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Get up to speed
A quick roundup of the latest headlines as the tournament kicks off:
– Spain boldly sacked manager Julen Lopetegui on the eve of the tournament, replacing him with Fernando Hierro.
– The 2026 World Cup will be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
– England’s Marcus Rashford suffered a knock in training, but said there is “nothing to worry about.”
– France’s Kylian Mbappe also had an injury scare, but is feeling “100%.”
What to watch for today
Russia v. Saudi Arabia | Group A
No pressure, Russia, but no host nation has ever lost the opening match of the World Cup. The hosts take on Egypt and Uruguay next, making this match a must-win both as a point of pride and for survival. Russia is the lowest ranked side at the tournament, but Saudi Arabia sit just three places above them and have lost their last three matches. Both teams typically sit deep defensively, but a draw does nothing for either of them, so hopefully we’re treated to an entertaining match. It may not be the most mouth-watering fixture, but as the curtain raiser, it’s still a must-watch.