For all the talk of a "Group of Death," Group C might be one of the toughest to predict at the 2022 World Cup.
Between CONMEBOL heavyweight Argentina, the Concacaf giant of Mexico, Robert Lewandowski's Poland and Saudi Arabia, who topped Japan in the final round of AFC qualifying, it's all up for grabs.
Here is everything you need to know about Group C at the World Cup.
Nov. 22: Argentina vs. Saudi Arabia (5 a.m. ET)
Nov. 22: Mexico vs. Poland (11 a.m. ET)
Nov. 26: Poland vs. Saudi Arabia (8 a.m. ET)
Nov. 26: Argentina vs. Mexico (2 p.m. ET)
Nov. 30: Poland vs. Argentina (2 p.m. ET)
Nov. 30: Saudi Arabia vs. Mexico (2 p.m. ET)
ARGENTINA
FIFA world ranking: No. 3
Top scorer in qualifying: Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martínez (7 goals)
Odds to win the World Cup: +330 (via Sports Interaction)
Odds to win the group: -259
Previous World Cup appearances: 17
Best showing: Winners (1978 and 1986)
2018 World Cup: Round of 16 (lost to France)
Manager: Lionel Scaloni
Probable formation: 4-3-3
Probable starting XI: Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa) — Nahuel Molina (Atlético Madrid), Cristian Romero (Tottenham), Nicolás Otamendi (Benfica), Nicolás Tagliafico (Lyon) — Alexis Mac Allister (Brighton), Guido Rodríguez (Real Betis), Rodrigo De Paul (Atlético Madrid) — Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain), Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan), Ángel Di María (Juventus).
The Big Question: Is this squad, with the best depth in quality it has had in years, the one that finally lifts Argentina over the top?
The Pulse: This will be Lionel Messi's last World Cup, so there is pressure on Argentina to win it all, but there are always high expectations. With tremendous depth in quality across the pitch, this could be the best equipped squad to get it done. That's only heightened those presumptions.
The X-factor: Alexis Mac Allister. The Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder might have won a place in Lionel Scaloni's side after Giovani Lo Celso suffered an injury. Mac Allister has scored five goals in 14 games, plus he's involved in 2.32 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes, per FBRef.com. The 23-year-old might be outperforming his underlying numbers but if Scaloni wants a direct attacking replacement for Lo Celso, then Mac Allister is the correct choice.
The Breakout Candidate: Julián Álvarez. Argentina's attack will surely undergo rotation throughout the tournament, so Álvarez will receive opportunities off the bench or as a starter. A lethal finisher who is comfortable playing out wide or up front, the 22-year-old Manchester City striker will be a key figure for La Albiceleste.
SAUDI ARABIA
FIFA world ranking: No. 51
Top scorer in qualifying: Saleh Al-Shehri and Salem Al-Dawsari (7 goals)
Odds to win the World Cup: +44,900 (via Sports Interaction)
Odds to win the group: +2,100
Previous World Cup appearances: Five
Best showing: Round of 16 (1994)
2018 World Cup: Group stage
Manager: Hervé Renard
Probable formation: 4-2-3-1
Probable starting XI: Mohamed Al-Owais (Al-Hilal) — Mohammed Al-Breik (Al-Hilal), Abdulelah Al-Amri (Al-Nassr), Ali Al-Bulaihi (Al-Hilal), Yasser Al-Shahrani (Al-Hilal) — Mohamed Kanno (Al-Hilal), Abdulellah Al-Malki (Al-Hilal) — Hattan Bahebri (Al-Shabab), Salman Al-Faraj (Al-Hilal), Salem Al-Dawsari (Al-Hilal) — Saleh Al-Shehri (Al-Hilal).
The Big Question: With a heavy influence from Saudi Pro League champions Al-Hilal, can Saudi Arabia build on its 2018 showing after earning one win from three games?
The Pulse: Saudi Arabia is the odds-on favourite to finish bottom of Group C, but the AFC side has been a defensive stalwart throughout qualifying, conceding just 0.51 goals per 90 minutes. Offensively, there are question marks but The Green Falcons will be a tough out.
The X-factor: Salem Al-Dawsari. Fahad Al-Muwallad was withdrawn from the squad, reportedly due to a doping scandal. Al-Muwallad is one of the country's most-capped players, and Al-Dawsari was one of the leading scorers in qualifying, so he'll need to pick up the slack.
The Breakout Candidate: Firas Al-Buraikan. At 22 years old, Al-Buraikan already has 26 caps for his country and has either rotated with Saleh Al-Shehri up front, or formed a partnership and understandably so. Al-Buraikan was averaging an astonishing 0.79 goals per 90 and 0.46 expected goals (xG) per 90 in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Fateh.
MEXICO
FIFA world ranking: No. 13
Top scorer in qualifying: Henry Martín and Alexis Vega (2 goals)
Odds to win the World Cup: +9,010 (via Sports Interaction)
Odds to win the group: +495
Previous World Cup appearances: 16
Best showing: Quarterfinals (1970 and 1986)
2018 World Cup: Round of 16
Manager: Gerardo "Tata" Martino
Probable formation: 4-3-3
Probable starting XI: Guillermo Ochoa (América) — Kevin Álvarez (Pachuca), César Montes (Monterrey), Héctor Moreno (Monterrey), Jesús Gallardo (Monterrey) — Carlos Rodríguez (Cruz Azul), Edson Álvarez (Ajax), Héctor Herrera (Houston Dynamo) — Roberto Alvarado (Chivas), Henry Martín (América), Hirving Lozano (Napoli).
The Big Question: Can Mexico finally break the quinto partido (fifth game) curse?
The Pulse: Inconsistency and injuries have led to a lack of confidence in coach Tata Martino to help Mexico progress to its first quarterfinal in 36 years. Even if El Tri reaches the knockout stage, it'll likely set up a meeting with France, which could mean the curse lives on.
The X-factor: Hirving Lozano. The Napoli winger was one of the breakout stars in 2018, playing a key role in helping Mexico defeat Germany to progress to the Round of 16. Lozano is entering the World Cup on a high, too, registering a goal and two assists in Napoli's final two games before the tournament.
The Breakout Candidate: Roberto Alvarado. The 24-year-old was a bright talent at Cruz Azul. A big transfer to Chivas hasn't quite worked out but Alvarado is in line to replace the injured Jesús Corona, which might be the opportunity he needs to reach his potential.
POLAND
FIFA world ranking: No. 26
Top scorer in qualifying: Robert Lewandowski (9 goals)
Odds to win the World Cup: +8,960 (via Sports Intearction)
Odds to win the group: +464
Previous World Cup appearances: Eight
Best showing: Third place (1974 and 1982)
2018 World Cup: Group stage
Manager: Czeslaw Michniewicz
Probable formation: 3-5-2
Probable starting XI: Wojciech Szczesny (Juventus) — Jan Bednarek (Aston Villa), Kamil Glik (Benevento), Jakub Kiwior (Spezia) — Matty Cash (Aston Villa), Szymon Żurkowski (Fiorentina), Grzegorz Krychowiak (Al-Shabab), Piotr Zielinski (Napoli), Nicola Zalewski (Roma) — Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona), Arkadiusz Milik (Juventus).
The Big Question: Will Robert Lewandowski lead the line by himself or as part of a strike duo which has had varying degrees of success?
The Pulse: Poland is one of the most fascinating teams at the World Cup. It has a world-class striker and a few standout youngsters but it still relies on inconsistent veterans like Kamil Glik and Grzegorz Krychowiak. The talent is there to reach the knockout stage, especially with an inconsistent Mexico in Group C.
The X-factor: Piotr Zielinski. When given a free role to drift across the pitch for club or country, Zielinski is a devastatingly effective player, as he's proven with Napoli in Serie A this season.
The Breakout Candidate: Nicola Zalewski. A product of Roma's academy, the 20-year-old is lined up to be a regular starter for Poland. His vision in the final third, quick feet and ability to beat defenders on the dribble should excite.
Mexico will be eliminated at the group stage for the first time since 1978, with Argentina and Poland advancing to the Round of 16.
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