Harry Maguire will win his 50th cap when England play the United States on Friday and though the Manchester United centre back has been the butt of criticism almost from his first, manager Gareth Southgate had nothing but praise for him.

Switzerland edged Cameroon 1-0 courtesy of a goal against the run of play by apologetic Breel Embolo versus the country of his birth for an opening win in World Cup Group G at the Al Janoub Stadium.

This year’s Thanksgiving holiday will be different for Team USA as the main focus will be on their match against England.

Subrails Army will have to wait until next year with Al-Hamd Police winning its fourth consecutive FMF Sukuna Bowl football title at Bidesi Park in Suva.

Brazil captain Thiago Silva is banking on prolific goal scorer Neymar at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Rafa Nadal knows all about resilience in sport and he says Lionel Messi’s Argentina can shake off the disappointment of their stunning World Cup defeat by Saudi Arabia and have a deep run in Qatar.

Michy Batshuayi scored in the first half and Thibaut Courtois saved a penalty as Belgium opened their World Cup campaign with a scrappy 1-0 win over an energetic Canada who were back in the finals for first time in 36 years.

Spain thrashed Costa Rica 7-0, their biggest ever winning margin at a World Cup, helped by two goals by Ferran Torres and strikes by five other players to send a resounding message to the rest of the teams in Qatar.

The seven countries that were prevented by FIFA from wearing ‘OneLove’ armbands during the World Cup in Qatar are jointly considering their legal options, the Dutch football association (KNVB).

FIFA have opened proceedings against the Mexican Football Association following chants by the country’s fans during Tuesday’s 0-0 draw with Poland at the World Cup in Qatar, world soccer’s governing body said on Wednesday.

Japan produced a late comeback to see four-time winners Germany fall 2-1 in their opening World Cup game in Qatar.

Croatia kicked-off its World Cup campaign with a goalless draw against a well-drilled Morocco at Al Bayt Stadium.