CROATIA
5/2 To Win Group | 50/1 To Win Tournament | FIFA Ranking: 12
How They Qualified
Finished their 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign with 23 points. They won their group, beating the likes of Russia and Slovakia.
Coach
Zlatko Dalic – He is a former player of the Croatian team. The head coach most recently led the team to finish as runners-up in the Russia 2018 World Cup.
Key Player
Luka Modric – The veteran midfielder won the player of the tournament award as he led Croatia to their first ever World Cup final in Russia. He ended Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi’s stranglehold on the Ballon d’Or in the same year. Modric has showed few signs of slowing down since, winning his fifth Champions League crown with Real Madrid last season.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Dominik Livakovic, Ivica Ivusic, Ivo Grbic
Defenders: Domagoj Vida, Dejan Lovren, Borna Barisic, Josip Juranovic, Josko Gvardiol, Borna Sosa, Josip Stanisic, Martin Erlic, Josip Sutalo
Midfielders: Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic, Marcelo Brozovic, Mario Pasalic, Nikola Vlasic, Lovro Majer, Kristijan Jakic, Luka Sucic
Forwards: Ivan Perisic, Andrej Kramaric, Bruno Petkovic, Mislav Orsic, Ante Budimir, Marko Livaja
CANADA
12/1 To Win Group | 200/1 To Win Tournament | FIFA Ranking: 41
How They Qualified
Finished first in the CONCACAF zone final qualifying standings.
Coach
John Herdman – The 47-year-old Englishman has taken an unconventional route to the World Cup after starting his coaching career while working as a part-time university lecturer. After working with Sunderland’s youth academy, he moved to New Zealand in 2003 and took over as head coach of the New Zealand women’s team in 2006. That led to a move to Canada where he guided Canada’s women to bronze medals at the 2021 and 2016 Olympics. Herdman was subsequently installed as the coach of Canada’s men’s teams in 2018.
Key Player
Alphonso Davies – Comfortable playing as a full-back or winger, Davies offers blinding speed on the counter-attack as well as a proven ability on the biggest stages. He was a key member of the Bayern team which lifted the 2020 UEFA Champions League and also played a key role during Canada’s successful qualifying campaign.
Squad
Goalkeepers: James Pantemis, Milan Borjan, Dayne St. Clair
Defenders: Samuel Adekugbe, Joel Waterman, Alistair Johnston, Richie Laryea, Kamal Miller, Steven Vitoria, Derek Cornelius
Midfielders: Liam Fraser, Ismael Kone, Mark-Anthony Kaye, David Wotherspoon, Jonathan Osorio, Atiba Hutchinson, Stephen Eustaquio, Samuel Piette
Forwards: Tajon Buchanan, Liam Millar, Lucas Cavallini, Ike Ugbo, Junior Hoilett, Jonathan David, Cyle Larin, Alphonso Davies
MOROCCO
10/1 To Win Group | 250/1 To Win Tournament | FIFA Ranking: 22
How They Qualified
Defeated the Democratic Republic of Congo in a play-off.
Coach
Walid Regragui – The 47-year-old has had little time to prepare the Atlas Lions having replaced Bosnian Vahid Halilhodzic on the last day of August this year. The highlight of his coaching career came this year when he led Wydad Casablanca to victory over Egyptian giants Al Ahly in the CAF Champions League final.
Key Player
Hakim Ziyech – Regragui has hailed the Netherlands-born attacker as a “fighter who gives everything for his adopted country” but there are concerns about his lack of game time at Chelsea – he’s played the fewest minutes for the Premier League giants.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Bono, Munir El Kajoui, Ahmed Tagnaouti
Defenders: Nayef Aguerd, Yahia Attiyat Allah, Badr Benoun, Achraf Dari, Jawad El Yamiq, Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui, Romain Saiss
Midfielders: Sofyan Amrabat, Selim Amallah, Bilal El Khannous, Yahya Jabrane, Azzedine Ounahi, Abdelhamid Sabiri
Forwards: Zakaria Aboukhlal, Sofiane Boufal, Ilias Chair, Walid Cheddira, Youssef En-Nesyri, Abde Ezzalzouli, Abderrazak Hamdallah, Amine Harit, Hakim Ziyech.
BELGIUM
53/100 To Win Group | 16/1 To Win Tournament | FIFA Ranking: 2
How They Qualified
The No 1-ranked team in Europe finished first in their group with six wins and two draws, scoring 25 goals over eight games and only conceding six.
Coach
Roberto Martinez – The 49-year-old has enjoyed six strong years in charge but is yet to deliver an elusive first major tournament title. Belgium’s ‘Golden Generation’ reached the World Cup semi-finals for only the second time in Russia but came up short against France. This year could be the final chance for Martinez’s current squad to emerge on top, with several important players already in their 30s.
Key Player
Kevin De Bruyne – The Manchester City midfielder finished third in the recent Ballon d’Or voting and will be Belgium’s go-to man when in need of inspiration. De Bruyne scored a career-best 19 goals for English champions City last term and has already notched 12 assists this campaign following the signing of Erling Haaland.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois, Simon Mignolet, Koen Casteels
Defenders: Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld, Leander Dendoncker, Zeno Debast, Arthur Theate, Wout Faes
Midfielders: Hans Vanaken, Axel Witsel, Youri Tielemans, Amadou Onana, Kevin De Bruyne, Yannick Carrasco, Thorgan Hazard, Timothy Castagne, Thomas Meunier
Forwards: Romelu Lukaku, Michy Batshuayi, Lois Openda, Charles De Ketelaere, Eden Hazard, Jeremy Doku, Dries Mertens, Leandro Trossard