Senegal manager Aliou Cisse swaps Jakobs in for the injured Cheikhou Kouyate and Pape Abou Cisse is replaced by Famara Diedhiou, while Qatar boss Felix Sanchez makes three changes from the side that lost 2-0 to Ecuador.

Iran scored twice after the eighth minute of stoppage time to snatch a stunning 2-0 win over Wales that breathed new life into their World Cup campaign and left their opponents flat on their backs and facing a make-or-break decider against England.

Brazil’s 2-0 win over Serbia in their opening World Cup game in Qatar was marred by an injury to Neymar.

Wales rescued a 1-1 draw against USA in their opening match courtesy of a late penalty converted by their talisman Gareth Bale, who netted his 41st international goal, and the forward will be counted on again versus Iran in what amounts to a must-win game for both sides.

Senegal star Sadio Mane is with his team at the World Cup in spirit if not in body after being ruled out with injury, captain Kalidou Koulibaly said Thursday.

Qatar want to prove they can compete at the highest level and emulate the Arab teams’ performance this World Cup when they face Senegal in their second Group A World Cup fixture at the Al Thumama Stadium in Al Khor on Friday.

Netherlands will be bidding to make it two wins from their opening two World Cup matches but Ecuador promised to ‘run the Dutch hard’ when the two sides meet in their Group A encounter at the Khalifa International Stadium on Friday.

Wales head into their Group B fixture against Iran at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium on Friday aware that victory could help them take a pivotal step towards qualification for the World Cup knockout stages.

Off the back of an emphatic victory in their opening 2022 World Cup fixture against Iran, England will endeavour to better their World Cup records against the USA at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor on Friday, boosting the Three Lions’ hopes of securing top spot in Group B in the process.

Football legend Pele gave Brazil a virtual pre-match pep talk Thursday as the national team prepared to make their World Cup debut, telling them: "Bring this trophy home."

Ghana coach Otto Addo complained bitterly about the officiating in his side’s 3-2 defeat by Portugal in the World Cup on Thursday and said Cristiano Ronaldo's history-making goal was a gift from the referee.

Cristiano Ronaldo said he was "very proud" to have become the first player to score in five men's World Cups as he helped Portugal to a 3-2 victory over Ghana on Thursday at the start of their campaign in Qatar.

Serbia coach Dragan Stojkovic acknowledged the strength of the Brazil team after losing 2-0 to them at the World Cup on Thursday but was struggling to understand a "strange" drop in intensity from his own players.

Brazilian striker Neymar should be fine to continue in the World Cup despite limping off with a swollen ankle during his team's 2-0 victory over Serbia on Thursday, coach Tite said.

Brazil captain Neymar suffered a sprained ankle in his team's World Cup win over Serbia on Thursday and faces a medical assessment in the next 48 hours, a team doctor said.

A second-half brace by Richarlison, including a stunning overhead scissor kick, gave tournament favourites Brazil a 2-0 win over Serbia in their opening World Cup game at the Lusail Stadium on Thursday.

A second-half brace by Richarlison, including a stunning overhead scissor kick, gave tournament favourites Brazil a 2-0 win over Serbia in their opening World Cup game at the Lusail Stadium on Thursday.

Ghana coach Otto Addo insisted Thursday that the spot-kick from which Cristiano Ronaldo's netted in his fifth World Cup was a "gift" following the Black Stars' defeat to Portugal.

Neymar leads an attack-minded Brazil side in their opening Group G game at the World Cup against Serbia at Doha's Lusail Stadium on Thursday.

Andre Ayew equalised for Ghana shortly afterwards but Portugal took a 3-1 lead with goals from Joao Felix and Rafael Leao. Osman Bukari scored a late consolation for Ghana.