Uruguay v South Korea
This could be a shoot-out between Luis Suarez and Son Heung-min, two players always worth watching and familiar enough to fans of the Premier League.
There are question marks, however, over both when it comes to backing one side or the other.
Uruguayan streetfighter Suarez is 35 years old now and some of the bite seems to have gone out of his game.
However, the old gunslinger can still be inspired on his day, especially in tandem with his hombre and gun-slinging pal, Edinson Cavani, who is also 35.
If they tire, the South Americans – who have a population of little more than three million, like Wales – then the young dude nowadays is Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez.
Son is the man South Korea will be pinning their hopes on, although a few weeks ago it looked as though he might not even make the tournament after he fractured his cheekbone close to his eye socket.
He will likely be wearing a mask, but that will only add to the Tottenham star’s hero status in Korea and the Taeguk Warriors will look to him to inspire.
If you want omens, then the South Koreans are vying to become the third Asian side to defeat South American opposition at the World Cup. Japan beat Colombia 2-1 in 2018 while Saudi Arabia won by the same score versus Argentina on Tuesday.
Portugal v Ghana
This one has plenty of Welsh interest as well as the prospect of a first glimpse of Cristiano Ronaldo since he ripped up his contract with Manchester United after spitting out his dummy.
Ghana are captained by Andre Ayew and have his brother Jordan in their ranks – both former Jack heroes to fans of Swansea City.
Andre should feel at home as he plays his club football in Qatar these days for Al Sadd, but the Blacks Stars were awful in the African Cup of Nations earlier this year when they finished bottom of their group.
Also in the Ghana squad is Antoine Semenyo, the Bristol City striker who had a successful loan spell at Newport County a couple of seasons ago.
The Welsh interest in the Portuguese squad is more about who they left out. Swansea’s former Premier League flop Renato Sanches didn’t make the cut, despite his career resurgence with PSG.
Portugal will look to Ronaldo to inspire his team, but at 37 his powers are on the wane.
However, wouldn’t it be just like him to steal the show here after all the hoo-ha over his recent TV interview?
Portugal are winless in their last three opening games at the World Cup.
Brazil v Serbia
For many people, the World Cup doesn’t actually start until Brazil take the field and their fans start dancing to that familiar samba beat.
And we even have a Welsh angle, too! Legendary Brazilian former captain and right back Cafu wished Wales well ahead of their game against the USA, wearing a bucket hat, no less!
Nice one, Cafs! As they say in Connor Roberts country.
Tournament favourites with many, the Brazillians have a huge amount of talent to choose from and the side haven’t lost an international game since blowing out to Argentina in the Copa America final in 2021.
The likes of Neymar, Ederson and Vinicius are likely to play a huge part in their potential success.
Serbia are no mugs, however, and having qualified ahead of Portugal, they will be confident they can get something out of their opening game.
They will be hoping star man Aleksandar Mitrovicif is fit, following a foot injury. But the likes of Luka Jovic and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic will certainly provide quality support for the Fulham marksman.
Looking for a safe bet? Neymar has been directly involved in 42% of Brazil’s last 19 World Cup goals, scoring six and assisting two.
He has also scored 15 goals in 20 games for Paris St-Germain this season.
