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Ranking the World Cup groups

By Adam Stocker

CHORZOW, POLAND - MARCH 27: Robert Lewandowski of Poland celebrates scoring a goal during international friendly match between Poland and Korea Republic at Slaski Stadium on March 27, 2018 in Chorzow, Poland. (Photo by Lukasz Sobala/PressFocus/MB Media/Getty Images)
CHORZOW, POLAND - MARCH 27: Robert Lewandowski of Poland celebrates scoring a goal during international friendly match between Poland and Korea Republic at Slaski Stadium on March 27, 2018 in Chorzow, Poland. (Photo by Lukasz Sobala/PressFocus/MB Media/Getty Images) /
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PORTO, PORTUGAL – AUGUST 31: Portugal’s forward Cristiano Ronaldo in action during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier match between Portugal and Faroe Islands at Estadio do Bessa on August 31, 2017, in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)
PORTO, PORTUGAL – AUGUST 31: Portugal’s forward Cristiano Ronaldo in action during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier match between Portugal and Faroe Islands at Estadio do Bessa on August 31, 2017, in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images) /

6. Group B: Spain, Portugal, Morocco and Iran

Group B features arguably the most interesting match of the group stage, as local rivals Spain and Portugal square off on June 15. Unfortunately, it might be down hill from there, as Morocco and Iran round out the group. If either of those two spring an upset, we’ll probably have been treated to some excellent games in Group B.

Cristiano Ronaldo stars for Portugal, seeking to improve on his (by his standards) measly record of three World Cup goals. Goncalo Guedez, Bernardo Silva and Andre Silva round out an attack that will have to be on form to alleviate the pressure on an aging back line. Center-backs Pepe, Bruno Alves and Jose Fonte have an average age of 35.

Portugal have the star player, but Spain are heavy favorites to top the group. The back four of Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique, Dani Carvajal and Jordi Alba has won everything at the club level, while the midfield is the deepest of any side in the tournament with David Silva, Thiago Alcantara, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, Saul Niguez, Koke, Marco Asensio and Isco all in the squad.

If either of the other two sides are to spring an upset, it’s likely to be Morocco, who are playing in their first World Cup since 1998. The Atlas Lions roster is filled with players playing through Europe, but given their best player is center-back Medhi Benatia, it’s hard to say whether they’ll have the fire power to trouble Portugal and Spain.

Iran don’t have a single player on their roster that plays in a top-five European league. The one plus for Iran is the age of their roster. Only seven players are older than 28, and they could be a team that develops to make a run to the knockout stage in 2022. That won’t make them any more interesting this year, though.