Group B

PORTUGAL

Team: Portugal
Current FIFA Ranking: 4
Previous World Cup appearances: 6 - 1966, 1986, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014
Best World Cup result: Third place - 1966
Group fixtures: June 15 vs Spain, June 20 vs Morocco, June 25 vs Iran
Captain: Cristiano Ronaldo
Star Player: Cristiano Ronaldo
Head coach: Fernando Santos

PORTUGAL SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Anthony Lopes, Beto, Rui Patricio
Defenders: Bruno Alves, Cedric Soares, Jose Fonte, Mario Rui, Pepe, Raphael Guerreiro, Ricardo Pereira, Ruben Dias
Midfielders: Adrien Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Joao Mario, Joao Moutinho, Manuel Fernandes, William Carvalho
Forwards: Andre Silva, Bernardo Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo, Gelson Martins, Goncalo Guedes, Ricardo Quaresma

Portugal displayed admirable defensive discipline and remarkable resilience to defeat France in the final of Euro 2016 after the loss of their captain and talisman Cristiano Ronaldo to an early injury.

However, the Seleccao remain worryingly dependent on the Real Madrid superstar, who scored 15 of the 32 goals Fernando Santos’s side racked up in pipping Switzerland to an automatic qualification berth for Russia 2018.

Indeed, the supposed next generation of stars (Andre Silva, Andre Gomes and Renato Sanches, the latter of whom is left out the squad) have struggled terribly at club level, while drawing Spain means Portugal are likely to be left fighting for second place in Group B.

However, as the Seleccao showed in France two years ago, they are capable of springing a surprise, while a fully-fit Ronaldo makes anything possible.

SPAIN

Team: Spain
Current FIFA Ranking: 10
Previous World Cup appearances: 14 - 1934, 1950, 1962, 1966, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014
Best World Cup result: Winners - 2010
Group fixtures: June 15 vs Portugal, June 20 vs Iran, June 25 vs Morocco
Captain: Sergio Ramos
Star Player: Sergio Ramos
Head coach: Fernando Hierro

SPAIN SQUAD
Goalkeepers: David de Gea, Pepe Reina, Kepa Arrizabalaga
Defenders: Dani Carvajal, Alvaro Odriozola, Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos, Nacho, Cesar Azpilicueta, Jordi Alba, Nacho Monreal
Midfielders: Sergio Busquets, Saul Niquez, Koke, Thiago Alcantara, Andres Iniesta, David Silva
Forwards: Isco, Marcio Asensio, Lucas Vazquez, Iago Aspas, Rodrigo, Diego Costa

Spain may have disappointed at their last two major tournaments but they will arrive in Russia as one of the favourites to win the World Cup.

Indeed, La Roja were yet to lose under new coach Julen Lopetegui, who succeeded Vicente del Bosque at the helm after the last 16 loss to Italy at Euro 2016. However, Lopetegui's sacking the day before the tournament due to his Real Madrid pledge has thrown their finals into disarray, with Fernando Hierro drafted in at last minute.

Their defence is almost flawless, though, with the outstanding David de Gea protected by a brilliant back four marshalled by skipper Sergio Ramos. As ever, Spain have an embarrassment of riches in midfield, with Isco arguably the pick of a glorious group of creative minds.

Doubts remain over who exactly will lead the attack, given Alvaro Morata’s omission over poor form at Chelsea and Diego Costa’s ill-discipline, but, as March's 6-1 annihilation of Argentina underlined, La Roja will not want for goals.

MOROCCO

Team: Morocco
Current FIFA Ranking: 41
Previous World Cup appearances: 4 - 1970, 1986, 1994, 1998
Best World Cup result: Last 16 - 1986
Group fixtures: June 15 vs Iran, June 20 vs Portugal, June 25 vs Spain
Captain: Medhi Benatia
Star Player: Hakim Ziyech
Head coach: Herve Renard

MOROCCO SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Mounir El Kajoui, Yassine Bounou, Ahmad Reda Tagnaouti
Defenders: Mehdi Benatia, Romain Saiss, Manuel Da Costa, Badr Benoun, Nabil Dirar, Achraf Hakimi, Hamza Mendyl
Midfielders: M'bark Boussoufa, Karim El Ahmadi, Youssef Ait Bennasser, Sofyan Amrabat, Younes Belhanda, Faycal Fajr, Amine Harit
Forwards: Khalid Boutaib, Aziz Bouhaddouz, Ayoub El Kaabi, Nordin Amrabat, Mehdi Carcela, Hakim Ziyech

After a 20-year absence, Morocco make a welcome return to the game's grandest stage.

The opposition in Russia may be daunting but the Atlas Lions will take encouragement from the fact that their wonderfully well-organised defence - held together by Juventus centre-half Medhi Benatia - didn't concede a single goal in topping a tough qualification group containing Gabon, Mali and Ivory Coast.

Up front, Ayoub El Kaabi has emerged as a potential star, having hit 10 goals in his first eight appearances for his country, but much will depend on Ajax ace Hakim Ziyech, who will have to provide his customary creativity in midfield if Morocco are to emulate their last 16 appearance at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.

IRAN

Team: Iran
Current FIFA Ranking: 37
Previous World Cup appearances: 4 - 1978, 1998, 2006, 2014
Best World Cup result: Group Stage
Group fixtures: June 15 vs Morocco, June 20 vs Spain, June 25 vs Portugal
Captain: Ashkan Dejagah
Star Player: Sardar Azmoun
Head coach: Carlos Queiroz

IRAN SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Alireza Beiranvand, Rashid Mazaheri, Amir Abedzadeh
Defenders: Ramin Rezaeian, Mohammad Reza Khanzadeh, Morteza Pouraliganji, Pejman Montazeri, Seyed Majid Hosseini, Milad Mohammadi, Roozbeh Cheshmi
Midfielders: Saeid Ezatolahi, Masoud Shojaei, Saman Ghoddos, Mehdi Torabi, Ashkan Dejagah, Omid Ebrahimi, Ehsan Hajsafi, Vahid Amiri
Forwards: Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Karim Ansarifard, Mahdi Taremi, Sardar Azmoun, Reza Ghoochannejhad

The first Asian team to qualify for this summer's World Cup, Iran's success was based upon their defensive excellence.

Indeed, the well-drilled side coached by former Manchester United assistant Carlos Queiroz's kept nine consecutive clean sheets before conceding twice in their final outing in AFC Group A, a 2-2 draw with Syria - by which point they had already secured their spot at Russia 2018.

Iran do not lack attacking talent, though. Sardar Azmoun and Mehdi Taremi combined for 19 goals over the course of the entire qualification campaign, while winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh is coming off the back of the most prolific season of his Eredivisie career.

However, nothing less than victory in their tournament opener against Morocco will suffice if Team Melli are to reach the knockout stage for the first time in their history.