With the FIFA World Cup 2022 set to kick off soon, we bring you the lowdown on Group G, which consists of Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, and Cameroon.
Just a week remains for the month-long extravaganza to begin in Qatar. There has been a lot of controversy surrounding Qatar leading up to the FIFA World Cup 2022. Human rights issues have been the tip of the iceberg plaguing the Middle East nation and their bid to host a World Cup without any rows.
Nonetheless, the World Cup is set to get underway at Al Bayt Stadium on Sunday, November 20, with the host nation getting the ball rolling. But before the teams arrive in Qatar, The Hard Tackle will look at every group and how the teams have been shaping up heading into the World Cup.
We have already previewed Group A, Group B, Group C, Group D, Group E, and Group F. Today, we look at Group G, which consists of one of the overwhelming favourites to go all the way, Brazil, a tricky Serbia, a consistent Switzerland, and a spirited Cameroon. Here is an analysis of each team and their chances of making it to the Round of 16.
Group G – Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon
Matches
November 24: Switzerland vs Cameroon; Brazil vs Serbia
November 28: Cameroon vs Serbia; Brazil vs Switzerland
December 2: Serbia vs Switzerland; Cameroon vs Brazil
Brazil
Will Brazil lift their 6️⃣th World Cup Trophy this year? 🏆👀
Here’s Brazil’s squad for #Qatar2022 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/KBDmvGHztW
— Road to 2022 (@roadto2022en) November 7, 2022
Whenever a World Cup comes about, all eyes invariably fall on Brazil, for they are one of the most eye-catching teams that take the field. Unfortunately for the Selecao, they have not even reached the final of the grand event since the 2002 edition, let alone win it.
Brazilian national teams over the years have promised much, especially considering they have won the Copa America thrice. They were the favourites to lift the Jules Rimet trophy at home in 2014, but their over-dependence on Neymar cost them dearly when the maverick attacker picked up an injury in the quarter-finals against Colombia.
Eight years later, Brazil will approach another World Cup with the favourites tag. But this time, Tite’s men look in great shape, with the experienced coach forging a formidable, well-rounded unit. Neymar remains the talisman for the Selecao, but he is not the only go-to player for the Brazil boss.
The 30-year-old has several world-class attackers around him, with Vinicius Junior, Raphinha, and Richarlison all making their mark for Brazil. The midfield unit is solid, with Casemiro sitting at the base and holding the fort for his side. The experienced midfielder has consistent performers like Lucas Paqueta and Bruno Guimaraes alongside him.
The full-backs are arguably the Achilles Heel for Brazil. But Tite has colossal centre-backs to bank on, with Thiago Silva and Marquinhos holding the fort at the heart of the defence. To cap off the team, Alisson Becker guards the goal, with the Liverpool shot-stopper being one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
Brazil coasted through the CONMEBOL leg of the FIFA World Cup 2022 Qualifiers, winning 14 of their 17 games while not losing even once. And while Argentina got the better of the Selecao in the Copa America final, Tite’s charges remain a fearsome force. And with the 61-year-old having four full years to forge the unit, Brazil will be confident of going all the way in Qatar.
Key Players: Neymar and Alisson Becker
It is hard to pick out one or two pivotal figures from a squad that is brimming with world-class players. But Neymar and Alisson Becker stand out in the unit after consistent performances for Brazil over the years. Neymar, in particular, remains the talisman for the Selecao and will be desperate to see his team through this time. He might even overtake Pele as Brazil’s all-time leading scorer.
On the other hand, Alisson Becker will need to channel the same energy that has won Liverpool innumerable points this year. While he has a solid defence in front of him, Alisson will need to be at his best in the clutch moments. If the two are on top of their game, everything might fall into place around them.
Serbia
🇷🇸 Serbia World Cup squad. 🔥
#SrcemSvim #Orlovi #Srbija #FSS#FIFAWorldCup #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/06jJSjRkWs
— Fudbalski savez Srbije | FA of Serbia (@FSSrbije) November 11, 2022
Serbia will be the dark horse in Group G of the FIFA World Cup 2022. They have never made their mark on the biggest stage, but Dragan Stojkovic has forged a spirited squad that can give the best teams a run for their money.
That was evident when Serbia leapfrogged a mighty Portugal to win Group A in the UEFA leg of the FIFA World Cup 2022 Qualifiers. If that was not impressive enough, the Eagles did not lose a single game and dropped points just twice in eight outings.
Aleksandar Mitrovic has been in the form of his life, not just in the qualifiers, but also in the Premier League and the UEFA Nations League. The 28-year-old is in Serbia’s World Cup squad. But Stojkovic is sweating over the fitness of his star striker heading into the grand event in Qatar. Mitrovic has not been in action for Fulham ahead of FIFA World Cup 2022.
That said, Stojkovic has two other top-class strikers at his disposal in Dusan Vlahovic and Luka Jovic. Captain Dusan Tadic is a seasoned professional and a serial winner at the club level with Ajax. Meanwhile, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has gradually established himself as one of Europe’s best midfielders.
All these eye-catching names and more combine to make a solid squad that can surprise a few in the coming weeks. But the defence can undo all the brilliant work by the superb attackers. So Stojkovic will have to be wary of any shortcomings from the backline.
Key Players: Aleksandar Mitrovic and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic
Dusan Tadic goes under the radar slightly for this section. But Serbia’s captain will surely hold the team together with his efforts on and off the ball. However, the eye-catching names for the Eagles will be Aleksandar Mitrovic and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
Mitrovic is enjoying the best year of his career and heads into FIFA World Cup 2022 in top form. He will hope to recover from a niggling ankle injury in time. Meanwhile, Milinkovic-Savic has clubs like Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid chasing him. And he will be influential in the middle of the park for Serbia, hoping to produce the goods for his national side.
Switzerland
❤️🇨🇭 What Switzerland and our National Team are all about 🇨🇭❤️@fifaworldcup #squad #aufgebot #sélection #convocazione#natimiteuch #lanatiavecvous #lanaticonvoi pic.twitter.com/mIyjUcHxjz
— 🇨🇭 Nati (@nati_sfv_asf) November 9, 2022
We next take a look at a team that has become a World Cup regular since missing the 1998 and 2002 editions. Switzerland even progressed to the knockout stages in three of the four World Cups they have participated in in the 21st century. And they will be desperate to go a step further in Qatar.
Like Serbia, Switzerland remained unbeaten in the UEFA leg of the FIFA World Cup 2022 Qualifiers. Incredibly, they finished ahead of newly-crowned UEFA Euro 2020 winners Italy to win Group C. And while they did not set the world alight, conceding only two goals showed what they are all about.
Defensive solidity will again be the base for Switzerland to progress from the group stage of the FIFA World Cup 2022. More importantly, La Nati will look to perform as a unit instead of banking on individual brilliance. That will help them be more than the sum of their parts. And who knows, that might help Switzerland spring a surprise, as they did at UEFA Euro 2020 by beating France.
Murat Yakin will look to set Switzerland up in a balanced fashion, with the team being direct when moving forward. But the attack will be the weakness for La Nati, who will hope to see the defence and midfield rise to the occasion to eke out narrow wins.
Key Players: Granit Xhaka and Breel Embolo
There is no denying that Granit Xhaka is the heart and soul of the team. He has been ever-present in the middle of the park for Switzerland through thick and thin. And after resurrecting his image at the club level, Switzerland’s captain heads into the World Cup at the peak of his powers.
Attack will be the Achilles Heel for La Nati in Qatar, but Breel Embolo has the unpredictability to carve out something out of nothing. The 25-year-old has been in decent form for AS Monaco this season and will be the X-Factor for Switzerland in Qatar.
Cameroon
OFFICIAL: Cameroon have named their 26-man squad for the 2022 World Cup. 🇨🇲 pic.twitter.com/4A8TTe5i0X
— Squawka (@Squawka) November 11, 2022
Last but not the least, we take a look at a team that is easily the most unheralded of the four nations in Group G. But Cameroon will be out to prove the naysayers wrong and show that they can take the game to the more fancied teams.
Cameroon went directly into the second round of the CAF leg of the FIFA World Cup 2022 Qualifiers. The Indomitable Lions ousted the formidable Ivory Coast from Group D, finishing atop the standings to reach the third and final round of the qualification campaign.
They faced a tricky test in Algeria before leaving it late to seal their ticket to Qatar. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting opened the scoring to level the tie at an aggregate score of 1-1. But there was a lot of drama in store in extra time, as Ahmed Touba seemed to have sent Algeria through to the World Cup.
But Karl Toko Ekambi found the back of the net in the 124th to dramatically send Cameroon to the World Cup. The Indomitable Lions, who will make their seventh appearance at the World Cup in Qatar, will be under the tutelage of Rigobert Song. And they are still settling down under the new head coach.
So it will be hardly surprising if one writes off Cameroon in a group containing Brazil, Serbia, and Switzerland. But the Indomitable Lions are not called that for nothing. And their fighting spirit will define their campaign in Qatar in the coming weeks. But Song’s men can seem a moment away from imploding and will need to hold their own at the World Cup.
Key Players: Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting
Choupo-Moting has scored 10 goals in his last 9 matches for Bayern Munich
Man is heading to the World Cup in top form 👏
📸: Maja Hitij (Getty Images) pic.twitter.com/tuFbmHi7bw
— Sports Brief (@sportsbriefcom) November 12, 2022
Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa has been one of the best midfielders this season. His dominant performances in the middle of the park have helped Napoli rise to the top of Serie A. And Zambo Anguissa will be Rigobert Song’s go-to player in Qatar. The 26-year-old carries the ball confidently and can put the best of defences under pressure.
How Zambo Anguissa fares from the left side of Cameroon’s midfield will also determine how well the attackers fare. And one player under the spotlight will be Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting. The veteran striker has been brilliant for Bayern Munich. And his performances have alerted several bigwigs, including Manchester United. And if Song manages to fit Choupo-Moting in, Cameroon might trouble every team in Group G.
Likely to Qualify: Brazil and Switzerland
Brazil should ideally cruise to the knockout stages without much fuss. While Serbia, Switzerland, and Cameroon are tricky opponents, Tite has a formidable squad at his disposal. So the other three teams will compete for the runners-up spot in Group G. And for Brazil, the real test will begin in the knockout rounds as they bid to win their sixth World Cup.
That battle should go down the wire, with all three teams making their case with recent displays. But Switzerland should pip Serbia to the second spot due to their experience on the biggest stage. Murat Yakin might be new to the Swiss dugout, but their battle-hardened nature should help them reach the Round of 16.
