World Cup: Team F Group Credentials

The World Cup brings many incredible teams together comprised of several super-talented footballers. Here we tell you the basics about the teams within Group F…
GERMANY
Coach Joachim Löw
Despite little international football experience as a player, Löw has been hugely successful in managing his country for 12 years. Winning a World Cup, Confederations Cup, as well as reaching four other semi-finals in this reign, epitomises Germany’s stance as one of – if not the, team to beat this summer.
Key Player Thomas Müller
Not only has the Bayern Munich forward won the Bundesliga seven times with his club, but he also claimed the Golden Boot in the 2010 World Cup and the Silver Boot four years later in Brazil.
Random Fact
Out of the 18 World Cups they have participated in so far, only once have Germany failed to get past the first stage (1938).
FIFA Ranking: 1
MEXICO
Coach Juan Carlos Osorio
In October 2015, Colombian Juan Carlos Osorio became Mexico’s twelfth coach in nine years. He led Mexico successfully to Russia 2018 and also the semi-finals of the 2017 Confederations Cup, but had a Copa América Centenario to forget in 2016, with Mexico being trounced 7-0 by Chile in the quarter-final.
Key Player Oribe Peralta
The América forward has a wealth of international experience, winning the 2012 Olympic Gold Medal and the 2015 Gold Cup with his country. He also netted Mexico’s winner against Cameroon in his country’s World Cup campaign in Brazil four years ago.
Random Fact
Mexico have crashed out at the round of 16 stage in their last six World Cups.
FIFA Ranking: 15
SWEDEN
Coach Janne Andersson
The Swede took charge of his country in 2016, after Sweden’s poor performance at that year’s UEFA Euro. After guiding his team to an impressive 2-1 victory against France in qualifying, Sweden stunned four-time World Cup champions Italy in the play-offs to book their plane to Russia.
Key Player Sebastian Larsson
The Hull midfielder, who has also played for Arsenal and Sunderland, is the most internationally experienced player in the Swedish squad with 98 caps. He also played in UEFA Euro 2012 and 2016.
Random Fact
Sweden’s fourth place finish at the 1938 World Cup is the highest position a team has ever finished whilst only winning one of their tournament matches.
FIFA Ranking: 23
SOUTH KOREA
Coach Shin Tae-Yong
The former South Korea international, who has also managed the South Korea under-23 team, became manager of the Taegeuk Warriors with two Russia 2018 qualifiers left to play. Despite two underwhelming goalless draws, South Korea qualified to their ninth successive World Cup.
Key Player Ki Sung-yueng
Just shy of 100 international caps, the ex-Swansea City midfielder was named in the 2015 AFC Asian Cup team of the tournament where South Korea finished runners-up.
Random Fact
South Korea hold the unwanted record for the most goals conceded in a World Cup tournament – 16 in 1954.
FIFA Ranking: 61
> Bradley Montgomery