76. It will be Tite’s first World Cup since he took charge of Brazil in June 2016. In qualifying he racked up 41 points (12 wins, five draws, one loss), the best tally in CONMEBOL qualifying since Argentina’s 43 points to qualifying for 2002.
77. Since 1978, only Germany (5) have reached the final more than Argentina (4).
78. Uruguay were the first World Cup champions in 1930 and won it again in the second running of the tournament in 1950. However, they’ve only got beyond the last 16 once in their last six attempts (4th place in 2010).
79. None of the last 18 matches Colombia have played in a World Cup ended goalless. Only the USA (33) and Austria (29) have played more games without a 0-0.
80. Peru have qualified for their fifth World Cup after beating New Zealand in the play-off.
81. Mexico have qualified for their 16th World Cup; only Brazil, Germany, Italy and Argentina have qualified for more.
82. Costa Rica have qualified for their fifth World Cup, getting out of the group on two of their four attempts (1990 and 2014).
83. It will be Panama coach Hernan Dario Gomez’s third World Cup, after coaching his native Colombia in 1998 and Ecuador in 2002 (knocked out of the group stage both times).
84. Nigeria have won only one of their last 12 games in the World Cup (three draws, eight defeats), beating Bosnia-Herzegovina 1-0 in 2014.
85. Tunisia have kept just one clean sheet from 12 games (0-0 vs West Germany in 1978).
86. None of Morocco’s 12 World Cup goals have come from a set piece.
87. It will be Hector Cuper’s first World Cup as a coach, he was also coach of Egypt for the African Cup of Nations in 2017, losing the final 2-1 to Cameroon.
88. Senegal have qualified for their second World Cup, reaching the quarter final in 2002.
89. South Korea have qualified for their 10th World Cup, more than any other Asian country. They haven’t failed to qualify since 1986.
90. Japan have won just two of their last 11 World Cup games (three draws, six defeats): against Cameroon and Denmark in 2010.
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