England kick off their World Cup campaign against Iran desperate to take the final step after twice falling just short of winning the country's first major trophy in more than half a century. But a resilient Iran would be looking to better their best campaign, which saw them narrowly miss out in the knockout stage in the 2018 World Cup where they won against Morocco and drew against Portugal.

Captain Enner Valencia extended his cult status in Ecuador to wider international acclaim with a first-half double that propelled the South Americans to a comfortable 2-0 win over hosts Qatar in the opening game of the World Cup on Sunday

Defender Ibrahima Konate admitted Sunday that the France squad were tucked up in bed when news broke during the night that Karim Benzema had been forced to pull out of the World Cup with a thigh injury and so only found out in the morning.

Qatar coach Felix Sanchez said his team "felt supported" even though thousands of fans left early as the World Cup hosts slumped to a 2-0 defeat against Ecuador in Sunday's opening game.

Yesterday marked the beginning of the quadrennial global circus that is the men’s football World Cup.

Qatar’s ruler opened the World Cup on Sunday with a call for people of all races and orientations to put aside their differences before the hosts put on a visual feast for fans.

Senegal coach Aliou Cisse said Sadio Mane’s absence from the World Cup will be felt by fans across the globe, after the forward was ruled out of the tournament with a leg injury.

The United States and Wales will head into Monday’s World Cup clash knowing that victory could decide one of Group B’s two qualifiers, with England fancied as heavy favourites to advance as group winners.

The identity of the Netherlands goalkeeper for their opening World Cup match on Monday remains a closely guarded secret, highly anticipated by supporters as coach Louis van Gaal keeps his cards close to his chest.

Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal said his side are keen to deliver like never before as they prepare for their World Cup opener against Senegal on Monday.

England kick off their World Cup campaign against Iran on Monday desperate to take the final step after twice falling just short of winning the country’s first major trophy in more than half a century.

There are concerns about whether Lionel Messi will be fit for Argentina’s opening game against Saudi Arabia tomorrow, but there is no doubt about what the Argentine talisman will wear when he ultimately does take the field.

Injuries and controversies have been a theme of this edition of the World Cup in Qatar, and while casting aside the controversies remain a choice for players and teams, nothing much can be done regarding the former.

Football took centre stage on Sunday as a World Cup shrouded in controversy prepared to kick off with a glitzy opening ceremony and host Qatar playing Ecuador in the first match to push aside the criticism which has dogged the showcase event.

Qatar became the first home team to lose their opening World Cup match as Ecuador cruised to a 2-0 victory over the hosts, with Enner Valencia scoring twice in the tournament curtain-raiser on Sunday.

A double strike from striker Enner Valencia in the first half helped Ecuador beat hosts Qatar in the World Cup 2022 opener at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor on Sunday.

Ecuador striker Enner Valencia scored twice in the first half to put his side 2-0 ahead in the opening fixture of the 2022 World Cup against hosts Qatar at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor on Sunday.

Ecuador scored the first goal of the World Cup as Enner Valencia netted from the spot after the South Americans were awarded a penalty against the hosts Qatar at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor on Sunday.

Qatar's ruler opened the World Cup on Sunday with a call for people of all races and orientations to put aside their differences, speaking as the host nation faced a barrage of criticism over its treatment of foreign workers and LGBT rights.

On today’s episode of the Star World Cup special, we discuss all there is to know about Al-Rihla, the official ball of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. We bring to you its story; The innovation and the technology behind the World Cup ball.