World Cup 2018: Group A Preview
2018 Russia might be the weakest host team apart from 2010 South Africa, which is the only host nation in history to miss the World Cup knockout stages. Yet, they may benefit from an easy group.
Russia
FIFA Rank: #66
Qualified as: Hosts
The Skinny
If Russia is going to avoid being only the 2nd hosts in history to fail to progress out of Group Play, they're going to need to play much better than they have of late. In their last 3 major tournaments (2014 World Cup, 2012 and 2016 Euros), Russia have failed to get out of their group. In last year's Confederations Cup, they became the first hosts to not progress out of their group in that tournament's young history. Their 2018 is not off to a better start, going 0-3 so far with losses to Brazil, France and Austria. Sbornaya's problem is inter-generational; their young talent pool is so nonexistent that the national team is required to start a number of aging stars who, understandably, are past their playing prime.
The Best XI
As this is the first iteration of what will be 32 different 'Best XI's, let me start with this disclaimer: these are not necessarily how these teams will line up. Rather, they're my take on which lineup would put the maximum of each team's talent on the field to start. For Russia, this involves putting out a veteran trio in the midfield: Alan Dzagoev, who scored thrice in the 2012 Euros, flanked by 35-year old Zhirkov and 33-year old Samedov. Up top, young talent Miranchuk and Villareal winger Cheryshev support the oft-reliable striker Artem Dzubya.
Saudi Arabia
FIFA Rank: #67
Qualified as: 2nd Place in AFC Group B
The Skinny
The Saudis have a decent history of playing in the World Cup, but as the lowest-ranked team in the Tournament, find themselves the Cinderella story this time around. The Green Falcons played some exciting football in Qualifying, edging out Australia on the final day for an automatic bid. Yet, they may suffer from a lack of top-quality experience; 3 of their 23-man squad play in La Liga, but the remainder of their players come from the Saudi Premier League.
The Best XI
Mohamed Al-Sahlawi, one of the greatest Saudi players of all time, stars up top, with wingers Al-Abed, Al-Shehri, and Al-Muwallad joining him in attack. Taisir Al-Jassim, with 130 Caps, anchors the center of the park, while Osama Hawsawi (134 Caps) does the same for the back line.
Egypt
FIFA Rank: #46
Qualified as: Winners of CAF Group E
The Skinny
For Egypt, it always was gonna be about one man: Mohamed Salah, the Premier League Player of the Year, and likely candidate for the Ballon d'Or. Yet, now the lens for that story is different; instead of "How far can he carry them?", it's a question of "Will he play?" After dislocating his shoulder in the Champions League final last Saturday, doctors are optimistic that Salah can return in time for Egypt's group matches, but it will be a close race-- and who's to say whether he will be able to play at full speed even if healthy? The comforting news for The Pharaohs is that they have an established enough squad to hang tough with opponents even without their star player.
The Best XI
Assuming Salah plays, he'd be best used in his Liverpool role, and joined up top by Braga striker Kouka and Huddersfield winger Ramadan Sobhi. Arsenal man Mohamed El-Neny anchors a defensive midfield, and West Brom defensive pairing Ali Gabr and Ahmed Hegazi comprise the center-backs.
Uruguay
FIFA Rank: #17
Qualified as: 2nd Place in CONMEBOL
The Skinny
They stunned everyone with their semifinal run at the 2010 World Cup, but in retrospect, we shouldn't have been surprised. That was the coming-out party of a new golden generation for Los Charrúas, which will feature one of the best back-lines AND best forward pairings at the tournament. Expect them to work towards another deep run this year.
The Best XI
Up top is a no-brainer: Paris Saint-Germain's Edinson Cavani and Barcelona's Luis Súarez are two of the World's best strikers. A relatively young, attacking midfield will support them while captain Diego Godín (Atlético Madrid) stars in a staunch defensive 4.
Group Prediction
The hosts' shortcomings have been well documented. That said, unlike precarious host nations of the past (1994 USA, 2010 South Africa), Russia were blessed with a fairly easy group. Anything other than Uruguay topping Group A would be a shock, but Saudi Arabia is the only team ranked lower than Russia in this tournament, and Egypt may be without their talisman. I expect Egypt to be good enough to beat Arabia and snag a surprise point off of Uruguay; but in the last match of the group, emotion (and very possibly dubious officiating) will go the same way as the 2016 Election did: in favor of the Russians.