Amid worries over fitness of several key players and a series of shocking results involving some of the tournament’s heavyweights in the opening days of the FIFA World Cup, Bangladesh’s veteran defender Topu Barman is still expecting a winning start for defending champions Argentina when they take on a formidable Algeria side on Wednesday morning.

Remember Szymon Marciniak? The bald-headed Polish referee who officiated the thrilling FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and France three and a half years ago at the Lusail Stadium.

The Argentine coach has reportedly experimented with both a 4-4-2 and a 3-5-2 formation during training, keeping opponents guessing ahead of Group J's opening match.

Dhaka engulfed in blue smoke alongside the Bangladeshi flag. Even our four-legged friends are getting into the frenzy. Bound by a unified dream for World Cup glory, global fans have proven that love for Argentina knows absolutely no borders.

Haaland, who scored 16 times in eight qualifying games, double the tally of anyone else in Europe, looks to be back in top form after being given a bit of rest by Manchester City at the end of the English Premier League season and by Norway in the run-up to the World Cup, Solbakken said.

Defending champions Argentina are set to launch their World Cup title defense mission when they take on Algeria in their opening Group J match at the Kansas City Stadium in Missouri on Wednesday morning. The match is scheduled to start at 7:00 am (Bangladesh time).

Scaloni emphasised the need for calm ahead of the opener.

The colourful Bielsa -- nicknamed "El Loco" (mad man) -- was asked why he was looking downwards in the promotional video rather than straight into the lens.

In a wide-ranging interview, Zulfiqar Mahmud Mintu reflected on his earliest FIFA World Cup memories, his coaching philosophy, the evolution of modern football and several other aspects surrounding the greatest football spectacle on earth.

Lionel Messi's Argentina and Kylian Mbappe's France, the two teams who contested a thrilling World Cup final four years ago, roar into the 2026 tournament on Tuesday.

Tunisia have responded to their 5-1 World Cup thrashing by Sweden by sacking coach Sabri Lamouchi and replacing him with Frenchman Herve Renard, the federation announced on national TV on Monday.

Brazil superstar Neymar could miss the remainder of the group stage at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as he continues his recovery from a calf injury, according to a report by ESPN.

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.