Brazil vs. Switzerland
Group E, Rostov-on-Don
Brazil enters the World Cup as a top contender and in search of redemption after its 7-1 loss in the semifinals as the host nation in 2014. Switzerland, meanwhile, isn’t expected to make a deep run in this year’s tournament, despite its sixth place FIFA world ranking. Both teams had strong qualifying performances, with Brazil finishing 10 points ahead of second-placed Uruguay in the qualification table and Switzerland losing just one in their group against Portugal. But Brazil is the team with hopes of reaching its first World Cup final since 2002, while Switzerland will likely be pleased with advancing to the knockout stage.