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First contact: Uzbekistan's rise to the global stage

France, June 2 -- Fittingly for a team nicknamed "Asian Italy", a reference to their blue and white kit and defensive style of play, Uzbekistan will be coached at their first World Cup by former Italy... Read More


Players to watch: Germany's Neuer back to haunt World Cup records

France, June 2 -- Neuer said auf Wiedersehen to Die Mannschaft, as the German national team is nicknamed, after the European Championship in 2024. "Anyone who knows me knows that I didn't take this d... Read More


Africa's finest: Morocco, African champions by ruling

France, June 2 -- According to the Confederation of African Football (Caf), which oversees the sport on the continent, Morocco will go into the 2026 World Cup as African champions. The match sheet fr... Read More


Africa's finest: Bafana Bafana return to the World Cup chasing a first knockout stage

France, June 1 -- South Africa played Mexico in the opening game of the 2010 World Cup on home soil. Sixteen years on, the two sides meet again in Mexico City to open this summer's tournament. The 20... Read More


First contact: Curacao's rise to the global stage

France, June 1 -- Curacao, with a population of just over 158,000 and a land area of 444km², qualified for the World Cup when they drew 0-0 with Jamaica last November in Kingston. The Blue Wave ... Read More


Last hurrah: Algeria's Riyad Mahrez

France, June 1 -- Born in France to an Algerian father and a mother with Algerian and Moroccan roots, Mahrez was not on a straightforward path to professional football. He turned professional in 2009... Read More


Last hurrah: Brazil's Neymar

France, May 31 -- As well as 79 of his own strikes, Neymar has laid on the pass for 59 goals for his Brazil teammates. But still there was doubt that he would be included in Carlo Ancelotti's squad f... Read More


PSG beat Arsenal in a penalty shoot-out to retain Champions League

France, May 31 -- The match at the Puskas Arena in Budapest ended 1-1 after extra-time. In the nerve-shredding finale, Eberechi Eze missed Arsenal's second penalty. But David Raya saved his blushes ... Read More


Last hurrah: Senegal's Sadio Mane

France, May 30 -- Only one of Mane's 53 goals for Senegal has come at a World Cup. He scored the solitary strike in his haul in a group stage game against Japan in Ekaterinburg during the 2018 tournam... Read More


Top seed Sinner exits French Open as local teen Kouame roars into third round

France, May 28 -- Sinner's shock exit came after the Italian faded badly in the Paris heat during a five-set defeat to world number 56 Juan Manuel Cerundolo on centre court. The 24-year-old had been ... Read More