World Cup 2022 Group H: Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal set for success

With the tournament in Qatar now less than five months away, we are continuing our countdown to the big kick-off. Here’s what we can expect from the four teams in Group H World Cup 2022.

Which teams are in Group H at the World Cup?

Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay and South Korea are the sides that make up Group H. With Cristiano Ronaldo set to take part in his last World Cup, Portugal are the favourites to qualify for the knockout stage. Uruguay will expect to join them, with Ghana and South Korea the underdogs.

Group H World Cup fixtures

24 November, 1pm: Uruguay vs South Korea (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan)

24 November, 4pm: Portugal vs Ghana (Stadium 974, Doha)

28 November, 1pm: South Korea vs Ghana (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan)

28 November, 7pm: Portugal vs Uruguay (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail)

2 December, 3pm: Ghana vs Uruguay (Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah)

2 December, 3pm: South Korea vs Portugal (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan)

Portugal: FIFA Ranking, Squad, Fixtures

Portugal’s FIFA ranking of eighth tallies with their general standing ahead of the World Cup: they are not among the outright favourites to triumph, but belong to the second tier of sides who could end up lifting the trophy with a bit of good fortune.

There is no doubt about the quality of the squad, particularly in attack. As well as Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal have the likes of Joao Felix, Bernardo Silva, Andre Silva and Diogo Jota to call upon – and that is before you consider attacking full-backs Joao Cancelo and Raphael Guerreiro. Few nations at the World Cup can match their depth of talent in forward areas.

One question mark is over an ageing defence, with the 39-year-old Pepe and 38-year-old Jose Fonte still knocking around. Another is over Fernando Santos, whose tendency towards caution means he is not a natural fit for this Portugal World Cup team. Still, Portugal should have little trouble negotiating Group H.

Portugal’s World Cup 2022 Fixtures

24 November, 4pm: Portugal vs Ghana (Stadium 974, Doha)

28 November, 7pm: Portugal vs Uruguay (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail)

2 December, 3pm: South Korea vs Portugal (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan)

Ghana: FIFA Ranking, Squad, Fixtures

Ghana’s FIFA ranking of 60th means they are the lowest-ranked team to have qualified for Qatar. They upset the odds by beating Nigeria in Africa’s qualification playoffs in March, and it would be a surprise if they made it beyond the first round.

The Ghana World Cup team of 2010 came so close to reaching the semi-finals, only to be denied by Luis Suarez’s notorious handball on the goalline. Their meeting with Uruguay on matchday three will thus be eagerly anticipated, but the Black Stars could feasibly already be out by then.

Ghana finished bottom of their group at the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year, below not only Morocco but Gabon and Comoros too. That does not exactly inspire confidence in Otto Addo’s side this winter. Keeping things tight at the back and hoping to nick a goal on the break is probably the best they can hope for in each of their matches.

Ghana’s World Cup 2022 Fixtures

24 November, 4pm: Portugal vs Ghana (Stadium 974, Doha)

28 November, 1pm: South Korea vs Ghana (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan)

2 December, 3pm: Ghana vs Uruguay (Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah)

Uruguay lack strength in depth, but the two-time winners have an excellent World Cup pedigree

Uruguay: FIFA Ranking, Squad, Fixtures

Uruguay’s FIFA ranking is 13th and the two-time world champions will – as is customary – be potential dark horses this winter. The country’s FA made the tough decision to part ways with the long-serving Oscar Tabarez last year, and the move has already paid off: his successor, Diego Alonso, steered Uruguay through the notoriously difficult South American qualification campaign after it looked like they might miss out on Qatar.

The Uruguay World Cup team possesses several technical midfielders, a typically robust defence and attacking firepower provided by the likes of Darwin Nunez, Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani. La Celeste beat Portugal four years ago in Russia and they will hope to do so again on November 28.

Uruguay do not have the same strength in depth as the leading contenders to win the World Cup, but do not rule out a run to the latter stages.

Uruguay’s World Cup 2022 Fixtures

24 November, 1pm: Uruguay vs South Korea (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan)

28 November, 7pm: Portugal vs Uruguay (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail)

2 December, 3pm: Ghana vs Uruguay (Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah)

South Korea: FIFA Ranking, Squad, Fixtures

South Korea’s FIFA ranking of 29th places them third in Asia, but there is more pessimism than optimism around this team’s chances of making it through to the knockout stage of a World Cup on foreign soil for only the second time.

In Son Heung-min this South Korea World Cup team contains one of the best forwards on the planet, and the Tottenham Hotspur star could inspire his country to exceed expectations in Qatar. Other players will need to step up in support of Son, though, and a return of 13 goals in 10 qualifiers shows that South Korea are not exactly free-scoring even against weaker opposition.

Paulo Bento’s side will play all three matches at the same venue, but that is less of an advantage than usual given how small Qatar is. If South Korea are to stand any chance of getting through, they surely must beat Ghana on November 28.

South Korea’s World Cup 2022 Fixtures

24 November, 1pm: Uruguay vs South Korea (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan)

28 November, 1pm: South Korea vs Ghana (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan)

2 December, 3pm: South Korea vs Portugal (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan)

Verdict

Portugal and Uruguay will be battling it out for top spot, but South Korea could surprise either the Europeans or the South Americans. This is not a particularly strong Ghana side, though, so the Black Stars could struggle.