TUNISIA Fixtures: Denmark (Nov. 22), Australia (Nov. 26), France (Nov. 30) STOCK CLIMBLING
Hannibal Mejbri
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Mohamed Sedki Debchi Aymen ‘Balbouli’ Mathlouthi being invited back into the fold from the international wilderness instead. It was a shocking decision, particularly considering 38-year-old Mathlouthi hasn’t represented Tunisia since March 2019, and it appears to have extinguished Sedki Debchi’s World Cup hopes.
HOW THE COUNTRY ARE LOOKING
With no major injury absentees, Tunisia are looking reasonably strong considering the relative paucity of talent available to them. Head coach Jalel Kadri will be hoping to work on the match sharpness of some of the Gulf-based veterans during the ongoing training camp, with a view to welcoming the European-based players in the week before the World Cup. — Ed Dove
MOROCCO Fixtures: Croatia (Nov. 23), Belgium (Nov. 27), Canada (Dec. 1) STOCK CLIMBLING
Munir El Haddadi Getafe were held 0-0 at home by Cadiz, and now appears well placed to make the cut. It would have been particularly galling for Munir to have missed out on the World Cup following the lengths Morocco have gone to since the last tournament to encourage FIFA to change their nationality rules (Haddadi has one senior cap for Spain) to allow the youngster (and others in his situation) to switch allegiances.
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Nayef Aguerd West Ham United in the Europa Conference League, Aguerd still cannot muscle his way into the Hammers’ Premier League XI and was an unused substitute as they were defeated by Palace. The defender’s fitness situation is still better than it might have been, considering the ankle injury he suffered in July and a minor knock at the end of October, but he still risks being short of match sharpness heading into Morocco’s opener.
Anas Zniti
HOW THE COUNTRY ARE LOOKING
Bono , as expected, has returned to action for Sevilla , and with Romain Saiss and Aguerd also off the treatment table, Morocco are in better shape defensively than they were a fortnight ago. Hakim Ziyech was unused for Chelsea, although he’ll still travel regardless of his inactivity, as will Sofiane Boufal , who’s nursing an injury. However, youngster Abde Ezzalzouli is still to make his return from injury for Osasuna , with his head coach Jagoba Arrasate hinting in Saturday’s press conference that the 20-year-old would not be in action before the international break, making his inclusion a risk. — Ed Dove
CAMEROON Fixtures: Switzerland (Nov. 24), Serbia (Nov. 28), Brazil (Dec. 2) STOCK CLIMBLING
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting Manchester United are reportedly interested in his services . No other World Cup-bound player in Europe’s top five leagues has a better minutes-per-goal ratio than the 33-year-old so far this season.
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Samuel Oum Gouet
HOW THE COUNTRY ARE LOOKING
Considering only Erling Haaland in Europe’s big five leagues is banging in the goals more regularly than Choupo-Moting in recent weeks, it’s understandable why there’s a swell of optimism and belief about Cameroon’s World Cup prospects back home. FA president Samuel Eto’o has again been talking up the Indomitable Lions’ chances, comparing their prospects to Inter Milan’s ahead of their unlikely Champions League success in 2010, even if the parallels are a little ambitious. The likes of Bryan Mbeumo , Olivier Mbaizo and Olivier Ntcham all made big contributions at their clubs this weekend, while Andre Onana made several fine stops in Inter’s defeat by Juventus. — Ed Dove
GHANA Fixtures: Portugal (Nov. 24), South Korea (Nov. 28), Uruguay (Dec. 2) STOCK CLIMBLING
Jeff Schlupp
Richard Ofori
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Stephan Ambrosius
HOW THE COUNTRY ARE LOOKING
Mohammed Salisu ‘s defensive struggles for Southampton against Newcastle United may well concern Addo, even if the centre-back did set up Romain Perraud for a consolation goal with a magnificent defence-splitting pass. Tariq Lamptey ‘s lack of game time at Brighton & Hove Albion is less than ideal as he vies for a starting spot, while Jordan Ayew earned praise from his club manager Patrick Vieira for his selfless displays for Palace. All in all, Ghana are looking balanced and dynamic ahead of the World Cup, with the extended squad list highlighting their strength in depth. — Ed Dove
JAPAN Fixtures: Germany (Nov. 23), Costa Rica (Nov. 27), Spain (Dec. 1) STOCK CLIMBLING
Kaoru Mitoma Nelson Semedo into bringing him down with a professional foul that handed Brighton a crucial numerical advantage.
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Yuta Nakayama
HOW THE COUNTRY ARE LOOKING
For a side with question marks over options in attack, the emergence of Mitoma — a livewire-type player with the ability to genuinely change a game — will be a huge boost for Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu. The loss of Nakayama means that veteran Yuto Nagatomo is certain to start on the left of defence with any backup for him likely to be another defender playing out of position, given Moriyasu opted to call up an additional forward in Shuto Machino to replace the Huddersfield man. — Gabriel Tan
SOUTH KOREA Fixtures: Uruguay (Nov. 24), Ghana (Nov. 28), Portugal (Dec. 2) Squad announcement date: Nov. 12
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Jeong Woo-Yeong
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Min-Kyu Song Son Heung-Min , Song netted just three times for Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in the recently concluded K League 1 campaign. With South Korea having no shortage of wide attacking options, his place in Bento’s roster is now under severe threat.
HOW THE COUNTRY ARE LOOKING
With star man and captain Son under an injury cloud after underdoing surgery for a facial injury, and with Wolves man Hwang Hee-Chan struggling for game time this season, Jeong is now looming as a legitimate attacking avenue in South Korea’s World Cup quest — especially if he gets the chance to impress further in Freiburg’s final two games. — Gabriel Tan
URUGUAY Fixtures: South Korea (Nov. 24), Portugal (Nov. 28), Ghana (Dec. 2) STOCK CLIMBLING
Ronald Araujo Tim Vickery
