SBI World Cup Preview Group F: Belgium headlines sturdy quartet
Roberto Martinez’s squad stays one of many event’s title contenders, boasting a star-studded assault. Manchester Metropolis star Kevin De Bruyne headlines the Belgian roster, which additionally options Actual Madrid’s Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois.
Croatia’s key core are additionally coming into what may very well be their closing World Cup with Luka Modric set to do all the pieces he can to get them again to the ultimate. Ivan Perisic is among the key attackers for Croatia whereas Dejan Lovren is an skilled chief on the again.
Morocco has Hakim Ziyech again in its squad forward of its second consecutive World Cup. Walid Regragui’s squad might be one of many underrated squads in Qatar, particularly with Ziyech and Achraf Hakimi headlining an intriguing roster of gamers.
Canada topped Concacaf World Cup Qualifying to punch its second-ever ticket to the World Cup. John Herdman’s squad brushed apart Mexico and the USMNT to first place in Concacaf, due to a lethal attacking corps and veteran management on the again.
Here’s a nearer take a look at Group F:
Schedule
Wednesday: Morocco vs. Croatia, Belgium vs. Canada
Sunday: Belgium vs. Morocco, Croatia vs. Canada
December 1: Canada vs. Morocco, Croatia vs. Belgium
Belgium

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Thibaut Courtois.
TOURNAMENT HISTORY: Belgium heads into Qatar off the again of its best-ever end on the World Cup in 2018. The Belgians completed third in Russia and might be in search of a first-ever finals victory this time round.
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ROSTER – 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.
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OUTLOOK: While you take a look at the Belgium nationwide workforce on paper, they’ve all the pieces it takes to seize a World Cup trophy that has alluded them for therefore lengthy. Nonetheless, Roberto Martinez’s squad will face stiff competitors in Group F, particularly with defending finalists Croatia becoming a member of them.
There isn’t a scarcity of veteran management within the squad as Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen are the mainstays of the backline. Kevin De Bruyne has the flexibility to hold the Belgian assault if wanted, however will look to workforce up with Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku, amongst others within the closing third. Belgium might want to keep constant to keep away from any slip-ups.
Croatia

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Luka Modric, Dejan Lovren, Ivan Perisic.
TOURNAMENT HISTORY: 2022 marks Croatia’s sixth World Cup look and the third in a row following a failure to qualify in 2010. Croatia fell to France within the finals in 2018.
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ROSTER – 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.
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OUTLOOK: Croatia’s core group of veterans are again for an additional go at lifting the most important prize in worldwide sport. Zlatko Dalic possesses one of many deepest midfield teams on the earth with Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic, and Marcelo Brozovic headlining the group.
Domagoj Vida and Dejan Lovren will convey measurement and physicality to the backline, with Vida only recently amassing 100 worldwide caps. Dinamo Zagreb goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic has delivered some high performances at membership stage, and now will look to hold that over to the worldwide stage. Ivan Perisic and Andrej Kramaric have totaled 52 worldwide targets between them and convey totally different traits to the combination for the dynamic Croatia assault.
Morocco

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Hakim Ziyech, Romain Saiss, Achraf Hakimi.
TOURNAMENT HISTORY: That is Morocco’s second consecutive World Cup berth and their sixth general. They’ve solely superior out of the group stage as soon as of their historical past.
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ROSTER – Goalkeepers: Yassine Bounou, 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, Hakim Ziyech, Anass Zaroury.
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OUTLOOK: Morocco isn’t only a one-man band with Hakim Ziyech and the African aspect might be aiming to show that in Qatar. Ziyech headlines a singular attacking group which additionally options Youssef En-Nesyri and Ilias Chair. Amine Harit’s absence via harm positively damage Morocco’s general spirit, however Achraf Hakimi’s playmaking skill ought to make up for Harit’s loss.
Morocco will take care of Canada and may pose a menace for Croatia and Belgium.
Canada

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Alphonso Davies, Tajon Buchanan, Cyle Larin.
TOURNAMENT HISTORY: Canada punched its ticket again to the World Cup for the primary time since 1986.
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ROSTER – 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.
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OUTLOOK: Canada did extraordinarily properly to get to Qatar, however now the objective for John Herdman’s squad might be to knock off two of Europe’s finest. The Canadians are led by Alphonso Davies’ artistic talents whereas Tajon Buchanan and Cyle Latin additionally performed key roles in qualifying.
Stephen Eustaquio and Ismael Kone can even be two of the artistic gamers to observe within the Canada squad whereas Steven Vitoria and Milan Borjan anchor the again finish. Not many individuals are giving Canada a shot in Group F, however after excelling in Concacaf qualifying, the Canadians might pull one other shock in an even bigger method this time round.
SBI Predicted Order of End
1. Belgium. The Belgians are clear favorites within the group, with their potent assault main the way in which, however can the Belgium protection play properly sufficient for a title run?
2. Croatia. The Croatian midfield is great, however the group’s protection might be what determines whether or not the 2018 finalists can keep away from a stumble within the group stage.
3. Canada. An absence of World Cup expertise might damage Canada towards the massive boys in Group F, however Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David give the North People a dynamic duo able to hurting any workforce within the group.
4. Morocco. With Ziyech and Hakimi, Morocco might pose some issues.
See Belgium has a respectable title contender? Suppose the Croatians have one other deep run in them?
Share your ideas under.