Ousmane Dembele faces a pivotal challenge in asserting his role within France's restructured attack during the World Cup, as his contributions are overshadowed by the dynamic duo of Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise. Meanwhile, Neymar's cautious return from injury poses both a dilemma and a potential boost for Brazil's campaign.

Norway celebrated their return to the FIFA World Cup with a thrilling victory over Iraq, highlighted by Erling Haaland's first World Cup goal. After a 28-year absence, Norway showcased their resilience and skill, while Iraq demonstrated determination despite the loss. The match reflected the competitive spirit of both teams, with Norway taking significant momentum into the group stage.

Iran's World Cup campaign receives a vital boost with midfielder Mehdi Torabi securing a new multiple-entry visa, ensuring his availability for crucial matches as the team prepares for a significant showdown against Belgium.

France showcased their strength with a commanding victory over Senegal in the World Cup, highlighted by Kylian Mbappe's historic goal that tied him with Olivier Giroud as the nation's all-time leading scorer. After a challenging first half, France dominated the second, demonstrating their title credentials and sending a clear message to the competition.

Carlos Queiroz, Ghana's head coach, emphasizes the importance of winning every match as the Black Stars prepare for their World Cup opener against Panama. He remains calm and focused despite the pressure and challenges, including the absence of key midfielder Thomas Partey due to a visa issue. Queiroz calls for support from fans and insists that his team has the qualities needed to succeed in a tough group.

DR Congo will be one of the last teams to start their ⁠World Cup campaign when they take on Portugal in their Group K opener in Houston on Wednesday, but it will be worth the wait ‌for forward Yoane Wissa.

Neymar offered Brazil ⁠a flicker of World Cup encouragement on Tuesday when he trained on the ‌pitch with the national team in the United States ‌for the first time, though a return ‌against Haiti on Friday looks unlikely.

Chris Kirkland never made it to a major tournament with England. He was close, painfully close, before a broken wrist at Liverpool cost him a place at Euro 2004. But he knows the England environment well: the call-ups, the training camps, the names on the next peg along, and the strange little pressures that build before the football even starts.

After South Africa’s jubilation at a first World Cup finals in 16 years turned sour ⁠with a 2-0 loss to co-hosts Mexico, winger Thapelo Maseko says they must invoke the spirit of the 2023 Africa Cup ‌of Nations to get back on track.

Germany's seven-goal rout of Curacao for their World Cup opener has triggered ⁠a wave of enthusiasm among success-starved fans, but captain Joshua Kimmich said on Tuesday the team needed their next two group matches ‌to see exactly where they stand.

Former Norway international Henning Berg is preparing for a World Cup that, for the first time in a generation, arrives with genuine expectation rather than relief. The ex-Blackburn and Manchester United defender, now in charge of Omonia in Cyprus, sat down with Flashscore to talk Erling Haaland, his Premier League title-winning days, life under Sir Alex Ferguson and a coaching journey that has run from Glasgow to Warsaw to Nicosia.

Ahead of their highly anticipated World Cup rematch, France's head coach Didier Deschamps expresses profound respect for Senegal, highlighting their evolution into one of the world's elite teams. As both nations prepare to clash, Deschamps emphasizes the significance of starting strong in the tournament while dismissing notions of revenge for the past. Instead, he focuses on the present and the opportunity for both teams to write a new chapter in their storied history.