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World Cup 2018 groups: latest tables and standings

Sadio Mané will expect to feature for Senegal on Tuesday - REUTERS
Sadio Mané will expect to feature for Senegal on Tuesday - REUTERS

The 2018 Fifa World Cup includes eight groups of four teams in its first stage – but who is in best shape to progress to the round of 16? Here are the group tables and latest standings.

Last December's draw in Moscow saw England placed in Group E with Belgium, Tunisia and Panama. The top two in the group will qualify for the knockout stages.

You can find details about each team, the World Cup group they are in and our prediction on who makes it through right here.

World Cup Draw Live Widget 2018
World Cup Draw Live Widget 2018

Group A - Russia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Uruguay

Our group prediction: Uruguay and Egypt to go through

Group B - Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Iran

Our group prediction: Portugal and Spain to go through

Group C - France, Australia, Peru, Denmark

Our prediction: France and Denmark to go through

Group D - Argentina, Iceland, Croatia, Nigeria

Our prediction: Argentina and Croatia to go through

Group E - Brazil, Switzerland, Costa Rica, Serbia

Our prediction: Brazil and Switzerland to go through

Group F - Germany, Mexico, Sweden, South Korea

Our prediction: Germany and Mexico to go through

 

Group G - Belgium, Panama, Tunisia, England

Our prediction - Belgium and England to go through

 

Group H - Poland, Senegal, Colombia, Japan

POLAND

It's the first World Cup since 2006 for Poland, whose fans are likely to travel to Russia in large numbers. It could be the last chance to play on the biggest stage for strikers Robert Lewandowski and Jakub Blaszczykowski, who will be 29 and 32 respectively by the finals.

Poland are largely unchanged from the team that reached Euro 2016 quarter-finals where they lost on penalties to eventual champions Portugal. One concern in qualifying was a 4-0 thrashing by Denmark in September that raised concerns about the defence.

  • Key player: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich) - Already Poland's record goalscorer, he scored a European-high 16 goals in qualifying.

  • Coach: Adam Nawalka - Turned Poland from a counter-attacking team into one which seeks to dominate possession.

Full 2018 World Cup squad lists and guides | Star to watch, odds, fans' chants and more
Full 2018 World Cup squad lists and guides | Star to watch, odds, fans' chants and more

SENEGAL

Senegal are back at the World Cup for the first time since their stunning debut in 2002, when they beat defending champions France on the way to the quarter-finals, then only the second African team to make the last eight.

This qualification has been contentious, with Senegal benefiting from an unprecedented decision by Fifa to order a replay of their 2-1 loss in South Africa because of match-fixing by the referee. Senegal took advantage to win the replay, changing the dynamic of the group.

  • Key player: Sadio Mane (Liverpool) - With his blistering pace, Mane has been every bit as effective for Senegal as he has for Liverpool.

  • Coach: Aliou Cisse - Senegal will take a reminder of their dream World Cup debut in 2002 to Russia next year. Cisse was captain of the 2002 team and returns to the World Cup as coach of his country.

Senegal's Sadio Mane - Credit:  REUTERS
Sadio Mane is Senegal's talisman Credit: REUTERS

COLOMBIA

Reached the quarter-finals four years ago in Brazil and they have the talent to do it again.

This will be Colombia's second straight appearance after sitting out for 16 years. Qualifying was a struggle this time. Colombia waited until the last match to make it to Russia.

  • Key player: James Rodriguez (Bayern Munich) - A breakthrough talent at the 2014 World Cup, exemplified by a stunning volley against Uruguay, Rodriguez quickly secured a move from Monaco to Real Madrid. After struggling to make an impact in Spain, Rodriguez is at Bayern Munich on loan trying to revive his form ahead of the World Cup.

  • Coach: Jose Pekerman - Gets much of the credit for getting Colombia back into the World Cup. Also led his native Argentina to the quarter-finals in the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

JAPAN

While the squad lacks the star power of many other World Cup teams, Japan can count on a group of reliable players with plenty of European experience. Shinji Kagawa of Borussia Dortmund and Shinji Okazaki of Leicester should play key roles.

Japan finished first in Group B in Asian qualifying, ahead of Saudi Arabia and Australia.

  • Key player: Shinji Kagawa (Borussia Dortmund) - With 92 caps, the midfield star is part of an experienced core of players also including Okazaki, defender Yuto Nagamoto and midfielder Keisuke Honda.

  • Coach: Vahid Halilhodzic - Japan hope the 66-year-old Bosnian can replicate his success with Algeria at the 2014 World Cup, when he took the North African nation into the last-16 for the first time.

Our prediction: Poland and Colombia to go through

World Cup 2018 | The best of the Telegraph's coverage
World Cup 2018 | The best of the Telegraph's coverage
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