Group B has pitted Iberian rivals Portugal and Spain in the same group, alongside Morocco and Iran.
Spain will be hoping to avoid a repeat of 2014 where they became the first World Cup holder to be knocked out in the Group Stages of the following tournament.
The two sides will face off on June 15th in Sochi but they should not have too much difficulty getting past Morocco and Iran.
Iran coach Carlos Quieroz will have the chance to face the country of his birth on June 25 in Saransk.
The four sides are the closest four nations to be tied together geographically in the group stages in the history of the tournament.
What they said
Portugal defender Jose Fonte: “It’s a big rivalry and it will be like a derby. It will be fantastic. Everyone will be up for it.
“We have ambition but we have to take it game by game. We’re expected to go through but we’ve got to keep our feet on the ground.”
Group B
Portugal
Spain
Morocco
Iran
Fixtures (all times UK)
June 15 – Morocco v Iran – Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg, 16:00
June 15 – Portugal v Spain – Fisht Olympic Stadium, Sochi, 19:00
June 20 – Portugal v Morocco – Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, 13:00
June 20 – Iran v Spain – Kazan Arena, Kazan, 19:00
June 25 – Iran v Portugal – Mordovia Arena, Saransk, 19:00
June 25 – Spain v Morocco – Kaliningrad Stadium, Kaliningrad, 19:00
Prediction
- Spain
- Portugal
- Morocco
- Iran
Group B factfile
- The Iberian derby will kick off the group in the Olympic Stadium in Sochi.
- David Villa’s goal knocked Portugal out of the 2010 World Cup at the second round stage.
- Iran are making their fifth appearance at a World Cup, and have now qualified for a third consecutive time.
- Morocco making first appearance since 1998 when they beat Scotland 3-0 in the group stage.
- In 2014 Spain became the fifth tournament holders to be knocked out in the group stage.
