World Cup 2018: Introducing the captains

Group F

A timely return for Germany's No.1

Manuel Neuer - Germany

After sitting out pretty much the entirety of the season because of a foot injury, Neuer is back to fitness and will lead the German National team in Russia. There are people who doubt if Neuer will perform to full ability, but Low trusts him and Neuer will be the goalkeeper.

The German players have repeatedly come out in defense of Neuer, saying that his leadership is very important to the team and his selection is not hasty.

Neuer is without a doubt one of the best keepers in the world when he is fit, and it remains to be seen if he is back there for good again.

Neuer was handed over the captaincy after the retirement of Philip Lahm, and without an injury, there would not even be a question of whether he is good or not. His 76 caps for the national side speak to his quality on their own.

Andres Guardado - Mexico

Real Betis's Guardado has been chosen to be the captain of the Mexican national team, and this will be his fourth appearance at the FIFA world cup. Operating from the left as a winger, he is very good for the national team and has scored 25 goals for them in 145 appearances.

The winner of the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup golden ball award, Guardado is in charge of a Mexican team that is more mature than its predecessors at the WC. Mexico are expected to go through to the next round along with Germany, and it is up to him to finally break their RO16 curse.

The defender was instrumental in shutting out Italy in the playoffs

Andreas Granqvist - Sweden

The recipient of the Swedish player of the year for 2017, Granqvist has been chosen to lead Sweden in Russia. He was handed the captaincy in 2016, after the retirement of Zlatan Ibrahimovich and finally led Sweden to the WC finals.

At 6'4", Granqvist is very dominant in the air in a very defensively organized Swedish team and is a pain to play against. After beating Netherlands and Italy in order to book their place in the final 32, Sweden will fancy their chances against Mexico and South Korea.

Ki Sung-yueng - Korea Republic

With over a 100 caps to his name, Sung-yueng has been a staple of the Korean national team for a long time now, and will lead them during their time in Russia. After getting the captaincy after the 2014 World Cup, this will be his second major tournament as captain, after the 2015 Asia Cup.

The 2015 Swansea player of the year will play in centre midfield for the side, and has scored 10 goals so far for them. After having won the Bronze in the 2012 Olympics, Korea will look to Ki for another shot at glory