We bring you all the details of the Group D fixtures including fixtures, standings and squads for Iceland and Croatia
This year's Group D begins with Argentina facing off against Iceland on June 16 at the Otkrytie Arena in Moscow, which sees a side led by Lionel Messi facing a team who will make their first ever World Cup appearance this summer.
Russia may be the last chance that Messi will be able to win the World Cup with Argentina as he turns 31 this summer, and though this national team may be an obvious to make it out of their group easily, the likes of Croatia and Nigeria could potentially pull an upset.
Goal will take a look at the rundown of the Group D fixtures ahead of the June start, as well as what to expect from each team and more.
World Cup 2018 - Group D Fixtures
All eyes will be on Messi this tournament as he begins his last and best chance of winning a World Cup with Argentina. The Barcelona forward has never lifted a major honour with his national side, though came close in the 2014 final against Germany – but experienced last-minute heartache when Mario Gotze's extra-time goal denied them a win in Brazil. He also lost consecutive Copa America finals to Chile in 2015 and 2016, and though he has won everything under the sun at Camp Nou, has yet to taste glory with Argentina.
Messi himself fired his home country to the finals after scoring a hat-trick in the qualification stages against Ecuador after initially losing 1-0. A lot of critics say that the main thing separating him from predecessor Diego Maradona is a World Cup win – and so anything short of winning the entire competition will be seen as a failure. Though Argentina is far from a one-man team, they do rely on the star power of their talisman in Messi – but also have the likes of Angel di Maria, Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain and Paulo Dybala to call upon.
Argentina just need to not become complacent against a side like Iceland, who are appearing in their first ever World Cup and were the side who knocked England out at Euro 2016. With a population of just 300,000, Iceland are underdogs not just against Argentina, but in the entirety of the World Cup – and it will be exciting to see whether or not hey will be able to overcome the biggest odds.
Croatia are not obvious picks to progress far in the tournament but when you recall some of their star-studded individuals such as Ivan Rakitic and Luka Modric, you might think that they have a shot at perhaps also making out of their group.
Nigeria have never progressed past the last-16 stage at the World Cup though have won the African Cup of Nations tournament three times – the most recent victory coming in 2013 – and also boast stars such as Arsenal's Alex Iwobi and Chelsea's Victor Moses.
World Cup 2018 - Group D Table Standings
World Cup 2018 - Group D Squads
Argentina's 23-man final squad:
Nahuel Guzmán, Willy Caballero, Franco Armani; Gabriel Mercado, Nicolas Otamendi, Federico Fazio, Nicolas Tagliafico, Marcos Rojo, Marcos Acuna, Cristian Ansaldi, Eduardo Salvio; Javier Mascherano, Angel Di Maria, Ever Banega, Lucas Biglia, Manuel Lanzini, Gio Lo Celso, Maximiliano Meza; Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, Paulo Dybala, Cristian Pavon
Iceland's 23-man preliminary squad:
Hannes Thor Halldorsson, Runar Alex Runarsson, Frederik Schram; Kari Arnason, Ari Freyr Skulason, Birkir Mar Saevarsson, Sverrir Ingi Ingason, Hordur Magnusson, Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson, Ragnar Sigurdsson; Johann Berg Gudmundsson, Birkir Bjarnason, Arnor Ingvi Traustason, Emil Hallfredsson, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Olafur Ingi Skulason, Rurik Gislason, Samuel Fridjonsson, Aron Gunnarsson; Alfred Finnbogason, Bjorn Bergmann Sigurdarson, Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, Albert Gudmundsson
Croatia's 24-man preliminary squad:
Danijel Subasic, Lovre Kalinic, Dominik Livakovic; Vedran Corluka, Domagoj Vida, Ivan Strinic, Dejan Lovren, Sime Vrsaljko, Josip Pivaric, Tin Jedvaj, Matej Mitrovic, Duje Caleta-Car, Borna Sosa; Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic, Mateo Kovacic, Milan Badelj, Marcelo Brozovic, Filip Bradaric; Mario Mandzukic, Ivan Perisic, Nikola Kalinic, Andrej Kramaric, Marko Pjaca, Ante Rebic
Nigeria's 30-man preliminary squad:
Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Daniel Akpeyi, Francis Uzoho, Dele Ajiboye; William Troost-Ekong, Leon Balogun, Olaoluwa Aina, Kenneth Omeruo, Bryan Idowu, Chidozie Awaziem, Abdullahi Shehu, Elderson Echiejile, Tyronne Ebuehi, Stephen Eze, John Obi Mikel, Ogenyi Onazi, John Ogu, Wilfred Ndidi, Uche Agbo, Oghenekaro Etebo, Joel Obi; Mikel Agu; Odion Ighalo, Ahmed Musa, Victor Moses, Alex Iwobi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon, Junior Lokosa, Simeon Nwankwo
The World Cup will start on June 14.
Innowizzy
0
June 14 is my brothers birthday
his birthday is nice for the big win of Russia vs Serbia Arabia
Wehklnuz
0
Play good and better argentina love from nepal guys✋✊✌
babbcklnoy
0
how do you predict the world cup can't seem to find it
bomdilopu
0
What do you think about
bomdilopu
1
Argentina are the future devils
reza1reza
2
what do you think
Cambodia3820628
0
supper Eagle of Nigeria will crush all their opponent in this group, no matter how difficult this group is Supper Eagle will scale true.
Santanacityzen
1
They we wouldnt make d WORLD CUP d maestro step to d play make it happen they say GROUD D death zone what do u guys think I'm all for ARGENTINA going ALL d way ..my only disappointment is HIGUAIN if it wasn't for him we would hav being defending this trophy but such is life wit AGUARO full fit this time around less minutes for him so its ARGENTINA ALL d way
Fopltu
0
Argentina will qualify alongside Nigeria not Iceland.
ya.that really true
rucabdklz
0
photo de messi
muzkpms
1
no one can stop us in Russia
muzkpms
0
this is death group of this World Cup. but no one can to achieve it,because there is 👑 & fighters
MKmuadz
0
Nigeria reached quarter final in wc 1994
lekekosy
0
bad news for arjentina if still higuin in De squad Ooops! Haiti game didn't score him can he score Germany or spain
sureme
0
That also correct' But Iceland is a strong team.They are the back horses of this world cup. We cannot say anything. We hope that our team will win.iceland does not have and star player.But everyone of them were talented. All the best for Every teams in the world cup
sure, the best team should qualify for the next round.
BAPPSPAULO
2
this man and his team will lead his team and followers to the World Cup glory. VAMOS VAMOS ARGENTINA MESSI
Lodcknrs
1
Even though their odds are less, I will still support them, Força Argentina.
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me too
Lodcknrs
0
That also correct' But Iceland is a strong team.They are the back horses of this world cup. We cannot say anything. We hope that our team will win.iceland does not have and star player.But everyone of them were talented. All the best for Every teams in the world cup
That is true
Lodcknrs
0
But Mess is the one who can lift up the team
MessiTUTTU
0
Argentina will qualify alongside Nigeria not Iceland.
That also correct' But Iceland is a strong team.They are the back horses of this world cup. We cannot say anything. We hope that our team will win.iceland does not have and star player.But everyone of them were talented. All the best for Every teams in the world cup
Weubmos
1
i know the latest results of argentina vs nigeria in 2017.But i also know the past result in 2014. there is a many difference between the two result ( WITHOUT MESSI AND WITH MESSI. AND ALSO THAT IS A FRENDLY MATCH AND THIS IS A WORLD CUP.
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this year it's going to be Nigeria's own
Mumdinprs
0
nice group
Sidc22
3
Argentina is world champion.
sureme
1
I am an Argentina fan.But I will say that Group D is very difficult.Nigeria and Croatia are strong team.These two will be a great pressure for Argentina.I think Iceland will enter into knockout round.Am I right my friend.
Argentina will qualify alongside Nigeria not Iceland.
Fopltu
2
My favorite position
Fopltu
1
i know the latest results of argentina vs nigeria in 2017.But i also know the past result in 2014. there is a many difference between the two result ( WITHOUT MESSI AND WITH MESSI. AND ALSO THAT IS A FRENDLY MATCH AND THIS IS A WORLD CUP.
Witacdeklr
0
#Vamos_Argentina
sey99
1
This is the last world cup for the messi lionel to prove himself worthy of the legend of world football ... if able to lead argentina as champion then he aligned himself with the legend of living football argentina (Diego Armando Maradona) Come on team tango
yohadensz
0
... it will be good for d star'
Abbas Salim
1
Nothing will be more wonderful than seeing both Nigeria and Argentina progressing to next round !
shantanuporel
3
argentina will top of group
REVAYBUMBAM
3
Pisbclop
1
Supper
Finlprsu
1
my prediction.. Argentina wont scale through.
MessiTUTTU
0
This Nigeria group is one the toughest group in this year's World Cup. the teams in this group are no push over in anyway however, looking at pedigree, Argentina and Croatia are looking like the strongest team to beat base on their players and rating in the world rankings. Nigeria is an underdog in this group base on ranking but that can't win match, so I stake my bet that Nigeria will scare through this group ahead of Croatia and Iceland. with the build up that is on going, there is a great chance for an improved outing by the super eagles this year because this crop of players are ready to make their own history of this tournament. best of luck to you guys, up super eagles.
I am an Argentina fan.But I will say that Group D is very difficult.Nigeria and Croatia are strong team.These two will be a great pressure for Argentina.I think Iceland will enter into knockout round.Am I right my friend.
MessiTUTTU
0
This Nigeria group is one the toughest group in this year's World Cup. the teams in this group are no push over in anyway however, looking at pedigree, Argentina and Croatia are looking like the strongest team to beat base on their players and rating in the world rankings. Nigeria is an underdog in this group base on ranking but that can't win match, so I stake my bet that Nigeria will scare through this group ahead of Croatia and Iceland. with the build up that is on going, there is a great chance for an improved outing by the super eagles this year because this crop of players are ready to make their own history of this tournament. best of luck to you guys, up super eagles.
I am an Argentina fan.But I will say that Group D is very difficult.Nigeria and Croatia are strong team.These two will be a great pressure for Argentina.I think Iceland will enter into knockout round.
jewlpyz
0
This Nigeria group is one the toughest group in this year's World Cup. the teams in this group are no push over in anyway however, looking at pedigree, Argentina and Croatia are looking like the strongest team to beat base on their players and rating in the world rankings. Nigeria is an underdog in this group base on ranking but that can't win match, so I stake my bet that Nigeria will scare through this group ahead of Croatia and Iceland. with the build up that is on going, there is a great chance for an improved outing by the super eagles this year because this crop of players are ready to make their own history of this tournament. best of luck to you guys, up super eagles.
I think the teams that progress from thus group will make it past the round of 16
Cutdeinty
1
India is good
thejas55555
1
World cup is her and it is time for messi's 2nd retirement
YoungestPresido
0
they will fear Argentina
never
Lambert090
2
this group is a do or die affair only the brave can counqer
Tibacnpr
1
Nigeria never fear any opponent I am strongly behind my country
[image]
they will fear Argentina
Guyanamessi10
0
Nigeria is one touch team to beat, and still cannot underestimate Iceland either.. but trust me i believe Argentina and Croatia will be one step ahead and a chance to see glory
Fitenptuyz
0
Koo Kerosine AKOKO AMON, Nigeria and Argentina will qualify for the next stage of the World Cup
BijoyKhan
0
best of luck Argentina
Sutcmpryz
2
.. Argentina don't need anything more
Barcelona-Arsenal
2
D stands for Death, group of death
Abhishek Birua
0
Iceland knocked England out !! .its disturbing but they can be good, Argentina should be cautious about it.
Oluseye
53
I'm cautiously optimistic about the speedy, young Nigerian team and their wily German coach. Iceland has the least to lose hence are probably the most dangerous especially with set-pieces as well as their huge band of travelling fans and the viking clap routine. Croatia probably has the most exciting midfield but its defences that wins you trophies. Argentina have pedigree and remain formidable, at least on paper. I expect the referees to give everything their way as per usual. One win and a draw would probably secure second place and qualification as long as the 3rd match isn't lost by a huge margin. 2 wins will be better however, in order to face a 'weaker' team in the next round.
Pecbkorst
0
I wish Nigeria all the best. I'm putting my bet on the Super Eagles to fly high in Russia. Go, go Nigeria.