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 C
ARGENTINA
Previous appearances: 17 (1930, 1934, 1958, 1962, 1966, 1974, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018)
Best finish: Winners (1978, 1986)
Coach: Lionel Scaloni (Argentina)
Star player: Lionel Messi (Paris St Germain)
Argentina have become less reliant on talisman Lionel Messi in recent years, but that has made them a better team and now it is more about the collective effort than what magic he has in his boots on the day. They recently won the Copa America for the first time since 1993, a warning to their rivals that they will be real contenders in Qatar.
SAUDI ARABIA
Previous appearances: 5 (1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2018)
Best finish: Second round (1994)
Coach: Hervé Renard (France)
Star player: Salem Al-Dawsari (Al-Hilal Saudi)
Frenchman Herve Renard is no stranger to African audiences having twice won the Cup of Nations title, including with less fancied Zambia in 2012. He was in charge of Morocco at the last World Cup and this time round leads Saudi Arabia, who qualify for their second successive tournament. They could find it all a struggle though against three very good sides.
MEXICO
Previous appearances: 16 (1930, 1950, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1966, 1970, 1978, 1986, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018)
Best finish: Quarterfinals (1970, 1986)
Coach: Gerardo Martino (Argentina)
Star player: Hirving Lozano (Napoli)
Mexico have been regulars at the World Cup in the recent past having reached every finals since 1994, but on each occasion dropped out in the second round. Can they do better than that this year? Potentially, but it is also not perhaps their strongest selection.
POLAND
Previous appearances: 8 (1938, 1974,, 1978, 1982, 1986, 2002, 2006, 2018)
Best finish: Third (1974, 1982)
Coach: Czeslaw Michniewicz (Poland)
Star player: Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)
Any team that has striker Robert Lewandowski in their squad should be considered a danger as he is one of the premier forwards in the world game. There are others with quality, but perhaps not enough to make a real impact on the competition But they could shock one or two sides.
