Group A: Hosts, Arabs and a classic giant
Uruguay (FIFA rank: 17)
Egypt (FIFA rank: 30)
Saudi Arabia (FIFA rank: 63)
Russia (FIFA rank: 65)
Game to watch: Uruguay vs Egypt, June 15, Ekaterinburg Arena, Ekaterinburg. Time: 5:30pm IST
At long last, the 2018 FIFA World Cup will kick off on June 14, with the first game to be played between hosts Russia and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This will be the first time an Asian team will feature in the opening match of a World Cup.
Although the opening match will grab most eyeballs, it is the second game that should set tongues wagging. Uruguay might seem like the only giant in this group, but should Mohamed Salah be declared fit ahead of the game, he would definitely be the difference. He scored 71 per cent of Egypt's qualification stage goals. Egypt is returning to the competition after a 28-year hiatus.
Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani will lead Uruguay's charge, reprising the roles they played at the 2014 World Cup. A defence-minded Egypt is expected to put on a stiff resistance against the two-time champions, but might find it easier in their other two games. Saudi and Russia are the lowest-ranked teams at the event.
Luckily for the Russians, this relatively low-profile group could help propel them into the next round. South Africa (2010) has the unwanted distinction of being the only hosts to have failed to progress from the group stage. Goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev and striker Fyodor Smolov will have crucial roles to play for the host side.
Saudi's chances of advancing look slim, but with striker Mohammad Al-Sahlawi in top form, the Arabs might have other plans. Al-Sahlawi had scored 16 goals, making him the joint top scorer with Robert Lewandowski and UAE's Ahmed Khalil.
Did you know: When Egypt's first-choice goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary, 45, plays against Uruguay, he will break the record of being the oldest player in the Cup's history, set by Colombia's Faryd Mondragon (43) in 2014.
Group B: European heavyweights face off
Portugal (FIFA rank: 4)
Spain (FIFA rank: 10)
Morocco (FIFA rank: 41)
Iran (FIFA rank: 37)
Game to watch: Portugal vs Spain, June 15, Fisht Olympic Stadium, Sochi. Time: 11:30pm IST
The group's opening fixture will be played out between Morocco and Iran ahead of the clash of the two Iberian nations. Though Spain and Portugal are expected to go through comfortably, Iran and Morocco are not there just to make up the numbers.
Morocco, led by Juventus defender Medhi Benatia, will be a tough nut to crack. They topped a difficult group consisting of Ivory Coast, Mali and Gabon to qualify for Russia. Iran, arguably, shades Australia as the strongest team from the Asian Football Confederation. Their trump card is 22-year-old forward Sardar Azmoun, who plays for Rubin Kazan in Russia. He scored 11 goals in the qualifiers and will be instrumental if Iran are to get past the group stages. The opening fixture will be engrossing because it is virtually a must-win for both Iran and Morocco.
Portugal and Spain may be cautious when they face each other, knowing that easier opposition is in store. Spain has one of the strongest squads in Russia, with arguably the best defence (on paper). David de Gea guards their goal and midfield maestros David Silva and Isco have been in sublime form. Cristiano Ronaldo will lead Portugal in what has to be his last World Cup appearance. The 33-year-old had inspired his team to the Euro 2016 title. As a result, Portugal have the advantage of having played in the 2017 Confederations Cup in Russia, where they finished third. However, any slip up by Portugal could prove costly for them.
Did you know: Iran were the third team to book their place at Russia 2018 after the hosts and Brazil.