With the soccer world cup on the horizon, we profile all of the teams in Groups E and F.
GROUP E
Costa Rica
To Win Group 18/1 | To Qualify From Group 7/2 | FIFA Ranking 25th
How they qualified
Finished second behind Mexico in the North, Central America and Caribbean standings.
Pedigree
Four soccer world cup appearances (1990, 2002, 2006, 2014), most recently reaching the quarter-finals four years ago, where they lost on penalties to the Netherlands.
Coach
Oscar Ramirez – Former midfielder took over after Paulo Wanchope resigned after getting into a fight with a steward during a match against Panama.
Key player
Keylor Navas – The Real Madrid shotstopper has played over 70 times for Costa Rica since making his debut in 2008. He has represented the country at two CONCACAF Gold Cups and the 2014 soccer world cup; his impressive performances helped the team reach the quarter-finals of the latter tournament.
Group prediction: 4th
Switzerland
To Win Group 6/1 | To Win Tournament 100/1 | FIFA Ranking 6th
How they qualified
A 1-0 aggregate victory over Northern Ireland in the European play-offs, having been pipped to first on goal difference by Portugal in Group B.
Pedigree
10 finals appearances, reaching the quarter-finals in 1934, 1938 and 1954.
Coach
Vladimir Petkovic – Replaced Ottmar Hitzfeld following the 2014 soccer world cup and led the Swiss to the last 16 at Euro 2016. Before that he coached several Swiss clubs, as well as Lazio in Serie A.
Key player
Xherdan Shaqiri – The Stoke winger assisted five goals in the Swiss’ qualifying campaign.
Group prediction: 3rd
Brazil
To Win Group 2/7 | To Win Tournament 4/1 | FIFA Ranking 2nd
How they qualified
Topped the South American standings, becoming the first nation to join hosts Russia after an impressive campaign. Ended the 18-match group stage with 12 wins and just one defeat.
Pedigree
The most successful nation with five soccer world cup titles. Brazil have also finished runners-up twice in 1950 and 1998, having featured in all 20 tournaments since its inception in 1930. Have progressed from the initial group stage on each occasion from 1970 onwards.
Coach
Tite – The 57-year-old, who enjoyed great success at club side Corinthians, including beating Chelsea in the 2012 Club World Cup final, has impressed since his appointment in June 2016, helping Brazil become the first team to qualify for the 2018 soccer world cup.
Key player
Neymar – The Paris Saint-Germain forward will be vital to the Selecao’s chances of capturing their sixth world title. Neymar will captain the team and be the driving force behind Brazil’s ruthless attack.
Group prediction: 1st
Serbia
To Win Group 8/1 | To Qualify From Group 12/10 | FIFA Ranking 35th
How they qualified
Group D winners in European qualifying, finishing two points clear of runners-up Republic of Ireland.
Pedigree
11 appearances in total, eight as part of Yugoslavia from 1930 to 1990, two as Serbia and Montenegro in 1998 and 2006, before most recently featuring as Serbia in 2010. Reached the semi-finals in both 1930 and 1962.
Coach
Mladen Krstajic – The 44-year-old was named Serbia coach on a permanent basis in December after a two-month period as their caretaker. In his playing days as a centre back, he was known for his composure, leadership and defensive ability. He represented Serbia and Montenegro at the 2006 soccer world cup.
Key player
Nemanja Matic – The Manchester United midfielder is an important player for this team. He is one of the best defensive midfielders in the world and is also good going forward with his bursting runs.
Group prediction: 2nd
GROUP F
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.
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 soccer 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 soccer 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 soccer world cup-winning campaign.
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.
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.
Group prediction: 4th
