World Cup: Team G Group Credentials

It is all to play for in the World Cup, and our fact-files continue with the analysis of Group G…
BELGIUM
Coach Roberto Martínez
After three years at Everton, Martínez was appointed Belgium manager in August 2016. Despite losing his first game 2-0 to Spain, he led his team through a successful qualifying campaign, with Belgium winning nine out of ten games and scoring 43 goals.
Key Player Eden Hazard
Two league titles, two domestic cups and a Europa League title at Chelsea epitomise the talent of Belgium’s UEFA Euro 2016 captain. The attacking midfielder also scored six times for Belgium in qualifying for Russia 2018.
Random Fact
It took Belgium six attempts to progress from the first round of the World Cup for the first time, finally managing to do so in 1982.
FIFA Ranking: 3
PANAMA
Coach Hernán Darío Gómez
The Colombian has become a national hero of Panama after leading them to their first ever FIFA World Cup tournament. To date, he is one of four people to guide at least three different teams to a World Cup, having also taken Colombia to the 1998 tournament and Ecuador to the 2002 tournament.
Key Player Román Torres
The Seattle Sounders defender has over 100 international caps, and he scored the decisive goal against Costa Rica that booked Panama’s ticket to Russia 2018. He has also reached two Gold Cup finals with Panama, in 2005 and then in 2013.
Random Fact
Panama’s president, Juan Carlos Varela, declared a national holiday as a result of their historic qualification for the World Cup.
FIFA Ranking: 55
TUNISIA
Coach Nabil Maâloul
The ex-Kuwait coach started his second spell as Tunisia manager in 2017 and helped them qualify for their first World Cup since 2006. As a player, he made 74 appearances and scored 11 goals for Tunisia.
Key Player Aymen Mathlouthi
The most capped player in the squad, Al-Batin goalkeeper Mathlouthi has won many titles including the CAF Champions League. His finest achievement with his national team was triumph in the 2011 African Nations Championship.
Random Fact
Tunisia became the first African team to win a World Cup match, beating Mexico 3-1 in 1978. This was their first ever World Cup game.
FIFA Ranking: 14
ENGLAND
Coach Gareth Southgate
The ex-Middlesbrough defender and manager played 57 times for England, later becoming England manager in 2016 after three years in charge of the England under-21 team. He guided his country relatively smoothly through the qualifiers, with England winning eight out of their ten games.
Key Player Jamie Vardy
After defying the odds to win the Premier League with Leicester in 2016, Vardy has scored seven goals in 21 internationals, including goals against current World Champions Germany and former World Champions Spain.
Random Fact
England have finished from 5th to 8th in the World Cup eight times – more than any other nation.
FIFA Ranking: 13
> Bradley Montgomery