Hot Press FIFA World Cup 206 Predictions Part 1: Groups E - H

GROUP E

Teams: Germany, Ivory Coast, Ecuador, Curaçao

Even if this iteration of Germany is not as star-studded as previous sides, they are still unsurprisingly odds-on favourites to win Group E, with the team featuring stars such as Antonio Rudiger, Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka and Jamal Musiala.

Likely to join them in the top two spots are Ecuador, where alongside Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo, the most well-known players internationally are the defensive duo of PSG’s Willian Pacho and Arsenal’s Piero Hincapie, who last month squared off against each other in the Champions League final.

Elsewhere in the group, this Ivory Coast squad may not boast superstars such as Didier Drogba and the Toure brothers, but they will hope the likes of Man Utd’s Amad Diallo and ex-Barcelona man Franck Kessie can spur them on to some major results.

Caribbean minnows Curaçao, meanwhile, have made history as the smallest country ever to qualify for the World Cup. It represents one hell of a late career highlight for Dutch manager Dick Advocaat – who Irish fans of a certain vintage will remember from as far back as 1994, when his Netherlands team knocked Ireland out of the World Cup with a 2-0 second round win.

Winners: Germany

 

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GROUP F

Teams: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia

Similarly to Germany, this may not be seen as a vintage Dutch squad, but Ronald Koeman’s squad nonetheless boasts some major – if mostly ageing – stars, including captain Virgil van Dijk, Man City’s Nathan Ake and Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong.

It’s probably also worth remembering that the Dutch had one hell of a battle – literally – with eventual winners Argentina in the 2022 quarter finals. That was a game which, in addition to the footballing thrills and last minute drama, also became notorious for a mass brawl and a bitter post-game stand-off between Lionel Messi and Dutch boss Louis van Gaal.

The Netherlands are likely to be slugging it out for top spot with Japan, whose stars include Celtic forward Daizen Maeda and captain Wataru Endo of Liverpool. The Japanese proved one of 2022’s surprise packets, accounting for Germany and Spain en route to making the knockout stages.

Sweden may face an uphill struggle to make an impact this time around, even with the likes of Liverpool’s Alexander Isak and Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres onboard, while Tunisia will be firm outsiders in the group, even if in 2022 they did enjoy a notable 1-0 win over France in the group stages.

Winners: Netherlands

 

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GROUP G

Teams: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand

The feeling is Belgium’s golden generation has decisively missed its opportunity to lift silverware, although remarkably, in addition to stars at their peak such as Jeremy Doku and captain Youri Tielemans, several of the old guard are back for more this summer, including Romelu Lukaku (33), Kevin de Bruyne (34) and Axel Witsel (37).

Their closest contenders for top spot will likely be Egypt, who will be hoping superstar forward Mo Salah can rediscover his top form, after an underwhelming season that ended with his departure from Liverpool. Captained by Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood, New Zealand face a serious task in making the knockout stages, while Iran – impressively appearing in their fourth straight World Cup – haven’t had their job made any easier by visa issues for certain backroom staff.

Winners: Belgium

 

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GROUP H

Teams: Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde

For our money, the eventual winners are likely to come from either France or Spain, with the latter looking to win back-to-back tournaments following their Euro 2024 win – an achievement that would put them in the conversation with the 2008-2012 Spanish team as one of the greatest international sides ever.

Already boasting a heavyweight midfield anchored by Pedro and Fabian Ruiz, the deal-breaker is the forward duo of Neco Williams and Lamine Yamal – the latter still only 18 and the pre-eminent player in world football – who can be relied upon to spend the tournament terrorising a succession of defences.

With their team built around arguably the most complete midfielder in world football, Real Madrid’s Fede Valverde, Uruguay will quietly fancy themselves to go on a run, as will Saudi Arabia, who in 2022 famously defeated Argentina in their opening game.

Meanwhile, outsiders Cape Verde – who number Shamrock Rovers’ Pico Lopes in their ranks – will harbour hopes of taking a scalp as they make their debut World Cup appearance.

Winners: Spain

 

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