The national football team of Iran, also known as Team Melli, has been the highest-ranked team in Asia since December 2014 and is currently the 32nd ranked team in the world according to the latest FIFA World Rankings.

Iran is one of the most successful national teams in Asia with three Asian Cup championships (1968, 1972, and 1976). The national team has qualified for the World Cup five times (1978, 1998, 2006, 2014, and 2018) but has never advanced past the group stage.

First game: IR Iran vs Morocco (15/06)

Star: Sardar Azmoun

Having shone while on loan at Rostov, Azmoun returned to his Russian parent club, Rubin Kazan, last summer, but went on to suffer a frustrating time, partly due to injuries. The 23-year-old remains Carlos Queiroz’s principal striker, though, and, having been linked with a host of big clubs – and often dubbed “the Iranian Messi” – he could emerge as a breakthrough star in Russia. 

Coach: Carlos Queiroz

Carlos Queiroz, is a portuguese football manager who is currently in charge of the Iran national team. He has also been the manager of the portuguese national team, the spanish club Real Madrid and was Alex Ferguson’s assistant manager at Manchester United. Queiroz has qualified three national teams to the World Cup, those being South Africa in 2002, Portugal in 2010 and Iran in 2014/2018.

Queiroz has won several awards as a coach in junior levels, and has been successful at senior and club levels, mainly as Alex Ferguson’s assistant manager.

He is the longest serving manager in the history of the Iran national team after serving for over seven years from his appointment in 2011. Queiroz is the only manager in the country’s history who has led the national team to two World Cups and also the first manager to lead the national team to consecutive World Cups.

Group: Morocco, Spain, Portugal. 

The Uruguayan team recently won the 2011 Copa América. They have won the Copa América 15 times, being the team that has won the tournament on most occasions. The team has won the FIFA World Cup twice, including the first World Cup in 1930. They won their second title in 1950, defeating the host, Brazil (2–1), in the final match, which received an attendance higher than any football match ever.

They have won the Gold Medals at the Summer Olympics twice, in 1924 and 1928.

Uruguay is the only nation in world to organize multiple major international tournaments in their own country and win them all. La Celeste won 7 Copa América tournaments, 1 World Cup and Mundialito, all staged in Uruguay.

First game: Uruguay  vs Egypt (15/06)

Star: Luis Suarez

Suarez is widely regarded as one of the best strikers in the world. In December 2016, he was considered (by The Guardian) the third-best football player in the world. In October 2015, he scored his 300th goal for club and country.

Suárez continues to average more than a goal every other game for his country, and is an icon and a talisman for Uruguay. This will be his third World Cup, his first in 2010 having ended with a controversial handball, and his second in 2014 concluding with a bite and a ban. “I am preparing physically and mentally so that this is my World Cup, especially given what happened in 2014,” he said earlier this year. “I want to make Uruguayans happy.”

Coach: Oscar Washington Tabarez

Óscar Tabárez, known as El Maestro (The Teacher), is a uruguayan football manager and former football player, who played as a defender. He is currently the manager of the Uruguay national team.

On 25 March 2016, two and a half weeks after completing ten years as the manager of Uruguay, Tabárez surpassed Francisco Maturana for the head coach with most World Cup qualifying games in South America (47 qualifications), with the singularity that he has only managed Uruguay. Tabárez is also the fifth-ranked manager with most games at the Copa América (26), participating in five tournaments (1989, 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2016). In 2012 Tabaréz became the recipient of the FIFA Order of Merit, the highest honour awarded by FIFA.

Group: Russia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt.

Japan is one of the most successful teams in Asia, having qualified for the last six consecutive FIFA World Cups and having won the AFC Asian Cup a record four times (1992, 2000, 2004 and 2011). The team has also finished second in the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup.

Japan is the only team from outside the Americas to participate in the Copa América, having been invited in 1999 and 2011. 

Although the team does not have an official nickname, it is often known by the name of the manager. For example, under Takeshi Okada, the team was known as Okada Japan. Recently, the team has been known or nick-named as the “Samurai Blues”.

First game: Japan vs Colombia (19/06)

Star: Maya Yoshida

The rock of Japan’s defence made his international debut in 2010 and has now passed the 80-cap mark. He used to be criticised for a tendency to make mistakes but has matured hugely during six years in the Premier League (playing for Southampton FC). It’s now impossible to imagine a Japan national team without him. He released a book before the tournament, “Unbeatable Mind”, written during Southampton’s successful fight against relegation. A flabour of it: “Resilience can give you strength to keep moving forwards when you are caught in the rain or a storm, and keep you continuing on your journey through life. And it is a strength which resides in everyone.”

Coach: Akira Nishino

Akira Nishino is a former japanese football player who played for the japanese national team. He is now the manager of the japanese team.

The extent of Nishino’s FIFA World Cup experience extends to playing in four World Cup qualifiers for Japan in 1977. However, the veteran coach does have experience of managing at FIFA tournaments, taking charge of his country at the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament Atlanta 1996 and guiding Gamba Osaka to the FIFA Club World Cup semi-finals in 2008

Group: Poland, Senegal, Colombia.

The team is nick-named Los Cafeteros (The Coffee Growers) due to the coffee production in their country.

Since the mid-1980s, the national team has been a symbol fighting the country’s negative reputation. This has made the sport popular and made the national team a sign of nationalism, pride and passion for many colombians worldwide. They’re known for having a passionate fan base. Colombia had its strongest period during the 1990s. A match, in 1993, resulted in a 0–5 win over Argentina which began a special “mutual respect” rivalry between both nations. The goalkeeper René Higuita achieved fame from his eccentric scorpion kick clearance against England at Wembley Stadium in 1995.

During the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, Colombia showed improvement over the 2011 Copa América, bringing its rank up to the top ten for the first time since 2002 and into the top five consistently for the first time since 2004. After a 16-year-long wait, in 2014 Colombia finally returned to the World Cup, where they were able to advance to the quarter-finals, the furthest Colombia has ever made it in a World Cup. Colombia’s midfielder James Rodríguez won two awards, the Golden Boot for most goals and Best Goal of the Tournament.

First game: Colombia vs Japan (19/06)

Star: James Rodriguez

James became well known in Europe during his time at the portuguese team Porto, winning several trophies and individual awards during his three years at the club.

In 2014, his amazing performances in the World Cup led the colombian team to the semi-final, where it got defeated by Brazil. Even though Colombia didn’t win the World Cup, James Rodriguez received the Golden Boot for finishing as the top scorer at the 2014 Fifa World Cup and the award for the Best Goal of the Tournament.

Coach: José Pékerman

José Pékerman is an argentine football coach and current manager of colombian national football team. As a youth level coach for Argentina, he won the FIFA World Youth Championship three times and the U20 South American Youth Championship twice. He coached the Argentine national team in the 2006 FIFA World Cup and became coach of the Colombian national team in 2012. For the colombian team, Pékerman achieved top 10 in the 2014 World Cup.

Group: Poland, Senegal, Japan.

England is one of the two oldest national teams in football; alongside Scotland, who played in the world’s first international football match in 1872. Contesting for the World Cup seventeen times over the past sixty-four years, England won the 1966 World Cup when they hosted the finals, and finished fourth in 1990. England never won the European Championship with their best performances being semi-finals appearances at the 1968 and 1996 Championships. England contest the FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship, which alternate biennially. Any one of these tournament victories after 1992 would mean England would also contest the FIFA Confederations Cup.

First game: England vs Tunisia (18/06)

Star: Harry Kane

Kane made his first-team debut for Tottenham on 25 August 2011 in a UEFA Europa League. Before establishing himself in Tottenham’s first team, he spent time in League One playing for Leyton Orient. Kane became a regular starter for Tottenham in the 2014–15 season, in which he scored 31 goals across the season and was named the PFA Young Player of the Year. Kane finished top scorer of both the 2015–16 and the 2016–17 Premier League seasons. He has scored over 100 goals for Tottenham, and is currently sixth in the team’s all-time top goalscorers list.

The Guardian ranked him as the fifth-best footballer on the planet in 2017.

Coach: Gareth Southgate

Gareth Southgate is the England National Team manager and former player who played as a defender or as a midfielder. He won the League Cup with both Aston Villa and Middlesbrough in 1995–96 and 2003–04 and captained Crystal Palace to win the First Division championship in 1993–94. His playing career ended in May 2006 at the age of 35, and after more than 500 league appearances, he was subsequently appointed Middlesbrough manager. He served as manager of Middlesbrough from June 2006 until October 2009, then managed the England U21 team from 2013 to 2016, before becoming the England national team manager in 2016.

Group: Belgium, Panama, Tunisia.

The mexican national team competes as a member of CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football).

Mexico has qualified to sixteen World Cups, since 1994, making it one of six countries to do so. Along with Brazil and Germany, the mexican team is the only nation to make it out of the group stage over the last six World Cups.

They’re one of eight nations to have won two of the three most important football tournaments : The World Cup, the Confederations Cup, and Summer Olympics.

Mexico is historically the most successful national team in the CONCACAF region, with ten confederation titles, including seven CONCACAF Gold Cups and three CONCACAF Championships, as well as three NAFC Championships, one North American Nations Cup and one CONCACAF Cup.

First game: Mexico vs Germany (17/06)

Star: Javier Hernandez

Javier Hernandez, also known as Chicharito, has been a member of the Mexican National team since 2009, and he has become an integral part of the team. Javier secured his position in the national team after scoring four goals in three games during some friendly matches in 2010. In 2011, Hernandez emerged from the CONCACAF Gold Cup victorious, beating out the USA in the final. He finished the tournament with seven goals and was the MVP of the tournament as well as the Golden Boot award winner.

Coach: Juan Carlos Osorio

Nicknamed El Recreacionista (The Recreationist in Spanish) due to his unorthodox training methods, Osorio held various assistant manager jobs before beginning his managing career in 2006 with Millonarios. Osorio managed Once Caldas in 2010 and led them to a league title. In 2012 he did the same thing with Atlético Nacional winning numerous championships with the team. In October 2015 he was named as the new manager of the Mexican national team.

Group: Germany, Sweden, Korea Republic.

Known as the Albicelestes, Argentina has appeared in five World Cup finals, including their first final in 1930, which they lost 4–2 to Uruguay. Led by Lionel Messi, Argentina made their fifth appearance in a World Cup final in 2014, where they lost to Germany, 1–0 during extra-time.

The Albiceleste team has been very successful in the Copa América, winning it 14 times and also winning the ‘extra’ South American Championships in 1941, 1945 and 1946. The team also won the 1992 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 1993 Artemio Franchi Trophy. The Argentine olympic team won the Olympics football tournaments in Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.

Argentina, Brazil, Germany and France are the only national teams that have won the three most important men’s titles recognized by FIFA: the World Cup, the Confederations Cup and the Olympic tournament.

They’re known for having rivalries with Brazil, Uruguay, England, and Germany due to historic occurrences with one another throughout football history.

First game: Argentina vs Iceland (16/06)

Star: Lionel Messi

Messi began playing from an early age, and his talent was soon apparent. However, at the age of 11, Messi was diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency (GHD). This was a condition that stunted growth and required expensive medical treatment, including the use of the drug Human growth hormone.

His local club, River Plate were interested in signing Messi but didn’t want to pay for his medical treatment. So, he was given a trial with Barcelona and coach Carles Rexach was impressed – offering Messi a contract (written on a paper napkin) which included paying for Messi’s treatment in Spain.

Years later, Messi is now considered one of the best footballers in history. He has been voted for FIFA’s player of the year on five

separate occasions.

Coach: Jorge Sampaoli

Sampaoli started out as a youth player and eventually switched to management after a severe injury.

Sampaoli earned praise as the head coach of Universidad de Chile, winning three league titles and the Copa Sudamericana championship. This success led him to coach the Chilean men’s national team in 2012, replacing Claudio Borghi. He led the Chilean national football team to their first Copa América title, after defeating Argentina in the final in the 2015 tournament in Chile. He is well known for his attacking tactics which are similar to those of Marcelo Bielsa.

On 28 June 2016, Sampaoli signed a two-year contract with Sevilla.

After spending only one year in Spain and leading Sevilla to fourth spot in La Liga, allowing them to play the Champions League football next season, Sampaoli left the club to coach the Argentina national team.

Group: Iceland, Croatia, Nigeria.

Brazil is the most successful national team in the FIFA World Cup, the main football international competition, crowned winner five times: 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002. Being the only national team to have won the World Cup on four different continents, Brazil is a tough opponent to beat. Brazil also has the best overall performance in the World Cup with a record of 70 victories in 104 matches played, 119 goals, 227 points, and 17 losses. They’re the only national team to have played in all World Cup editions without any absence or need for playoffs. The seleção (portuguese name to “national team”) is the most successful national team in the FIFA Confederations Cup with four titles: 1997, 2005, 2009 and 2013.

First game: Brazil vs Switzerland (17/06)

Star: Neymar Jr

The most-expensive player in the game’s history, Neymar, born on February 5, 1992, in São Paulo, Brazil, where he drew attention for his impressive soccer abilities at an early age. With 53 goals in 83 matches for Brazil, since debuting at age 18, Neymar is the fourth-highest goalscorer for his national team. He was a key player in Brazil’s victories at the 2011 South American Youth Championship, which he finished as the leading goalscorer. His participation in the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2015 Copa America was cut short by injury and a suspension respectively, but the next year he captained Brazil to their first Olympic gold medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Known for his dribbling, finishing, and ability with both feet, Neymar has earned comparisons to former Brazil and Santos forward Pelé.

Coach: Tite

In June 2016, Tite was announced as the new coach for the Brazil national team to replace Dunga. In Tite’s first match in charge of Brazil, a 2018 World Cup qualifying match against Ecuador on 1 September 2016, Brazil prevailed 3–0. He would then lead his team to seven consecutive victories in qualifying matches, eventually securing a spot at the World Cup in Russia, making them the first team to qualify for the tournament, apart from the hosts. On 14 May 2018, Tite announced 23 men brazilian squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Group: Switzerland, Costa Rica, Serbia.