Group C preview
Brazil: The Selecao head into this World Cup with massive expectation having been put out on penalties against Croatia back in 2022 in a game Brazil really should have won having been 1-0 up in extra-time but the only real player that people are talking about in the squad is Neymar, I have to admit I am excited to watch Neymar in the World Cup for the last time but you have to wonder just how fit he is going to be and if he can even play a part in this World Cup for Brazil. Not selecting Joao Pedro is crazy from Ancelotti as in my opinion he offers more than Igor Thiago up front but I suppose we’ll have to wait and see if Ancelotti is vindicated for tat decision, I do think Brazil are being overlooked by many for this World Cup as their squad is as good as any in the tournament with the likes of Vinicius Junior, Raphinha, Endrick, Rayan etc having everything to prove in a World Cup for Brazil. I’d be shocked if they didn’t top this group and I do see them going far in this tournament which the nation would expect, the minimum has to be the semi-finals for Brazil.
Player to watch: Rayan
Haiti: An exciting time for Haiti making their first ever World Cup and being drawn in a really competitive group where they’ll hope to do themselves proud and put up a good showing in a group they are unlikely to make it out of, in terms of players you might know they have the likes of Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Wilson Isidor who applied their trade for Wolves and Sunderland in the Premier League this season so they they have a couple of familiar faces. In their most recent friendly they demolished New Zealand 4-0 which has to give the squad confidence heading to their first ever World Cup, a squad with no pressure on their shoulders can be dangerous in a tournament so it will be key for the other teams not to take this Haiti team lightly as they will be no pushovers, I’m looking forward to see how they will perform in this World Cup.
Player to watch: Wilson Isidor
Morocco: Morocco head to this tournament having ‘won’ the Africa Cup of Nations back in January after it was decided that Senegal didn’t actually win that game despite leading at the end of 120 minutes and lifting the trophy after but I guess that counts for little these days as FIFA decided to award the trophy to Morocco after Senegal left the pitch after an extremely dubious was awarded to Morocco in the last minute of ordinary time, Brahim Diaz missed the penalty and Senegal scored in extra-time to win the game but according to some silly rule Senegal forfeited the match. The funniest part is Morocco sacked their coach after losing the final so they’ll have a new manager heading into this tournament, they shocked the world last time out making the semi-finals in 2022 becoming the first African team ever to make the semi-finals in the history of the competition so there is expectation on this team to try and repeat what they did last time. They are likely to at least get out of the group but I wouldn’t be shocked if Scotland finished ahead of them which would be a shock considering Morocco’s last couple of tournaments, I still them going far with their experience in these tournaments in the last few years.
Player to watch: Ismael Saibari
Scotland: The Tartan Army are back in the World Cup for the first time since 1998 and they did it in some style beating Denmark 4-2 to automatically qualify for the tournament, they do find themselves in a tough group with Brazil and Morocco most likely to take the top two spots in the group but with the expansion of the World Cup I can definitely see them as one of the best 3rd place teams which would see them through to the Round of 32. The side will be led by Scott McTominay who whilst not having the best of seasons with Napoli will be keen to continue his brilliant form for his country which saw them qualify for this competition, I do worry about the lack of pace in the Scotland squad especially up front but they are strong in midfield with McGinn and McTominay so I would expect them to have a pretty decent tournament maybe making it to the Round of 16 which I think would be a success.
Player to watch: Ben Gannon-Doak
Overall prediction for the group:
1.Brazil
2.Morocco
3.Scotland
4.Haiti