With the World Cup group phase completed, the stage is set for the knockout rounds, where the game's biggest players and nations will be desperate to make an impact

Lionel Messi has scored five goals in his first two World Cup matches (Picture: Getty)

Lionel Messi has been named on the bench for Argentina’s final World Cup group game versus Jordan in Dallas.

The defending champions have already secured their place in the knockout stages with impressive wins against Algeria and Austria.

And Messi has played a starring role in both games, scoring all five…

Former England defender Micah Richards (Picture: Getty)

Micah Richards is now backing France to win the World Cup after they ended their group stage in style with a 4-1 win over Norway.

France were one of the pre-tournament favourites, having won the competition in 2018 and finished runners-up in 2022.

Didier Deschamps’ side are littered with attacking talent and that has been on full show in…

Ray Houghton will make his first visit to the scene of his 1994 World Cup winner against Italy when he co-commentates on England v Panama.

Haaland has been named on the bench for tonight’s game (Picture: Visionhaus/Getty Images)

Erling Haaland has been left on the bench for Norway’s final World Cup group match against France.

The Manchester City striker has four goals from his first two matches, level with Kylian Mbappe and one behind leading goal scorer Lionel Messi.

France and Norway are level on points ahead of their group…

The Three Lions followed up their thrilling opening 4-2 victory over Croatia by limping to a 0-0 bore draw against the tough tackling West Africans

Do England need more threats outside of Harry Kane? (Picture: Getty Images)

Thomas Tuchel dismissed the idea that England are over-reliant on Harry Kane after a frustrating World Cup goalless draw with Ghana in Boston.

The Three Lions came back down to earth after the exciting 4-2 win over Croatia in their opener, held to a stalemate in their second game.

It was a dominant performance from…

A new World Champion will be crowned next month (Picture: Getty)

The World Cup is now in full swing and the main contenders for the trophy have all played at least once.

England are among the favourites with the Three Lions aiming to end their long wait to get their hands on their second world title in what is the 60th anniversary of their first triumph.

The victory on home soil in 1966…

Erling Haaland scored a brace against Senegal (Picture: Getty)

Erling Haaland has named his favourites to win the World Cup after Norway secured their place in the knockouts with a 3-2 win over Senegal.

Haaland scored a second-half brace to help Norway pick up a vital victory over Senegal and move them into second place in their group.

The Manchester City striker now has four goals in his…

FRANCE 3-0 IRAQ: Kylian Mbappe scored twice in a match that finished almost four hours after it had started due to heavy rain and storms in Philadelphia

The GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) conversation has been settled, it seems, and it’s bad news for Cristiano Ronaldo.

France and Iraq are set to face each other in their second match of Group I, but there is a risk the match could be cancelled or delayed

David Beckham with Kylian Mbappe at PSG training in 2023 (Picture: Getty Images)

Kylian Mbappe has not ruled out a move to Major League Soccer in future, revealing that David Beckham has been doing his best to temptthe Frenchman to America.

The 27-year-old has enjoyed a stellar career so far, starring for Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain and now Real Madrid.

He has also shone on the international…

Manchester United are looking to re-write the script at Old Trafford as they aim for sustainable, long-term success

Steve Clarke can bring an end to the Tartan Army's long wait for the knockout stage of a major tournament

Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane have gotten their World Cup campaigns off to a flyer.

Cristiano Ronaldo was largely ineffective as Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw by DR Congo (Picture: Getty)

Paul Scholes says Cristiano Ronaldo has become a ‘bit of a problem’ for Portugal and ‘it’s not right’ that the superstar forward is still leading the line at the grand old age of 41.

Ronaldo equaled Lionel Messi’s record of featuring at six separate World Cups as he captained Portugal in…

Cristiano Ronaldo faced heavy criticism following his performance for Portugal against DR Congo (Picture: Getty)

Cristiano Ronaldo issued a defiant statement amid mounting calls for the Portugal captain to be axed from Roberto Martinez’s World Cup starting XI.

One of the pre-tournament favourites began their campaign with an underwhelming 1-1 draw against DR Congo.

An early Joao Neves header…

JPNN.com - JAKARTA - Penyerang Tim Nasional Prancis Kylian Mbappe menyatakan tidak terlalu memikirkan kritik maupun berbagai rekor yang terus dia pecahkan bersama Les Bleus.

Erling Haaland scored twice on his World Cup debut for Norway, but the Man City striker insists there are other strikers doing better work in front of goal

Day 7 at the 2026 World Cup has concluded with Argentina icon Lionel Messi in the headlines and Thomas Tuchel explaining his national anthem stance

William Saliba said it was ‘crazy’ what Kylian Mbappe was achieving with France (Picture: beIN SPORTS)

William Saliba heaped praise on Kylian Mbappe after France’s 3-1 win over Senegal, applauding the forward on his record-breaking World Cup brace to help inspire Les Bleus to victory.

France – the 2022 runners-up – started sluggishly at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium and had looked to be heading…

FRANCE 3-1 SENEGAL: Kylian Mbappe came up trumps on opening night for Les Blues as the Real Madrid striker brushed off penalty frustration to score a World Cup brace

Roy Keane is confident over France’s chances after their runners-up finish last time out (Picture: Getty)

Manchester United great Roy Keane has ruled out Portugal’s chances of lifting the World Cup and named France as his favourites to come out on top.

France fell at the final hurdle four years ago, as Argentina and Lionel Messi triumphed on penalties after an all-time classic final in…

It's almost time for the World Cup. Before the tournament, we'll be previewing each of the top 15 teams by FIFA rankings that made the tournament. Why the top 15? Because that's how many we needed to do in order for the USMNT to make the cut. You can read all of our previews here.

Nobody fell in love with France this year, for the same reason nobody fell in love with France in 2022 or…

We're in amongst it for the first time in 28 years with a target of creating Scottish World Cup history, if not the ultimate prize itself

Redacción Deportes, 9 jun (EFE).- Una vez ruede el balón en las canchas de Estados Unidos, México y Canadá, cuatro delanteros que hacen parte de la élite actual del fútbol intentarán sentarse en la misma mesa que el argentino Gabriel Batistuta, quien hasta hoy es el único jugador que ha logrado anotar tripletes en dos […]

La entrada A 2 días del Mundial: Los dos tripletes de Batistuta bajo la…

A new World Champion will soon be crowned (Picture: Getty)

The World Cup finally gets underway on Thursday and England are one of several footballing heavyweights eyeing glory across the US, Canada and Mexico this summer.

The Three Lions are aiming to end their long wait to get their hands on their second world title in what is the 60th anniversary of their first triumph.

The victory on home…

Who will be lifting the trophy on 19 July?

Micah Richards is tipping Brazil or France to secure World Cup glory this summer 60 years of hurt continues for England.

This summer’s revamped tournament kicks off on Thursday with Mexico vs South Africa the first of a staggering 104 games taking place over the next month.

Argentina are back to defend their crown after beating France on penalties in…

Mourinho is set to return to Real after 13 years away (Picture: Getty Images)

Jose Mourinho has reportedly included Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori on his list of summer transfer targets for Real Madrid.

‘The Special One’ has signed a contract to make a sensational return to the Santiago Bernabeu 13 years on from his first spell in charge and is expected to be officially unveiled after the…