We are previewing each group of the 2018 Draft World Cup, including their history in the competition, as well as announcing which players have made the final squad.
This time it is the turn of our second-last group, Group G. Italy were semi-finalists last year, whilst the USA reached the last 16. Hungary fell at the play-off stage last year, whilst Kuwait are complete newbies to DWC action.
Italy
World ranking: 3rd
Manager: Luca Italia Captain: Gianluigi Buffon Star player: Paulo Dybala – maturing into the complete package, the Juventus forward may well stun a few people this year at the real World Cup by starring for Argentina. He can do the same for Italy here, and his vision should strongly benefit those around him. |
Last year: Semi-finals
Top seeds in the inaugural DWC qualifying group, Italy never really got going, and finished well behind Yorkshire. They were in fact lucky to qualify automatically, only due to goal difference. Once there they were once again drawn in the first group, playing Turkey, Central Africa and Portugal. Opening with two wins saw Italy through with a game to spare, followed up with a draw against Portugal. They faced Netherlands in the second round and came back to win 2-1 thanks to Carlos Bacca. A quarter-final against France was as tight and tense as the real World Cup final contested by the two, and it was settled by a screamer from range by Ricardo Montolivo. Just when the draw appeared to have opened up for Italy, they crashed out in the semi-final to Uruguay, 2-1 the score.
This year: 1st in Intercontinental Play-offs
Italy appeared much smoother in this year’s qualification campaign, and they appeared set to cruise to automatic qualification. However, they had to avoid defeat to Turkey in the final round of fixtures, and a last-minute strike by Cenk Tosun condemned Italy to the play-offs. Their record was best amongst European 2nd-placed sides, so they went into the Intercontinental play-off, where they secured qualification with no fuss, easily winning the group.
Top seeds in the inaugural DWC qualifying group, Italy never really got going, and finished well behind Yorkshire. They were in fact lucky to qualify automatically, only due to goal difference. Once there they were once again drawn in the first group, playing Turkey, Central Africa and Portugal. Opening with two wins saw Italy through with a game to spare, followed up with a draw against Portugal. They faced Netherlands in the second round and came back to win 2-1 thanks to Carlos Bacca. A quarter-final against France was as tight and tense as the real World Cup final contested by the two, and it was settled by a screamer from range by Ricardo Montolivo. Just when the draw appeared to have opened up for Italy, they crashed out in the semi-final to Uruguay, 2-1 the score.
This year: 1st in Intercontinental Play-offs
Italy appeared much smoother in this year’s qualification campaign, and they appeared set to cruise to automatic qualification. However, they had to avoid defeat to Turkey in the final round of fixtures, and a last-minute strike by Cenk Tosun condemned Italy to the play-offs. Their record was best amongst European 2nd-placed sides, so they went into the Intercontinental play-off, where they secured qualification with no fuss, easily winning the group.
Luca Italia moves to a classic Italian back 5. And the great news is that we thought we’d seen the last of Gianluigi Buffon at World Cups, but here he is! With Leonardo Bonucci reunited with his former Juventus teammates Andrea Barzalia and Georgio Chiellini, this is one formidable defence. Alex Sandro is a dynamic presence at wing back, complementing his centre backs expertly, although Juan Cuadrado is more accustomed to an advanced role. Regardless, this appears to be a well-balanced side.
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GK: Buffon, Handanovic, Szczesny
DF: Barzaglia, Benatia, Bonucci, Chiellini, Koulibaly, Rodriguez, Sandro
MD: Callejon, Cuadrado, Florenzi, Hamsik, Insigne, Khedira, Marchisio, Mertens, Nainggolan, Pjanic
FW: Dybala, Higuain, Icardi
Key: AC Milan, AS Roma, Internazionale, Juventus, Napoli
DF: Barzaglia, Benatia, Bonucci, Chiellini, Koulibaly, Rodriguez, Sandro
MD: Callejon, Cuadrado, Florenzi, Hamsik, Insigne, Khedira, Marchisio, Mertens, Nainggolan, Pjanic
FW: Dybala, Higuain, Icardi
Key: AC Milan, AS Roma, Internazionale, Juventus, Napoli
USA
World ranking: 12th
Manager: Vivian America Captain: Bastian Schweinsteiger Star player: Carlos Vela – a new signing for Los Angeles (not to be mixed up with LA Galaxy), Vela is one of a growing number of players who are moving to the MLS at their peak, rather than at the end of their career. He will be very keen to show that he can be a leading star for strong side, and this is the perfect chance to do that. |
Last year: Second Round
Much excitement was expected from the USA as their array of aging stars began their DWC life. They performed excellently to pip Netherlands to top spot in a high-quality group. In the group stage they overcame Scotland before a surprise defeat to North Africa put them in trouble. A pulsating match against South America fell 4-3 to USA, seeing them into the second round. There they faced Uruguay, where they experienced a defensive collapse, going on to lose 4-2 to the eventual runners-up.
This year: 1st in North American 3rd-Round Qualification Group
Given the general level of sides in North America, the USA were not expected to be troubled in their bid for qualification. They were, however, tested by Canada in Round 2, taking surprisingly long to secure top spot in that group. In the final stage the USA were relentless, seeing off the challenge of Mexico to win the group and become the first North American side to qualify for this year’s event.
Much excitement was expected from the USA as their array of aging stars began their DWC life. They performed excellently to pip Netherlands to top spot in a high-quality group. In the group stage they overcame Scotland before a surprise defeat to North Africa put them in trouble. A pulsating match against South America fell 4-3 to USA, seeing them into the second round. There they faced Uruguay, where they experienced a defensive collapse, going on to lose 4-2 to the eventual runners-up.
This year: 1st in North American 3rd-Round Qualification Group
Given the general level of sides in North America, the USA were not expected to be troubled in their bid for qualification. They were, however, tested by Canada in Round 2, taking surprisingly long to secure top spot in that group. In the final stage the USA were relentless, seeing off the challenge of Mexico to win the group and become the first North American side to qualify for this year’s event.
Sadly, the squads were finalised before Zlatan was included in the LA Galaxy squad in the FM database. Regardless, there is plenty of stardust in this team. If Vela, Sebastian Giovinco, Giovani dos Santos and Ignacio Piatti click, then this is a fearsome front four, ably support by two veterans in Bastian Schweinsteiger and Michael Bradley. The problem for the USA is at the back, so the real question is how far can they go in the tournament with a mediocre defence?
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GK: Blake, Guzan, Howard
DF: Besler, Ciani, Garza, Juarez, Jungwirth, Opara, Skjelvik, van der Wiel
MD: Almiron, Bradley, J dos Santos, Lodeiro, Piatti, Schweinsteiger, Valeri
FW: Dempsey, G dos Santos, Giovinco, Vela, Villa
Key: Atlanta United, Chicago Fire, Colorado Rapids, LA Galaxy, Los Angeles, Montreal Impact, New York City, Philadelphia Union, Portland Timbers, San Jose Earthquakes, Seattle Sounders, Sporting Kansas City, Toronto, Vancouver Whitecaps
DF: Besler, Ciani, Garza, Juarez, Jungwirth, Opara, Skjelvik, van der Wiel
MD: Almiron, Bradley, J dos Santos, Lodeiro, Piatti, Schweinsteiger, Valeri
FW: Dempsey, G dos Santos, Giovinco, Vela, Villa
Key: Atlanta United, Chicago Fire, Colorado Rapids, LA Galaxy, Los Angeles, Montreal Impact, New York City, Philadelphia Union, Portland Timbers, San Jose Earthquakes, Seattle Sounders, Sporting Kansas City, Toronto, Vancouver Whitecaps
Hungary
Last year: Qualification Play-offs
In amongst the chaos of a replayed match, Hungary stayed out of the furore to calmly claim third in their qualification group and enter the play-offs. In fact, they only missed out on automatic qualification by one point. This means it was additionally cruel that Hungary lost in the play-offs to a reasonably poor Norwegian side.
This year: 1st in European Qualification Group F
Entering as third seeds behind Switzerland and 2017 rivals Norway, Hungary appeared to be facing an uphill struggle. They kept up with the Swiss early on, and leapfrogged them towards the end of qualifying. As it happens, it was Norway whose draw with Switzerland ensured Hungary’s top spot in the group, which they secured with a game to spare.
In amongst the chaos of a replayed match, Hungary stayed out of the furore to calmly claim third in their qualification group and enter the play-offs. In fact, they only missed out on automatic qualification by one point. This means it was additionally cruel that Hungary lost in the play-offs to a reasonably poor Norwegian side.
This year: 1st in European Qualification Group F
Entering as third seeds behind Switzerland and 2017 rivals Norway, Hungary appeared to be facing an uphill struggle. They kept up with the Swiss early on, and leapfrogged them towards the end of qualifying. As it happens, it was Norway whose draw with Switzerland ensured Hungary’s top spot in the group, which they secured with a game to spare.
It is unlikely that EPL veterans Zoltan Gera and Gabor Kiraly will see much game time, as Hungary have fresher options to pick from. Their 4-4-2 should be hard to break down, midfielders Anel Hadzic and Daniel Tozser are capable of covering plenty of ground – which they will need to go as the side will sit quite deep. One question will be over the strikers, with neither a particularly prolific forward.
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GK: Dibusz, Kiraly, Nagy
DF: Benes, Juhasz, Nego, Simunek, Sternberg, Stopira, Vicinius
MD: Gera, Gorriaran, Hadzic, Hajnal, Huszti, Lanzafame, Lovrencsics, Tozser
FW: Bode, Danilo, Lazovic, Rado, Scepovic
Key: Debrecen, Ferencvarosi, Haladas, Honved, Puskas Academia, Vasas, Videoton
(Apologies to those with red-green colourblindness. I'd advise you don't watch Hungarian football)
DF: Benes, Juhasz, Nego, Simunek, Sternberg, Stopira, Vicinius
MD: Gera, Gorriaran, Hadzic, Hajnal, Huszti, Lanzafame, Lovrencsics, Tozser
FW: Bode, Danilo, Lazovic, Rado, Scepovic
Key: Debrecen, Ferencvarosi, Haladas, Honved, Puskas Academia, Vasas, Videoton
(Apologies to those with red-green colourblindness. I'd advise you don't watch Hungarian football)
Kuwait
World ranking: 57th
Manager: Anas Kuwait Captain: Bader Al-Motawa Star player: Rashid Sumaila – Kuwait’s defence is going to be severely tested in this DWC, and so they need their best defender player to be at his best. Ghanaian international Sumaila is a powerful defender, and reasonably fast for a centre back. |
Last year: n/a
Kuwait did not have any players make the cut for the combined Middle East team, which demonstrates how out-of-the-blue their qualification this year is.
This year: 1st in Asian 2nd-Round Qualifying Group A
With top seeds in the group Kazakhstan faltering, Kuwait took the opportunity to win their first-round group, even setting a DWC record (not to last) win, 13-0 against Sri Lanka. This put them into the much tougher second round, where they faced other first round qualifiers. With China in early dominating form, Kuwait looked likely to win the best-of-the-rest battle. A 7-0 win over Indonesia spurred Kuwait on, and they pipped China to top spot thanks to their rivals’ dramatic 4-4 draw with Indonesia.
Kuwait did not have any players make the cut for the combined Middle East team, which demonstrates how out-of-the-blue their qualification this year is.
This year: 1st in Asian 2nd-Round Qualifying Group A
With top seeds in the group Kazakhstan faltering, Kuwait took the opportunity to win their first-round group, even setting a DWC record (not to last) win, 13-0 against Sri Lanka. This put them into the much tougher second round, where they faced other first round qualifiers. With China in early dominating form, Kuwait looked likely to win the best-of-the-rest battle. A 7-0 win over Indonesia spurred Kuwait on, and they pipped China to top spot thanks to their rivals’ dramatic 4-4 draw with Indonesia.
GK: Al-Khalidi, Al-Rashidi, Kankoni
DF: Al-Fandi, Awadh, Lima, Maatoq, Menwer, Musaed Nada, Sumaila, Taher
MD: Al-Ansari, Al-Enezi, Dagoulou, Hinostroza, Medo, Meite, Mlabesh, Soumah, Wahid Ali
FW: Al-Motawa, Nasser, Silva
Key: Al-Fahaheel, Al-Jahra, Al Kuwait, Al-Qadsia, Al-Sahel, Al-Salmiya, Al-Tadamun, Burgan, Kazma, unattached
DF: Al-Fandi, Awadh, Lima, Maatoq, Menwer, Musaed Nada, Sumaila, Taher
MD: Al-Ansari, Al-Enezi, Dagoulou, Hinostroza, Medo, Meite, Mlabesh, Soumah, Wahid Ali
FW: Al-Motawa, Nasser, Silva
Key: Al-Fahaheel, Al-Jahra, Al Kuwait, Al-Qadsia, Al-Sahel, Al-Salmiya, Al-Tadamun, Burgan, Kazma, unattached