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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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KAISERSLAUTERN, GERMANY – OCTOBER 08: Thomas Mueller of Germany battles for the ball during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier between Germany and Azerbaijan at Fritz-Walter-Stadion on October 8, 2017, in Kaiserslautern, Rhineland-Palatinate. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images)
KAISERSLAUTERN, GERMANY – OCTOBER 08: Thomas Mueller of Germany battles for the ball during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier between Germany and Azerbaijan at Fritz-Walter-Stadion on October 8, 2017, in Kaiserslautern, Rhineland-Palatinate. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images) /

3. Group F: Germany, Mexico, Sweden and South Korea

Germany should win Group F. Joachim Low’s squad is absolutely loaded with talent, and will expect to make another deep run in the competition. Given they haven’t exited a major international tournament before the semifinals since 2004, that shouldn’t be a problem. They were, however, drawn in a tough group.

Mexico, Sweden and South Korea are in a tight battle for second. El Tri have made it out of the group stage in every World Cup since 1994. South Korea have qualified for every World Cup since 1986, but have only made it out of the group twice. Sweden qualified for their first World Cup since 2006.

Mexico are filled with big-name players, from Rafa Marquez to Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez. However, it will be the lesser known Hirving Lozano who will determine how far they go in the tournament. The PSV winger scored 19 goals and added eight assists last season. By the end of the tournament, Lozano could be a household name.

South Korea are expected to finish last in the group, but they have the talent to cause an upset. Heung-min Son has continued to get better since joining Tottenham in 2015. Last season, he scored 18 goals and provided 11 assists for Spurs. For South Korea to get out of the group, Son needs to have great games against Mexico and Sweden.

Sweden knocked out Italy in a two-leg playoff to qualify for the World Cup. Emil Forsberg is Sweden’s player to watch. The RB Leipzig winger led the Bundesliga in assists during the 2016-17 season and will have to create goals for Sweden to advance. This summer will also be a chance for Manchester United’s Victor Lindelof to prove he was worth the large fee United paid for him.