MATCHDAY PREVIEW - After much anticipation, the ninth edition of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup kicks off this Thursday 27 April. Getting the ball rolling on the sands of Nassau will be Mexico and Iran, two sides with considerable World Cup experience under their belts.

The hosts will bring the curtain down on the opening day’s play when they go toe to toe with a strong and vastly experienced Switzerland team.

The games

Group A Ecuador vs Senegal (17:00, local time) Bahamas vs Switzerland (20:00, local time)

Group B Iran vs Mexico (15:30, local time) Nigeria vs Italy (18:30, local time)

What you need to know 1 There is sure to be a wonderful atmosphere inside the Nassau Beach Soccer Arena. With tickets available free of charge and high expectations that the hosts can make an impact, it is set to be an opening day to remember in the Caribbean.

2 If Italy wish to improve on their fourth-place finish at Portugal 2015, they will need to be focused from the start against a Nigeria side who, despite missing out on the last two World Cups, will be a tough proposition and intent on surviving the group phase.

3 Ecuador certainly made waves at the South American qualifying tournament, where they not only made history with their maiden qualification, but also denied a World Cup berth to Argentina, who had never previously missed the sport’s flagship event. With La Tri now determined to keep the dream alive for as long as possible, they will be holding nothing back in what should be a highly entertaining showdown with Senegal.

More from the Bahamas