The FIFA World Cup is football’s grandest stage. Every four years, when the world's biggest sporting spectacle returns, even the game's greatest stars are willing to push themselves to the limit for a place in their national squad.

Morocco’s heroics at the last World Cup mean they carry a heavy burden of expectation into this month’s tournament in Canada, Mexico and the U.S., which threatens to hamper their chances.

City are followed by German champions Bayern Munich with 18 players, while Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain share third place with 16 players each.

Spain, one of the favourites to lift the World Cup, were held to a 1-1 draw by Iraq in a warm-up match in La Coruna on Thursday, fielding a heavily rotated lineup.

France, who are one of the World Cup favourites, will play another friendly against Northern Ireland in Lille on Monday

At the very top of that scale stands Austria’s goalkeeper Florian Wiegele, who reaches an extraordinary 2.05 metres (approx. six feet nine inches).

New Zealand footballer Tim Payne met the influencer behind his stunning viral fame on Wednesday, presenting him with a team shirt after gaining almost five million Instagram followers in a week.

Co-hosts Canada will look to capitalise on home support and a talented generation led by Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David and Tajon Buchanan as they chase a first-ever World Cup victory and historic progression beyond the group phase.

A trophy was in his hands. Golden, heavy, gleaming. But his eyes were not on that trophy; they were on the thing that, in just a few moments, would be handed to Germany. The World Cup. So close. Close enough to touch, yet untouchable.

France coach Didier Deschamps said on Wednesday that defender William Saliba is "fine" despite reports he was a doubt for the World Cup with a back injury.

Germany forward Kai Havertz says the team's attacking players are not competing against each other for starting spots but working collectively towards success at the World Cup, which begins next week in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

FIFA looks at the six men who missed out on their teams’ final squads for a global finals but, by twists of fate, ended them as world champions.

The Sport & Rights Alliance said that FIFA has not adequately addressed potential human rights threats with the massive sporting spectacle set to kick off next week, with visa restrictions, border enforcement and policing among the concerns.

From chassis to canopy, the makeover embodies the fascinating fervour that sweeps Bangladesh every four years.

As recently as last month, FIFA's official stadium code of conduct included a clause which read: "For the avoidance of doubt, empty, transparent, reusable plastic bottles, up to (1 liter in) capacity, may be brought into the Stadium."

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente remains optimistic that forwards Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams will be fit for their World Cup opener despite both players missing the end of the club season with hamstring injuries.

The moment a FIFA World Cup approaches, something changes in Bangladesh.

With no clear weak link and contrasting football philosophies on display, Group A promises a tightly contested battle where experience, resilience and key moments could decide who progresses to the knockout rounds.

Lionel Messi's showstopping talent brought a premature end to the career of his childhood football coach, who decided to bow out after training "the best player in the world."

Brazil midfielder Casemiro believes being a "step behind" other World Cup favourites could actually work in the team's favour when the tournament kicks off next week.