What's a World Cup without some of the tastiest matchups international soccer can provide?
Whether it's two absolute heavyweight teams of the sport clashing, the biggest stars in the sport locking horns, neighbouring countries with massive rivalries, or even countries at odds because of geopolitics, the narratives that surround some of these fixtures are incredibly tantalizing.
Two of the game's greatest in Argentina's Lionel Messi and Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo can't meet before the semifinals, and the same can be said of arch rivals Brazil and Argentina if they were to win their respective groups. Italy are absent after failing to qualify, but there are still plenty of storylines to look forward to in the early stages.
These are 11 of the most compelling matchups (not featuring Canada since those go without saying!) to look out for from the 48 group stage matchups CTVNews.ca expects to see:
SENEGAL VS. NETHERLANDS
Monday, Nov. 21 at 10:45 a.m. on TSN.
This is the first marquee matchup of the tournament, featuring the reigning African champions against arguably the best soccer nation to have never won the World Cup.
Netherlands don't come with the serious contender tags of former teams that boasted legends such as Johan Cruyff or Arjen Robben, but they are in the midst of building their next great team with rising stars like Cody Gakpo and Xavi Simons, alongside established pillars in Virgil van Dijk and Frenkie de Jong.
Senegal have been dealt a massive blow to their hopes at this tournament after it was confirmed that their Bayern Munich superstar Sadio Mane will miss the tournament with a leg injury sustained during Bayern's final match before the World Cup.
What they'll miss in Mane's attacking prowess they will hope to make up for in stellar defending, with the luxury of leaning on Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy as well as central defenders Abdou Diallo of RB Leipzig and Kalidou Koulibaly, also of Chelsea.
BRAZIL VS. SERBIA
Thursday, Nov. 24 at 1:45 p.m. on CTV/TSN 1, 3.
This will be a first look at tournament favourites Brazil and they can expect a serious battle in the form of Serbia.
The latter has been swiftly rising up the ranks in European football and finished top for their qualifying group ahead of Portugal. A huge question mark for them is the status of their two star forwards, Juventus' Dusan Vlahovic who has been battling a groin injury and Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic struggling with a foot issue.
It should be noted that Vlahovic featured in their final pre-World Cup friendly 5-1 win against Bahrain and scored.
Serbia can be lethal in attack but come with question marks in defence, something the likes of Neymar, Vinicius Jr., Gabriel Jesus, and co. will be keen to pounce on. Get your popcorn.
ENGLAND VS. U.S.A.
Friday, Nov. 25 at 1:45 p.m. on CTV/TSN 1, 3.
London or New York? Baseball or cricket? Fish and chips or burgers and fries?
The cultural differences are as stark as the gap between these two teams at the moment, with England clear favourites when considering the superior depth in talent as well as the confidence of having made the World Cup semis four years ago and the final of Euro 2020.
If there is cause for concern for England, it's the fact that their recent form has been far from ideal including a 4-0 hammering at the hands of Hungary this past June.
The U.S. had a mediocre qualifying campaign finishing third behind Canada and Mexico but will be depending on the good ole American way that saw them snatch a 1-1 draw when the two sides met on this grand stage in 2010.
FRANCE VS. DENMARK
Saturday, Nov. 26 at 10:45 a.m. on CTV/TSN.
France are the defending champions but Denmark seem to have the edge in terms of momentum.
Kylian Mbappe is one of the biggest names in the game but the heart of their midfield in N'golo Kante and Paul Pogba and reigning Ballon d'Or winner (annual best player in the world award) Karim Benzema are all missing the tournament due to injury. To make matters worse, PSG defender Presnel Kimpembe has also been ruled out due to injury, as has forward Christopher Nkunku.
Les Bleus crashed out of Euro 2020 with a shock Round of 16 penalty shootout defeat to Switzerland despite leading 3-1 going into the 80th minute. If you're looking at trends, the in the group stage of the following World Cup in the last three editions and four of the last five (France, Italy, Spain, Germany).
Denmark, meanwhile, have beaten France 2-1 in Paris and 2-0 in Copenhagen in their two most recent meetings, reached the semifinals of Euro 2020, and scorched an albeit comfortable World Cup qualifying group.
Christian Eriksen has made a heartwarming return to the sport after suffering a cardiac arrest during a Euro 2020 match, and he leads a very strong midfield while the defence looks equally as strong and organized. They will also be doing their best to send a message for the atrocities happening off the pitch.
The stakes for this match are particularly high as well, as first place will likely mean avoiding Messi's Argentina in the Round of 16.
SPAIN VS. GERMANY
Sunday, Nov. 27 at 1:45 p.m. on TSN.
A true heavyweight clash. As soon as the tournament draw was revealed, fans across the globe salivated at the prospect of seeing these two sides go toe-to-toe in the group stage and the time is almost here.
Spain are long removed from their dynastic run of sandwiching a 2010 World Cup title in between European Championship victories in 2008 and 2012 but look a team on the rise again with young stars such as Pedri, Gavi, and Ansu Fati, all of whom play for Barcelona.
Germany also look a side in a bit of an in between phase after a group phase exit in 2018 coupled with a Round of 16 exit at the Euros. Mainstays in Manuel Neuer and Thomas Muller are still around but this team's success will revolve around Bayern Munich's Serge Nabry, Chelsea's Kai Havertz, and Borussia Monchengladbach's Jonas Hofmann, who may be the most in-form German heading into the tournament.
PORTUGAL VS. URUGUAY
Monday, Nov. 28 at 1:45 p.m. on TSN
Turning 38 in February, this is Ronaldo's last chance at winning the World Cup. It was Uruguay that ended his dream in 2018, and that should bring some added spice to an already tasty encounter.
As one of the all-time greats starts to fade into the sunset, Portugal has plenty of talent to give this World Cup pursuit a serious go but it's head coach Fernando Santos' tactics that seem a bit too defensive for the players at his disposal.
While it would be sacrilegous to Portuguese ears, there is a question to be asked if Ronaldo should be starting considering his lack of minutes at Manchester United and recent form. United teammate Bruno Fernandes seems to play his best when Ronaldo isn't on the pitch while Rafael Leao and Joao Felix are probably ready to take over the mantle.
Uruguay also have a couple of stars on their last legs in Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani, but they also have a new generation in Darwin Nunez and Federico Valverde ushering in a new era. The two-time World Cup champions are sure to make it a difficult day for Ronaldo, and second place in this group likely means a clash with favourites Brazil.
U.S.A. VS. IRAN
Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 12:45 p.m. on TSN 2.
There are certainly quality players in Chelsea midfielder Christian Pulisic and FC Porto forward Mehdi Taremi to look out for but this is one of those fixtures where soccer will be accompanied by the backdrop of the politics between the two countries.
Iran and the U.S. haven't had formal diplomatic relations since 1980 and reached an all-time low during Donald Trump's presidency. Will we see any of that political tension translate into hostility on the pitch? Tune in to find out.
ENGLAND VS. WALES
Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 12:45 p.m. on TSN 1, 3, 4, 5.
May as well call it rivalry day because at the very same time as Iran vs. U.S.A., Wales will look to show they are no little brother to neighbours England.
Welsh hopes will wrest on Gareth Bale, who despite being in decline at club level, still seems to find his Superman cape for country and will be a major point of focus for England's defence.
England have won their last six meetings, including a 3-0 win in their most recent battle on Oct. 8, 2020.
BELGIUM VS. CROATIA
Thursday, Dec. 1 at 9:45 a.m. on TSN 2.
There will already be added incentive for Canadians to keep tabs on this fixture if the men in red and white can secure at least a point from its first two fixtures but there will be plenty of reasons to watch this match, regardless.
Real Madrid's Luka Modric and Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne are , Belgium are the No. 2 ranked side in the world while Croatia are last World Cup's finalists, and the team that finishes first in the group will possibly be looking at a relatively lighter path to the final.
GHANA VS. URUGUAY
Friday, Dec. 2 at 9:45 a.m. on TSN 2.
The last time these two sides met the world bore witness to one of the most dramatic finishes in World Cup history.
Facing each other in the 2010 quarter-finals in the first-ever World Cup held in Africa, the sides split two long range strikes for the only goals of the first 90 minutes, Ghana seemed destined for victory in the final minute of extra time when a scramble in front of the Uruguay goal saw the ball destined for the back of the net until Luis Suarez raised his hands and batted the ball away volleyball style.
Referee Olegario Benquerenca spotted the infringement and awarded Ghana a penalty while also giving Suarez a red card. Asamoah Gyan had previously scored the two penalties he had taken in the tournament but blasted this one against the crossbar and out with what was the final kick of the match.
A penalty shootout followed and Ghana heartbreakingly crashed out. While no players from that team remain in the current Ghana squad, Uruguay have a few members from that 2010 squad including Suarez ready to stir up those unpleasant memories.
SERBIA VS. SWITZERLAND
Friday, Dec. 2 at 1:45 p.m. on TSN 2.
The final match of the entire group stage is set to be a thriller with these two sides, barring a surprise from Cameroon, likely facing a must-win situation to advance out of a Group G that includes Brazil.
It will be a showcase of defence vs. attack as Serbia's potent offence will look to crack through a Swiss defence that can be stubborn with goalkeeper Yann Sommer leading the way after inspiring them to the quarter-finals of Euro 2020.
Serbia qualified for three of the last four World Cups but failed to advance past the group stage each time while Switzerland has reached the Round of 16 in three of the last four World Cups.
