The group stage's biggest battles

 Group-by-group previews

Group A
Teams: Brazil vs. Croatia
The opening World Cup game is the most eagerly anticipated match in recent football history. After years of preparation -- and protest -- Brazil will start the 2014 World Cup in Sao Paulo, expecting to defeat a Croatia side lacking the suspended Mario Mandzukic. Croatia possess great midfield quality but are weak in defence, and Brazil should counterattack their way to victory. But this is more about the occasion itself, with the singing of the Brazilian national anthem likely to be an iconic moment.

Group B
Teams: Spain vs. Netherlands
A repeat of the World Cup 2010 final. Holland's strategy four years ago was highly controversial -- they made little attempt to play football and instead took a highly aggressive approach, which very nearly worked. This time around, the Netherlands are more classically Dutch under Louis van Gaal, and Spain might teach them a footballing lesson.

Spain is prepared to give the Netherlands another lesson in football as they did in the 2010 final.

 

 

Group C
Teams: Ivory Coast vs. Japan
Group C is fantastic -- four different styles, four different continents, and four sides capable of progressing. The biggest contrast will be between the Ivory Coast, a side boasting great physicality and counterattacking power, against a technical Japanese side that works the ball patiently through midfield. This match, incidentally, is also the latest kickoff in the competition -- 10 p.m. local time.

Group E
Teams: Honduras vs. Switzerland
OK, it's hardly a glamour tie. However, of the 48 group matches, this is the contest where climate is most crucial -- this is being played in Manaus, the hottest host city, at 4 p.m. local time. Honduras will be accustomed to these conditions -- Switzerland are a better side, but they could struggle.
Managers: Luis Fernando Suarez (Honduras) vs. Reinaldo Rueda (Ecuador)
A contest based around insider knowledge: Honduras coach Suarez took Ecuador to the knockout stage in 2006, while Ecuador coach Rueda coached Honduras at World Cup 2010

Fixtures on the wings of Manchester United, Patrice Evra and Antonio Valencia will go head-to-head in Brazil

Group G
Teams: Ghana vs. USA
These sides meet for the third consecutive tournament. In the previous two, Ghana have eliminated the USA -- in 2006, with a 2-1 victory in the final group game, and then 2-1 again, after extra time in the 2010 round of 16. This is the opening group game, so the defeated side won't be eliminated this time, but they'll have a massive uphill struggle to qualify from a tough group.

Germany coach Joachim Loew will meet his former boss, U.S. manager Jurgen Klinsmann, in the group stage.