FIRST IMPRESSIONS

SI's Grant Wahl breaks down the World Cup field

Group A

Russia

Saudi Arabia

Egypt

Uruguay

The hosts, the lowest-ranked team in the tourney, drew the second-lowest, Saudi Arabia, for their first game. Conspiracy theorists, discuss.

Group B

Portugal

Spain

Morocco

Iran

The dark horse of the field: Morocco didn't give up a goal in its final six qualifiers.

Group C

France

Australia

Peru

Denmark

Out of a relatively easy group, France is the favorite to win it all.

Group D

Argentina

Iceland

Croatia

Nigeria

The world's favorite underdog drew a killer group—and an opening match against Lionel Messi and Argentina.

Group E

Brazil

Switzerland

Costa Rica

Serbia

Brazil romped through its qualifiers, but have the scars from a humiliating 7--1 loss to Germany in '14 healed?

Group F

Germany

Mexico

Sweden

South Korea

If Germany wins the group, Mexico could face Brazil in the second round, a bad matchup for El Tri.

Group G

Belgium

Panama

Tunisia

England

Talented, to be sure, but will Belgium continue to underperform when it counts?

Group H

Poland

Senegal

Colombia

Japan

Senegal could join Egypt and Nigeria as African nations in the knockout round.