Colombia is back at the FIFA World Cup after an eight-year absence, buoyed by high expectations and a passionate fanbase. Head coach Nestor Lorenzo warns against complacency as they prepare to face Uzbekistan, emphasizing that no opponent should be underestimated. With a mix of youth and experience, Colombia aims to make a strong start and bring joy to their supporters.

Coach Graham Arnold remains optimistic about Iraq's chances in the World Cup despite their 4-1 loss to Norway. He emphasizes the need to learn from mistakes and highlights the potential for advancement in the tournament. Arnold praises Aymen Hussein's resilience and urges fans to continue their support as Iraq prepares for their next match against France.

Wes Brown shares his optimism about England's chances in the World Cup, discussing key players like Harry Kane and surprising squad omissions. He emphasizes the importance of belief and momentum as England aims for glory in a tournament filled with potential challenges.

In the World Cup opener, Lionel Messi delivered a stunning performance, scoring a hat-trick against Algeria. Coach Vladimir Petkovic acknowledged the superstar's brilliance while reflecting on his team's shortcomings and the need for improvement as they prepare for upcoming matches.

In a thrilling World Cup encounter, Austria emerged victorious against Jordan, securing their first win since 1990. Key moments included a stunning goal from Romano Schmid and a decisive penalty from Marko Arnautovic, propelling Austria to three points in Group J.

Erling Braut Haaland shines in his World Cup debut, scoring two goals and leading Norway to victory. The Manchester City star is determined to continue his impressive performance as Norway prepares for their upcoming match against Senegal.

Bruno Fernandes discusses Portugal's World Cup aspirations, emphasizing their unity and talent as they prepare for their group stage matches. He highlights the need to focus on their upcoming game against Congo, while also reflecting on the significance of playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and honoring the memory of former teammate Diogo Jota.

Croatia's head coach Zlatko Dalic acknowledges the formidable presence of England's Harry Kane, calling him the best striker in the world. With Luka Modric set to make his 199th appearance, Dalic emphasizes the importance of experience as Croatia aims to make a strong impact in the upcoming World Cup.

Roberto Martinez hinted that this might be his last World Cup with Portugal as he prepares to lead the team into their Group K opener against the Democratic Republic of Congo in Houston on Wednesday. He dismissed speculation about his future as 'old news' while emphasizing the quest for World Cup glory.

Midfield maestro Luka Modric expressed his determination to savor every moment of his last World Cup, feeling 'rejuvenated' by the presence of young talents in the Croatian squad as they prepare to face England for a spot in the knockout stages.

Reigning world champions Argentina got their 2026 World Cup campaign underway against an Algeria side that had only won one WC game in 10 since 1982.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said he ⁠is no longer surprised by the "inexplicable" feats of Lionel Messi after he scored all ‌three goals in their 3-0 win over Algeria at ‌the World Cup on Tuesday.