While there are differing levels of World Cup experience for first-time finalists Qatar and fourth-time participants Ecuador, Sunday's match between the two sides will be a new challenge for both men in the dugouts.
Neither Qatar boss Felix Sanchez nor Ecuador's Gustavo Alfaro have had a taste of World Cup management before Sunday's curtain-raiser at the Al Bayt Stadium.
Both men will have been working towards this moment ever since taking over their respective national teams, though, and know that victory in the opening game is crucial with matches against Netherlands and Senegal to come.
Here, Sports Mole takes a look at both managers involved in Sunday's showdown.
QATAR - FELIX SANCHEZ
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One of many Catalan coaches to find themselves spreading the word in the far-flung reaches of the globe, Felix Sanchez has spent most of his career in Qatar.
A Barcelona youth coach, Sanchez moved to the Middle East in 2006 and joined the famed Aspire Academy, progressing through the ranks to eventually link up with the national youth teams.
After spells with the Under-20s and Under-23s, the 46-year-old replaced Uruguayan Jorge Fossati in charge of the senior side in 2017, going on to lead his adopted nation to unprecedented success in the 2019 Asian Cup.
Under his management, Qatar won all three group matches and each knockout game, then defied expectations with a 3–1 win over favourites Japan in the final. In the process, they found the net 19 times and conceded just once, which earned Sanchez a new contract through to this year's World Cup.
An avowed advocate of the 3-5-2 formation, Sanchez has chosen to keep his squad isolated from distractions in Spain for several weeks now. Whether that turns out to be a masterstroke in the manner of the similarly-prepared South Korea's surge to the 2002 semis, or perhaps a disaster, remains to be seen.
ECUADOR - GUSTAVO ALFARO
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Alfaro has been in charge of Ecuador since 2020, and he will be managing at his first World Cup in Qatar.
The 60-year-old, who played as a midfielder for Atletico de Rafaela between 1988 and 1992, has been in football management since 1992, and it would be fair to say that he is well travelled.
Indeed, Alfaro has had 17 managerial positions during his post-playing career, and he was in charge of Boca Juniors before agreeing to take control of Ecuador in August 2020.
The position was his first in international football, but he has enjoyed success during his management career, namely winning the Supercopa Argentina and Superliga Argentina with Boca Juniors.
Jonathan O'Shea
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