Since Germany 2006, the hosts, rather than the holders, have played in the opening World Cup match, rekindling a tradition maintained for the majority of the finals until the 1974 tournament.
A number of opening matches kicked-off simultaneously with other games, however the hosts invariably played on the first day, with the exception of the 1954 finals.
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Croatia will be without suspended striker Mario Mandžukić against Brazil, however there have been some memorable opening shocks at the World Cup in recent memory...