Two-time champions Germany get their World Cup campaign underway on Monday with the Euro 2022 finalists hoping to go one step further in Australia and New Zealand. They take on Morocco while Italy face Argentina and Brazil take on Panama. Here is everything you need to know about Monday’s action.
Where: Eden Park, Auckland
When: 7am (BST)/ 6pm (NZST)
TV: ITV1, STV, ITVX, STV Player
Referee: TBC
Last meeting: N/A
Italy’s last five: 0-1 win v New Zealand, 0-0 draw v Morocco, 2-1 win v Colombia, 2-0 win v Romania, 0-8 win v Moldova
Italy’s World Cup record: Italy have previously made it to the World Cup finals on three occasions. Their best performance has been reaching the quarter-finals both in 1991 and 2019. Total Games: 12, Won 6, Drawn 1, Lost 5. Win Percentage: 50%
Argentina’s last five: 4-0 win v Peru, 3-0 win v Venezuela, 1(6)-1(7) loss v Venezuela, 0-1 v New Zealand, 0-2 win v New Zealand
Argentina’s World Cup record: Argentina have made it to the World Cup finals three times previously. They have never progressed past the group stage, however. Total Games: 9, Won 0, Drawn 2, Lost 7. Win Percentage: 0%
This is going to be both teams’ fourth appearance at the World Cup finals but Italy have enjoyed the better progress of the two nations by progressing to the knockout stages on two occasions. These two teams have never met previously so there is an opportunity for Argentina to try and register their first ever win at the World Cup.
Betfred odds: Italy 1/2, Argentina 9/2, Draw 3/1
Where: Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne
When: 9:30am (BST)/ 6:30pm (AEST)
TV: ITV1, STV, ITVX, STV Player
Referee: TBC
Last meeting: N/A
Germany's last five: 2-3 loss v Zambia, 2-1 win v Vietnam, 1-2 loss v Brazil, 0-1 win v Netherlands, 0-0 draw v Sweden
Germany’s World Cup record: Germany have featured at all previous eight World Cup finals, winning back-to-back tournaments in 2003 and 2007. Total Games: 44, Won 30, Drawn 5, Lost 9. Win Percentage: 68%
Morocco's last five: 0-1 loss v Jamaica, 0-0 draw v Switzerland, 0-0 draw v Italy, 1-0 loss v Romania, 2-0 loss v Czech Republic
Morocco’s World Cup record: This is the first time Morocco have qualified for the World Cup finals
Two-time winners Germany head to this tournament with a desire for more success. After missing out on Euro glory against England last year they will want to make amends by going all the way in Australia and New Zealand. For Morocco, they will be excited for their first World Cup finals, and after the men’s team made a historic run to the semi-finals in Qatar last year, they will be hoping they can make history of their own.
Betfred odds: Germany 1/33, Morocco 25/1, Draw 10/1
Where: Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide
When: 12pm (BST)/ 8:30pm (ACST)
TV: ITV1, STV, ITVX, STV Player
Referee: TBC
Last meeting: N/A
Brazil’s last five: 4-0 win v Chile, 1-2 win v Germany, 1(4)-1(2) loss v England, 2-1 loss v USA, 0-2 loss v Canada
Brazil’s World Cup record: Brazil have featured at all eight previous World Cup finals and they were the runners-up back in 2007. Total Games: 34: Won, 20, Drawn 4, Lost 10. Win Percentage: 59%
Panama’s last five: 5-0 loss v Japan, 7-0 loss v Spain, 0-7 win v Gibraltar, 1-1 draw v Colombia, 0-2 loss v Colombia
Panama’s World Cup record: This is Panama’s first World Cup finals appearance
Brazil have previously finished as runners-up at the World Cup as well as taking the bronze medal. As a nation, they are known for revolutionising football for their flair and skill. Many are interested to see how they respond after their Finalissima defeat to England earlier in the year. Panama head to the World Cup as massive underdogs and they will be hoping that can spur them on to pull off an upset or two in the group stage.
Betfred odds: Brazil 1/125, Panama 28/1, Draw 25/1
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