MONDAY’S GAMES
GROUP F: SWEDEN VS. SOUTH KOREA
Where: Nizhny Novgorod Time: 5 a.m. PDT. TV: FS1, Telemundo. The buzz: The Galaxy’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic is retired from international soccer, so Sweden is taking a collective approach rather than relying on one superstar in Russia. Sweden leans heavily on defense and relies on forward Marcus Berg — who plays his club soccer for Al Ain in Abu Dhabi — to provide the scoring. It hasn’t always worked, with Sweden getting shut out in its last three games. Tottenham forward Son Heung-min will be the focal point of South Korea’s attack but defending remains an issue: South Korea has allowed two or more goals four times in its last six games.
GROUP G: BELGIUM VS. PANAMA
Where: Sochi Time: 8 a.m. PDT. TV: FS1, Telemundo. The buzz: Panama will be making its World Cup debut against a team many consider to be a tournament favorite, and the Central Americans come in struggling. Panama scored just once in five World Cup warmups, which puts a ton of pressure on former Galaxy goalkeeper Jaime Penedo, one of 12 current or former MLS players on the roster. Belgium, meanwhile, has lost just once in 20 games under coach Roberto Martinez and has an all-star lineup led by Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne (midfielder), Manchester United’s Romelu Lukaku (forward), and Chelsea’s Eden Hazard (forward) and Thibaut Courtois (keeper).
GROUP G: TUNISIA VS. ENGLAND
Where: Volgograd Time: 11 a.m. PDT. TV: FS1, Telemundo. The buzz: The expectations for England are not high this summer, but if the Three Lions get off to hot start they could ride that momentum into the second round. That makes the opener crucial. With captain Harry Kane topping a list of five potent forwards, England can score, but they are unsettled at the back. Tunisia has won one game in four trips to the World Cup, and that win came 40 years ago. But the Africans have already beaten World Cup qualifiers Iran and Costa Rica and played Portugal to a draw this year. With star striker Youssef Msakni out because of an injury, the Africans will need a big effort from midfielder Wahbi Khazri and forward Anice Badri.