Egypt and Uruguay clash in their Group A opener at the multi-purpose Ekaterinburg Arena in Yekaterinburg on Friday lunchtime (16:00 UAE time).
The Pharaohs are contesting their first World Cup since 1990 and will feel a wealth of support, as well as expectation, from their passionate Arab fanbase.
For Uruguay, who are of course two-time winners of football’s biggest trophy (1930 and 1950), the South American nation will be optimistic about going one further than their last-16 showing four years ago.
Here, we analyse the key talking points ahead of their clash in a competitive group also featuring hosts Russia and Saudi Arabia.
Will Mohamed Salah feature?
This is the golden question no one quite knows the answer to yet, perhaps even those inside the Egypt camp.
The Liverpool star has been put through his paces by the team’s physio team at their Akhmat Arena stadium base in Grozny and has responded very well to treatment for the shoulder injury he sustained in the Champions League final against Real Madrid.
However, he did take some part in Wednesday’s training session, for the most part, he has been training alone.
It remains to be seen whether Egypt will risk fielding their best player when not fully fit.
The challenge of facing Uruguay is arguably the toughest within Group A and Egypt may feel Salah would benefit from more rest and recovery in order to be firing for their match on June 19 against Russia.
That may be a wise call and it is perhaps a bonus for Egypt, in the meantime, considering they have been able to plan as if the 25-year-old would not be available for the opener for over a month.
Despite a disappointing season with Stoke City, new Huddersfield Town recruit Ramadan Sobhi should step into Salah’s boots on the right-flank.
Work in progress: Mohamed Salah has been training alone.
The Luis Suarez factor
Simply put, if the Barcelona star fires at the top of the pitch – Uruguay win the match.
Alongside Paris Saint-Germain star Edinson Cavani, the experienced duo have formed a clinical and telepathic understanding. The two combined brilliantly as Suarez scored during last Thursday night’s 3-0 World Cup warm-up friendly victory over Uzbekistan.
At 31, the former Kop idol loves proving his doubters wrong and 34 goals last term for the Blaugrana was evidence his powers haven’t waned significantly.
Suarez, a veteran of 98 caps and 51 goals for his country, will want to cash in on what will likely be his final World Cup.
Main threat: Luis Suarez.
Is this match-up a clash of one and two in Group A?
Both of these teams are widely tipped to progress to the second round of the tournament, with Uruguay the favourites to top proceedings and Egypt to clinch second spot.
Hector Cuper’s side will feel as though matches to come against Russia and Arab rivals Saudi Arabia are more winnable, especially if Salah is back for then, so they could in theory set their stall out for a draw on Friday.
For Le Celeste, they will be confident of overpowering Egypt and laying one hand on top having carried good momentum from a fruitful South American qualifying campaign which saw them pip Argentina into second place.
Uruguay are capable of causing an upset or two.
