Mexico will launch their home World Cup campaign against South Africa on Thursday under pressure to deliver the winning start fans expect at the ​Estadio Azteca, where the tournament returns for a third time.

Lionel Messi is ready for his sixth World Cup. After recovering from a muscle injury, the captain of the reigning world champions played 20 minutes and scored a penalty in Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Iceland on Tuesday in its final tune-up match before the World Cup.

Omar Artan was expected to become the first Somali referee to officiate at a World Cup, but then he was denied entry to the U.S. over what American officials said were security concerns. Artan was welcomed back home with flowers and cheers from supporters.

England meets Costa Rica on Wednesday at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando for the final friendly before the Three Lions open World Cup play.

Portugal coach Roberto Martinez said Cristiano Ronaldo is not thinking about Wednesday's friendly against Nigeria potentially being his last game on home soil with the national team.

England head coach Thomas Tuchel has provided a crucial fitness update on Bukayo Saka ahead of the final World Cup warm-up clash against Costa Rica. The winger missed the recent victory over New Zealand following a grueling,

Lamine Yamal is 18 and is on the verge of completing everything there is to do by the time he is 19. Can anyone stop the prodigy?