European heavyweights England and the Netherlands launch their World Cup campaigns on Monday as both the team are hopeful about their win, reports NDTV India.
England, who meet Iran in Group B, will be desperate to start strongly as they target an end to their decades-long trophy drought after two near misses in recent years.
Gareth Southgate's men made a surprise run to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals in Russia before reaching their first major final for 55 years at last year's European Championship.
Despite his success as England coach, Southgate has faced criticism over his perceived negative tactics and pressure has mounted after a poor run of results.
"The first thing for a coach is to enable (the team) to win," he said. "Then of course you want to play football that excites people that players enjoy.
"Our challenge is to give supporters a tournament that is memorable. We have taken them on a fantastic ride in the last two tournaments."
With tougher matches to come against the United States and Wales, England cannot afford a slow start against Iran at the Khalifa International Stadium.
England's opener takes place against the background of deadly demonstrations in the Islamic republic.
Iran's clerical leadership has been shaken by more than two months of women-led protests sparked by the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman of Kurdish origin who had been arrested by the morality police in Tehran.
Defender Ehsan Hajsafi said: "They should know that we sympathise with them," adding that "conditions at home are not good".
The Netherlands take on Senegal in Group A, with the African champions missing their injured topmost palyer, Sadio Mane.
The Dutch failed to qualify for the World Cup in Russia in 2018 but the three-time runners-up are back in business under veteran manager Louis van Gaal, who led the team to the semi-finals in 2014.
"We have to believe in our qualities and ourselves and be confident," said Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk.
"We have a fantastic manager, an experienced manager. We have players who play at the highest level, the biggest clubs in the world."
"We have a fantastic manager, an experienced manager. We have players who play at the highest level, the biggest clubs in the world."
Senegal coach Aliou Cisse was bullish about his side's chances despite the absence of Mane.
"Of course we won't hide the importance of Sadio Mane for the Senegalese team -- he's very important, a coach builds his team around his best players.
"But there's also a group here with experienced players, with young players ready to step up. We've had to play matches before without Sadio Mane."
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
