Cameroon
Group:
G
First Match:
November 24, 2022, 6 PM SGT
Stadium:
Al Janoub Stadium
Cameroon was unable to qualify for Russia four years ago despite having been in seven of the nine World Cups spanning 1982 and 2014, but they are back largely due to a last-gasp goal in additional time against Algeria that allowed them to advance on away goals.
After conceding in the 118th minute, Lyon's attacker Toko-Ekambi scored the game-winning goal. Cameroon has only ever advanced past the group stage once, at Italia 90, where they reached the quarterfinals before losing to England in extra time.
Cameroon will be looking to end its streak of seven straight World Cup defeats. Before this year was out, they had hosted the African Cup of Nations, in which they ultimately placed third.
Key Player: Eric Choupo-Moting (Bayern Munich)
Eric Choupo-Moting, a 33-year-old striker, has clinched the league title in each of the last four seasons, once with PSG, and once with Bayern Munich. Choupo-Moting made his international debut for Cameroon 12 years ago and has since suited up for his country 68 times, despite having previously represented Germany at the junior level.
Cameroon's chances of advancing out of their difficult group will hinge on his and Vincent Aboubakar's relationship, and he will enter the tournament as the team's second-most-capped player.