How many African nations will progress from WC18 Group Stage?
The 2018 World Cup in Russia is less than seven weeks away and five African nations will be representing the continent in Eastern Europe.
Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal and Tunisia qualified for this summer’s competition at Ghana’s expense.
Each nation has been handed a tough group stage and the FIFA World Cup betting odds back this up, with neither nation widely-expected to go too far. Here’s a look at the draw:
Egypt
Uruguay (15 June)
Russia (19 June)
Saudi Arabia (25 June)
Egypt are participating in their first World Cup since 1990 and have been drawn in Group A with the hosts.
Hector Cuper’s side start with arguably the toughest team in the group in Uruguay and have a day’s less rest than Russia when they meet in Saint Petersburg on 19 June.
However, if they can get good results from both or either of these matches with star man Mohamed Salah on fire this season, then they finish with Saudi Arabia and a good chance to progress into the second round.
Morocco
Iran (15 June)
Portugal (20 June)
Spain (25 June)
Morocco have only ever won two matches at a World Cup finals before and start with what many feel will be their only winnable game this summer.
After facing Iran in their opener, Morocco will come up against Euro 2016 winners Portugal and then finish with the 2010 World Cup winners, Spain.
Few will expect the African nation to get out of this group against two big European sides.
Nigeria
Croatia (16 June)
Iceland (22 June)
Argentina (26 June)
Nigeria have been drawn in what many are calling the Group of Death. Gernot Rohr’s side will start with the highly-rated Croatians before taking on Euro 2016 quarter-finalists Iceland.
In a repeat of their third group game from four years ago, Nigeria face Argentina. Although the South American side were unconvincing in qualifying they boast a wealth of attacking talent.
Although Iceland could be without Gylfi Sigurdsson, Nigeria will do well to get results against Croatia and/or Argentina.
Senegal
Poland (19 June)
Japan (24 June)
Colombia (28 June)
Senegal will be participating in their second-ever World Cup this summer after previously reaching the quarter-finals in South Korea/Japan back in 2002.
The African nation have been drawn in Group H where they will take on Poland, Japan and one of the last World Cup’s most entertaining sides, Colombia.
It’s difficult to predict how this group will turn out as it’s expected to be very tight. This gives Senegal a chance of reaching the next round.
Tunisia
England (18 June)
Belgium (23 June)
Panama (28 June)
Tunisia will be participating in their fifth World Cup this summer but have not won since their first-ever game, back in 1978.
Their opening match against England gives them an opportunity to get another win next to their name as the 1966 winners have been woeful in recent tournaments. That result is expected to dictate whether they or England progress as Belgium are favourites to win the group and Panama are the underdogs.
The below is a guide to the 2018 World Cup from online sportsbook Betfair:
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