Leo Messi, Argentina, UAE and Egypt: The Big World Cup qualifying preview

Thomas Woods previews the upcoming World Cup qualifying matches around the globe, with Argentina looking to right their ship and the UAE fighting to get back in the Asian mix.

Cristiane Mattos / Reuters

Ahead of the latest round of World Cup qualifying around the globe, Thomas Woods looks at some of the key issues and picks out six games to watch.

Can Messi save Argentina?

The Barcelona star has missed seven of Argentina's 10 qualifiers, through injury and a brief retirement. In that span, the 2014 World Cup finalists have taken just seven points from a possible 21.

Despite players such as Angel Di Maria, Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain in the squad, it is clear Lionel Messi is as important for his country as he is for Barcelona. In the meantime, Argentina are sixth in the South American qualifying table, with only the top four going automatically to the 2018 World Cup.

They are only five points off top though with eight games left. All is not lost, but they have a tough task this week – Brazil away on Thursday night then a visit from Colombia.

Also see

• South American qualifying: Kick-offs in UAE time

• Gary Meenaghan: Brazil v Argentina – Heartbreak and chance to 'rewrite history' at Mineirao

Can the UAE still reach Russia 2018?

The defeats to Australia and Saudi Arabia have made it a tough ask for Mahdi Ali’s side, but UAE fans should not despair.

There are plenty of scenarios in which the UAE can finish in the top two of Group B or at least take third place and the chance of a play-off. Omar Abdulrahman and Co have still to face Saudi and Japan at home, along with Iraq in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

Take maximum points there and, with the right results in encounters between Japan, Saudi and Australia, they would have a great chance.

Are Egypt ‘back’?

With the turmoil in the country over the past few years, Egypt’s national team have also suffered. They went from winning three straight Africa Cup of Nations between 2006 and 2010 to not qualifying for the next three tournaments. And they have not reached the World Cup since 1990, a surprising fact given some of their regional success during that period.

But things are looking up. Hector Cuper’s side have made the 2017 Nations Cup and they have an advantage already in their World Cup qualifying group.

The African qualifying process is long and treacherous. Five groups of four remain, with only the top team qualifying for Russia 2018,

Big names are going to miss out. Nigeria, Cameroon and Algeria are all in Group A, for example.

Egypt have a two-point lead on Ghana, who stumbled to a 0-0 draw with Uganda in their opener. The two big guns meet in Alexandria on Sunday. An Egyptian win would give them a five-point lead over Ghana with 12 points still available. That equates to one foot in Russia.

Games to watch

• Brazil v Argentina, Thursday (3.45am Friday)

Neymar v Messi with a support cast including Philippe Coutinho, Sergio Aguero, Douglas Costa and Angel Di Maria, to name just a few. This is a showdown between an array of attacking talent and all the right ingredients of an exciting match. Plus, Brazil are returning to Belo Horizonte, the site of their 7-1 World Cup semi-final thrashing at the hands of Germany in 2014, and will have a point to prove.

• France v Sweden, Friday, 11.45pm

France should perhaps have won Euro 2016, on their own soil, but they will probably be even better by the time the 2018 World Cup comes around. There are 18 of their 23-man squad playing in the Uefa Champions League this season – evidence of the all-round quality available to manager Didier Deschamps. A Zlatan Ibrahimovic-less Sweden should not cause them a problem.

• England v Scotland, Friday, 11.45pm

This is one of football’s oldest rivalries, with Scotland winning 41 matches to England’s 47 down the years. But Gordon Strachan’s men have beaten the English just once since 1985, and that in a tie they lost over two legs. For England’s Gareth Southgate, this is a must-win game as he aims to make his case to be given the role on a full-time basis. It should be a passionate, full-blooded affair.

• Wales v Serbia, Saturday, 11.45pm

It will be a disappointment for Wales after their run to the last four at Euro 2016 if they cannot build on it and qualify for the World Cup. Which makes this game crucial, even at an early stage in the qualification process. Group D is a tough one, with no clear favourite and four teams – Austria, Republic of Ireland, Serbia and Wales – who will fancy their chances. Wales have already lost in Serbia and drawn disappointingly with Georgia at home. Time for a big performance.

• Japan v Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, 2.35pm

The UAE will watch this game eagerly, ahead of their encounter at home to Iraq later in the day. A draw would probably be the best result for Mahdi Ali’s side and Saudi will likely play for that, given that they top the group and have a three-point advantage over third-placed Japan. However, should one of Japan’s playmakers – Keisuke Honda for example – manage to break through early on, it would force the visitors to come out of play.

• Chile v Uruguay, Tuesday, (3.30am Wednesday),

The South American qualifying group is so strong that a big-name country always misses out. It looks like it might be Chile this time – they are in fifth place with only the top four qualifying automatically for Russia. Two big players are likely to miss this one – Chile’s Alexis Sanchez and Uruguay’s Edinson Cavani – but a certain Luis Suarez will still take to the pitch for the Uruguayans. and that might tip the balance.

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