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The opening game of the 2022 World Cup pits hosts Qatar versus Ecuador at Al Bayt Stadium. Qatar is the first host nation to be World Cup debutants since Italy in 1934 (won the trophy). The host nation has never lost its opening match of a World Cup.
This is the first match between England and IR Iran classed as official by both nations. England finished fourth at the 2018 World Cup, its best performance at the tournament since 1990. Iran was eliminated in the group stage in all five appearances.
The first meeting of Senegal and Netherlands is at the 2022 World Cup at Al Thumama Stadium. Senegal arrives in Qatar as holders of the Africa Cup of Nations. Netherlands (3) has played in the most World Cup finals without ever winning the trophy.
Argentina is unbeaten in all four of its matches versus Saudi Arabia. The only competitive meeting was in the 1992 Confederations Cup final in Riyadh. La Albiceleste won 3-1 courtesy of goals by Leonardo Rodriguez, Claudio Caniggia and Diego Simeone.
Denmark won both matches against Tunisia: 3-1 in L'Aquila at the 1960 Olympic Games (including two goals by Harald Nielsen) and 2-1 in Wakayama in a friendly in 2002 (winning goal by Ebbe Sand). Tunisia has never reached the World Cup knockout phase.
This is the second time Mexico and Poland meet at the World Cup. The Poles defeated the Mexicans 3-1 in Rosario in the 1978 group stage courtesy of goals by Zbigniew Boniek (2) and Kazimierz Deyna. Victor Rangel netted the only goal for El Tri.
France is the current holder of the World Cup after lifting the trophy in 2018 in Russia. Les Bleus' opening game of that tournament was a 2-1 win against Australia in Kazan. The winning goal was an 80th-minute own goal scored by Aziz Behich.
The only meeting of Morocco and Croatia was in the semi-finals of the 1996 King Hassan II Tournament in Casablanca. Croatia won 7-6 on penalties after a 2-2 draw. Croatia was runner-up at the 2018 World Cup after three successive group stage exits.
This is the first competitive match between Germany and Japan, after they met twice in friendlies. The Germans won 3-0 in Yokohama in 2004 (including two goals by Miroslav Klose) and it finished 2-2 in Leverkusen in 2006 (the hosts had trailed 2-0).
Spain is unbeaten in all three matches against Costa Rica, including a 5-0 victory in the most recent game between the nations in Málaga in November 2017. The goalscorers in that win were David Silva (2), Jordi Alba, Álvaro Morata and Andrés Iniesta.
Canada returns to the World Cup after a gap of 36 years and plays Belgium. Canada is one of five teams to have played at the World Cup and never scored a goal at the tournament, alongside Dutch East Indies, Zaire, China PR and Trinidad and Tobago.
This is the first game between Switzerland and Cameroon. The Indomitable Lions have lost seven consecutive World Cup matches, since a 1-0 win versus Saudi Arabia in 2002. Only Mexico (nine from 1930 to 1958) has had a longer World Cup losing streak.
This is the third World Cup meeting between Uruguay and Korea Republic. The South Americans won both of the previous two: 1-0 in Udine in the 1990 group stage and 2-1 in Port Elizabeth in the 2010 round of last 16 (two goals scored by Luis Suárez).
The only previous meeting between Portugal and Ghana was in the 2014 World Cup group stage in Brasília. The Portuguese won 2-1 courtesy of an own goal by John Boye and a goal by Cristiano Ronaldo. Asamoah Gyan had equalised for the Ghanaians.
Lionel Messi is set for the 1,000th appearance of his senior career as Argentina plays Australia. La Albiceleste denied the Socceroos a place at the 1994 World Cup by beating them 2-1 on aggregate in an intercontinental play-off between the nations.
The only World Cup meeting between France and Poland was the 1982 third-place playoff in Alicante. The Poles won 3-2 courtesy of goals by Andrzej Szarmach, Stefan Majewski and Janusz Kupcewicz. René Girard and Alain Couriol scored for Les Bleus.
England takes on Senegal at Al Bayt Stadium in the round of last 16 in the 2022 World Cup. This is the first meeting between England and Senegal. The Three Lions are unbeaten in all seven World Cup matches against African teams, including four wins.
Japan and Croatia meet at the World Cup for the third time, after the group stage in 1998 and 2006. Croatia won 1-0 in Nantes in 1998 (the only goal was by Davor Šuker in the 77th minute) and the teams played out a goalless draw in Nuremberg in 2006.
Brazil is up against Korea Republic at Stadium 974 in the round of last 16 of the FIFA World Cup. Brazil thrashed Korea Republic 5-1 in a friendly on June 2, 2022, courtesy of goals by Neymar (2), Richarlison, Philippe Coutinho and Gabriel Jesus.
The only World Cup meeting between Morocco and Spain was a 2-2 draw in Kaliningrad in the group stage of the 2018 tournament. Khalid Boutaïb (14') and Youssef En-Nesyri (81') scored for Morocco, and Isco (19') and Iago Aspas (90+1') netted for Spain.
Switzerland beat Portugal 2-0 at EURO 2008, the only major tournament meeting between these countries. Portugal and Switzerland also met in the 2022/23 Nations League, when both teams won their home matches: 4-0 in Lisbon and 1-0 in Geneva.
Brazil won both its World Cup matches versus Croatia: group stage games in 2006 (1-0) and 2014 (3-1). In that match in 2014, Neymar scored twice on his World Cup debut on home soil in São Paulo. Oscar and Marcelo (own goal) also netted in that game.
Morocco and Portugal met twice before at the World Cup, resulting in one group stage victory each. Morocco claimed its first ever World Cup win versus Portugal in the 1986 group stage. These teams have never met each other outside the World Cup.
England takes on France at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor in the 2022 World Cup quarterfinals. The Three Lions won both previous World Cup matches against France: group stage triumphs in 1966 (2-0) and 1982 (3-1). England became world champion in 1966.
France and Morocco play against each other in a FIFA World Cup match for the first time. France is unbeaten versus Morocco in five friendly games, recording three wins and two draws. The teams drew 2-2 at Stade de France on Nov. 16, 2007.
Croatia and Morocco drew 0-0 in the opening round of group stage matches at the 2022 World Cup. The third-place play-off at the 2018 tournament also featured two teams that met in the group stage. Belgium defeated England in both games (1-0 and 2-0).
The only World Cup knockout phase meeting between these nations was a 4-3 victory for France in Kazan in the 2018 round of last 16. Argentina recorded group stage wins against Les Bleus in 1930 (1-0 in Montevideo) and 1978 (2-1 in Buenos Aires).