We preview the teams playing in Group F for this year’s soccer world cup 2018, which includes Germany, Sweden, Mexico and South Korea. Key players to watch in this group include Toni Kroos, Javier Hernandez, Andreas Granqvist, and Son Heung-min. Get betting and predictions here.
Sweden
To Win Group 13/2
To Qualify From Group 12/10
FIFA Ranking 23rd
How they qualified
Secured a 1-0 aggregate victory over Italy in the European play-offs, having finished runners-up to France in Group A.
Pedigree
11 appearances since first featuring in 1934. Lost the 1958 final on home soil to Brazil, and have reached a further three semi-finals, most recently in 1994.
Coach
Janne Andersson – Appointed in June 2016 on a three-year contract, he was brought in to replace Erik Hamren at the end of Sweden’s Euro 2016 campaign. He began his coaching career at fourth-tier Alets IK, then took charge at Laholms FK, Halmstads, Orgryte and Norrkoping, leading the latter to the 2015 Swedish title.
Key player
Andreas Granqvist – Named Sweden’s player of the year in 2017, the national team captain has been a rock in their defence since 2006.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Karl-Johan Johnsson (Guingamp), Kristoffer Nordfeldt (Swansea), Robin Olsen (FC Copenhagen).
Defenders: Ludwig Augustinsson (Werder Bremen), Andreas Granqvist (Krasnodar), Filip Helander (Bologna), Pontus Jansson (Leeds), Emil Krafth (Bologna), Mikael Lustig (Celtic), Victor Lindelof (Manchester United), Martin Olsson (Swansea).
Midfielders: Viktor Claesson (Krasnodar), Jimmy Durmaz (Toulouse), Albin Ekdal (Hamburger SV), Emil Forsberg (Leipzig), Oscar Hiljemark (Genoa), Sebastian Larsson (Hull City), Marcus Rohden (FC Crotone), Gustav Svensson (Seattle Sounders).
Forwards: Marcus Berg (Al Ain), John Guidetti (Alaves), Isaac Kiese Thelin (Waasland-Beveren), Ola Toivonen (Toulouse).
Group prediction
2nd
Germany
To Win Group 1/3
To Win Tournament 9/2
FIFA Ranking 1st
How they qualified
Group C winners in European qualifying, winning all 10 games and scoring 43 goals.
Pedigree
Four-time winners of the World Cup, winning three times as West Germany in 1954, 1974 and 1990 before being crowned champions as a unified Germany in 2014. Finished runners-up on four occasions, having featured at the finals 18 times.
Coach
Joachim Low – Low has been Germany coach since 2006, having previously served as assistant to Jurgen Klinsmann. He has led the team to tremendous success during his decade-plus in charge, lifting the FIFA World Cup in 2014 and winning the FIFA Confederations Cup with a youthful side in 2017.
Key player
Toni Kroos – The Real Madrid midfielder has long been an integral player for Germany, and was instrumental in their 2014 World Cup-winning campaign.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona), Kevin Trapp (Paris Saint-Germain)
Defenders: Mats Hummels (Bayern Munich), Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Jonas Hector (Cologne), Matthias Ginter (Borussia Monchengladbach), Niklas Sule (Bayern Munich), Antonio Rudiger (Chelsea), Marvin Plattenhardt (Hertha Berlin)
Midfielders: Toni Kroos (Real Madrid), Mesut Ozil (Arsenal), Sami Khedira (Juventus), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Sebastian Rudy (Bayern Munich), Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund), Leon Goretzka (Schalke), Julian Draxler (Paris Saint-Germain), Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City), Julian Brandt (Bayer Leverkusen)
Forwards: Timo Werner (RB Leipzig), Mario Gomez (Stuttgart)
Group prediction
1st
Korea Republic
To Win Group 16/1
To Qualify From Group 5/2
FIFA Ranking 61st
How they qualified
Group A runners-up in Asian qualifying, finishing seven points behind Iran, but crucially two clear of third-place Syria.
Pedigree
Ever-presents at the World Cup since 1986, South Korea first reached the finals in 1954. A run to the semi-finals as hosts in 2002 ended with a 1-0 loss to Germany.
Coach
Shin Tae-yong – When defeats to Qatar and China threw South Korea’s qualifying campaign into turmoil, the former under-23s team coach was promoted to steady the ship. Has only ever coached in South Korea and Australia.
Key player
Son Heung-min – With his devastating pace, dazzling stepovers and deadly finishing, Son Heung-min is pivotal to the Taegeuk Warriors. The Tottenham forward scored seven goals for his country in the qualifying campaign and was named International Player of the Year by the Asian Football Confederation for the second time in three years.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Kim Seung-Gyu (Vissel Kobe, Japan), Kim Jin-Hyeon (Cerezo Osaka, Japan), Cho Hyun-Woo (Daegu FC)
Defenders: Kim Young-Gwon (Guangzhou Evergrande, China), Jang Hyun-Soo (FC Tokyo, Japan), Jung Seung-Hyun (Sagan Tosu, Japan), Yun Yong-Sun (Seongnam FC), Oh Ban-Suk (Jeju United), Kim Min-Woo (Sangju Sangmu), Park Joo-Ho (Ulsan Hyundai), Hong Chul (Sangju Sangmu), Go Yo-Han (FC Seoul), Lee Yong (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors)
Midfielders: Ki Sung-Yueng (Swansea City, England), Jung Woo-Young (Vissel Kobe, Japan), Ju Se-Jong (Asan Mugunghwa FC), Koo Ja-Cheol (FC Augsburg, Germany), Lee Jae-Sung (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors), Lee Seung-Woo (Hellas Verona, Italy), Moon Seon-Min (Incheon United)
Forwards: Kim Shin-Wook (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors), Son Heung-Min (Tottenham Hotspur, England), Hwang Hee-Chan (FC Red Bull Salzburg, Austria)
Group prediction
3rd
Mexico
To Win Group 5/1
To Qualify From Group 1/1
FIFA Ranking 15th
How they qualified
Group winners in the North, Central America and Caribbean standings, securing a spot in Russia with three games to spare.
Pedigree
With 15 finals appearances from 15 qualifying attempts, Mexico have reached the quarter-finals just twice (1970 and 1986), while they have lost in the round of 16 on the last six occasions.
Coach
Juan Carlos Osorio – Known for his detailed planning and quick attacking style, but struggles with self-control and was suspended for the 2017 Gold Cup after being sent off at the Confederations Cup.
Key player
Javier Hernandez – Averaging a goal every two games for his country, having first made his debut back in 2009.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Guillermo Ochoa (Standard Liege), Alfredo Talavera (Toluca), Jesus Corona (Cruz Azul)
Defenders: Carlos Salcedo (Eintracht Frankfurt), Diego Reyes (Porto), Hector Moreno (Real Sociedad), Hugo Ayala (Tigres), Edson Alvarez (America), Jesus Gallardo (Monterrey), Miguel Layun (Sevilla)
Midfielders: Rafael Marquez (Atlas), Hector Herrera (Porto), Jonathan dos Santos (LA Galaxy), Giovani dos Santos (LA Galaxy), Andres Guardado (Real Betis), Marco Fabian (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Forwards: Javier Hernandez (West Ham), Raul Jimenez (Benfica), Oribe Peralta (America), Jesus Manuel Corona (Porto), Carlos Vela (Los Angeles FC), Javier Aquino (Tigres), Hirving Lozano (PSV Eindhoven)
Group prediction
4th
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GROUP PROFILES
Group A Team Profiles
(Egypt, Uruguay, Russia, Saudia Arabia)
(Spain, Portugal, Iran, Morocco)
(France, Peru, Denmark, Australia)
(Argentina, Nigeria, Croatia, Iceland)
(Brazil, Costa Rica, Switzerland, Serbia)
(Germany, Mexico, Sweden, South Korea)
(England, Belgium, Tunisia, Panama)
(Colombia, Poland, Senegal, Japan)