Fresh from a fourth-placed finish at last year's FIFA Confederations Cup, Mexico will look to continue their upward spiral as they open their FIFA World Cup bid against a youthful Iran side.
The game, in Nuremberg's Frankenstadion on 11 June, could well prove vital to both sides' prospects in Group D.

The players
Mexico coach Ricardo La Volpe has chosen an exciting blend of youth and experience ahead of this summer's tournament in Germany, keeping faith in the bulk of the side that sprung a surprise at last year's FIFA Confederations Cup. New sensation Andres Guardado and Villarreal forward Guillermo Franco have added strength in depth to an already potent mix.

La Volpe's opposite number, Iran coach Branco Ivankovic, is another who believes in the value of continuity, heading to Germany with the majority of players who served him so well in qualifying. The supremely skilled Ali Karimi, veteran goal-poacher Ali Daei and creative midfielder Mehdi Mahdavikia are the leading lights in what many regard as Iran's finest team ever. Midfield schemer Mojtaba Jabari is the only major absentee, injury having prevented him making the trip to Europe.

How they qualified
Mexico sealed their place in Germany on the back of a second-placed finish in the final round of CONCACAF qualifying. El Tri were the competition's highest scoring team in the preliminary rounds. For their part, Iran booked their ticket to their third FIFA World Cup by finishing second in Group B of the Asian Zone behind Japan.

Past meetings
Mexico and Iran have played each other just once, in a friendly game on 9 June 2001 which the Mexicans won 2-1.

Tournament history
Mexico are true FIFA World Cup veterans, having appeared on football's biggest stage a staggering 13 times. Both of their best performances came on home soil, with quarter-final finishes at Mexico 1970 and Mexico 1986. Despite their rich footballing history, Germany 2006 is only Iran's third FIFA World Cup. The Asian side made their finals debut at Argentina in 1978, before reappearing at football's top table at France 98, the scene of their very first victory at this level, a 2-1 win over the USA.

Key contest
Rafael Marquez versus Ali Karimi should be worth watching. Marquez, Mexico's captain and undisputed star, is likely to be given the task of stopping the elusive Karimi. Solidity versus speed. Explosiveness versus reliability. Barcelona versus Bayern Munich. What more can you ask for?

The coaches
Highly controversial he may be, but La Volpe is tactically astute and particularly gifted at analysing opposing teams. He is also the first Mexico national coach to complete the entire four-year cycle between FIFA World Cups since 1966, and he has the results to show for it. He guided Mexico to Germany with the minimum of fuss and presided over his side's excellent FIFA Confederations Cup displays.

Iran's Ivankovic, meanwhile, initially worked as assistant coach to Miroslav Blazevic, taking over from his former boss following Iran's failed qualifying campaign for Korea/Japan 2002. The Iranian authorities' faith has been amply repaid, with the Croatian proving himself an intelligent coach, smoothly blending two generations of talented players into what many feel is the finest team in the country's footballing history.

2-1 Mexico in a HARD HARD victory ;D