Following a hectic 17-day schedule featuring 72 group-stage matches, the FIFA World Cup 2026 is finally entering its business end, as hosts Canada take on South Africa in the opening Round of 32 match at Los Angeles Stadium tonight. 

Ousmane Dembele scored one of the earliest hattricks in World Cup history on Friday as the Ballon d'Or winner starred in France's 4-1 win over a second-string Norway, while Erling Haaland watched on from the bench.

Norway striker Erling Haaland was left on the bench against France in the World Cup Group I match on Friday with both teams having qualified for the knockout stages.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage approaches its climax as Groups G, H and I conclude on a thrilling day of action on Matchday 16 -- Friday and also Saturday (Bangladesh Time).

Having already secured their places in the Round of 32 of the FIFA World Cup by winning their opening two Group I matches, tournament favourites France and dark horse Norway will face off in a highly anticipated clash in Boston tonight to determine the group champions.

Experience football excellence at the World Cup in Boston as Erling Haaland leads Norway against Kylian Mbappé and France, contrasting elite modern superstar marketing with a raw, goalscoring striker celebrating through ancestral Viking Row traditions.

From Lionel Messi rewriting history at 39 to Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland relentlessly closing in, while Vinícius Junior leads Brazil’s charge with flair and authority, the battle to finish as the tournament’s top scorer is fast becoming one of the World Cup’s defining subplots.

At just 27, Kylian Mbappe has already become one of those rare figures whose name inevitably surfaces whenever the FIFA World Cup conversation begins.

Mbappe's double in Monday's 3-0 win over Iraq propelled France into the knockout rounds while elevating his career World Cup goal tally to 16, level with former Germany striker Miroslav Klose and only two behind Lionel Messi's all-time record.

France manager Didier Deschamps suggested Kylian Mbappe will eventually claim the all-time World Cup goals record after the 27-year-old striker scored his second double of the tournament in Monday’s 3-0 win over Iraq.

The contrast between the two football icons adds another fascinating chapter to this World Cup.

The second half began after a delay of almost two hours because of thunderstorms and lightning in the Philadelphia area.

All eyes will be on Kylian Mbappe when France face Iraq in their second Group I match on Monday, with the Real Madrid superstar set to make his 100th appearance for Les Bleus and continue his pursuit of World Cup history.

He will become the 10th French player to reach a century of caps, but is still a long way away from the record of 145 appearances held by his former teammate, goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

France arrived in North America as clear favourites to go all the way, tipped to become only the third team after Germany (1982-1990) and Brazil (1994-2002) to reach three consecutive World Cup finals.

Before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, one of the most anticipated storylines was the race to break Germany striker Miroslav Klose’s all-time World Cup goalscoring record.

The World Cup has always been a stage where legends are born, dreams are realised and history is rewritten. But Tuesday offered something even rarer -- a spectacular celebration of football's past, present and future as Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland all delivered unforgettable performances on the same day.

"There are still people out there who will criticise him but he is an extraordinary player. Not everything came off for him, but he can win games in one moment," Deschamps said of the Real Madrid superstar.

France shook themselves awake after a sleepy first half on Tuesday to beat Senegal 3-1 in the New York/New Jersey Stadium for a perfect start to their World Cup campaign.

Discover inspirational Kylian Mbappé quotes that transcend football. Embody sportsmanship and teamwork through personal sacrifice, embrace your unique individuality to write your own story, and set high goals fearlessly to ensure continuous self-improvement and progress.