To get World Cup Today in your inbox each match day, sign up here.

What to watch for today

Every team has now played their first match at the World Cup and there have been no shortage of surprises. As the second round starts, we’ll begin to know who is miraculously going through to the knockout rounds – and who is disastrously going out.

Portugal v. Morocco | Group B
Ronaldo’s heroics single-handedly gave Portugal a result against Spain that set them up well to get out of the group. Morocco’s late loss to Iran will force them to open up and take a few more chances than maybe they’d like to, especially with Ronaldo waiting to counter. Ajax attacker Hakim Ziyech will be Morocco’s main threat as they look for their first goal of the tournament. Morocco will be looking to repeat history; the only previous meeting between these two sides was also in the group stage as Morocco beat Portugal 3-1 in the 1986 World Cup.

Local time and TV listings

Uruguay v. Saudi Arabia | Group A
Uruguay benefited from a late winner against Egypt in their first match, although wasted multiple chances before they finally got their goal. With Saudi Arabia conceding five against Russia, you fear that a more lethal Uruguay this time around could hand Saudi Arabia another lopsided loss. The decision for Saudi Arabia manager Juan Antonio Pizzi is whether he again sets his team up to attack or if they instead patiently defend and wait for their chance.

Local time and TV listings

Iran v. Spain | Group B
Iran are the group leaders after the first round of matches, and any result against Spain would be historic. With three points in hand, they can afford to sit deep and wait for opportunities. That puts the onus on Spain to tiki-taka with purpose and open up an Iranian defense expertly organized by former longtime Manchester United assistant and Real Madrid boss Carlos Queiroz.

Local time and TV listings

To get World Cup Today in your inbox each match day, sign up here.

What to watch for today

Colombia v. Japan | Group H
Group H may be the most unpredictable in the tournament. Four nations from four continents that could realistically finish in any order. Japan is probably the weakest of the four, but it wouldn’t be a shock were they to get the results to make it to the knockout round. The unknown is whether manager Akira Nishino, who only took the reins in April, has been able to organize the squad to his liking, or simply create more confusion. Colombia striker Radamel Falcao will make his World Cup debut and James Rodriguez should recover from a muscle injury to at least make an appearance.

Local time and TV listings

Poland v. Senegal | Group H
Poland qualified confidently with Robert Lewandowski scoring 16 goals in 10 matches to lead Europe. Much of the core of the squad will look familiar from recent tournaments, although 24 year old Napoli midfielder Piotr Zieliński is an emerging name to keep an eye on. His club teammate Kalidou Koulibaly will anchor Senegal’s defence, with Saido Mané leading the attack alongside Monaco’s Keita Balde with Idrissa Gueye providing support. Senegal will be bolstered by Poland’s best defender Kamil Glik likely missing out, after injuring himself attempting a bicycle kick in training.

Local time and TV listings

Russia v. Egypt | Group A
It’s less than a week into the World Cup and already we could have our first nation qualify for the knockout rounds. A win for Russia would likely be enough to get out of Group A. Mo Salah looks set to feature for Egypt who must get a result after their late heartbreak against Uruguay. Russia will be content to force Egypt to create something from possession, which could prove frustrating for the Pharoahs, who would much rather counterattack.

Local time and TV listings

To get World Cup Today in your inbox each match day, sign up here.

What to watch for today

Sweden v. South Korea | Group F
With Germany losing to Mexico yesterday, plans to get out of Group F will have to be revised. For Sweden, South Korea, and Mexico, the likeliest scenario was that Germany would control the group, meaning you take care of your own results and finish second. After Mexico’s win, there’s even more pressure to for Sweden and South Korea to get a result in this match. Sweden scored 26 goals in 10 group games in qualifying with Al-Ain striker Marcus Berg the top-scorer in a group that included France. As shown in their playoff victory against Italy however, they’re more likely to rely on team structure than individual brilliance. South Korea didn’t have the best qualifying campaign (4W, 3D, 3L). But, as we’ve seen so far in this World Cup, there is plenty of room for surprise.

8am EST / 1pm BST / 10pm AEST

Belgium v. Panama | Group G
In their first matches, Spain, Argentina, Brazil, and Germany all dropped points, while France weren’t dominant. That gives Belgium an opportunity to make a statement with the main favorites in the tournament off to a slow start. Kevin De Bruyne is coming off his most successful season in the EPL and has ample talent surrounding him in Romelu Lukaku, Dries Mertens, and Eden Hazard, to make good use of his distribution. Panama qualified for their first-ever World Cup through an 88th minute Roman Torres winner and a US loss to Trinidad and Tobago. They’re a defense-first squad, conceding only 10 goals (while scoring just 9) in 10 qualifying matches, and could be a frustrating opening test for Belgium.

11am EST / 4pm BST / 1am AEST

Tunisia v. England | Group G
Tunisia begin their World Cup without their top scorer Youssef Msakni, which has put a shadow over their first World Cup since 2006. Sunderland’s Wahbi Khazri is now their primary threat – scoring 9 goals in 24 matches on loan to Rennes this season. You’d expect most of the action to be at the other end of the pitch, however, as England look to begin their World Cup with a strong start. They have the most exciting and direct squad they’ve had in years, featuring young, level-headed talent. A fast start to this match and Tunisia could be in serious trouble.

2pm EST / 7pm BST / 4am AEST

To get World Cup Today in your inbox each match day, sign up here.

What to watch for today

After more Icelandic heroics yesterday, today gives us our first look at the tournament’s two top favorites, Brazil and Germany.

Costa Rica v. Serbia | Group E
Costa Rica made it to the quarter-finals in 2014 after topping a group that included England, Italy, and Uruguay. It’s many of the same core players this time around – Keylor Navas in goal, Bryan Ruiz and Joel Campbell in attack – but the squad’s average age is over 29 and lacks an in-form goalscorer. Yet, they only allowed 8 goals in their 10 final qualifying matches. Opposite them, Serbia have taken on dark horse status, and for good reason. Only three players created more chances in Serie A this season than left back Aleksandar Kolarov, while Aleksandar Mitrović scored 12 goals in 20 matches to drive Fulham to promotion. Add in Mourinho’s favourite destroyer Nemanja Matic, plus one of the tournament’s brightest young talents in midfielder Sergej Milinković-Savić, and Serbia could be this year’s surprise.

1pm BST / 8am EST

Germany v. Mexico | Group F
Today gives us our first look at reigning champions Germany, who have enough talent to field three competitive sides in the tournament. They face a Mexico side that is more concerned with attacking than defending, setting us up for a frenetic Sunday. El Tri will look to PSV’s Hirving Lozano, who was one of the Eredivisie’s most dangerous attackers. Add in the experience of Guillermo Ochoa, Andres Guardado, and Chicharito, and they won’t be nervous in the face of the title holders. The only unknown for Germany is how 22 year old Timo Werner will lead the line in his World Cup debut, but that’s truly nit-picking an incredible side.

2pm BST / 9am EST

Brazil v. Switzerland | Group E
Oh yes, it’s samba time. Brazil went out in humiliating fashion on their home turf four years ago, but they cruised through qualification without any of the stodginess of the prior few years. They’ve been reborn under manager Tite and bring the joga bonito you expect from Brazil. Marcelo, Neymar, Jesus, Coutinho – this is going to be fun. Switzerland on the other hand, aren’t quite known for their flair, but Xherdan Shaqiri does have a habit of hitting a couple screamers in major tournaments, so they can get you out of your seat. We won’t take sides, but we’ll all win if we get some beautiful play from Brazil and a Swiss belter.

7pm BST / 2pm EST

Photos from Russia

Banned from stadiums in their home country, many Iranian women were in Russia not only for their first World Cup match, but their first official football match, period. Our friends Where Is Football captured their stories at their historic win over Morocco.