It may seem a tad strange to some that Euro 2016 winners Portugal have largely slipped under the radar as part of the pre-World Cup hype. Indeed, in different circumstances, many would have expected a squad boasting players of the calibre of Cristiano Ronaldo and Bernando Silva to push on from their success of two years ago in France and really challenge in Russia.
Yet with just over two weeks to go until the big kick-off, Fernando Santos' side justifiably remain on the periphery of a discussion that instead centres predominantly on usual suspects Brazil, Germany and Spain.
For while some teams use their first collective trophy as a springboard, there is a feeling in some quarters that Portugal's win in France is as good as it is likely to get for this current group of players. Accordingly, a collective shrug of the shoulders seemed like the most apt response to last week's news that coach Santos has largely kept faith with the same squad that saw the Seleção to success in the Euros.
Out have gone a selection of fringe players and older heads such as Ricardo Carvalho, Fabio Coentrao and 2016 final goalscorer Eder, but rather than ringing the changes and including fresh blood such as Wolves' Ruben Neves, Santos has instead largely plumped for the comfort blanket of the tried and tested in their stead.
While Renato Sanches and Andre Gomes have rightly paid the price for failing to kick on since 2016, it is the omission of midfielder Neves that has raised most eyebrows. A classy operator capable both of dictating play and producing the unexpected, the former Porto man has surprisingly found himself behind the likes of ex-Everton loanee Manuel Fernandes and Leicester's Adrien Silva in the pecking-order. Joao Mario, whose travails at Inter meant a mid-season switch to West Ham, is another who can perhaps count himself slightly fortunate to be on the plane to Russia.
For all the worries over Santos' conservative selection, as it stands, Portugal's main area of frailty appears to be in the centre of defence, where an ageing core of Pepe, Bruno Alves and Jose Fonte will likely once again be tasked with keeping the world's leading strikers at bay.
Traditionally an area of strength for the Seleção, what has been witnessed in recent months has been a reversal in fortunes. March's 3-0 defeat to the Netherlands was followed recently by a disappointing 2-2 draw with Tunisia in which defensive vulnerabilities once again reared their ugly head. Whereas before results were ground out by a solid defence, now, if anything, Portugal must rely on their attack to see them through the group stages and beyond.
Wholesale change seems to have been placed on hold for the time being, but one potential solution to a lack of mobility in central defence comes in the form of highly-rated Benfica man Ruben Dias, who has looked among the most composed on display in the warm-up matches. Early evidence suggests Portugal may only find real balance at the base of the team if Santos chooses to partner the youth of Dias with one of the old-timers like Pepe or Fonte.
Elsewhere, full-back Ricardo Pereira's summer move to Leicester City invariably means Premier League eyes will be trained on the former Nice and Porto man. A dangerous presence down the right and versatile enough to play further forward, Pereira pipped Nelson Semedo and Joao Cancelo to make the cut - and Foxes fans may quickly realise they have a bargain on their hands should he be afforded the opportunity to impress in Russia.
This time around, the main creative burden should be assumed by Manchester City's Bernado Silva, who recovered from a slow start to slowly grow in stature at the Etihad this season. The gifted playmaker will be tasked with producing a regular supply line for Cristiano Ronaldo and Andre Silva at the top of the pitch.
After his productive loan spell at Valencia, PSG's Goncalo Guedes may well fight with regular squad fixture Ricardo Quaresma in the starting eleven. As with the promising Dias, it is to be hoped Santos starts to place emphasis on youth as Portugal look for an injection of spark.
Deep in some areas and light in others, the Seleção currently seem some way of the pre-tournament frontrunners. Much, as ever, will no doubt depend on how key man Ronaldo fares in the big moments in front of goal. At 33, the Real Madrid striker may well consider this his last chance to really influence on the highest stage in international football. Claiming the Jules Rimet trophy ahead of long-term rival Lionel Messi appears to be an obvious driving factor for the Madeira-born player.
Iberian neighbours Spain await first up in Russia, followed by games against Morocco and Iran. With this in mind, the European champions should at the very least make it out of the group. But with a tricky knockout tie against Uruguay among the possible outcomes after that, Portugal's shortcomings could make World Cup 2018 a step too far even for a miracle worker like Ronaldo.
Goalkeepers: Anthony Lopes (Lyon), Beto (Goztepe), Rui Patricio (Sporting).
Defenders: Bruno Alves (Rangers), Cedric Soares (Southampton), Jose Fonte (Dalian Yifang), Mario Rui (Napoli), Pepe (Besiktas), Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund), Ricardo Pereira (Leicester), Ruben Dias (Benfica)
Midfielders: Adrien Silva (Leicester), Bruno Fernandes (Sporting), Joao Mario (West Ham), Joao Moutinho (Monaco), Manuel Fernandes (Lokomotiv), William Carvalho (Sporting)
Forwards: Andre Silva (AC Milan), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Gelson Martins (Sporting), Goncalo Guedes (Valencia), Ricardo Quaresma (Besiktas)
