(Football news) 2018 World Cup runners-up Croatia are all set to kick off their 2022 World Cup campaign. They will take on Morocco in the 1st Group F match while Belgium and Canada will play the 2nd match of the group. Belgium and Croatia are firm favorites in Group F but Canada and Morocco are more than capable of pulling off an upset. This Croatian team isn't as good as the one from 2018 but they still have quality. Morocco on the other hand came into this tournament having reached the Quarter finals of the African Cup of Nations last year. 

This time the difference is that they have Hakim Ziyech in the squad. The Chelsea winger wasn't a part of the AFCON squad due to a dispute with the coach. Ziyech along with Achraf Hakimi will have a lot of responsibility on their shoulders. Sevilla pair Youssef En-Nesyri and Yassine Bounou are also crucial for their side. As for Croatia, captain Luka Modric will be at the heart of the team. The midfielder won the Golden Ball in the last edition and since then he has continued to excel at the top level with Real Madrid. Along with Mateo Kovacic and Marcelo Brozovicz, Croatia have a very strong midfield. Ivan Perisic will be very important in attack along with Andrej Kramaric.

The biggest test for Morocco is going to be in midfield where they will have to be constantly switched on. Croatia on the other hand will have to keep an eye on Morocco's right hand side with Ziyech and Hakimi. Croatia will most likely dominate possession but Morocco can hurt them on the counter attack. Morocco have won 4 and drawn 1 of their last 5 games while Croatia are on a 5 game win streak. It is likely to be a very interesting game with some goals in it. Winning the opening match at the World Cup is very crucial and both sides will be looking to start with 3 points.

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