COSTA RICA

The majority of the old guard of 2014 remains in Oscar Ramirez's 2018 World Cup squad. The side that stole the hearts of neutrals in Brazil with a triumphant race to the quarter-final return for one last roll of the dice on the big stage. 

Head Coach: Oscar Ramìrez 

The 52-year old has been in charge of the 2014 Copa Centroamericana champions for the entire qualification campaign and is going to his first World Cup.

Ramirez is something of a Costa Rica legend, playing nearly 500 games in the Liga FPD in Costa Rica with Alajuelense and Saprissa while representing the national team on 75 occasions. 

One to watch: Joel Campbell 

Campbell was just 21 years old in Brazil when he scored against Uruguay and spearheaded Costa Rica through the group stage in 2014. Now at 25 with 74 caps for his country and riding high with La Liga club Real Betis, Campbell is fast approaching a seminal moment in his career. 

With some saying he is the heir to Bryan Ruiz's throne, can Campbell live up to the hype in Russia? 

Must watch game: Costa Rica vs Switzerland - 27 June 

FFT Prediction: 4th in the group 

It's undoubtedly still a strong squad and they'll certainly be in a close fight for second spot. 

BRAZIL 

Time for redemption. With their brightest star Neymar fulfilling his god-like potential, Brazil are back with some purpose. After being humiliated 7-1 in the semi-final of their World Cup in Brazil, the pride of the Selecao is on the line in Russia. 

Head Coach: Tite

Adenor Leonardo Bacchi, or better known as Tite, has given Brazil its mojo back. 

In 2016, then head coach Dunga was fired by the Brazilian Football Federation after getting knocked out of the group stage of the Copa America in 2016 for the first time since 1987. 

As Tite was appointed following the tournament, a myriad of Brazilian talent came out of the woodwork giving Brazil some rhythm.

Gabriel Jesus, Paulinho and Roberto Firmino made Brazil more dynamic and give them hope of a blistering tournament after blitzing their qualifying group in CONMEBOL finishing ten points clear of Uruguay. 

One to watch: Roberto Firmino 

Most would think the youngster Jesus would be top spot for one to watch. However, Roberto Firmino has emerged as Brazil's long awaited talisman for the big stage after a fantastic season with Liverpool. 

The 26-year old racked up 44 goal-contributions in 54 matches including playing in a Champions League final. 

Must watch game: Brazil vs Costa Rica - 22 June 

As the second match of the group stage, two sides littered with pace, flair and passion will leave it all out on the field. 

FFT Prediction: Semi-finals

Provided there are no disasters, Brazil should finish top of the pops in the group. Looking at the draw, they are likely to play Sweden or Mexico in the first knockout, and possibly Belgium in the quarter-final. 

 

SWITZERLAND 

The Swiss were only seconds away from a possible World Cup quarter-final in 2014 before Angel Di Maria cut their ride short in the 118th minute. 

Switzerland's team since then has evolved with younger players flourishing around Europe and for thier country where they have an immensely strong core. 

Head Coach: Vladimir Petkovic 

The moment Switzerland were knocked out of the 2014 World Cup their head coach Ottmar Hitzfeld was replaced by Bosnian-Swiss Vladimir Petkovic.

The national team coach was manager at historic Serie A club Lazio for two seasons preceding his call-up to Switzerland, leading them to two mid-table finishes and a Coppa Italia triumph.

His record with Switzerland is encouraging, taking charge of 40 matches, winning 25 and drawing eight which included a Round of 16 berth in the 2016 UEFA European Championships. 

One to watch: Breel Embolo 

The 21 year-old has won 25 caps for his country and is cementing himself as one of Petkovic's favourites ahead of the tournament. 

His first test came in the European Championships in 2016 at just 19 years of age, where he came on in the first two group matches and started the final group match against France and Round of 16 game against Poland. 

He has featured in almost every national team game since and played in all four of Switzerland's 2018 friendlies. 

Must watch game: Switzerland vs Serbia - 23 June

Switzerland open their World Cup campaign against Brazil which means matchday two against European cousins Serbia is pivotal in a fight for the knockout rounds. 

FFT Prediction: Round of 16 

They'll take second spot by the skin of their teeth but a spot in the knockout rounds is a very successful World Cup for Switzerland. 

SERBIA 

After failing to qualify for the 2014 tournament, some are calling this year the start of a new era in Serbian football. Serbia are never shy to throw a spanner in the workds. 

Head Coach: Mladen Krastajic

As the second-youngest coach at the World Cup at 44, Krastajic's work with Serbia in his short tenure so far is a god-send for Serbian football. 

Radovan Curcic failed to qualify Serbia for Euro 2016 as Slavoljub Muslin guided Serbia to the World Cup, topping their qualifying group and pulling The Eagles out of the rabbit hole. Despite this, Muslin was sacked and his assistant coach Krastajic took over in his first ever first team role. 

One to watch: Aleksander Mitrovic 

The English Championship certainly isn't the most glamorous league to be plying your trade in, but it sure is a huge test for Serbia's front man at the World Cup.

Mitrovic was a bit-part player at Newcastle in the Premier League and needed game time ahead of the World Cup. Fulham, in the Championship, came calling, and 12 goals in 17 matches later Mitrovic is in red-hot form as he enters the world's biggest stage. 

Extraordinarily prolific for his country, Mitrovic scored six goals in the final phase of qualifying as well as five in the 2018 pre-World Cup friendlies. 

Must watch game: Serbia vs Costa Rica - 17 June

It's sure to be a cracker of an opener as Serbia look to prove a point while Costa Rica are determined to go one step further than they managed in Brazil in 2014. 

FFT Prediction: 3rd in the group

Serbia have done themselves proud to be back on the biggest stage but it'll be a very tough job to get out of Group E.