For the lucky fans in Burnaby, the Group B action is set to come thick and fast on Sunday 1 July. Jordan and Zambia break the ice earlier in the day, before ceding the spotlight to group favourites Spain and Uruguay. With both teams widely expected to progress to the next round, this match could well decide who makes it through in first place.
The game
Spain v Uruguay, Burnaby, 1 July, 17:00 (local time)
The stakes
At first glance, the eye immediately turns to a potentially
intriguing duel between Uruguay's Edinson Cavani, a gifted
front-man from
Serie A high-flyers Palermo, and Spain stalwart Gerard
Pique, on loan at
La Liga outfit Real Zaragoza from Premiership winners
Manchester United. Both youngsters have garnered valuable
top-flight experience in two of Europe's toughest leagues, and
will be looking to bring their full talent to bear on Canadian
soil.
The players
Both Spain and Uruguay are at full strength going into
Sunday's game.
The past
The record books make much happier reading for
La Furia Roja and their fans, as the sides' only
meeting at this level ended in a 6-0 defeat for the
Celeste at Portugal 1991.
The words
"We've got to keep an eye on their entire team
because any one of their players can score. We've got our
strengths too though, and we're very excited about this World
Cup. I can tell you we will all be doing our utmost to win every
game."
Edinson Cavani, Uruguay centre-forward.
"The first match is always very important, as it can put you in a good position to qualify for the last sixteen. We need to keep the usual opening-game nerves at bay, but I think that we're going to win. It will be my job to stop Cavani, who I know is playing really well at the moment. I'm just going to go out and there and do my job, like I always do." Gerard Pique, Spain central defender.
"It's going to be a very even game and we can't afford any mistakes. Above all else, we need to have plenty of respect for Uruguay. They are strong, tall and powerful in the air and they are going to make life very difficult for us. This is our most important match because a good result will virtually ensure our place in the last sixteen. " Gines Melendez, Spain coach.