Groups D, E, and F have a mix different teams from the USA: a host nation, Germany: one of the most successful teams in the tournaments history, Japan: a potential dark horse, and Curaçao: smalles country to every qualify for the World Cup. Each table is difficult in their own way, whether it is a battle for first palce or third place. Here are my thoughts on each group.
Group D: USA, Paraguay, Australia, Türkiye
The United States, the tournament host, has the strongest team in its history with 18 players on its 26-man roster playing abroad and 14 competing in Europe’s top five leagues: Spain, England, Italy, Germany and France. Their strength is their attacking side and they have improved tremendously on remembering to keep their shape. If the United States can tighten up at the back, it has a strong chance to finish atop the group.
Tükiye is loaded with young attacking talent, including Arda Güler and Kenan Yildiz. The team has a strong qualifying campaign, and if they can maintain that form, its matchup against the United States could determine which side finishes first and which settles for second.
Paraguay and Australia are the least experienced in the group but are still tough opponents. I think it will come down to which side has a better record against the United States and Türkiye that will decide which makes it out in third.
Group E: Germany, Curaçao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
Germany is the clear favorite in Group E and one of the most successful nations in World Cup history, having won four times. They have a great mix of young talent, such as 18-year-old Lennart Karl and experienced veterans like Manuel Neuer. Anything short of a first-place finish would be a surprise.
Ivory Coast and Ecuador are more evenly matched than many might expect. Ecuador has qualified for five World Cups, including this one, while Ivory Coast has made it to four. Their head-to-head matchup — along with how each performs against Germany — could decide which team advances in second place and which may need to rely on third-place qualification.
This marks Curaçao’s first World Cup appearance. It is also the smallest country both in population and land size to qualify for the tournament. While reaching the World Cup is already a major achievement, I think they will end up in fourth place and be eliminated before the knockout stage.
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia
Japan could emerge as one of the tournament’s dark horses. The Samurai Blue impressed at the last World Cup, defeating both Germany and Spain 2-1 to advance from the group stage. I think they will surprise people here and make it out on top again.
The Netherlands remains a dangerous side, though their recent form has been inconsistent. The Dutch drew with Ecuador and lost to Algeria in two of their final three warmup matches before the Tournament. Sweden, meanwhile, are in good form with a strong offensive side featuring Viktor Gyökeres and Alexander Isak. Its matchup against the Netherlands could determine which team claims second place.
Tunisia has qualified for each of the last three World Cups, including this one, but faces a difficult path in a competitive group. I think they will finish in fourth place and be eliminated before the knockout stage.
Netherlands striker Memphis Depay
Photo: Memphis Depay – Shutterstock – Vitalii Vitleo – ID: 1993826132
As always, stay tuned for in-depth coverage of the biggest World Cup yet at Futbolhijo.com, and check back for my next article, where I will break down Groups G, H and I. You can also read my previous article where I analyzed Groups A, B, and C.
Cover Photo: Christian Pulisic. Taken by Choosesam. Wikipedia. Creative Commons.
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