This group is tough to call as all teams are pretty evenly matched.
Poland and Colombia look to be the best on paper but both Senegalese and Japanese footballers have shown glimmers of genius as they’ve progressed through the ranks at this World Cup and tournaments of previous years.
Senegal has beaten France and Sweden (both past champions) in a World Cup setting while Japan topped its Asian group ahead of Australia and Saudi Arabia. Japan is football mad and just a hop, skip and jump from Russia so expect a lot of supporters to make the trip.
The Polish captain, Robert Lewandowski, has already topped the charts in European qualifying with 16 goals in 10 games and Colombia’s James Rodriguez is set to repeat his phenomenal performance from the last World Cup. The heat is on!
Fifa ranking
10
best Performance
3rd place
1974, 1982
best selling car
Skoda Octavia
In Poland, cars don’t have to stop at pedestrian crossings if someone is waiting to cross. They only have to stop if there is already someone in the road.
Fifa ranking
28
best Performance
Quarter-finals
2002
best selling car
Toyota Hilux
Taxi drivers in Senegal attach a goat’s tail to the back of their cars to bring them luck. Don’t feel sorry for all those tailless goats, it’s not real!
Fifa ranking
16
best Performance
Quarter-finals
2014
best selling car
Dacia Sandero
Army recruits in Colombia often stand by roads with their thumbs up. They aren’t hitchhiking, they’re just letting you know that the road ahead is safe.
Fifa ranking
60
best Performance
Last 16
2002, 2010
best selling car
Toyota Prius
In Japan, you can fail your driving test if you do not bend low enough to check the underside of your car for concealed cats!
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