Group H profile: Ghana, Portugal, South Korea, Uruguay

GHANA (FIFA RANKING: 61ST)

The jury is still out on Ghana coach Otto Addo

COACH

Former Ghana World Cup midfielder Otto Addo, 47, who had never been a head coach, faced a baptism of fire as the Black Stars' boss last February. Defying the odds, they drew twice with arch rivals Nigeria to qualify on away goals. Addo, though, has failed to convince many Ghanaians.

The Black Stars will hope it's Thomas Partey time in Qatar!

KEY PLAYER

Opponents of Ghana consider Thomas Partey, 29, just a defensive midfielder who can score. The opinion of Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone is that the humble footballer from a village in eastern Ghana is "extraordinary when defending or attacking, providing assists, passing, shooting and scoring". 

Best World Cup performance: Quarter-finalists in 2010

How they qualified: Defeated Nigeria in a play-off

GROUP FIXTURES

Nov 24: v Portugal 

Nov: v South Korea

Dec 2: v Uruguay

SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Danlad Ibrahim, Manaf Nurudeen 

Defenders: Joseph Aidoo, Daniel Amartey, Abdul-Rahman Baba, Alexander Djiku, Tariq Lamptey, Gideon Mensah, Denis Odoi, Mohammed Salisu, Alidu Seidu (Clermont Foot)

Midfielders: Andre Ayew, Mohammed Kudus, Daniel-Kofi Kyereh, Elisha Owusu, Thomas Partey, Salis Abdul Samed 

Forwards: Daniel Afriyie, Jordan Ayew, Osman Bukari, Issahaku Abdul Fatawu, Antoine Semenyo, Kamal Sowah, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Inaki Williams

PORTUGAL (FIFA RANKING: 9TH)

Football pundits often criticize Fernando Santos' pragmatism

COACH

Fernando Santos, 68, stepped in as Portugal coach in 2014. He turned his team into European champions in 2016. Also won the Nations League in 2019 but they went out of the last World Cup and Euro 2020 in the last 16. Santos is derided for not being bold enough with a team full of attacking talent.

Will Cristiano Ronaldo inspire Portugal to glory in his 5th, and probably last, World Cup?

KEY PLAYER

Cristiano Ronaldo is the all-time leading goalscorer in international football with 117 goals in a record 191 caps for his country. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner is now set to play at his 10th major international tournament. 

Best World Cup performance: Third place in 1966

How they qualified: Finished second in European qualifying Group A behind Serbia, and then beat Turkey and North Macedonia in the play-offs

GROUP FIXTURES

Nov 24: v Ghana

Nov 28: v Uruguay

Dec 2: v South Korea

SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Jose Sa, Rui Patricio, Diogo Costa

Defenders: Joao Cancelo, Diogo Dalot, Pepe, Ruben Dias, Danilo Pereira, Antonio Silva, Nuno Mendes, Raphael Guerreiro

Midfielders: William, Ruben Neves, Joao Palhinha, Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha, Otavio, Matheus Nunes, Bernardo Silva, Joao Mario

Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo, Joao Felix, Rafael Leao, Ricardo Horta, Andre Silva, Goncalo Ramos

SOUTH KOREA (FIFA RANKING: 28TH)

South Korea's Portuguese coach Paulo Bento will go up against his country in the group stage

COACH

Paulo Bento, 53, was appointed in 2018. Coached in Portugal from 2010 to 2014 and had spells in Brazil, Greece and China, before South Korea came calling. Bento was in charge of a Portugal team at the 2014 World Cup before being sacked. Will be eager for revenge when South Korea face Portugal in Group H.

Son Heung-min will be extremely key behind the Taeguk Warriors' chances

KEY PLAYER

Son Heung-min was a doubt after suffering a facial injury but he is now fully fit for Qatar trip. The Spurs forward is captain of his country and their talisman. Son has scored 35 times in 104 appearances for South Korea. He shared the Premier League golden boot with Liverpool's Mohamed Salah last season.

Best World Cup performance: Fourth place in 2002

How they qualified: Finished second behind Iran in Asian qualifying Group A

GROUP FIXTURES

Nov 24: v Uruguay 

Nov 28: v Ghana

Dec 2: v Portugal

SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Kim Seung-gyu, Jo Hyeon-woo, Song Bum-keun 

Defenders: Kim Min-jae, Kim Jin-su, Hong Chul, Kim Moon-hwan, Yoon Jong-gyu, Kim Young-gwon, Kim Tae-hwan, Kwon Kyung-won, Cho Yu-min 

Midfielders: Jung Woo-young, Na Sang-ho, Paik Seung-ho, Son Jun-ho, Song Min-kyu, Kwon Chang-hoon, Son Heung-min, Lee Jae-sung, Hwang Hee-chan, Hwang In-beom, Jeong Woo-yeong, Lee Kang-in 

Forwards: Hwang Ui-jo, Cho Gue-sung 

URUGUAY (FIFA RANKING: 14TH)

Celeste manager Diego Alonso faces a tough task filling in the shoes of Oscar 'Maestro' Tabarez

COACH

Diego Alonso, 47, was appointed in December last year. Alonso's impact was immediate, following four straight defeats from the previous reign, he started with four successive victories. The “Tornado” had saved Uruguay's qualification campaign.

24-year old Fede Valverde has already become crucial for Real Madrid and Uruguay 

KEY PLAYER

Real Madrid's Federico Valverde is the new talisman for Uruguay. Now 24, the hard-working six-foot tall central midfielder is crucial for club and country. Already a Champions League winner and two-time Spanish champion, Valverde's mature performances have made him the key cog in Alonso's team.

Best World Cup performance: Winners in 1930, 1950

How they qualified: Uruguay finished third in the single South American qualification group

GROUP FIXTURES

Nov 24: v South Korea

Nov 28: v Portugal

Dec 2: v Ghana

SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Fernando Muslera, Sergio Rochet, Sebastian Sosa 

Defenders: Jose Maria Gimenez, Sebastian Coates, Diego Godin, Martin Caceres, Ronald Araujo, Guillermo Varela, Jose Luis Rodriguez, Mathias Olivera, Matias Vina 

Midfielders: Lucas Torreira, Manuel Ugarte, Matias Vecino, Rodrigo Bentancur, Federico Valverde, Facundo Pellistri, Nicolas De La Cruz 

Forwards: Agustin Canobbio, Facundo Torres, Giorgian De Arrascaeta, Maxi Gomez, Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani, Darwin Nunez