The 2022 World Cup in Qatar is just a month away and coaches are getting ready to name their final squads for the global showpiece event.
We take a look at the groups and who will expect to reach the knockout stages.
GROUP G
BRAZIL
Previous appearances: 21 (1930, 1934, 1938, 1950, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1966, 1970, 1974, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018)
Best finish: Winners (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002)
Coach: Tite (Brazil)
Star player: Neymar (Paris St Germain)
The only nation to appear at every World Cup and the record five-time winners, but Brazil have not lifted the coveted trophy for 20 years. They go into this competition with a squad that does not have as many star names in the past but is perhaps better gelled as a unit and has been in superb form. They could be the team to beat.
SERBIA
Previous appearances: 12 (1930, 1950, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1974, 1982, 1990, 1998, 2006, 2010, 2018)
Best finish: Fourth (1930, 1962)
Coach: Dragan Stojkovic (Serbia)
Star player: Dušan Tadic (Ajax Amsterdam)
Serbia competed under the banner of Yugoslavia, when they finished fourth, but have not made much of an impact on the competition since, going out in the group stages on their last three appearances. They will hope for better this time round, but must overcome Switzerland, who beat them four years ago to advance. Serbia also faced Barzil in that competition.
SWITZERLAND
Previous appearances: 11 (1934, 1938, 1950, 1954, 1962, 1966, 1994, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018)
Best finish: Quarterfinals (1934, 1938, 1954)
Coach: Murat Yakin (Switzerland)
Star player: Granit Xhaka (Arsenal)
Switzerland are back for a fifth successive finals appearances having helped to oust European champions Italy in the qualifiers. They are a team with no huge stars but are a very tough team to break down and difficult to beat. They also ousted world champions France from the last Euros, so are perhaps the team no-one wants to face.
CAMEROON
Previous appearances: 7 (1982, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2010, 2014)
Best finish: Quarterfinals (1990)
Coach: Rigobert Song (Cameroon)
Star player: Vincent Aboubakar (Al-Nassr)
Still many neutrals’ favourite African team after their exploits at the 1990 World Cup really put the continent’s football on the map. They reached the quarterfinals in that tournament, but there are no signs they will repeat that feat after a surprise qualification at the hands of Algeria for a squad that is a shadow of former selections.