For a second successive World Cup, Brazil find themselves matched up with Serbia and Switzerland as the trio, along with Cameroon, prepare to go head-to-head in Group G.
Brazil will be hoping to add to their five winners medals for the first time in 20 years, although they have only reached the semi-finals stage in one of the last four tournaments. Looking to cause them problems once more is European duo Switzerland and Serbia, while 2021 Africa Cup of Nations semi-finalists Cameroon are back after failing to qualify in 2018.
Mirror Football tells you all you need to know about the participants in Group G, including how they qualified, the ones to watch and when all the fixtures take place.
Brazil
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World Cup appearances - 21
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FIFA world ranking - 1
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Head coach - Tite
The only nation to feature in every single World Cup, Brazil return once more looking to add to their five winners medals and claim their hands on the famous trophy for the first time since 2002.
The Selecao crashed out to Belgium in the quarter-finals four years ago but quickly wrapped up the 2019 Copa America on home soil to restore some pride. However, they missed out on successive triumphs to Argentina two years later. Nonetheless, they secured their place in Qatar 12 months ago with six games to spare in South American qualifying.
Doubts have been raised over Brazil’s capability to win the World Cup in the last 20 years but now could be the time they silence the critics. Veteran defenders Dani Alves (39) and captain Thiago Silva (38) will play their last World Cup, while Neymar leads a terrifying attack that boasts the likes of Real Madrid duo Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo.
Could this finally be the year Brazil get their hands back on the World Cup trophy? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Serbia
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World Cup appearances - 2
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FIFA world ranking - 21
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Head coach - Dragan Stojkovic
Serbia will be looking to avenge their early exit from the World Cup four years ago when they finished third in the group behind both Brazil and Switzerland, with a top two place the aim this time around in Qatar.
Having failed to qualify for Euro 2020, Serbia have had little preparation to adapt themselves to tournament football, although going undefeated in eight games and finishing above Portugal in their qualifying group to advance straight to the finals this year shows that there is reason for them to be feared in Group G.
With Aleksandr Mitrovic, Luka Jovic and Dusan Vlahovic as their striking options, Serbia have one of the most deadly attacks. The trio are complemented by Dusan Tadic and Filip Kostic out wide, while Lazio’s Sergej Milinkovic-Savic pulls the strings in midfield. If Serbia can get their best players to click, they stand a chance of progressing to the knockouts.
Switzerland
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World Cup appearances - 11
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FIFA world ranking - 15
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Head coach - Murat Yakin
Switzerland have qualified for their fifth successive World Cup finals and after making it to the last 16 in both 2014 and 2018, will be hoping to go one further this time around for the first time since 1954.
The Swiss fell to a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Sweden in the knockout stages four years ago but showed what they are capable of at Euro 2020 by knocking out France on their way to a quarter-final exit, before pipping Italy to top spot in qualifying with five wins from eight games to advance straight to the World Cup group stage.
Veteran goalkeeper Yann Sommer and Premier League quintet Fabian Schar, Manuel Akanji, Granit Xhaka, Remo Freuler and Denis Zakaria will all provide vital experience, as will the ever reliable Xherdan Shaqiri. RB Salzburg’s Noah Okafor is an exciting option in attack as the Swiss aim to replicate 2018’s second-place finish in Group G.
Cameroon
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World Cup appearances - 7
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FIFA world ranking - 43
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Head coach - Rigobert Song
Cameroon are back on the World Cup stage after missing out in 2018 and are hoping to upset the odds and make it out of the group phase for just the second time in their history since reaching the quarter-finals in 1990.
After reaching the last 16 of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, The Indomitable Lions then achieved a third-place finish at this year’s edition. They impressively pipped Ivory Coast to top spot in their second qualifying round group to make it to the final round play-offs in World Cup qualification, where they defeated Algeria over two legs to book their ticket to Qatar.
Although players such as Samuel Eto’o have long since retired, Cameroon can still call on the likes of Vincent Aboubakar and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting in attack. Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana will also be crucial between the sticks, but it will be a tough ask for Cameroon to overcome both Switzerland and Serbia to make it out of the group.
Group G fixtures
Switzerland vs Cameroon - Thursday, November 24 (10am)
Brazil vs Serbia - Thursday, November 24 (7pm)
Cameroon vs Serbia - Monday, November 28 (10am)
Brazil vs Switzerland - Monday, November 28 (4pm)
Cameroon vs Brazil - Friday, December 2 (7pm)
Serbia vs Switzerland - Friday, December 2 (7pm)
