Group H Predictions
Group H will be the last to get under way at the upcoming Cup, but it should be worth the wait. Portugal and Uruguay are two teams who will hope to live up to their status as potential dark horses at this tournament, while Ghana and South Korea will be looking to cause an upset or two in the first couple of weeks in Qatar.
Here is our preview of Group H – we take a look at the four teams’ World Cup records, their path to this tournament and which players to look out for.
Portugal
Record
European champions in 2016, Portugal are still awaiting their first World Cup triumph. They made their debut at the tournament in 1966 and went all the way to the semi-finals, where a team containing Eusebio and Mario Coluna only narrowly lost to the hosts and eventual winners England.
Their next appearance was not for another 20 years, when Portugal went out in the group stage at Mexico 1986. This will be their sixth World Cup in a row, with another semi-final berth in 2006 their best performance of the 21st century so far.
Players to watch
Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the greatest players of all time, but there is a debate in Portugal over whether he is worthy of a starting spot right now. Even if he begins matches on the bench, the Manchester United forward’s remarkable goalscoring record is a major asset for his country.
Rafael Leao has been one of the most thrilling attacking players in Europe since the start of last season, and the AC Milan man will cause problems for every full-back he comes up against it in Qatar. Elsewhere, Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva provides a fantastic blend of creativity, drive and tenacity.
Highlights from qualifying
Portugal did things the hard way in qualifying. Fernando Santos’ side finished three points behind Serbia in their group after losing 2-1 to Dragan Stojkovic on the final matchday.
Portugal therefore had to go through the play-offs to book a spot in Qatar. They beat Turkey 3-1 in the semi-finals and were expecting to face Italy in the final, only for the Azzurri to suffer a shock home defeat by North Macedonia, whom Portugal beat 2-0.
Ghana
Record
Ghana made their debut at the 2006 World Cup and did more than just make up the numbers: the Black Stars beat the Czech Republic and the United States to reach the last 16, where they suffered a 3-0 defeat by Brazil.
Ghana went one better four years later, reaching the quarter-finals in South Africa. They were denied a place in the semis in dramatic and controversial fashion, as Uruguay striker Luis Suarez handled a Ghana header on the line to deny a certain goal. A penalty was given, but Asamoah Gyan missed and Uruguay went on to win the shoot-out.
Players to watch
Thomas Partey has missed numerous matches for club and country through injury over the last 12 months or so. Ghana will need the Arsenal midfielder to be fit and firing in Qatar if they are to have any chance of progressing to the knockout phase.
Mohammed Salisu was one of Southampton’s most impressive performers last season, with the centre-back likely to start each of Ghana’s three matches in Group H. Crystal Palace forward Jordan Ayew is industrious but not exactly prolific, so Ghana will look to the teenager Felix Afena-Gyan for goals, unless they can naturalise Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah at the eleventh hour.
Highlights from qualifying
Ghana finished top of their group in the first phase of African qualification, but it was a close run thing: both they and South Africa amassed 13 points, but the Black Stars edged out Bafana Bafana on goals scored.
Ghana thus advanced to the play-offs, where they overcame Nigeria on away goals after a 0-0 draw in Kumasi and a 1-1 draw in Abuja.
Uruguay
Record
Uruguay were the hosts of the inaugural edition of the World Cup back in 1930 – and the first winners of the tournament too. They beat Argentina 4-2 in the final, having previously defeated Peru, Romania and Yugoslavia.
Uruguay were triumphant again 20 years later, stunning Brazil in Rio de Janeiro to win the tournament with a 2-1 victory over the hosts. In more recent times, Uruguay were semi-finalists at South Africa 2010 and quarter-finalists four years ago, when they were knocked out by eventual winners France.
Players to watch
It remains to be seen whether Uruguay will opt for a three-man midfield or a pair of strikers; it is hard to see a way for Diego Alonso’s side to do both. If the manager chooses the former, one of Luis Suarez or Darwin Nunez will have to start on the bench. Suarez is a Uruguayan legend, but it would make more sense to opt for the significantly younger Nunez.
Fede Valverde is an integral part of Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid side and will be equally important for his country over the coming weeks. Ronald Araujo is out injured, so Jose Gimenez will be the main man in defence.
Highlights from qualifying
Uruguay finished third in South America’s marathon qualification tournament. They were some distance behind the top two of Brazil and Argentina, but finished four points clear of Peru, the team that missed out on the final qualification spot.
A 3-0 victory in Colombia was an impressive early result for the two-time World Cup winners. Uruguay’s form dipped in the middle of the campaign, but they finished strongly with four victories on the bounce.
South Korea
Record
South Korea made their debut at the 1954 World Cup, but two defeats in two games saw their participation come to an end early. They returned in 1986 and again went out in the group phase, which was also the case in 1990, 1994 and 1998.
Named as co-hosts alongside Japan in 2002, South Korea stunned the rest of the tournament by reaching the semi-finals, claiming the scalps of Spain and Italy along the way. They reached the round of 16 in 2010 but did not get out of their group in either 2014 or 2018.
Players to watch
Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung-min is South Korea’s star player, and they will need him to be at his best if they are to progress against the odds. Son has had a mixed start to the club campaign with Spurs, but South Korea will hope that he does the business on the biggest stage of all.
At the other end of the field, Kim Min-jae has made an excellent start to his Napoli career after joining the club in the summer. He will have his hands full in dealing with Portugal and Uruguay’s frontlines in particular.
Highlights from qualifying
South Korea won their first group in the second round of Asian World Cup qualification, finishing top ahead of Lebanon, Turkmenistan, Sri Lanka and North Korea. In the next round, they finished second in a six-team group – behind Iran, but ahead of the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon.
Their standout result was a 2-0 victory over Iran in Seoul, while a 1-1 draw in Tehran was also a positive outcome for Paulo Bento’s side.
Key matches
All eyes will be on Portugal vs Uruguay on November 28, but the first round of fixtures in Group H will be intriguing, particularly as the two favourites face each other on matchday two.
Uruguay therefore cannot afford to slip up to South Korea in their first outing, while the same applies to Portugal against Ghana. Both of those games are set to take place on November 24.
Group prediction
1. Portugal
2. Uruguay
3. South Korea
4. Ghana
