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Group Difficulty

Easiest: Uruguay

On paper, the Charruas have accessible rivals. The team’s first game is against Egypt, whose star forward, Mohamed Salah, is just coming out of an injury and then it faces Saudi Arabia, which lost three of its last four friendlies, including a 0-3 defeat against Peru. By the time Uruguay face the hosts on June 25, it could have already qualified for the next round.

Brazil is also expected to easily make it past the group round.

Hardest: Panama

Panama’s first World Cup ever is going to be a trial by fire. Not only does it have to play England – which features a young, but experienced squad – but also Belgium, one of the most promising and talented teams in Europe. Add Tunisia, who has plenty of World Cup experience and went toe-to-toe with Portugal and Spain in the last couple of weeks, and the perspectives of Los Canaleros look very dim.

Unfortunately for Mexico and Peru, the World Cup will also bring them lots of challenges.