoud Abdel Monem, Marwan Mohsen, Mohamed Salah.
Who to Watch: Despite suffering an injury that took him out of
the Champions League Final, Mohamed Salah is set to return and will be Egypt’s
star-man in Russia. Salah won the PFA Player of the Year award with Liverpool
after a 32 goal season in the Premier League.
Other Teams in Group A: Russia, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
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England's Harry
Kane during a friendly soccer match between England and Nigeria at Wembley
stadium in London, Saturday, June 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Jack Butland, Nick Pope.
Defenders: Kyle Walker, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Danny Rose,
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ashley Young, Gary Cahill, Phil Jones, Kieran Trippier.
Midfielders: Jordan Henderson, Eric Dier, Dele Alli, Jesse
Lingard, Raheem Sterling, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Fabian Delph.
Forwards: Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy, Marcus Rashford, Danny
Welbeck.
Who to Watch: Kane has scored at least 20 goals in each of the
last four seasons, but is yet to make a true impact in a major tournament for
his national team. With fellow Spurs teammate Dele Alli right behind him, the
Three Lions will need their two Tottenham stars to finally breakthrough on the
international level in Russia.
Other Teams in Group G: Belgium, Panama, Tunisia
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France's Antoine
Griezmann, 2nd right, celebrates after scoring his side's 2nd goal with
teammates : Paul Pogba, right, Corentin Tolisso and Edil Rami, left, during a
friendly soccer match between France and Italy at the Allianz Riviera stadium
in Nice, southern France, Friday, June 1, 2018. (AP Photo/Claude Paris)
Goalkeepers: Alphone Areola, Hugo Lloris, Steve Mandanda.
Defenders: Lucas Hernandez, Presnel Kimpembe, Benjamin Pavard,
Benjamin Mendy, Djibril Sidibe, Adil Rami, Samuel Umtiti, Raphael Varane.
Midfielders: Blaise Matuidi, N'Golo Kante, Steven N'Zonzi, Paul
Pogba, Corentin Tolisso.
Forwards: Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe,
Thomas Lemar, Nabil Fekir, Florian Thauvin, Ousmane Dembele.
Who to Watch: While finishing as runners-up in the 2016 Euros,
France enters the World Cup as one of the favorites with one of the
competition’s strongest squads. Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante will control Les
Bleus’ midfield, while Antoine Griezmann looks to put his transfer rumors aside
and lead a deep group of French attackers that also consists of star strikers
Oliver Giroud and Kylian Mbappe.
Other Teams in Group C: Australia, Denmark, Peru
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FILE -- In this
Saturday, June 2, 2018 photo Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer catches a ball
during warm up before a friendly soccer match between Austria and Germany in
Klagenfurt, Austria. Neuer - who hadn't played a competitive game since
September until the friendly loss to Austria on Saturday - was included in the
squad for the tournament in Russia. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak, file)
Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Kevin Trapp.
Defenders: Mats Hummels, Jerome Boateng, Joshua Kimmich, Jonas
Hector, Matthias Ginter, Niklas Sule, Antonio Rudiger, Marvin Plattenhardt.
Midfielders: Toni Kroos, Mesut Ozil, Sami Khedira, Thomas
Mueller, Sebastian Rudy, Marco Reus, Leon Goretzka, Julian Draxler, Ilkay
Gundogan, Julian Brandt.
Forwards: Timo Werner, Mario Gomez.
Who to Watch: Manuel Neuer is prepared to start in goal for the
reigning World champions ahead of fellow elite goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen
despite not featuring in a live match since September. In the attack, Timo Werner
replaces German legend Miroslav Klose as the team’s star striker after scoring
13 goals in the Bundesliga with RB Leipzig.
Other Teams in Group F: Mexico, South Korea, Sweden
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Iceland's Birkir
Bjarnason shots a ball during World Cup Group I qualifying soccer match between
Ukraine and Iceland at the Olympiyskiy stadium in Kiev, Ukraine, Monday, Sept.
5, 2016. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)
Goalkeepers: Hannes Halldorsson, Runar Runarsson, Frederik
Schram.
Defenders: Kari Arnason, Holmar Eyjolfsson, Rurik Gislason,
Sverrir Ingason, Hordur Magnusson, Birkir Saevarsson, Ragnar Sigurdsson, Ari
Skulason.
Midfielders: Birkir Bjarnason, Samuel Fridjonsson, Johann
Gudmundsson, Aron Gunnarsson, Emil Hallfredsson, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Olafur
Skulason, Arnor Traustason.
Forwards: Jon Bodvarsson, Alfred Finnbogason, Albert
Gudmundsson, Bjorn Sigurdarson.
Who to Watch: The cinderella team of the 2016 Euros aims to pull
off yet another miraculous run this summer in Russia. Bjarnason is Iceland’s
top returning scorer from the Euros, finding the back of the net twice in
France.
Other Teams in Group D: Argentina, Croatia, Nigeria
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Iran's Sardar
Azmoun during a friendly soccer match between Turkey and Iran, in Istanbul,
Monday, May 28, 2018. (AP Photo)
Goalkeepers: Alireza Beiranvand, Rashid Mazaheri, Amir
Abedzadeh.
Defenders: Ramin Rezaeian, Mohammad Reza Khanzadeh, Morteza
Pouraliganji, Majid Hosseini, Milad Mohammadi, Roozbeh Cheshmi, Ehsan Haji
Safi, Pejman Montazeri.
Midfielders: Saeid Ezatolahi, Masoud Shojaei, Mehdi Torabi, Omid
Ebrahimi, Vahid Amiri.
Forwards: Karim Ansarifard, Mehdi Taremi, Sardar Azmoun, Ashkan
Dejagah, Reza Ghoochannejhad, Saman Ghoddos, Alireza Jahanbakhsh.
Who to Watch: Rubin Kazan striker Sardar Azmoun has been on the
Iranian national team for just under a year, and has made a total of 32 caps
while also scoring 23 goals. Olympiacos midfielders Ehsan Haji Safi and Karim
Ansarifard partner up on the international level after finishing third in the
Greek Super League.
Other Teams in Group B: Morocco, Portugal, Spain
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Japan's Shinji
Kagawa plays during a friendly soccer match between Japan and Ghana in
Yokohama, Japan, Wednesday, May 30, 2018. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Goalkeepers: Eiji Kawashima, Masaaki Higashiguchi, Kosuke
Nakamura.
Defenders: Yuto Nagatomo, Tomoaki Makino, Wataru Endo, Maya
Yoshida, Hiroki Sakai, Gotoku Sakai, Gen Shoji, Naomichi Ueda.
Midfielders: Makoto Hasebe, Keisuke Honda, Takashi Inui, Shinji
Kagawa, Hotaru Yamaguchi, Genki Haraguchi, Takashi Usami, Gaku Shibasaki, Ryota
Oshima.
Forwards: Shinji Okazaki, Yuya Osako, Yoshinori Muto.
Who to Watch: Veteran and Dortmund midfielder Shinji Kagawa
is coming off a seven goal season in Germany and will be looking to link up
with Leicester City striker Shinji Okazaki who also scored seven goals in
England.
Other Teams in Group H: Colombia, Poland, Senegal
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Mexico's Hirving
Lozano controls the ball during a friendly soccer match between Mexico and
Scotland at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, Saturday, June 2, 2018. (AP
Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Goalkeepers: Jesus Corona, Alfredo Talavera, Guillermo Ochoa.
Defenders: Hugo Ayala, Carlos Salcedo, Diego Reyes, Miguel Layun,
Hector Moreno, Edson Alvarz, Jesus Gallardo.
Midfielders: Rafael Marquez, Jonathan Dos Santos, Marco Fabian,
Giovani dos Santos, Hector Herrera, Andres Guardado.
Forwards: Raul Jimenez, Carlos Vela, Javier Hernandez, Jesus
Corona, Oribe Peralta, Javier Aquino, Hirving Lozano.
Who to Watch: The Mexicans boast a three-headed attack with
stars Javier Hernandez, Carlos Vela, and Hirving Lozano leading the way.
"Chicharito" (Hernandez) scored 10 goals for West Ham this past
campaign, while the youngster Lozano tallied 22 goals with PSV and Vela has
seven in the MLS with LAFC.
Other Teams in Group F: Germany, South Korea, Sweden
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Morocco's Khalid
Boutaib controls the ball during a friendly soccer match between Serbia and Morocco
in Turin, Italy, Thursday, March 22, 2018. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
Goalkeepers: Mounir El Kajoui, Yassine Bounou, Ahmad Reda
Tagnaouti.
Defenders: Mehdi Benatia, Romain Saiss, Manuel Da Costa, Nabil
Dirar, Achraf Hakimi, Hamza Mendyl.
Midfielders: M'barek Boussoufa, Karim El Ahmadi, Youssef Ait
Bennasser, Sofyan Amrabat, Younes Belhanda, Faycal Fajr, Amine Harit.
Forwards: Khalid Boutaib, Aziz Bouhaddouz, Ayoub El Kaabi,
Nordin Amrabat, Mehdi Carcela, Hakim Ziyech, Youssef En-Nesyri.
Who to Watch: Mehdi Benatia is the strength of Morocco’s
backline after another Serie A winning season with Juventus. The top goal
threat is Khalid Boutaib, who’s scored five goals in 2017/18 on the
international level.
Other Teams in Group B: Iran, Portugal, Spain
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Nigeria's Kelechi
Iheanacho, center, celebrates after scoring a goal against Mexico during the
World Cup U-17 final soccer match between Nigeria and Mexico at Mohammad Bin
Zayed stadium in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Nov. 8, 2013. (AP
Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Goalkeepers: Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Daniel Akpeyi, Francis Uzoho.
Defenders: William Troost-Ekong, Shehu Abdullahi, Leon Balogun,
Kenneth Omeruo, Bryan Idowu, Chidozie Awaziem, Elderson Echiejile, Tyronne
Ebuehi.
Midfielders: Mikel Obi, Ogenyi Onazi, John Ogu, Wilfred Ndidi,
Oghenekaro Etebo, Joel Obi.
Forwards: Odion Ighalo, Ahmed Musa, Kelechi Iheanacho, Alex
Iwobi, Simeon Nwankwo, Victor Moses.
Who to Watch: Nigeria’s attack is made up primarily with
English-based players, the group being led by Leicester City’s Kelechi
Iheanacho who scored eight goals this season with the Foxes.
Other Teams in Group D: Argentina, Croatia, Iceland
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Panama's Roman
Torres, center, celebrates his goal with teammates Roberto Chen, left, and
Roberto Hurse during the first half of the Central American Cup Tigo USA
third-place soccer match against El Salvador, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014, in Los
Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Goalkeepers: Jose Calderon, Jaime Penedo, Alex Rodriguez.
Defenders: Felipe Baloy, Harold Cummings, Eric Davis, Fidel
Escobar, Adolfo Machado, Michael Murillo, Luis Ovalle, Roman Torres.
Midfielders: Edgar Barcenas, Armando Cooper, Anibal Godoy,
Gabriel Gómez, Valentin Pimentel, Alberto Quintero, Jose Luis Rodriguez.
Forwards: Abdiel Arroyo, Ismael Diaz, Blas Perez, Luis Tejada,
Gabriel Torres.
Who to Watch: In their debut in the World Cup, Panama will be
bringing six MLS players to the tournament. Seattle’s Roman Torres leads the
defense after starting 21 of a potential 23 games for the Sounders.
Other Teams in Group G: Belgium, England, Tunisia
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FILE - In this
Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017 filer, Peru's Paolo Guerrero celebrates after scoring
against Colombia during a 2018 World Cup qualifying soccer match in Lima, Peru.
Peru captain Paolo Guerrero has been banned from playing at the World Cup
because of a positive doping test, it was announced on Monday, May 14, 2018.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport says it has upheld an appeal by the World
Anti-Doping Agency to extend Guerrero's six-month FIFA ban. (AP Photo/Rodrigo
Abd, File)
Goalkeepers: Pedro Gallese, Carlos Caceda, Jose Carvallo.
Defenders: Aldo Corzo, Luis Advincula, Christian Ramos, Miguel
Araujo, Alberto Rodriguez, Anderson Santamaria, Miguel Trauco, Nilson Loyola.
Midfielders: Renato Tapia, Pedro Aquino, Yoshimar Yotun, Paolo
Hurtado, Christian Cueva, Edison Flores, Andy Polo, Wilder Cartagena.
Forwards: Andre Carrillo, Raul Ruidiaz, Jefferson Farfan, Paolo
Guerrero.
Who to Watch: Captain and Flamengo striker Paolo Guerrero was
able to get his doping ban temporarily lifted ahead of Peru’s World Cup
campaign and is coming off a two-goal performance on Sunday vs. Saudi Arabia.
Other Teams in Group C: Australia, Denmark, France
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Poland's Robert
Lewandowski stands for the national anthem of his country before an
international friendly soccer match between Poland and South Korea in Chorzow,
Poland, Tuesday, March 27, 2018.(AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)
Goalkeepers: Bartosz Bialkowski, Lukasz Fabianski, Wojciech
Szczesny.
Defenders: Jan Bednarek, Bartosz Bereszynski, Thiago Cionek,
Kamil Glik, Artur Jedrzejczyk, Michal Pazdan, Lukasz Piszczek.
Midfielders: Jakub Blaszczykowski, Jacek Goralski, Kamil
Grosicki, Grzegorz Krychowiak, Rafal Kurzawa, Karol Linetty, Slawomir Peszko,
Maciej Rybus, Piotr Zielinski.
Forwards: Dawid Kownacki, Robert Lewandowski, Arkadiusz Milik,
Lukasz Teodorczyk.
Who to Watch: Bayern Munich’s superstar striker Robert
Lewandowski leads the Polish up front after scoring 42 goals last season.
Behind him in the midfield is Wolfsburg’s Jakub Blaszczykowski, who attempts to
overcome his injury-issues ahead of Poland’s World Cup run.
Other Teams in Group H: Colombia, Japan, Senegal
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Portugal's
Cristiano Ronaldo, left, vies for the ball with Estonia's Nikita Baranov during
their friendly soccer match at Benfica stadium in Lisbon, Wednesday, June 8
2016. Portugal will play in the Euro2016 in Group stage against Austria,
Hungary and Iceland in Group F. (AP Photo/Steven Governo)
Goalkeepers: Anthony Lopes, Beto, Rui Patricio.
Defenders: Bruno Alves, Cedric Soares, Jose Fonte, Mario Rui,
Pepe, Raphael Guerreiro, Ricardo Pereira, Ruben Dias.
Midfielders: Adrien Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Joao Mario, Joao
Moutinho, Manuel Fernandes, William Carvalho.
Forwards: Andre Silva, Bernardo Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo, Gelson
Martins, Goncalo Guedes, Ricardo Quaresma.
Who to Watch: Cristiano Ronaldo (33) plays in what will likely
be his last World Cup, ramping up the pressure on the star Portuguese forward
to have a strong tournament after his 45 goal season with Real Madrid. Ronaldo
is joined up front by Manchester City winger Bernardo Silva, who will be making
his debut in the competition.
Other Teams in Group B: Iran, Morocco, Spain
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Russia's goalkeeper
Igor Akinfeev reacts during a friendly soccer match between Russia and Turkey
at the VEB Arena stadium in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, June 5, 2018. (AP
Photo/Pavel Golovkin)
Goalkeepers: Igor Akinfeev, Vladimir Gabulov, Andrey Lunev.
Defenders: Vladimir Granat, Fyodor Kudryashov, Ilya Kutepov,
Andrey Semyonov, Igor Smolnikov, Mario Fernandes, Sergei Ignashevich.
Midfielders: Yury Gazinsky, Alan Dzagoev, Alexander Golovin,
Alexander Erokhin, Yury Zhirkov, Daler Kuzyaev, Roman Zobnin, Alexander
Samedov, Anton Miranchuk, Denis Cheryshev.
Forwards: Artem Dzyuba, Alexei Miranchuk, Fyodor Smolov.
Who to Watch: The hosts are captained by veteran keeper Igor
Akinfeev, who put together 22 clean sheets for his Russian Premier League
runners-up CSKA Moscow. Vladimir Gabulov (Brugge) and Denis Cheryshev
(Villareal) are the lone two Russians to play outside of the Russian Premier
League.
Other Teams in Group A: Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
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Saudi Arabia's
Mohammed Al Sahlawi, center, runs with the ball against Japan's Yuto Nagatomo,
left, and Japan's Gen Shoji during the 2018 World Cup group B qualifying soccer
match between Saudi Arabia and Japan in Jiddah, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, Sept. 5,
2017. Saudi Arabia won 1-0. (AP Photo)
Goalkeepers: Yasser al-Mosaileem, Abdullah al-Mayouf, Mohammed
al-Owais.
Defenders: Mansour al-Harbi, Yasser al-Shahrani, Osama Hawsawi,
Omar Hawsawi, Motaz Hawsawi, Ali al-Bulayhi, Mohammed al-Burayk.
Midfielders: Abdulla Otayf, Salman al-Faraj, Mohammed Kanno,
Abdullah al-Khaibari, Hussein al-Moqahwi, Abdulmalik al-Khaibari, Hattan
Bahebri, Salem al-Dawsari, Taisir al-Jassim, Yahya al-Shehri, Fahad
al-Muwallad.
Forwards: Mohannad Assiri, Mohammed al-Sahlawi.
Who to Watch: Mohammed al-Sahlawi’s 10 goals were the third most
in the Saudi Pro League, and is Saudi Arabia’s danger-man up front. On the
international level, Fahad al-Muwallad is the nation’s leading scorer in
2017/18 with two goals for the team.
Other Teams in Group A: Egypt, Russia, Uruguay
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Senegal's Sadio
Mane controls the ball during a friendly soccer match between Senegal and Bosnia
and Herzegovina at the Oceane stadium in Le Havre, northern France, Tuesday,
March 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)
Goalkeepers: Khadim Ndiaye, Abdoulaye Diallo, Alfred Gomis.
Defenders: Kara Mbodji, Kalidou Koulibaly, Moussa Wague, Saliou
Ciss, Youssouf Sabaly, Lamine Gassama.
Midfielders: Pape Alioune Ndiaye, Idrissa Gana Gueye, Salif
Sane, Cheikhou Kouyate, Cheikh N'Doye, Alfred Ndiaye.
Forwards: Sadio Mane, Keita Balde, Ismaila Sarr, Diafra Sakho,
Moussa Sow, Moussa Konate, Mame Diouf, Mbaye Niang.
Who to Watch: Wingers Keita Balde and Sadio Mane combined for 40
goals/assists this past season, providing Senegal with one of the tournament’s
more potent attacks. Centering the defense is Napoli center back Kalidou
Koulibaly, who played nearly 4,000 minutes for the Italian side.
Other Teams in Group H: Colombia, Japan, Poland
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Serbia's Nemanja
Matic during the international friendly soccer match between Serbia and Nigeria
at The Hive Stadium in London, Tuesday, March 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Goalkeepers: Vladimir Stojkovic, Predrag Rajkovic, Marko
Dmitrovic.
Defenders: Aleksandar Kolarov, Branislav Ivanovic, Dusko Tosic,
Antonio Rukavina, Milos Veljkovic, Milan Rodic, Uros Spajic, Nikola Milenkovic.
Midfielders: Nemanja Matic, Luka Milivojevic, Sergej
Milinkovic-Savic, Marko Grujic, Adem Ljajic, Dusan Tadic, Filip Kostic, Andrija
Zivkovic, Nemanja Radonjic.
Forwards: Aleksandar Mitrovic, Aleksandar Prijovic, Luka Jovic.
Who to Watch: Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic takes
part in a solid Serbia midfield, where he is joined by Lazio’s Sergej
Milinkovic-Savic and Liverpool’s Marko Grujic. Striker Aleksandar Mitrovic is
the team’s top goal threat, scoring 12 goals in the EFL Championship with Fulham.
Other Teams in Group E: Brazil, Costa Rica, Switzerland
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South Korea's Son
Heung-min celebrates after scoring his side's first goal, during an
international friendly soccer match between South Korea and Honduras, in Daegu,
South Korea, Monday, May 28, 2018. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
Goalkeepers: Kim Seung-Gyu, Kim Jin-Hyeon, Cho Hyun-Woo.
Defenders: Kim Young-Gwon, Jang Hyun-Soo, Jung Seung-Hyun, Yun
Yong-Sun, Oh Ban-Suk, Kim Min-Woo, Park Joo-Ho, Hong Chul, Go Yo-Han, Lee Yong.
Midfielders: Ki Sung-Yueng, Jung Woo-Young, Ju Se-Jong, Koo
Ja-Cheol, Lee Jae-Sung, Lee Seung-Woo, Moon Seon-Min.
Forwards: Kim Shin-Wook, Son Heung-Min, Hwang Hee-Chan.
Who to Watch: Son Heung-Min directly contributed to 18 goals in
the Premier League for Tottenham. The only other Korean playing in England is
Swansea City’s Ki Sung-Yueng.
Other Teams in Group F: Germany, Mexico, Sweden
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Spain's Sergio
Ramos, front, vies for the ball with Argentina's Lautaro Martinez during the
international friendly soccer match between Spain and Argentina at the Wanda
Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, March 27, 2018. (AP
Photo/Francisco Seco)
Goalkeepers: David de Gea, Pepe Reina, Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Defenders: Dani Carvajal, Alvaro Odriozola, Gerard Pique, Sergio
Ramos, Nacho, Cesar Azpilicueta, Jordi Alba, Nacho Monreal.
Midfielders: Sergio Busquets, Saul Niguez, Koke, Thiago
Alcantara, Andres Iniesta, David Silva.
Forwards: Isco, Marco Asensio, Lucas Vazquez, Iago Aspas,
Rodrigo, Diego Costa.
Who to Watch: Real Madrid and Barcelona giants Sergio Ramos and
Gerard Pique put their club rivalry aside as they partner up in the center of
Spain’s defense. The Spanish are also loaded in the center of the park with the
likes of Sergio Busquets and Thiago bossing the midfield.
Other Teams in Group B: Iran, Morocco, Portugal
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Sweden's Marcus
Berg tries to score during a Euro 2016 qualifying Group G soccer match between
Russia and Sweden in the Otkrytie Arena stadium in Moscow, Saturday, Sept. 5,
2015. (AP Photo/Denis Tyrin)
Goalkeepers: Robin Olsen, Karl-Johan Johnsson, Kristoffer
Nordfeldt.
Defenders: Mikael Lustig, Victor Lindelof, Andreas Granqvist,
Martin Olsson, Ludwig Augustinsson, Filip Helander, Emil Krafth, Pontus
Jansson.
Midfielders: Sebastian Larsson, Albin Ekdal, Emil Forsberg,
Gustav Svensson, Oscar Hiljemark, Viktor Claesson, Marcus Rohden, Jimmy Durmaz.
Forwards: Marcus Berg, John Guidetti, Ola Toivonen, Isaac Kiese
Thelin.
Who to Watch: Taking Sweden legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s place up
front is 31 year old Marcus Berg who scored 25 goals in 20 appearances for
Al-Ain in the Arabian Gulf League. Manchester United’s Victor Lindelof leads
the Swedish back four after making 34 appearances for the Red Devils.
Other Teams in Group F: Germany, Mexico, South Korea
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Switzerland's
Xherdan Shaqiri, center, celebrates after scoring his side’s first goal during
the Euro 2016 round of 16 soccer match between Switzerland and Poland, at the
Geoffroy Guichard stadium in Saint-Etienne, France, Saturday, June 25, 2016.
(AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)
Goalkeepers: Roman Buerki, Yvon Mvogo, Yann Sommer.
Defenders: Manuel Akanji, Johan Djourou, Nico Elvedi, Michael
Lang, Stephan Lichtsteiner, Jacques-Francois Moubandje, Ricardo Rodriguez,
Fabian Schaer.
Midfielders: Valon Behrami, Blerim Dzemaili, Gelson Fernandes,
Remo Freuler, Xherdan Shaqiri, Granit Xhaka, Denis Zakaria, Steven Zuber.
Forwards: Josip Drmic, Breel Embolo, Mario Gavranovic, Haris
Seferovic.
Who to Watch: In Brazil, Xherdan Shaqiri led the Swiss to the
round of 16 after scoring three goals in the competition. Now, he is joined by
Schalke youngster Breel Embolo in Switzerland’s attack while being backed by
Ricardo Rodriguez and new Arsenal defender Stephan Lichtsteiner.
Other Teams in Group E: Brazil, Costa Rica, Serbia
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Tunisia's player
Ferjani Sassi celebrates with his national flag after qualifying for the 2018
World Cup finals after drawing their qualifiers match against Libya at the
Rades stadium near Tunis, Tunisia. Morocco and Tunisia became the final African
nations to qualify for the 2018 World Cup on Saturday with both countries
ending long spells away from the finals. (AP Photo/Hassene Dridi)
Goalkeepers: Aymen Mathlouthi, Farouk Ben Mustapha, Mouez
Hassen.
Defenders: Hamdi Nagguez, Dylan Bronn, Rami Bedoui, Yohan
Benalouane, Syam Ben Youssef, Yassine Meriah, Oussama Haddadi, Ali Maaloul.
Midfielders: Ellyes Skhiri, Mohamed Amine Ben Amor, Ghaylene
Chalali, Ferjani Sassi, Ahmed Khalil, Saifeddine El Khaoui.
Forwards: Fakhreddine Ben Youssef, Anice Badri, Bassem Srarfi,
Wahbi Khazri, Naim Sliti, Saber Khalifa.
Who to Watch: Saifeddine El Khaoui leads a Tunisia team looking
to become the World Cup’s next feel-good story this summer in Russia.
Other Teams in Group G: Belgium, England, Panama
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Uruguay's Edinson
Cavani celebrates after scoring against Brazil during a 2018 World Cup qualifying
soccer match in Montevideo, Uruguay, Thursday, March. 23, 2017. Brazil won the
match 4-1. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Goalkeepers: Martin Campana, Fernando Muslera, Martin Silva.
Defenders: Martin Caceres, Sebastian Coates, Jose Maria Gimenez,
Diego Godin, Maximiliano Pereira, Gaston Silva, Guillermo Varela.
Midfielders: Giorgian De Arrascaeta, Rodrigo Bentancur, Diego
Laxalt, Nahitan Nandez, Cristian Rodriguez, Carlos Sanchez, Lucas Torreira,
Matias Vecino, Jonathan Urretaviscaya.
Forwards: Edinson Cavani, Maximiliano Gomez, Luis Suarez,
Cristhian Stuani.
Who to Watch: Barcelona’s Luis Suarez and PSG’s Edinson Cavani
form a star striker duo up top for Uruguay, scoring a combined 71 goals this
past season for club and country. Captaining the side is Atletico Madrid’s
Diego Godin who is joined by fellow club teammate Jose Maria Gimenez.
Other Teams in Group A: Egypt, Russia, Saudi Arabia