Group F: Predictions and players to watch

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 F

BELGIUM

Previous appearances: 11 (1930, 1934, 1938, 1954, 1970, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2014, 2018)

Best finish: Third (2018)

Coach: Roberto Martinez (Spain)

Star player: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)

Belgium’s Golden Generation likely will enjoy their last World Cup together, so this is last chance saloon for them to win the big one. They certainly have it in their locker, though they are probably a better offensive team than defensive one. They will be among the leading contenders after finishing third four years ago.

CANADA

Previous appearances: 1 (1986)

Best finish: Group Stage (1986)

Coach: John Herdman (England)

Star player: Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich)

Canada appear at just a second World Cup finals after years of heartache in trying to reach the global event. They have players scattered around Europe’s leagues, some in lower divisions in the likes of Belgium, Portugal, England and Germany. Getting out of the pool would be a major win for them.

MOROCCO

Previous appearances: 5 (1970, 1986, 1994, 1998, 2018)

Best finish: Second round (1986)

Coach: Walid Regragui (Morocco)

Star player: Achraf Hakimi (Paris St Germain)

Morocco are back after back-to-back qualifications and will hope to do better than Russia four years ago when they went out in the first round having wanted so much more. The return of Chelsea star Hakim Ziyech to their squad is a major boost as he brings elite league experience.

CROATIA

Previous appearances: 5 (1998, 2002, 2006, 2014, 2018)

Best finish: Runners-Up (2018)

Coach: Zlatko Dalic (Croatia)

Star player: Luka Modric (Real Madrid)

Croatia were beaten finalists four years ago, but would do well to replicate that run this time round. They remain a dangerous side but were riding the crest of a wave back then that they have found hard to replicate. They went out in the second round of the recent Euros competition.