The last group remaining. Right on time, because the World Cup starts tomorrow already. In Group H we do not find any of the big nations, but that doesn't mean it can't become an interesting group.
Poland: EURO 2016 turned out to be the rise of the Polish national team. They reached the quarter finals where they lost after penalties against the later winner Portugal. Before that summer, it had been a very long time since Poland could be successful at a major tournament. If they already qualified (Poland missed the previous two World Cups), they couldn't make it past the group stage. Even at EURO 2012 which they hosted, they finished last in a group with Greece, Russia and Czech Republic. Their performances on the last European Championships made Poland enter the top 10 on the FIFA ranking for the first time, and they are still there today. Thanks to that ranking- currently 8th- they were in the first pot for the draw, together with all the top nations and before teams as Spain, England and their opponents in this group Colombia. While it is a bit exaggerated to claim that Poland is among the top 8 nations of the world, their recent results have given them a different status. The favorites will have to show respect for Poland now. Their qualification was almost flawless: 25 points and 28 goals out of 10 games (there was one misstep away at Denmark, a shocking 4-0 defeat). They showed on EURO 2016 that their main strength is a solid defensive shape- they drew with Germany in the group stage and took Portugal to penalties- but their star players is the striker Lewandowski. The top scorer for Bayern Münich in the Bundesliga (29 goals) and for Poland in the qualifications (16 goals). His importance for Poland is undeniable. Pisczek and Blaszczykowski are other ever reliable players. These three formed the 'Borussia Dortmund connection' in the past for Poland. Ziellinski is one of the younger players to watch: not first choice by Napoli, but with 36 appearances and 4 goals in Seria A this season, he is an important player for them. As a potential opponent for Belgium in the Round of 16, Poland is a team I will watch with big interest in the group stage.
Prediction: Round of 16
Colombia: One of the positive surprises of the last World Cup, which was their first one since 1998. Led by their superstar James Rodriguez (who was then a young, upcoming talent of Monaco), their offensive style of football was a joy to watch. Those who saw the game against Uruguay, will remember the fabulous volley of Rodriguez. Eventually, they lost the war against Brazil in the quarter finals. Colombia will go into this World Cup with high expectations again. Maybe not considered along the absolute favorites, but they are right under them, as a dangerous underdog. I am sure the big teams will want to avoid them. Their qualification was not without a struggle, they were only point above Peru to come into fourth and avoid the play-offs. They impressed however in a friendly match against France in March, coming behind from 2-0 to beat them 3-2 in Stade de France. Their star player will again be James Rodriguez. His performance in the previous World Cup earned him a transfer to Real Madrid, but he didn't fit in the style of play of Zidane. His season at loan at Bayern Münich made him resurface, which will be a huge relief for Colombian fans. Other important players are winger Cuadrado of Juventus and goalkeeper Ospina of Arsenal. They brought in some new players as well in comparison with the 2014 squad. One of them is Radamel Falcao. This may sound bizarre, but the formerly best striker in the world missed the previous World Cup because of a heavy injury. While he may not be the player anymore he used to be, he can still be of much worth for Colombia. Defender Davinson Sanchez (Tottenham Hotspur) and winger Izquierdo (Brighton, also former Best Player Award winner in the Belgian League) both had an excellent debut season in the Premier League and it will be exciting to see if they can continue that form on the big stage. The draw gives Colombia opportunities to repeat their performances of the last World Cup, but a tough challenge will certainly wait in the round of 16.
Prediction: Quarter Finals
Senegal: Only the second appearance at a World Cup for Senegal. They were far from figurants when they first qualified in 2002. Beating defending champions France in the first game, they made it until the quarter finals, where they eventually lost to Turkey. Although they didn't qualify for the next three World Cups, their one time success makes them the best performing African team on a World Cup to this day, together with Ghana and Cameroon. In this group with Colombia and Poland, it is quite unlikely they will repeat that stunt this year, but don't write them off too quickly. They have the qualities to make it difficult for both Colombia and Poland. Senegal is another African country where the star player is a forward from Liverpool: Sadio Mané, part of the deadly trio with Salah and Firmino. But he isn't the only player with Premier League experience: Gana, Kouyaté, Diouf and Sakho all play in the Premier League (to be correct, Sakho is a former West Ham player who plays in the French Ligue 1 now). Koulibaly is a strong central defender who is a certitude in the defense of Napoli, although in his team at Racing Genk in the Belgian League, often to catch on silly mistakes. Sane is another beast in defense, who recently made a transfer from Hannover to Schalke 04 in Germany. Just to show, there is quality in this team.
Prediction: Group Stage
Japan: The last team I will discuss is Japan. Since 1998, a certainty from the Asian qualification zone. In a close qualification group with Saudi-Arabia and Australia, they managed to end on top and condemned Australia to the play-offs. Usually they are a solid and organised team, although they have not been too successful at World Cups. Their last World Cup was one of the more unsuccessful campaigns: they ended last in their group with only one point. If history repeats itself, Japan should get through the group stage, because an elimination in the group stage was so far twice followed by reaching the round of 16: in 2002 and 2010 (they never made it until the quarter finals). But in all honesty, I give the Japanese team not too many chances in this group. While a lot of players play in foreign leagues- it is not a secret Japanese players are popular because of their humble attitude and diligent work ethic- the team doesn't seem to have any superstars. Former stars Honda and Kagawa aren't getting younger and their status has dropped. Honda isn't the star player of CSKA Moskou and AC Milan anymore and plays for Pachuca in the Mexican League these days. Still a decent level tough, and with 10 goals he had a good season. Kagawa only played half of the matches for Borussia Dortmund. A new generation doesn't really seem to have stepped up yet. Morioka and Kubo are two offensive players who impressed in the Belgian League, but they are not selected. In the friendly match against Belgium in November (1-0 defeat), they could not impress me at all. In comparison, they also played a friendly against Belgium in preparation of the 2014 World Cup and won 3-2. So like the other four Asian teams (I am not picking on Asian football on purpose), I do not have high hopes for Japan.
Prediction: Group Stage
So this concludes my preview of this World Cup. It's about time the tournament begins. Russia and Saudi-Arabia have the honor to play the opening match. Not the most exciting one to start with really, but each match has to be played. We will learn between tomorrow and 15 July which of my predictions will stand and which will fall. Anyway, I hope for a splendid World Cup with a lot of spectacular football!