Former Watford striker Odion Ighalo has been picked to lead the line for Nigeria's 2018 World Cup opener against Croatia in Kaliningrad.

The Changchun Yatai forward, who celebrates his 29th birthday today, will be supported by Arsenal's Alex Iwobi, Chelsea's Victor Moses, and Tianjin TEDA's Jon Obi Mikel.

Brighton & Hove Albion defender Leon Balogun missed the final session of Super Eagles training but still makes Gernot Rohr's starting XI.

As for Croatia, experienced quartet Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic, Ivan Perisic and Mario Mandzukic all start for Zlatko Dalic's side.

Ivan Strinic, who joined AC Milan this summer, starts at left-back, a position which has been of some concern to the Croatian head coach.

Croatia: Subasic; Vrsaljko, Strinic, Lovren, Vida; Rakitic, Modric; Perisic, Kramaric, Rebic; Mandzukic
Subs: Livakovic, Corluka, Kovacic, Brozovic, Kalinic, Jedvaj, Bradaric, Caleta-Car, N. Kalinic, Badelj, Pjaca, Pivaric

Nigeria: Uzoho; Abdullahi, Ekong, Balogun, Idowu; Moses, Mikel; Etebo, Ndidi, Iwobi; Ighalo
Subs: Ezenwa, Akpeyi, Ebuehi, Musa, Ogu, Nwankwo, Onazi, Omeruo, Awaziem, Iheanacho, Echiejile, Obi

Follow all the action from the Kaliningrad Stadium with Sports Mole's live match commentary.

Written by
Giuseppe Labellarte