World Cup Group A: Can Russia progress in their home tournament?

The World Cup has arrived, and we can’t wait to see 32 nations battle it out in Russia.

We’ll be bringing you plenty of in-depth coverage throughout the tournament, starting with our comprehensive previews of every group.

The first quartet is Group A, featuring hosts Russia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Uruguay.

It’s an intriguing four-some, featuring two of the lowest-ranked nations in the competition, plus superstars Luis Suarez and Mohamed Salah.

Here’s the key info…

Group A

Russia

FIFA Ranking: 66

Manager: Stanislav Cherchesov

Qualification: Automatically through as hosts.

Star player: Alan Dzagoev

How far will they go? Group stage progress won’t be easy, and even then Spain or Portugal are likely opponents in the second round.

Odds to win World Cup: 40/1

Fun fact: Russia have a better World Cup finals win ratio than two-time champions Uruguay.

Saudi Arabia

FIFA Ranking: 67

Manager: Juan Antonio Pizzi

Qualification: Beat Australia on goal difference to finish second behind Japan in AFC group.

Star player: Mohammad Al Sahlawi

How far will they go? A group stage exit looms

Odds to win World Cup: 1000/1

Fun fact: Every single player in Saudi Arabia’s World Cup squad plays in their home country.

Egypt

FIFA Ranking: 46

Manager: Hector Cuper

Qualification: Topped their group in the CAF confederation, securing a place in Russia thanks to Mohamed Salah’s 94^th-minute penalty against Congo.

Star player: Mohamed Salah

How far will they go? Can certainly get out of the group. Would likely face Spain or Portugal in the second round, though.

Odds to win World Cup: 1000/1

Fun fact: This is the third time Egypt have reached the finals, and both of their previous entries (1934 and 1990) have been held in Italy.

Uruguay

FIFA Ranking: 17

Manager: Oscar Tabarez

Qualification: Eased through the tricky CONMEBOL, to finish second behind Brazil.

Star player: Luis Suarez

How far will they go? Likely group winners, but a possible date with France in the quarter-finals could end things.

Odds to win World Cup: 25/1

Fun fact: By the time Uruguay won the inaugural World Cup in 1930, they were already two-time Olympic champions in men’s football.

All Odds and Markets correct as of date of publication