World Cup 2022: Group H Preview
Iconic striker Cristiano Ronaldo has already helped Portugal to their first-ever Euro Cup and Nations League titles. Can he complete the trifecta with the World Cup in what will surely be his last crack at it?
Portugal
FIFA Rank: #9
Qualified as: 2nd place in UEFA Group A, defeated Turkey and North Macedonia in playoff
The Skinny
For such a (geographically) small nation, Portugal perennially boasts one of the most talented rosters in the World, leading to them consistently being listed among the tournament favorites, and that is no different this time around. However, like Duke or Kentucky basketball, that often translates to underwhelming performances— see: Round of 16 exits in last year’s Euro Cup, as well as the 2010 and 2018 World Cups, or group stage exit in the 2014 World Cup. That said, every now and then A Selecão are good for the deep run they’re capable of, such as their 4th place finish in the 2006 World Cup, or more relevantly, their Euro 2016 and Nations League 2019 triumphs. Which Portugal will we get this time? Nobody knows, but it makes them can’t-miss football.
The Best XI
What?! A Portugal XI without Cristiano Ronaldo?! It sounds crazy-- and probably won't happen --but I promise this is not just personal vendetta, nor a reaction to the antics he's pulled with Manchester United of late. Truthfully, Portugal has more and better attacking options. Milan's Rafael Leao was a Ballon d'Or candidate, Atlético Madrid's Joao Félix is the future at forward, and Brunos Silva and Fernandes are two of the best players on Manchesters City and United. A veteran defense includes Paris Saint-Germain pairing Nuno Mendes and Danilo Pereira, as well as Manchester City pairing Ruben Días and Joao Cancelo, while Rui Patricio, one of three good goalkeepers on Portugal's roster, completes the solid back line.
Ghana
FIFA Rank: #61
Qualified as: Tied Nigeria 1-1 on agg. in CAF Third Round, advanced on away goals (1-0)
The Skinny
Similarly to Cameroon in our last group preview, Ghana, so often the toast of their continent can rarely be considered a surprise qualifier, but that was the case this time. This is probably the weakest Black Stars side to make a World Cup, and they were given an unforgiving qualifying draw, matched up against perhaps the most talented side in the continent, Nigeria. But a crucial away goal in Abuja saw Ghana qualify for this tournament, and though they’ll be heavy underdogs in this group, that’s been true every time before, and between two knockout stage berths, a quarterfinal run, and razor-tight matches in the group of death 8 years ago, we should know by now not to count them out.
The Best XI
For much being made (including by me, literally one second ago) about this being Ghana's "weakest team," there still is plenty of talent abound in this XI. Jordan Ayew is an underrated Premier League forward with Crystal Palace, and a potential attacking force of Sporting Lisbon's Abdul Issahaku, Athletic Bilbao's Iñaki Williams, Ajax's Mohamed Kudus and of course, Arsenal's Thomas Partey, is very dangerous indeed. Other Premier League fixtures, like Leicester's Daniel Amartey, Southampton's Mohammed Salisu, and Brighton's Tariq Lamptey bolster their defense as well.
Uruguay
FIFA Rank: #14
Qualified as: 3rd place in CONMEBOL
The Skinny
The two-time World Cup Champions had barely made a splash in this tournament in the modern era when suddenly, over the last 12 years, a golden generation with little fanfare made La Celeste one of the consistently best-performing countries at the World Cup. It began with their unexpected, thrilling semifinal run in South Africa, continued 4 years later with progression from the hardest group at the Cup (where their run ended only because of James Rodriguez magic), and was confirmed in 2018 with a dominant group-topping performance and progression to the quarterfinals (where their run ended only at the hands of eventual champions France). An aging squad and uneven qualifying campaign has quelled expectations for Uruguay somewhat this time around, but one look at their teamsheet will tell you this is still a team to fear in many regards.
The Best XI
Uruguay's own 'golden generation' may be on its last legs, but this squad is still loaded with talent at each position. Liverpool's star signing Darwin Nuñéz will likely partner with one-time Liverpool star Luis Suárez for a delightfully chaotic forward tandem, and Arsenal's Lucas Torreira and Real Madrid's Federico Valverde complete an intimidating attack. Lazio's Matias Vecino and Tottenham's Rodrigo Bentancur helm a solid defensive midfield, and they will play in front of a back line that stars veteran keeper Fernando Muslera, and defenders from the likes of Napoli, Atlético Madrid, Barcelona, and Roma.
South Korea
FIFA Rank: #28
Qualified as: 2nd Place in Group A in AFC Third Round
The Skinny
South Korea, like every other team in this group has carved out a consistent presence at the FIFA World Cup. The Taeguk Warriors aren’t just along for the ride, though. Their semifinal run on home soil in 2002 was legendary— for reasons both good and bad —but their knockout stage berth in 2010 and famous win over Germany four years ago have proven it was no fluke. A difficult group may keep them out of the knockout stages for the third tournament running, but having a generation of talent that enters this tournament in their prime, including one of the best forwards on the globe, means that you can’t count them out by any means.
The Best XI
South Korea's chances in this tournament likely hinge on Tottenham star forward Son Heung-Min, but he will have plenty of attacking help around him, in Wolverhampton's Hwan Hee-chan, Olympaicos' Hwang Ui-jo and Hwang In-beom, and Freiburg's Jeong Woo-yeong. They are much more shorthanded in defense, but will rely on Napoli talent Kim Min-jae and a whole host of veteran experience around him to hold things down on that end of the pitch.
Group Prediction
This group's dynamic is similar to Belgium's in Group F, where the two clear favorites are both aging and injury-riddled, making them more vulnerable to upsets. That said, I still think the talent gap between Portugal/Uruguay and Korea/Ghana is a little too big for the underdogs to overcome. Of those two tiers, I like Portugal and South Korea slightly more, but Uruguay and Ghana finishing 1st and 3rd instead would not surprise me in the least.
Comments