With defending champions Germany looming large in Group F, Sweden and Korea Republic are well aware that their opening match at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ could well decide their future in the competition.

The game is Sweden’s first in the world finals in 12 years, and while they make their return without their talisman of the last decade, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, they are a solid, well-knit unit that qualified for Russia 2018 at the expense of Italy no less.

Sweden: Olsen; Lustig, Granqvist, Lindelof, Augustinsson; Claesson, Larsson, Ekdal, Forsberg; Berg, Toivonen.

Korea Republic: Kim Seunggyu; Lee Yong, Kim Younggwon, Jang Hyunsoo, Park Jooho; Ki Sungyueng, Jung Wooyoung; Hwang Heechan, Lee Jaesung, Son Heungmin; Kim Shinwook.

The opening match in Group G promises to deliver a fascinating contrast of styles. Belgium, for their part, go into the game with serious momentum after some impressive performances in their warm-up friendlies, and coach Roberto Martinez boasts a talented generation at the peak of its powers. His players bring solid international experience as well, with the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ and UEFA EURO 2016 under their belts, and they now hope to reach a whole new level in Russia.

Belgium: Thibaut Courtois; Jan Vertonghen, Dedryck Boyata, Toby Alderweireld; Axel Witsel, Kevin De Bruyne, Yannick Carrasco, Thomas Meunier; Dries Mertens, Eden Hazard; Romelu Lukaku

Panama: Jaime Penedo; Roman Torres, Fidel Escobar, Eric Davis, Michael Murillo; Gabriel Gomez, Anibal Godoy, Armando Cooper, Edgar Barcenas, Jose Luis Rodriguez; Blas Perez

England last win in a FIFA World Cup™ game is already something of a distant memory, so much so that many would struggle to remember the 1-0 victory against Slovenia almost eight years ago at South Africa 2010. Indeed, not a single player involved in that game in Port Elizabeth was named in the squad for Russia 2018.

Since Gareth Southgate took over, the Three Lions have enjoyed a fresh start with a host of new young faces in the line-up. In fact, only five players, Gary Cahill, Phil Jones, Jordan Henderson, Raheem Sterling and Danny Welbeck, even travelled to Brazil four years ago. Now this rejuvenated England team will be attempting to end a four-game winless streak at the tournament when they take on Tunisia on Monday at the Volgograd Arena.

Тunisia: Mouez Hassen; Yassine Meriah, Syam Ben Youssef, Dylan Bronn, Ali Maaloul; Ellyes Skhiri, Anice Badri, Ferjani Sassi; Fakhreddine Ben Youssef, Wahbi Khazri, Naim Sliti.

England: Jordan Pickford; Kyle Walker, John Stones, Harry Maguire; Kieran Trippier, Dele Alli, Jordan Henderson, Jesse Lingard, Ashley Young; Raheem Sterling, Harry Kane.