Over the next week or so we will be cranking out our usual group primers, complete with tv schedules and all the basic team info you’ll need to get through the tournament. We’ll update these posts with recap links as the games progress.
Group A consists of the hosts Russia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay. The hosts might have home field advantage and a very favorable draw but they are no guarantee to get to the knockout rounds. Uruguay is a strong but volatile club at times, Egypt is long overdue for an appearance on this stage and is a serious darkhorse candidate while Saudi Arabia is a fascinating though slightly familiar unknown who can absolutely spoil someone’s group stage.