World Cup Special: Track record of all 32 Russia-bound teams

Ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, TheCable takes a look at the track record and best performances of the 32 countries that will be in Russia for the tournament.

Group A

Russia‘s best World Cup performance was a semi-final appearance in 1966 in England.

Saudi Arabia has never gone past the round of 16.

The Pharaohs of Egypt have also never progressed beyond the round of 16.

Uruguay won the World Cup on home soil in 1930 and again in 1950 when it was hosted in Brazil.

Group B

Portugal’s best result was a third-place finish in 1966 when England hosted the mundial.

In 2010, Spain were crowned world champions in South Africa.

Morocco’s best outing was a round of 16 exit in 1986, in Mexico.

Iran has never gone past the group stage. The Middle East nation has featured four times; in 1978, 1998, 2006, and 2014.

Group C

France‘s best result was in 1998 when they won the World Cup on home soil. In 2006, they got to the final of the tournament but lost to Italy.

Australia qualified for the round of 16 in 2006.

For Peru, a quarter-final appearance in the 1970 and 1978 World Cups in Mexico and Argentina respectively, were the country’s best outings.

Denmark made it to the quarter-final of the 1998 World Cup in France, the farthest the country has ever gone.

Group D

Argentina have been twice crowned champions; on home soil in 1978 and in Mexico in 1986.

Iceland‘s first World Cup appearance will be in Russia.

Croatia‘s best result was a third-place finish in France 1998.

The farthest the Super Eagles of Nigeria have ever gone in the World is the round of 16; in 1994, 1998 and 2014.

Group E

Brazil is the most successful country in World Cup history. They have been crowned champions five times; in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, and 2002.

Switzerland reached the quarter-final of the World Cup in 1934, 1938 and 1954.

Costa Rica featured in a first ever quarter-final appearance in Brazil 2014.

At the 1930 World Cup held in Uruguay, Serbia qualified for the semi-final and 32 years later, the country again reached the last four in Chile.

Group F

Germany have been crowned world champions on four different occasions; in 1954, 1974, 1990 and 2014.

Mexico‘s best World Cup outing was in 1970 and 1986 when they qualified for the quarter-final, both times on home soil.

Sweden was the second-best team at the 1958 World Cup.

South Korea qualified for the semi-final at the 2002 Korea/Japan World Cup.

Group G

At Mexico ’86, Belgium made it to the semi-final of the tournament.

Panama‘s first ever World Cup appearance will be in Russia.

Tunisia have qualified for the showpiece four times, in 1978, 1998, 2002 and 2006. On all occasions, the North African team never made it past the group stage.

England were crowned champions in 1966. It was the Three Lions’ only World Cup win despite reaching the semi-final and quarter-final in recent years.

Group H

Poland recorded a third place finish in 1974 and 1982 in West Germany and Spain respectively.

Senegal qualified for the quarter-final of the tournament in 2002.

Colombia reached the quarter-final in 2014 when the tournament was hosted by Brazil.

Japan‘s best result was in 2002 when the Asian country co-hosted the tournament, and also in 2010 when South Africa hosted.