Host Russia goes into World Cup as lowest ranked team ⁰

The 2018 FIFA World Cup host Russia will go into the tournament as the lowest ranked side of all the 32 participating teams.

In the latest FIFA ranking released on Thursday, the Russians were placed 70^th after falling four places from their position in the May ranking.

Current world champions Germany retained their spot at the top, followed by Brazil in second place and Belgium in third.

The World Cup is set to kick off on 14 June, with a game pitting Russia against Saudi Arabia, the second lowest ranked side in the new FIFA ranking.

Africa will be represented at the tournament by Egypt, Nigeria, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia.

The Pharaohs, boosted by the imminent return of star player Mohamed Salah, will be the first side in action. They will play the second game of the tournament against Uruguay on 15 June, before Morocco takes on Iran later on the same day.

The African teams will be seeking to reach the semi-final stage for the very first time in the competition’s history.

Only three nations from Africa reached the quarter finals once each; Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002 and Ghana in 2010.

Here’s a look at the different group in which African teams were drawn;

GROUP A

• Russia
• Saudi Arabia
• Egypt
• Uruguay

GROUP B

• Portugal
• Spain
• Morocco
• Iran

GROUP D

• Argentina
• Iceland
• Croatia
• Nigeria

GROUP G

• Belgium
• Panama
• Tunisia
• England

GROUP H

• Poland
• Senegal
• Colombia
• Japan

Source: Africa cgtn