New Zealand footballer Tim Payne met the influencer behind his stunning viral fame on Wednesday, presenting him with a team shirt after gaining almost five million Instagram followers in a week.

Co-hosts Canada will look to capitalise on home support and a talented generation led by Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David and Tajon Buchanan as they chase a first-ever World Cup victory and historic progression beyond the group phase.

A trophy was in his hands. Golden, heavy, gleaming. But his eyes were not on that trophy; they were on the thing that, in just a few moments, would be handed to Germany. The World Cup. So close. Close enough to touch, yet untouchable.

Sometimes, football is not about how well you play but about finding a way to get the job done.

France coach Didier Deschamps said on Wednesday that defender William Saliba is "fine" despite reports he was a doubt for the World Cup with a back injury.

Germany forward Kai Havertz says the team's attacking players are not competing against each other for starting spots but working collectively towards success at the World Cup, which begins next week in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

FIFA looks at the six men who missed out on their teams’ final squads for a global finals but, by twists of fate, ended them as world champions.

The Sport & Rights Alliance said that FIFA has not adequately addressed potential human rights threats with the massive sporting spectacle set to kick off next week, with visa restrictions, border enforcement and policing among the concerns.

Perez, facing renewable energy entrepreneur Enrique Riquelme in the club's first contested election for 20 years, delivered the campaign announcement through his social media channels with a short video featuring Mourinho saying simply: "Yes!"

From chassis to canopy, the makeover embodies the fascinating fervour that sweeps Bangladesh every four years.

As recently as last month, FIFA's official stadium code of conduct included a clause which read: "For the avoidance of doubt, empty, transparent, reusable plastic bottles, up to (1 liter in) capacity, may be brought into the Stadium."

Responding to Nepal coach calling the win “unlucky,” Bangladesh coach Butler shot back, “The harder you work, the luckier you get. Take that with you, and have it printed on your tombstone.”

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente remains optimistic that forwards Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams will be fit for their World Cup opener despite both players missing the end of the club season with hamstring injuries.

Captain Maria Manda and goal-scorer Ritu Porna Chakma dedicated Bangladesh’s hard-fought 2-1 victory over Nepal to the nation and the late mother of teammate Sheuli Azim after securing a place in a third consecutive SAFF Women’s Championship final on Tuesday.

The moment a FIFA World Cup approaches, something changes in Bangladesh.

With no clear weak link and contrasting football philosophies on display, Group A promises a tightly contested battle where experience, resilience and key moments could decide who progresses to the knockout rounds.

Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury joined the Bangladesh team camp in San Marino on Tuesday night ahead of Thursday’s international friendly against the hosts.

Bangladesh scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner as defending champions came from behind to beat Nepal 2-1 in a keenly-contested SAFF Women's Championship semifinal on Wednesday, securing a third consecutive appearance in the tournament final.

The South Asian Football Federation is considering rescheduling the SAFF Championship to November, with Dhaka remaining the likely host city, according to SAFF general secretary Purushottam Kattel.

Bangladesh head coach Peter Butler made three changes to his starting eleven for today's SAFF Women's Championship semifinal against Nepal, with defender Afeida Khandokar returning to the side.