Coach Amir Ghalenoei said Iran is the "most oppressed team in the World Cup" after his players were informed they must travel back to Mexico immediately after their opening game ended in Los Angeles late Monday.

Iran twice came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw with New Zealand in their opening World Cup match on Monday after an end-to-end contest played against the backdrop of Iranian fans protest against the government in Tehran.

Senegal is one of several countries participating at this year's World Cup whose supporters have not been able to travel to follow their team due to the tight immigration restrictions imposed by co-hosts the United States.

With Messi still leading the way, Argentina continue to believe that anything is possible.

Messi is set to take part in a record sixth World Cup, four years after leading his country to glory in Qatar.

The Saudis famously beat Argentina 2-1 in their 2022 tournament opener and looked on course for another upset courtesy of Abdulelah Alamri's 41st-minute strike until winger Araujo stepped up 10 minutes from time.

Mandatory three-minute hydration breaks, introduced by FIFA to combat summer heat across North America, now take place around the 22nd minute of each half and have become one of the tournament’s most contentious talking points.

Belgium and Egypt drew 1-1 in their World Cup opener on Monday after a second-half Belgian equalizer spoiled Mohamed Salah's 34th birthday.

World Cup favourites France face a tricky Group I opener against Senegal in New Jersey tonight, with memories of one of the biggest upsets in tournament history hanging heavily over the contest.

Bukayo Saka says England have the "talent, passion and confidence" to finally win the World Cup after a series of agonising near-misses in major tournaments.

Spain failed to find a way past inspired Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha as the 40-year-old secured a stunning 0-0 draw for the World Cup debutants and was reduced to tears at his heroics.

Cape Verde keeper Vozinha broke down in tears at the end of Monday's 0-0 draw with Spain

Unofficially, it also could be a nod to the most well-known MLS club side outfitted by Adidas, the same manufacturer of referee uniforms at this year's tournament.

Cape Verde announced themselves on the World Cup stage with a stunning 0-0 draw against Spain on Monday, frustrating the European champions who dominated possession and had 27 goal attempts but could find no way past 40-year-old keeper Vozinha.

England's opening World Cup match against Croatia on Wednesday will be refereed by Frenchman Clement Turpin, who was once labelled "Grade E" by Thomas Tuchel who is now England coach.

Tunisia fired head coach Sabri Lamouchi on Monday after a 5-1 loss against Sweden in their first World Cup Group F match in Guadalupe, Mexico, on Monday.

Despite the heavy off-field distractions, veteran winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh insists the squad remains united by a singular, powerful mission: to shut out the external noise and let their performance do the lecturing.

"(I am) very proud because we are the smallest island, smallest country and we scored against Germany! We are very happy and very, very proud!" fan Otmar Cornelia told Reuters.

The FIFA World Cup has always been more than just a football tournament; it is a global cultural spectacle that draws the attention of the world far beyond the boundaries of sport.

Japan is a power to reckon with, rather than a mere contender for glory, and having a development model and team that is built for that.