(Goal.com)
By. Eli Zemach
Upon first glance at the FIFA World Cup groups, Group G may jump out primarily because Brazil is highly favoured to be the champion of world football. Switzerland, Cameroon, and Serbia, however, have all been slowly emerging as internationally capable sides; given their European qualifying group results, all three teams show the potential to be competitive for that second group spot and a chance at the round of 16.
Brazil
(Euronews)
Matches:
November 24th vs Serbia
November 28th vs Switzerland
December 2nd vs Cameroon
Last World Cup Performance: Quarter-finals loss in 2018
Brazil is the leading favourite for the World Cup champion in this upcoming tournament. From head to toe, from goalkeepers to strikers, this squad’s depth and ability are unmatched internationally. Additionally, given the international and domestic experience, many members of this roster have, they are well-equipped to make a long run past the group stages and into the round of 16. Stars like Antony, Gabriel Jesus, and Gabriel Martinelli are in the middle of career seasons in the Premier League and will look to continue their success on the international stage.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Man City), Weverton (Palmeiras)
Defenders: Alex Sandro (Juventus), Alex Telles (Sevilla), Dani Alves (Pumas), Danilo (Juventus), Bremer (Juventus), Eder Militao (Real Madrid), Marquinhos (PSG), Thiago Silva (Chelsea).
Midfielders: Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle), Casemiro (Man Utd), Everton Ribeiro (Flamengo), Fabinho (Liverpool), Fred (Man Utd), Lucas Paqueta (West Ham).
Forwards: Antony (Man Utd), Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Neymar Jr (PSG), Pedro (Flamengo), Raphinha (Barcelona), Richarlison (Spurs), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid).
Cameroon
(Eurosport)
Matches:
November 24th vs Switzerland
November 28th vs Serbia
December 2nd vs Brazil
Last World Cup Performance: First-round group stage elimination in 2014
Cameroon did not qualify for the 2018 World Cup but will look two attain a spot in the round of 16 in this upcoming tournament. Goalkeeper Andre Onana will have a tall task in helping Cameroon defend against international powerhouses like Brazil in group G, and players within their group that have been recognized on domestic and international stages like Xherdan Shaqiri, Denis Zakaria, and Dusan Vlahovic. Eric-Maxime Choupo Moting will have a strong role in goal-scoring for this Cameroon side, as he has had an accomplished season with Bayern Munich to date.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Devis Epassy (Abha Club), Simon Ngapandouetnbu (Marseille), Andre Onana (Inter Milan)
Defenders: Jean-Charles Castelletto (Nantes), Enzo Ebosse (Udinese), Collins Fai (Al Tai), Olivier Mbaizo (Philadelphia Union), Nicolas Nkoulou (Aris Salonika), Tolo Nouhou (Seattle Sounders), Christopher Wooh (Stade Rennes)
Midfielders: Martin Hongla (Verona), Pierre Kunde (Olympiakos), Olivier Ntcham (Swansea City), Gael Ondoua (Hannover 96), Samuel Oum Gouet (Mechelen), Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (Napoli)
Forwards: Vincent Aboubakar (Al Nassr), Christian Bassogog (Shanghai Shenhua), Eric-Maxime Choupo Moting (Bayern Munich), Souaibou Marou (Coton Sport), Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford), Nicolas Moumi Ngamaleu (Young Boys Berne), Jerome Ngom (Colombe Dja), Georges-Kevin Nkoudou (Besiktas), Jean-Pierre Nsame (Young Boys Berne), Karl Toko Ekambi (Olympique Lyonnais)
Switzerland
(Swissinfo)
Matches:
November 24th vs Cameroon
November 28th vs Brazil
December 2nd vs Serbia
Last World Cup Performance: Round of 16 elimination in 2018
Switzerland will look to avenge their round of 16 elimination in the previous world cup by having a deep run in this year’s tournament. Given the competition present in group G, “die Schweizer” will have a legitimate opportunity to reach the round of 16 this go around as well, the question for this central European side is consistency through the single elimination rounds. Key pieces like Manuel Akanji, Granit Xhaka, and Breel Embolo must perform to their maximum ability to contain Brazil, Cameroon, and Serbia in the group stage and make it through the round of 16.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Gregor Kobel (Borussia Dortmund), Philipp Kohn (Salzburg), Jonas Omlin (Montpellier), Yann Sommer (Borussia Monchengladbach).
Defenders: Manuel Akanji (Man City), Eray Comert (Valencia), Nico Elvedi (Borussia Monchengladbach), Ricardo Rodriguez (Torino), Fabian Schar (Newcastle), Silvan Widmer (Mainz).
Midfielders: Edimilson Fernandes (Mainz), Granit Xhaka (Arsenal), Fabian Frei (Basel), Remo Freuler (Nott’m Forest), Ardon Jashari (Luzern), Fabian Rieder (Young Boys), Xherdan Shaqiri (Chicago Fire), Djibril Sow (Eintracht Frankfurt), Renato Steffen (Lugano), Denis Zakaria (Chelsea), Michel Aebischer (Bologna).
Forwards: Breel Embolo (Monaco), Christian Fassnacht (Young Boys), Noah Okafor (RB Salzburg), Haris Seferovic (Galatasaray), Ruben Vargas (Augsburg).
Serbia
(Goal.com)
Matches:
November 24th vs Brazil
November 28th vs Cameroon
December 2nd vs Switzerland
Last World Cup Performance: First-round group stage elimination in 2018
Serbia is not as internationally acclaimed as other sides in Group G, but it would be ignorant to ignore the potential this side holds in accomplishing a long run in this year’s world cup. This side’s midfield is deep including rising stars Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Filip Kostic, two talented ball-moving players. Additionally, the Serbian side’s attackers in Dusan Tadic and Luka Jovic are experienced players with international time under their belt, and Dusan Vlahovic adds a young and energetic spark to their attack.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Marko Dmitrovic (Sevilla), Predrag Rajkovic (Mallorca), Vanja Milinkovic-Savic (Torino).
Defenders: Stefan Mitrovic (Getafe), Nikola Milenkovic (Fiorentina), Strahinja Pavlovic (RB Salzburg), Milos Veljkovic (Werder Bremen), Filip Mladenovic (Legia Warsaw), Strahinja Erakovic (Red Star Belgrade), Srdjan Babic (Almeria).
Midfielders: Nemanja Gudelj (Sevilla), Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Lazio), Sasa Lukic (Torino), Marko Grujic (Porto), Filip Kostic (Juventus), Uros Racic (Braga), Nemanja Maksimovic (Getafe), Ivan Ilic (Hellas Verona), Andrija Zivkovic (PAOK), Darko Lazovic (Hellas Verona).
Forwards: Dusan Tadic (Ajax), Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fulham), Dusan Vlahovic (Juventus), Filip Duricic (Sampdoria), Luka Jovic (Fiorentina), Nemanja Radonji (Torino).