Group B boasts two heavyweights in world football as well as two others with the potential of staging an upset. LiveSoccerTV looks at each team's chances ahead of the summer’s competition in Russia.

Although there is barely a stand-alone “Group of Death” in this edition of the FIFA World Cup, Group B promises to be one of the toughest at the tournament. With the likes of European heavyweights Spain and Portugal, Asian side Iran and 1976 African Cup of Nations winners, Morocco, all featuring in this segment, it does not need any more hype than the names already bring.

The matches:

  • June 15th: Morocco vs Iran in St Petersburg; Portugal vs Spain in Sochi
  • June 20th: Portugal vs Morocco in Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow; Iran vs Spain in Kazan
  • June 25th: Iran vs Portugal in Saransk; Spain vs Morocco in Kaliningrad

At first glance, it is very easy to earmark Spain and Portugal to sail through without a flinch. However, football’s unpredictability endorsed by upsets and remontadas have become the order of the day in recent times.

As a result, a sheer peek on paper based on past glory as well as available personnel might not suffice in singling out the duo with the potential to sail through to the Round of 16. Below, we will address the key facts which surround each member of this group:

Spain

Head coach: Julen Lopetegui

Prior World Cup appearances: 14 (1934, 1950, 1962, 1966, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014)

Best finish: 2010 World Cup Winners

Since winning the first-ever World Cup hosted on African soil in 2010, it’s been a relatively frustrating campaign for La Roja in their last two major international tournaments. Firstly, a poor title defense in 2014 saw the men in red exiting the competition in the group stages in Brazil.

Their plight was worsened two years later when another disappointing spell at the Euro 2016 facilitated their elimination in the Round of 16 at the hands of Italy. However, Spain seems to have stepped up since Julen Lopetegui took over charge of affairs.

This is rehashed in the fact that the former FC Porto manager led the former world champions to top their group in the qualifiers. With the emergence of talents such as Marco Asensio, Lucas Vasquez, Isco, Thiago Alcantara coupled with the experience of Sergio Ramos, Pique, Silva, Busquets as well as David De Gea’s safe pair of hands, the 51-year-old manager could easily cook up a winning formula to fire Spain to the very summit of Group B.

Portugal

Head coach: Fernando Santos

Prior World Cup appearances: 6 (1966, 1986, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014)

Best finish: Third place in 1966

Portugal in many sense may feel fulfilled after scooping the Euro 2016 trophy despite being far from favorites to lift it. A similar campaign in Russia, although unlikely, could be unprecedented for the history of the Seleccao.

With an admirable squad depth and with players like Bernardo Silva, Andre Silva, stepping up and preparing the team for life after Cristiano Ronaldo, there is very much to look forward to. While the Real Madrid superstar has won everything at club level, the World Cup has eluded him although he came to winning it in 2006 but had to settle for 4th place.

Realistically, Russia 2018 will be the only time Cristiano Ronaldo will be able to put in the last fight for the penultimate football accolade in our universe. Whether he will be able to fire his team past the likes of Spain is a tale not too far from being told.

Morocco

Head coach: Herve Renard

Prior World Cup appearances: 4 (1970, 1986, 1994, 1998)

Best finish: Round of 16, 1986

After being MIA for the past 20 years, the Atlas Lions are back to feature in the World Cup yet again. Their rise from the ashes was only made possible on the back of a formidable defense marshaled by Juventus’ Mehdi Benatia.

They may not boast many household names aside Hakim Ziyech, Nordin Amrabat, Nabil Dirar and top scorer of their qualification campaign, Khalid Boutaib, but the genius of Herve Renard could come in handy for the side who will seek to upset the likes of Spain and Portugal for a Round of 16 spots.

Iran

Head coach: Carlos Queiroz

Prior World Cup appearances: 4 (1978, 1998, 2006, 2014)

Best finish: 14th 1978 FIFA World Cup

They may be the last to be addressed but that in no sense makes them the least formidable among the rest. Iran was the first Asian country to secure qualification for the upcoming World Cup, after going on an 18-game unbeaten run in the qualifying games.

With former Portuguese manager, Carlos Queiroz, still leading the charge after his spell in the 2014 World Cup, significant improvement has come in the side in the last four years. His decision to involve youth players in the side has so far paid off.

Rubin Kazan starlet, Sardar Azmoun, is one of the notable players who can be highlighted to have played a huge role in Iran’s rebuilding process. The 23-year-old forward, since making his debut in 2014, has 23 international goals - 11 of such coming during the qualifiers.

Although many do not expect Iran to rack up any points against Spain and Portugal, Queiroz’s men are expected to make life uncomfortable for Morocco.

Who is the favorite to top Group B?

Again, the battle will undisputedly be between Spain and Portugal due to the immense talents both boast in their ranks. However, the 2014 World Cup winners may have the upper hand between the two with their perfect blend of youth and experience.

Portugal, also with similar characteristics, comes in as a close second merely due to the Cristiano Ronaldo factor. For the third-place, Morocco could pip Iran to the spot should their big names play according to their tag.