I compiled this list of the top 10 matches of the group stages are reference for friends and family that aren’t so familiar with football.

10 World Cup Matches to Watch (Times are PST)

Germany vs. Costa Rica
6/9 9:00 AM on ESPN 2
The opening game of the World Cup featuring the host, Germany, from Munich.

Argentina vs. Ivory Coast
6/10 12:00 PM on ESPN 2
Chelsea teammates Didier Drogba and Hernán Crespo face-off in Hamburg.

United States vs. Czech Republic
6/12 9:00 AM on ESPN 2
The 2nd (Czechs) and 5th (USA) ranked teams in the world attempt to prove themselves in Gelsenkirchen.

Spain vs. Ukraine
6/14 6:00 AM on ESPN 2
The best striker in the World, Andriy Shevchenko, attempts to lead Ukraine against World Cup favorites and one of the best teams never to win the final, Spain in Leipzig.

England vs. Trinidad & Tobago
6/15 9:00 AM on ESPN 2
The smallest nation ever to make the world cup finals (T&T) face off against favorites and former occupiers, England. Former Manchester United star, Dwight Yorke has come out of international retirement to lead Trinidad in Nuremburg.

Italy vs. United States
6/17 11:30 AM on ABC
Former World Cup champions Italy battle the States. The Azzuri are perennial favorites but recently the Italian football league has been rocked by a match-fixing scandal and many of the players have no clue where they will be playing come August (game in Kaiserslautern).

France vs. South Korea
Sunday, June 18th 11:30 AM on ABC
Thierry Henry and Les Blues battle new soccer power South Korea in Leipzig.

Sweden vs. England
9/20 12:00 PM on ESPN
England, who havent beaten Sweden in 38 years, attempt to break the hex in Cologne with the leadership of their Swedish coach, Sven Goran Eriksson.

Portugal vs. Mexico
9/21 7:00 AM on ESPN
The other Ronaldo and flashy Portugal attempt to makeup for a 2002 disaster against power-house Mexico, who were one of the last teams to defeat Brazil. Both teams were upset in 2002 by the US (game takes place in Gelsenkirchen).

Netherlands vs. Argentina
9/21 12:00 PM on ESPN
Both favorites, Holland and Argentina, will battle, possibly to see who progresses to the knockout rounds.


Other Interesting Matches

Australia vs. Japan - Future Asian Football Confederation rivals face off in one of the most competitive games of the group stages in Kaiserslautern.

Sweden vs. Paraguay - This battle has already begun after Paraguay allegedly sent women over to the Swedish training camp to unsettle the players.

Czech Republic vs. Italy - These two favorites collide possibly to decide the fate of the US.

Japan vs. Brazil - Brazil will probably destroy Japan, however the Japanese are lead by Brazilian legend, Zico.

Togo vs. France - Called French Togoland until 1960, this is one of many matches featuring a former colony facing a former occupier. That in mind, expect France to win by at least a touchdown.