World Cup 2018: Group G Preview
If Kevin De Bruyne can pull the strings for the Belgians the way he can for Manchester City, they may be in for a deep run.
Belgium
FIFA Rank: #3
Qualified as: 1st Place in UEFA Group H
The Skinny
Belgium is Colombia and Uruguay on steroids. A golden generation that seemingly exploded out of nowhere to take a national team from being an international also-ran to title contender. In Belgium's case, it's not just key players that have performed at the highest level; it's their whole entire squad. As you'll see below, they're essentially a Premier League All-star team. The only question for this side is cohesiveness and consistency. In the only two much-anticipated major tournament appearances for this generation, The Red Devils have disappointed, reaching only the quarterfinals in both the last World Cup and the 2016 Euro Cup.
The Best XI
As we discussed in the last installment with Germany, Belgium is one of those squads where you can't really go wrong with too many permutations. My personal offering is as such: star striker Romelu Lukaku leading the strikeforce with his mini me Michy Batshuayi, who's experienced a renaissance at Dortmund. Eden Hazard, who is not only the best player for Chelsea but consistently one of the best in the Premier League, will support in attack, and Kevin De Bruyne, who became one of the best and most important players in the World this past season in Manchester City will hope to replicate his prowess in the middle of the park. The scariest part? For as good as Belgium is in attack, their greatest strength may be in their back line. Starters for Tottenham, Barcelona, Manchester City, and Paris Saint-Germain, respectively comprise their defensive 4.
Panama
FIFA Rank: #55
Qualified as: 3rd Place in CONCACAF
The Skinny
Sometimes it's better to be lucky than to be good, and though Panama were decent throughout qualifying, they were lucky in the end. Only a shock capitulation by the United States, a comeback win by Honduras over Mexico, and a phantom goal for Panama put Los Canaleros in the Cup, where they'll surely be one of the worst teams in the competition. It will undoubtedly be more about the experience of being there for Panama, and who can blame them? Who knows, maybe that luck (and some token toughness) can lead to some upsets.
The Best XI
Nearly all of Panama's squad plays in the MLS or else where in North or South America. One of the sole exceptions is keeper Jaime Penedo, who starts for Romanian powerhouses Dinamo Bucaresti. Elsewhere, though young(er) talents like Gabriel Torres and Aníbal Godoy make appearances, Panama is a very old squad, with most of their key players over the age of 32. Some of those players: defenders Felipe Baloy and Román Torres (who scored the crucial goal-that-wasn't to lead Panama into the Cup), midfield stalwart Gábriel Gómez, and striker pair Blás Perez and Luis Tejada-- at the spritely ages of 37 and 36.
Tunisia
FIFA Rank: #21
Qualified as: Winners of CAF Group A
The Skinny
Did you know Tunisia, having just fallen out of the Top 20, is Africa's top-ranked team? Nor did I. There's probably a reason for that. They lack the star power that many other African nations can claim, and more pertinently: their ranking may be fools gold. The Eagles of Carthage-- who have by far the coolest team name --soared through qualifying, but it was mostly thanks to what was by far the easiest qualifying group. However, what they lack in star power they help compensate for in teamwork. Besides, their recent results which include victories over Costa Rica and Iran, and draws with Portugal and Turkey, might indicate their ranking is not so inflated after all.
The Best XI
Saber Khalifa, who is the most-capped outfield player on the squad, can be expected to start up top. But Tunisia's talent and depth is most manifested in midfield. Sunderland midfielder and captain Wahbi Khazri is the closest thing this lineup has to a "star", and is well-supported by the likes of Lille's Naïm Sliti and Nice's Bassam Srarfi. The center-back pairing also brings some solid veteran leadership, thanks to Leicester City's Yohan Benalouane and Kasimpaša's Syam Ben Youssef.
England
FIFA Rank: #12
Qualified as: 1st Place in UEFA Group F
The Skinny
Their pain may not have withstood quite as many years, but England are undoubtedly the Chicago Cubs of international soccer. Each tournament, they boast some of the best talent, thanks to hosting the best (or at least 2nd-best) domestic league in the World. Yet, if they're not crashing out in humiliating fashion, it's in heartbreaking fashion: PK shootout losses, game-changing red cards, you name it. This time around, do we even bother getting our hopes up for The Three Lions? It's a young, cohesive squad that should by all means make England fans excited...but probably better to not expect much.
The Best XI
England's squad is not nearly as deep as many lineups past, but as we've seen from some spectacular flameouts (Iceland in 2016, everyone in 2014, Germany in 2010, Croatia in 2008), perhaps depth isn't everything. What matters is having a lineup that plays together and maximizes the copious talent they do have. Namely, golden boy Harry Kane starting as the striker of course, and supported by young wingers Jesse Lingard and Raheem Snake-- sorry, Sterling, from the two rivaling Manchester squads. Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson will partner with the wildly talented Dele Alli in midfield, and they'd be joined by Alli's teammate Eric Dier. The back 4 seem fairly set in stone (or is that Stones?), but for the first tournament since England's 2010 World Cup, the keeper position is a relative unknown. My (and likely Gareth Southgate's) pick would begrudgingly be Everton keeper Jordan Pickford, who showed the most composure and skill in goal of the three candidates.
Group Prediction
This is one of the most clear-cut groups there is, in terms of who will advance. The fun will be in the last day, where we find out who wins the Group, and who finishes last. I think Tunisia edges out a gritty Panama team for their first World Cup win in 40 years, and I think Belgium and England will play level, though the Red Devils will take the group on goal difference.