Check out the groups this FIFA World Cup!

Ones to watch : Neymar (BRA), Fred (BRA), Thiago Silva (BRA), Oribe Peralta (MEX), Raul Jimenez (MEX), Samuel Eto’o (CAM), Alexandre Song (CAM), Mario Mandzukic (CRO) and Luka Modric (CRO).

The big match : Mexico-Croatia: With Brazil favourites to prevail in Group A, the Mexicans and Croatians are likely to have a decisive battle in the final round of matches on 23 June, in Recife. The game pits together two teams who struggled through qualifying, changed their coaches, but who are known for playing attacking football that is pleasing on the eye.

Ones to watch : Xavi (ESP), Andres Iniesta (ESP), Xabi Alonso (ESP), Arjen Robben (NED), Robin Van Persie (NED), Rafael Van Der Vaart (NED), Arturo Vidal (CHI), Alexis Sanchez (CHI), Claudio Bravo (CHI), Tim Cahill (AUS), Lucas Neill (AUS).

The big match : Spain-Chile: This all-Spanish-speaking duel on the second matchday of Group B could end up shaping both sides’ tournament fortunes. The two Rojas’ meeting will be their fourth in just four years, following Spain’s 2-1 win at South Africa 2010 and two friendly games. And, given Chile grabbed a 2-2 draw in the pair’s most recent encounter, Sanchez and Co will feel confident of claiming a first ever victory over La Selección.

Ones to watch : Radamel Falcao (COL), James Rodriguez (COL), Georgios Samaras (GRE), Konstantinos Mitroglou (GRE), Yaya Toure (CIV), Didier Drogba (CIV), Keisuke Honda (JPN), Shinji Kagawa (JPN)

The big match : Japan-Côte d’Ivoire: The battle between Asia and Africa, the intricacy of the Samurai Blue pitted against the pace and power of Les Elephants, looks sure to provide a real footballing feast when these teams meet in Recife in their opening fixture. A win for either side would also represent a massive step towards the Round of 16.

Ones to watch : Luis Suarez (URU), Edinson Cavani (URU), Diego Forlan (URU), Joel Campbell (CRC), Brian Ruiz (CRC), Wayne Rooney (ENG), Daniel Sturridge (ENG) Jack Wilshere (ENG), Claudio Marchisio (ITA), Giuseppe Rossi (ITA), Mario Balotelli (ITA).

The big match : Italy-Uruguay: Having just met in the third-place match at the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013, which the Italians won on penalties after a thrilling 2-2 draw, their duel in Natal will be played almost exactly a year later. As part of the final day of Group D, there is every chance this match could be a qualification decider. If they serve up half as good a game as in Salvador in 2013, all watching are in for a treat.

Ones to watch : Granit Hxaka (SUI), Xherdan Shaquiri (SUI), Valon Behrami (SUI), Hugo Lloris (FRA), Patrice Evra (FRA), Franck Ribery (FRA), Karim Benzema (FRA), Walter Ayovi (ECU), Antonia Valencia (ECU), Wilson Palacios (HON), Roger Espinoza (HON).

The big match : Switzerland-France: While Ottmar Hitzfeld’s Switzerland finished top of their qualifying group, most pundits will point to France as the team to beat in the section. If the French can avoid the kind of internal squabbles that plagued their 2010 run, and if the Swiss can add consistent goalscoring to a solid defence that conceded just six time in qualifying, both will be hopeful of qualifying.

Ones to watch : Lionel Messi, (ARG), Sergio Aguero (ARG), Gonzalo Higuain (ARG), John Obi Mikel (NGA), Victor Moses (NGA), Victor Obinna (NGA), Edin Dzeko (BIH), Vedad Ibisevic (BIH), Miralem Pjanic (BIH), Reza Ghoochannejhad (IRN), Javad Nekounam (IRN), Karim Ansari (IRN).

The big match : Bosnia-Nigeria: in a section that most people will expect Argentina to win, games such as this one will be crucial in deciding who goes through to the last 16. The European side will have the challenge of performing in circumstances that will be entirely new to them, while the Nigerians will be eyeing the chance to reach the knockout phase for the first time since France 1998.

Ones to watch : Cristiano Ronaldo (POR), Mesut Ozil (GER), Landon Donovan (USA), Kevin-Prince Boateng (GHA).

The big match : USA-Germany, 26 June 2014 (18:00) It is not so much the teams’ respective positions in the FIFA/Coca Cola World Ranking that make this fixture so intriguing, but rather the men in the respective dugouts. USA coach Klinsmann was at the helm of the Germany side between 2004 and 2006 and played a significant role in the country’s 'fairytale' World Cup in 2006. After Klinsmann stepped down, his former assistant Joachim Low took charge and has since taken Germany’s game to another level.

Ones to watch : Eden Hazard (BEL), Romelu Lukaku (BEL), Marouane Fellaini (BEL), Sofiane Feghouli (ALG), Saphir Taider (ALG), Kim Bo-Kyung (KOR), Koo Ja-Cheol (KOR), Park Chu-Young (KOR), Igor Akinfeev (RUS), Aleksandr Kokorin (RUS)

The big match : Belgium-Russia: Top spot in the section could well be decided when the two European hopefuls lock horns at the Maracana on 22 June. In terms of past encounters, Russia hold the edge, having faced Belgium eight times as an independent nation or part of the Soviet Union and recorded a quartet of wins, along with one draw and three defeats. The picture is a little different on the World Cup stage, however, with both sides posting a pair of victories from their four previous jousts. In addition, Belgium have not lost to Russia since 1982.