YURI CORTEZ/Getty Images The 2018 FIFA World Cup group stages will kick off on Thursday, with hosts Russia starting their Group A campaign against Saudi Arabia. Neutral fans will have their eye on Friday's clash between Iberian rivals Spain and Portugal, arguably the most anticipated contest of the group stages. Meanwhile, on Sunday, defending champions Germany and 2002 winners Brazil will be in action for the first time. Here is a look at the schedule, complete with TV info and live-stream options. Thursday, June 14 Russia vs. Saudi Arabia, 4 p.m. BST/11 a.m. ET, ITV (UK)/Fox (U.S.) Friday, June 15 Egypt vs. Uruguay, 1 p.m. BST/8 a.m. ET, BBC (UK)/FS1 (U.S.) Morocco vs. Iran, 4 p.m. BST/11 a.m. ET, ITV (UK)/Fox (U.S.) Portugal vs. Spain, 7 p.m. BST/2 p.m. ET, BBC (UK)/Fox (U.S.) Video Play Button Videos you might like Saturday, June 16 France vs. Australia, 11 a.m. BST/6 a.m. ET, BBC (UK)/FS1 (U.S.) Argentina vs. Iceland, 2 p.m. BST/9 a.m. ET, ITV (UK)/Fox (U.S.) Denmark vs. Peru, 5 p.m. BST/12 p.m. ET, BBC (UK)/FS1 (U.S.) Croatia vs. Nigeria, 8 p.m. BST/3 p.m. ET, ITV (UK)/FS1 (U.S.) Sunday, June 17 Costa Rica vs. Serbia, 1 p.m. BST/8 a.m. ET, ITV (UK)/Fox (U.S.) Germany vs. Mexico, 4 p.m. BST/11 a.m. ET, BBC (UK)/FS1 (U.S.) Brazil vs. Switzerland, 7 p.m. BST/2 p.m. ET, ITV (UK)/FS1 (U.S.) Monday, June 18 Sweden vs. South Korea, 1 p.m. BST/8 a.m. ET, ITV (UK)/FS1 (U.S.) Belgium vs. Panama, 4 p.m. BST/11 a.m. ET, BBC (UK)/FS1 (U.S.) Tunisia vs. England, 7 p.m. BST/2 p.m. ET, BBC (UK)/FS1 (U.S.) Tuesday, June 19 Colombia vs. Japan, 1 p.m. BST/8 a.m. ET, BBC (UK)/FS1 (U.S.) Poland vs. Senegal, 4 p.m. BST/11 a.m. ET, ITV (UK)/FS1 (U.S.) Russia vs. Egypt, 7 p.m. BST/2 p.m. ET, BBC (UK)/Fox (U.S.) Wednesday, June 20 Portugal vs. Morocco, 1 p.m. BST/8 a.m. ET, BBC (UK)/FS1 (U.S.) Uruguay vs. Saudi Arabia, 4 p.m. BST/11 a.m. ET, BBC (UK)/Fox (U.S.) Iran vs. Spain, 7 p.m. BST/2 p.m. ET, ITV (UK)/Fox (U.S.) Thursday, June 21 France vs. Peru, 1 p.m. BST/8 a.m. ET, ITV (UK)/FS1 (U.S.) Denmark vs. Australia, 4 p.m. BST/11 a.m. ET, ITV (UK)/Fox (U.S.) Argentina vs. Croatia, 7 p.m. BST/2 p.m. ET, BBC (UK)/Fox (U.S.) Friday, June 22 Brazil vs. Costa Rica, 1 p.m. BST/8 a.m. ET, ITV (UK)/FS1 (U.S.) Nigeria vs. Iceland, 4 p.m. BST/11 a.m. ET, BBC (UK)/Fox (U.S.) Serbia vs. Switzerland, 7 p.m. BST/2 p.m. ET, BBC (UK)/Fox (U.S.) Saturday, June 23 Belgium vs. Tunisia, 1 p.m. BST/8 a.m. ET, BBC (UK)/Fox (U.S.) Germany vs. Sweden, 4 p.m. BST/11 a.m. ET, ITV (UK)/Fox (U.S.) South Korea vs. Mexico, 7 p.m. BST/2 p.m. ET, ITV (UK)/Fox (U.S.) Sunday, June 24 England vs. Panama, 1 p.m. BST/8 a.m. ET, BBC (UK)/FS1 (U.S.) Japan vs. Senegal, 4 p.m. BST/11 a.m. ET, BBC (UK)/Fox (U.S.) Poland vs. Colombia, 7 p.m. BST/2 p.m. ET, ITV (UK)/Fox (U.S.) Monday, June 25 Saudi Arabia vs. Egypt, 3 p.m. BST/10 a.m. ET, ITV (UK)/FS1 or Fox (U.S.) Uruguay vs. Russia, 3 p.m. BST/10 a.m. ET, ITV (UK)/FS1 or Fox (U.S.) Iran vs. Portugal, 7 p.m. BST/2 p.m. ET, BBC (UK)/FS1 or Fox (U.S.) Spain vs. Morocco, 7 p.m. BST/2 p.m. ET, BBC (UK)/FS1 or Fox (U.S.) Tuesday, June 26 Denmark vs. France, 3 p.m. BST/10 a.m. ET, ITV (UK)/FS1 or Fox (U.S.) Australia vs. Peru, 3 p.m. BST/10 a.m. ET, ITV (UK)/FS1 or Fox (U.S.) Nigeria vs. Argentina, 7 p.m. BST/2 p.m. ET, BBC (UK)/FS1 or Fox (U.S.) Croatia vs. Iceland, 7 p.m. BST/2 p.m. ET, BBC (UK)/FS1 or Fox (U.S.) Wednesday, June 27 South Korea vs. Germany, 3 p.m. BST/10 a.m. ET, BBC (UK)/FS1 or Fox (U.S.) Mexico vs. Sweden, 3 p.m. BST/10 a.m. ET, BBC (UK)/FS1 or Fox (U.S.) Serbia vs. Brazil, 7 p.m. BST/2 p.m. ET, ITV (UK)/FS1 or Fox (U.S.) Switzerland vs. Costa Rica, 7 p.m. BST/2 p.m. ET, ITV (UK)/FS1 or Fox (U.S.) Thursday, June 28 Japan vs. Poland, 3 p.m. BST/10 a.m. ET, BBC (UK)/FS1 or Fox (U.S.) Colombia vs. Senegal, 3 p.m. BST/10 a.m. ET, BBC (UK)/FS1 or Fox (U.S.) Panama vs. Tunisia, 7 p.m. BST/2 p.m. ET, ITV (UK)/FS1 or Fox (U.S.) England vs. Belgium, 7 p.m. BST/2 p.m. ET, ITV (UK)/FS1 or Fox (U.S.) For full live-stream links, visit NBC Sports Live Extra or Fox Soccer Match Pass in the U.S., or ITV Hub and BBC iPlayer in the UK. Russia and Saudi Arabia aren't exactly giants of football, but the lack of clear favourites for second place in Group A makes this an intriguing opener. Uruguay are the favourites for first place as the only nation ranked inside the top 20. On paper, Egypt are favoured to join them in the next round, but home advantage could play a big role for Russia. Only one host nation has failed to advance past the group stages, and that was South Africa in 2010. Things aren't looking good for Russia, though: Group B kicks off on Friday, and things should be interesting right away. With Portugal and Spain facing each other first, at least one of those nations is bound to drop points, which could be a major advantage for Morocco or Iran. If one of those sides wins their opener, they'll take a lead they can build their game plan around. For Morocco―defensive specialists who didn't concede a single goal in their final qualifying group―the chance to sit back and counter could lead to an upset at a later time.<doc-sep>Who will come out on top at the World Cup group stage? We challenged the Soccer Saturday pundits to predict the eight winners... The pundits might be in agreement that some of the favourites at Russia 2018 will breeze through their opening fixtures but they're divided when it comes to some groups - including England's. Read on to find out who Paul Merson, Charlie Nicholas, Matt Le Tissier and Phil Thompson are tipping to prevail. You can also plot your predictions with our Road to Moscow virtual wallchart, with £5,000 up for grabs for the leader come July 15. Group A: Egypt, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay Merse predicts: Uruguay Charlie predicts: Uruguay Le Tiss predicts: Uruguay Thommo predicts: Uruguay Le Tiss says: "I don't think this one is a particularly strong group but Uruguay were second only to Brazil in South American qualifying so, with Mohamed Salah a doubt, I'm backing them to secure top spot." Image: Will Mo Salah be fit enough to inspire Egypt? Group B: Iran, Morocco, Portugal, Spain Merse predicts: Spain Charlie predicts: Spain Le Tiss predicts: Spain Thommo predicts: Spain Merse says: "I think that even if Portugal can get a draw in the opening game against Spain then they might still struggle as they'll be too negative and Spain will score more goals in the remaining games." Image: Spain are fancied again under Julen Lopetegui Group C: Australia, Denmark, France, Peru Merse predicts: France Charlie predicts: France Le Tiss predicts: France Thommo predicts: France Charlie says: "I can see France winning this group by a distance. It should be nice and easy for them, wrapping it up in their first two games and being able to rest and rotate in their final game, which is a big advantage." Image: Olivier Giroud's France are among the favourites in Russia Group D: Argentina, Croatia, Iceland, Nigeria Merse predicts: Argentina Charlie predicts: Argentina Le Tiss predicts: Croatia Thommo predicts: Argentina Le Tiss says: "This is an interesting one and I'm torn between Croatia and Argentina. Lionel Messi is obviously a big factor, but I'm not sure the Argentines are strong enough beyond their forwards." Image: All but one of the Soccer Saturday pundits are tipping Lionel Messi's Argentina to win Group D Group E: Brazil, Costa Rica, Serbia, Switzerland Merse predicts: Brazil Charlie predicts: Brazil Le Tiss predicts: Brazil Thommo predicts: Brazil Thommo says: "This might be the most straightforward group to predict, especially if Neymar is fully fit. Brazil look to have a nice balance to their side along with their usual wealth of attacking talent." Image: Neymar scored for Brazil in a warm-up against Croatia on his return after injury Group F: Germany, Mexico, South Korea, Sweden Merse predicts: Germany Charlie predicts: Germany Le Tiss predicts: Germany Thommo predicts: Germany Le Tiss says: "It is very tough to look past Germany here. They have another strong squad and they very rarely fail to turn up in major tournaments." Image: Mesut Ozil's Germany are the defending champions Group G: Belgium, England, Panama, Tunisia Merse predicts: Belgium Charlie predicts: Belgium Le Tiss predicts: Belgium Thommo predicts: England Merse says: "I just think that Belgium are a better team individually. It's a hard one to call and it may well depend on how many goals they beat the other two teams by. With the way they keep the ball, Tunisia isn't an easy game to start for England, so I'm edging towards Belgium as they should build confidence with their opener against Panama." Image: Romelu Lukaku will be a familiar threat when England face Belgium Group H: Colombia, Japan, Poland, Senegal Merse predicts: Colombia Charlie predicts: Japan Le Tiss predicts: Poland Thommo predicts: Poland Thommo says: "This has got to be the toughest to call of the all the groups and perhaps the only one where any of the four sides could go on and secure top spot. However, I'm backing Poland based on the firepower of Robert Lewandowski."<doc-sep>Someone must do the difficult job of predicting the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The national soccer teams of 32 nations have arrived in Russia where they’ll compete this month and next for global supremacy. Each hopes to achieve sporting immortality, but they’ll launch their bids knowing the road to glory is long and arduous. The tournament will take place in two phases: the group stage and the knockout rounds. FIFA has drawn the teams into eight groups of four. The four teams will play three round-robin games, with three points for a win and one for a draw at stake. Here’s how we predict the group stage will play out, with expected points in parentheses. Group A: Russia, Uruguay, Egypt, Saudi Arabia 1. Uruguay (9 points) 2. Egypt (4) 3. Russia (4) 4. Saudi Arabia (0) Uruguay should stroll to victory, given its firepower and experience. Egypt should be strong enough to finish runner-up, despite doubts over superstar Mohamed Salah’s fitness. Russia will come agonizingly close to reaching the round of 16 but miss out on goal difference. Saudi Arabia will return home with three defeats. Group B: Portugal, Spain, Iran, Morocco 1. Portugal (7 points) 2. Spain (5) 3. Morocco (2) 4. Iran (1) Portugal and Spain will draw in their highly anticipated opener, and Iran and Morocco will draw at the start. Portugal then will win its next two, but Spain will suffer a surprising setback in the finale against Morocco and settle for a draw.<doc-sep>Hosts Russia have received a fairly easy group to kickstart their World Cup campaign. (Source: Reuters) Hosts Russia have received a fairly easy group to kickstart their World Cup campaign. (Source: Reuters) Russia Hosts Russia kickstart the World Cup as the lowest-ranked FIFA team to participate in the football extravaganza. Stanislav Chercheshov’s men might have gotten the free pass to play in the biggest football tournament in the world by virtue of being the hosts, but that does not assure them of a spot in the knockout round. Despite a low-key performance at the last World Cup as well as Euro 2016, hopes of billions of home fans will be pinned on the experienced CSKA Captain Igor Akinfeev, who will be under pressure to take his side beyond group stage for the first time. Akinfeev has spent his entire career in Russia and will make the most use of the home environment. Russia, who need a strong defence, will hope to avoid the fate of South Africa in 2010 when they were knocked out in the group stages. The hosts will look confident in their first group match against Saudi Arabia. Squad Goalkeepers: Igor Akinfeev (CSKA Moscow), Vladimir Gabulov (Brugge), Andrei Lunyov (Zenit St. Petersburg). Defenders: Mario Fernandes (CSKA Moscow), Vladimir Granat (Rubin Kazan), Sergei Ignashevich (CSKA Moscow), Fyodor Kudryashov (Rubin Kazan), Ilya Kutepov (Spartak Moscow), Andrei Semyonov (Akhmat Grozny), Igor Smolnikov (Zenit St. Petersburg). Midfielders: Denis Cheryshev (Villarreal), Alan Dzagoev (CSKA Moscow), Yuri Gazinsky (FC Krasnodar), Alexander Golovin (CSKA Moscow), Daler Kuzyaev (Zenit St. Petersburg), Anton Miranchuk (Lokomotiv Moscow), Alexander Samedov (Spartak Moscow), Alexander Yerokhin (Zenit St. Petersburg), Yuri Zhirkov (Zenit St. Petersburg), Roman Zobnin (Spartak Moscow). Forwards: Artyom Dzyuba (Arsenal Tula), Alexei Miranchuk (Lokomotiv Moscow), Fyodor Smolov (FC Krasnodar). Uruguay Uruguay meanwhile moved to the brink of qualification with a typically combative 2-1 win over Paraguay in Asuncion. (Source: Reuters) Uruguay meanwhile moved to the brink of qualification with a typically combative 2-1 win over Paraguay in Asuncion. (Source: Reuters) Spearheaded by Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani, Uruguay are the strongest team in the Group and most likely to go ahead to the knockouts without much of a fuss. Suarez will want to forget the controversies of the past two tournaments (handball in 2010 and the infamous bite in 2014). With Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez keeping the defence tight, Uruguay are the best bet out of the group. Uruguay, with their strong attack and defence, will count on their 2010 run where they finished fourth to move ahead in the tournament. What the South American powerhouse need to work on is their midfield to ensure good supply for Cavani and Suarez. Uruguay’s opening group match against Egypt promises to be a thrilling one, considering that the winning side are most likely to go ahead. (PREVIEWS: Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D | Group E | Group F | Group G | Group H) Squad Goalkeepers: Fernando Muslera, Martin Silva, Martin Campana Defenders: Diego Godin, Guillermo Varela, Jose Maria Gimenez, Martin Caceres, Maximiliano Pereira, Sebastian Coates, Gaston Silva Midfielders: Nahitan Nandez, Matias Vecino, Lucas Torreira, Rodrigo Bentancur, Giorgian De Arrascaeta, Carlos Sanchez, Diego Laxalt, Jonathan Urretaviscaya, Cristian Rodriguez Forwards: Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani, Maximiliano Gomez, Cristhian Stuani Egypt Eygpt fans with a banner of Mohamed Salah. (Source: Reuters) Eygpt fans with a banner of Mohamed Salah. (Source: Reuters) Egypt might not have played World Cup since 1990 but their faith in their superstar Mohamed Salah will play an important role in moving forward to the next stage. Egypt suffered a setback when the Liverpool forward suffered a shoulder injury during the Champions League final to dent their World Cup chances. But the African nation could bank on his ability to be the confidence boosting force even as his involvement remains a question mark. The “one-man team” qualified for World Cup by topping their group that included Uganda, Congo and Ghana. Squad Goalkeepers: tEssam El Hadary, Mohamed El-Shennawy, Sherif Ekramy Defenders: Ahmed Fathi, Saad Samir, Ayman Ashraf, Mahmoud Hamdy, Mohamed Abdel-Shafy, Ahmed Hegazi, Ali Gabr, Ahmed Elmohamady, Omar Gaber Midfielders: Mohamed Elneny, Tarek Hamed, Abdallah Said, Shikabala, Sam Morsy, Mahmoud Kahraba, Mahmoud Hassan, Ramadan Sobhi, Amr Warda Forwards: Mohamed Salah, Marwan Mohsen Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia players celebrate after winning the 2018 World Cup group B qualifying match vs Japan. (AP Photo) Saudi Arabia players celebrate after winning the 2018 World Cup group B qualifying match vs Japan. (AP Photo) Saudi Arabia appear to be the weakest of the teams in the group and under a manager who did not get enough time to shape his side. With their best player in Mohammad Al-Sahlawi, who has played his entire club career in Saudi Arabia, he will need to replicate his form in Russia if the team wishes to advance to the knockout stage. Saudi Arabia finished second in Group B during the third and final round of AFC qualifying, in a group that was topped by Japan and also featured Australia, the UAE, Iraq and Thailand. Squad Goalkeepers: Mohammed Al Owais, Yasser Al Mosailem, Abdullah Al Mayouf Defenders: Mansoor Al Harbi, Mohammed Al Breik, Yasser Al Shahrani, Motaz Hawsawi, Osama Hawsawi, Omar Hawsawi, Ali Al Bulaihi Midfielders: Abdullah Al Khaibari, Abdulmalek Al Khaibri, Salman Al Faraj, Mohamed Kanno, Abdullah Otayf, Taiseer Al Jassim, Houssain Al Mogahwi, Hattan Bahebri, Salem Al Dawsari, Yahya Al Shehri, Fahad Al Muwallad Forwards: Mohammad Al Sahlawi, Muhannad Assiri<doc-sep>
Uruguay is the undisputed class of the World Cup's Group A, while host Russia, Mohamed Salah-reliant Egypt and upstart Saudi Arabia figure to fight for the group's second place in the knockout stage. Like all good hosts should, Russia is in Group A to make everyone else feel comfortable. With Uruguay the favorite to advance out of the group, Egypt hopeful it will have a fully fit Mohamed Salah and Saudi Arabia considered an even match, Russia has its work cut out to avoid embarrassment on home soil at the 2018 World Cup. Countries with weaker teams that host the World Cup may get a free pass into the competition, but they get no guarantee of advancing to the knockout rounds. Russia will be out to avoid the fate suffered by South Africa in 2010, when it became the first host to miss the knockout stage, though in finishing in third and showing well, it exited with heads high. That could be Russia's road, though its schedule is in its favor. Russia’s first game is against Saudi Arabia, a game the Russians will believe they can win, before things slowly escalated to Egypt—potentially with a healthy Salah—and finish against star-laden Uruguay. Meanwhile, Egypt will come in putting plenty of pressure on Salah’s banged up shoulder. Salah scored 71% of the Pharaohs' goals during World Cup qualifying, and if their talisman striker isn’t recovered in time before Egypt’s first game against Uruguay, it will make the climb to the last 16 that much more difficult for a nation that hasn’t played in a World Cup since 1990. Saudi Arabia is the second-lowest ranked team in the competition–67th according to FIFA's monthly standings; only Russia, at 70, is lower–and it's largely an unknown, given it's on its third manager of the World Cup cycle. Bert van Marwijk, now coaching Australia, guided the side through qualification. Ex-Argentina manager Edgardo Bauza followed for five friendlies, before ex-Chile manager Juan Antonio Pizzi took the reins for just before the World Cup draw. The Saudis ended a 12-year absence from the World Cup with this spectacular goal by Fahad Al Muwallad against Japan. Saudi Arabia’s hopes of getting out of the group stage figured to fall squarely on Mohammad Al-Sahlawi, a striker with plenty of pace and one who finished tied for the most goals in Asia's 2018 World Cup qualifying with 16. It's chances are hampered with the exclusion of the injured Nawaf Al-Abed, though. Match Schedule Thursday, June 14 (11 a.m. ET): Russia vs. Saudi Arabia Friday, June 15 (8 a.m. ET): Egypt vs. Uruguay Tuesday, June 19 (2 p.m. ET): Russia vs. Egypt Wednesday, June 20 (11 a.m. ET): Uruguay vs. Saudi Arabia Monday, June 25 (10 a.m. ET): Saudi Arabia vs. Egypt Monday, June 25 (10 a.m. ET): Uruguay vs. Russia Most Pivotal Match It’s early on, but the match between Egypt and Uruguay will be pivotal for both teams. It will show us if Uruguay is for real after getting knocked out by a plucky Colombia squad in the 2014 World Cup. The strike partnership of Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani could run ragged over any defense in this competition. Egypt’s defense has a few names that may be familiar to diligent fans, such as Ahmed Elmohamady from Aston Villa and Omar Gaber from LAFC, but the Pharaohs will need to put forth a Herculean effort to win this game, especially if they are to be without Salah. This match will could wind up determining the winner of the group, as both will feel confident of getting points off Russia and Saudi Arabia. If Egypt stumbles in its first match–especially by a lopsided tally–though, it will be under a lot of pressure playing against two other teams hungry for World Cup success. After Remarkable Rise, Mohamed Salah Shoulders Egypt's World Cup Hopes Potential Sleeper Team While it would be fun to put the hosts here, there’s just something about Saudi Arabia that screams spoiler. The team hasn’t been to the World Cup in 12 years, and the 31-year-old Al-Sahlawi will fun to watch as he looks to carry the Green Falcons. Russia hasn’t played well leading up to the tournament–it enters winless in seven friendlies–and the pressure of hosting could get to the Russians.