Germany vs. Mexico
Group F, Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow
This tasty matchup between Group F’s two heavyweights pits perennial top dog Germany against a Mexican team dogged by an inability to get out of the Round of 16. Germany (technically, Germany and West Germany) has the second-most World Cup championships in tournament history with four (Brazil has five), and arrives in Russia as the defending champions. Mexico, meanwhile, has been defeated in the Round of 16 in the past six World Cups.
This time around, El Tri has an appealing mix of weathered veterans, including 39-year-old Rafa Marquez, and confident youngsters who helped carry the squad to an undefeated run and first-place finish in CONCACAF qualifying.