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 stageCOACH
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' chancesKEY 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' TabarezCOACH
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
