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World Cup features guide: In-depth stories from all 32 nations competing in Russia

A Russian tourism shop selling a 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia football with flags of the competing nations

Ahead of the 2018 World Cup, take a closer look at each of the 32 teams with features and exclusive interviews.

Tap on the nations to read the stories you might not have heard before and get the lowdown from those who know best.

Need any more to whet your appetite? Have a go at our ultimate World Cup quiz, find out about the 100 players who could make headlines in Russia and check out the fixtures in full.

Argentina

Argentina expectations - After scraping through World Cup qualification and embarrassing friendly defeats to Nigeria and Spain, what are the expectations for Argentina for the upcoming tournament in Russia?

Lionel Messi

Australia

Mat Ryan: France's first obstacle - Charting the rise of Brighton goalkeeper Mat Ryan, whose first task with Australia at the World Cup will be to deny France's fierce forward line.

Brighton goalkeeper Mat Ryan is set to come up against France in Australia's World Cup opener on June 16

Belgium

Making team Belgium - How will Belgium deal with expectation, and how will Roberto Martinez - managing at his first major tournament - get the best from his team? We spoke to the Belgium boss to find out...

Roberto Martinez Belgium

Brazil

Gilberto Silva: Casemiro key for Brazil - Gilberto Silva knows what it takes to win a World Cup with Brazil, and he thinks Real Madrid star Casemiro can play a similar role for the class of 2018 in Russia.

Also See:

Casemiro and Tite

Colombia

The fall and rise of Falcao - Falcao has never before graced the World Cup stage. We chart his rise, fall and recent return to form at Monaco.

FALCAO

Costa Rica

Wallace ready to go - Rodney Wallace on playing in Brazil and why this Costa Rica team can emulate the success he missed in 2014.

Rodney Wallace of Costa Rica is preparing to face Brazil, where he spent time in his club career

Croatia

Bilic: Great expectations in Croatia - Slaven Bilic discusses Croatia's World Cup hopes, their key players and their new manager ahead of Russia 2018.

 during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and West Ham United at Selhurst Park on October 28, 2017 in London, England.

Denmark

Eriksen not Denmark's only help - Christian Eriksen will prove pivotal for Denmark at the World Cup - but there is a lot more to their hopes than just the Spurs midfielder.

Christian Eriksen has scored 15 goals since Age Hareibe became Denmark manager in 2016

Egypt

From Wigan to the World Cup - Wigan captain Sam Morsy reflects on Egypt's journey to Russia 2018, magic Mohamed Salah, and his World Cup aspirations.

Wigan's Sam Morsy celebrate after Wigan win the sky Bet League One league at at the Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday May 5, 2018. See PA story SOCCER Doncaster. Photo credit should read: Richard Sellers/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.

England

Southgate's selection dilemma - Pickford or Butland? Young or Rose? Dier or Henderson? We examine the key selection decisions England boss Gareth Southgate has to make...

England's manager Gareth Southgate celebrates on the pitch after the International friendly football match between England and Costa Rica at Elland Road, Leeds in northern England on June 7, 2018. - England won the game 2-0

France

Thauvin's turnaround - From tuxedo-wearing flop on the Toon to part of France's star-studded World Cup squad, Florian Thauvin's career has undergone quite a transformation since English audiences last saw him.

Flaurent Thauvin

Germany

How to beat Germany on penalties - When it comes to the World Cup, German footballers have never been beaten in a penalty shootout. So just what can be done to stop this spot-kicking juggernaut?

Germany players have never lost a penalty shoot-out at the World Cup

Iceland

Fans ready for Russian adventure - While some have been put off travelling to Russia, Iceland's famous supporters are planning to take their first ever World Cup by storm.

Iceland fans show their support in the stands before the game

Iran

A football revolution in Iran - How an Iranian-American from Oklahoma has inspired a women's football revolution in Iran.

Katayoun Khosrowyar coaches Iran's U19 women's team

Japan

Gamble to pay off? - Two months before the World Cup, Japan sacked their coach. What effect will that have, at a pivotal time for Japanese football?

Akira Nishino has appointed himself as the new manager of Japan

Mexico

How Fergie and Co shaped Osorio - Mexico boss Juan Carlos Osorio tells Sky Sports how a spell living in England 20 years ago played a key role in shaping his coaching career.

Juan Carlos Osorio

Morocco

The curious case of Herve Renard - The strange story of Morocco boss Herve Renard's nine months with Cambridge United.

Morocco will be led by head coach Herve Renard at the 2018 World Cup in Russia

Nigeria

Nigeria's World Cup nemesis - Nigeria will face Argentina for the fifth time in just their sixth World Cup finals appearance in Russia, and they're yet to win a single one.

during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group F match between Nigeria and Argentina at Estadio Beira-Rio on June 25, 2014 in Porto Alegre, Brazil.

Panama

Panama celebrate win over Costa Rica

How Panama's dream became reality - The story of how Panama reached their first World Cup, told with the help of a key figure in their footballing history.

Peru

Guerrero's rocky road - We chart Paolo Guerrero's journey to the World Cup, with the Peru captain cleared to play after his doping ban was temporarily lifted.

Peru's forward Paolo Guerrero celebrates after scoring a goal during an international friendly football match between Saudi Arabia and Peru at Kybunpark stadium in St. Gallen on June 3, 2018

Poland

Poland's No 1 - We look at Lukasz Fabianski and Wojciech Szczesny's battle to become Poland's first-choice goalkeeper at the World Cup.

Former Arsenal team-mates Wojciech Szczesny and Lukasz Fabianski will renew their battle for Poland's No 1 jersey at the World Cup

Portugal

From Silva to gold - We caught up with midfielder Adrien Silva to explore how the foundation of the Portuguese mission in Russia has been ingrained in the nation's psyche for centuries.

Adrien Silva

Russia

Home advantage for Russia? We look at how every host nation has fared at World Cups - and why history suggests Russia could surprise this summer...

The Luzhniki Staidum in Moscow will host seven matches at this summer's World Cup including the final on July 15

Saudi Arabia

World Cup gamble - A lack of playing time on loan in Spain for three key members of Saudi Arabia's squad has hurt Juan Antonio Pizzi's World Cup preparations.

during the international friendly match between Belgium and Saudi Arabia at the King Baudouin Stadium on March 27, 2018 in Brussels, Belgium.

Senegal

Senegal: Dark horses again? - From captain in 2002 to manager in 2018, Aliou Cisse hopes to inspire Senegal to more World Cup success

Aliou Cisse gives instructions to his players during a recent friendly

Serbia

Serbia's young stars ready for Russia - Serbia's U20 World Cup winning coach tells Sky Sports about the country's exciting young talent...

Serbia U20 team World Cup 2015 Brazil

South Korea

South Korea's lasting legacy - How Guus Hiddink's unheralded side in 2002 captured hearts and boosted national pride.

GRAPHIC

Spain

Rodrigo's renaissance - Alvaro Morata has been axed by Spain but late bloomer Rodrigo Moreno is off to Russia. It has been a long road for the one-time Bolton loanee...

Rodrigo Moreno - IMAGE FOR USE WITH FEATURE TO GO LIVE ON 30/05/18

Sweden

Lindelof's chance to shine - The red jersey of Manchester United is weighing heavy on Victor Lindelof but yellow is more his colour. Just ask the Italians.

Victor Lindelof

Switzerland

Hodgson the Switzerland hero - Roy Hodgson took Switzerland to a first World Cup in 28 years. We take a look at how the former England boss transformed the fortunes of a failing nation.

Roy Hodgson and Ciriaco Sforza

Tunisia

Tunisia's missing talisman - Tunisia are preparing to take on England in their World Cup opener, but they will be without talismanic forward Youssef Msakni. How will they cope without him?

Youssef Msakni celebrates scoring for Tunisia

Uruguay

Why did Uruguay support Suarez? - Why did Uruguay support Luis Suarez after bite on Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup? It's a matter of culture, football DNA and FIFA...

during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil round of 16 match between Colombia and Uruguay at Maracana on June 28, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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