With the World Cup now just a few hours away, join us as we take a look at each of the players Newcastle United fans may want to pay attention to in the first set of group stage fixtures.
This includes each member of the current squad at the tournament, alongside some of those linked with the club that you might want to keep an eye on.
Qatar vs Switzerland – Saturday 13th June
Who to watch: Johan Manzambi, Gregor Kobel
Switzerland’s squad includes two players linked to Newcastle United this summer in the shape of exciting midfielder Manzambi of Freiburg and experienced shot-stopper Gregor Kobel of Borussia Dortmund.
Time: 20:00
Where to watch: ITV1, ITVX, STV, STV Player
Brazil vs Morocco – Saturday 13th June
Who to watch: Bruno Guimarães, Gabriel Martinelli, Abde Ezzalzouli
Newcastle captain Bruno Guimarães is obviously the main attraction, but Brazil also have Gabriel Martinelli, who has been linked with the club in recent weeks.
Morocco also have a Newcastle interest in Abde Ezzalzouli, whom the Magpies have been tracking as a possible Anthony Gordon replacement. However, he is injured and will not feature in the competition, unless the Atlas Lions make it through to the business end of the tournament.
Time: 23:00
Where to watch: BBC iPlayer, BBC One England, BBC One Northern Ireland, BBC One Scotland, BBC One Wales, BBC Sport Online
Germany vs Curaçao – Sunday 14th June
Who to watch: Nick Woltemade, Malick Thiaw
Both of Newcastle United’s German assets are in action here, although both are expected to start on the bench for this opening fixture.
Time: 18:00
Where to watch: ITV 1, ITVX, STV, STV Player
Netherlands vs Japan – Sunday 14th June
Who to watch: Crysencio Summerville
Summerville is another of those linked to Newcastle in the wake of Anthony Gordon’s departure and could be an interesting option for the Magpies following West Ham’s relegation from the Premier League.
Time: 18:00
Where to watch: ITV1, ITVX, STV, STV Player
Ivory Coast vs Ecuador – Monday 15th June
Who to watch: Guela Doue
Newcastle have been linked with a new right-back this summer following Kieran Trippier’s departure and the possible exit of Livramento. Guela Doue is one of those linked and will start for the Ivory Coast.
Time: 00:00
Where to watch: BBC One England, Scotland, Northern Ireland & Wales
Sweden vs Tunisia – Monday 15th June
Who to watch: Anthony Elanga
This will hopefully be a big summer for Elanga, with the winger looking to find a spark to ignite his Newcastle career following a poor season. This summer’s World Cup could be exactly that.
Time: 03:00
Where to watch: ITV1, ITVX, STV, STV Player
Spain vs Cape Verde – Monday 15th June
Who to watch: Victor Munoz
Victor Munoz is another who falls under the category of possible Gordon replacements, and the Spaniard has been heavily linked over the past few weeks. He will be a backup at this tournament but could prove a bright spark off the bench for one of the big favourites.
Time: 17:00
Where to watch: ITV1, ITVX, STV, STV Player
Belgium vs Egypt – Monday 15th June
Who to watch: Joaquin Seys, Matias Fernandez-Pardo
Seys has been touted as a possible Lewis Hall backup this summer, with the Club Brugge fullback having an excellent season in Belgium.
Fernandez-Pardo is yet another of those who is seen as a possible Anthony Gordon replacement, but interest appears to have cooled amid other clubs being linked.
Time: 20:00
Where to watch: BBC One England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
Saudi vs Uruguay – Monday 15th June
Who to watch: Darwin Nunez
Darwin Nunez is a free agent this summer with his Al Hilal contract expiring and has been touted as a Newcastle target as the Magpies look to bolster attacking options ahead of next season.
Time: 23:00
Where to watch: ITV1, ITVX, STV, STV Player
France vs Senegal – Tuesday 16th June
Who to watch: Robin Risser, Lamine Camara
Newcastle are still searching for a first-choice goalkeeper, and Robin Risser is one of those on the shortlist. He won’t start here for France but could get some minutes in the later group stage games if France qualify early.
Lamine Camara of Senegal is one of the most intriguing prospects, as the Magpies are reportedly keen on signing the midfielder for around £50m amid Sandro Tonali speculation.
Iraq vs Norway – Tuesday 16th June
Who to watch: Antonio Nusa
The club of players linked with Newcastle as Anthony Gordon replacements continues here with Norway’s Nusa. The RB Leipzig man is at the forefront of conversations about possible signings, and the Geordie faithful should keep a keen eye on him in this tournament.
Time: 23:00
Where to watch: BBC One England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
Portugal vs DR Congo – Wednesday 17th June
Who to watch: Gonçalo Ramos, Rafael Leao, Yoane Wissa
Goncalo Ramos is the most talked-about Newcastle target and has been linked with a move to Tyneside as an extra option in the forward areas for the Magpies. Leao is a far-fetched one but is definitely leaving AC Milan this summer and has been loosely linked with Newcastle in the past.
Similar to Elanga, Yoane Wissa is facing a big summer and could do with a few goals during his World Cup campaign to ensure he comes back to Tyneside firing ahead of next season.
England vs Croatia – Wednesday 17th June
Who to watch: James Trafford, Tino Livramento, Dan Burn, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon
There are a couple of present Newcastle United players involved in this fixture with England. Both Dan Burn and Tino Livramento will feature in the squad, most likely coming off the bench for Thomas Tuchel. Recently departed Anthony Gordon is also involved and could even start the game.
In terms of targets, James Trafford likely won’t play a minute during the World Cup but is a target for Newcastle as they search for a new number one.
Marcus Rashford is also a player who is on the Magpies’ radar, with the winger marking a possible replacement for the man he will battle for a starting spot this summer, in Gordon.
Time: 21:00
Where to watch: ITV1, ITVX, STV, STV Player
