Peru have enjoyed some ups and some downs in the build up to this competition. After qualifying for their first World Cup in over 30 years, their captain Paolo Guerrero was banned from competing for doping related offences. Other players rallied around and his ban he is no longer suspended. He marked his return with a brace as they beat ...

This game kickstarts what could be Lionel Messi’s last outing in a competition for Argentina. The lack of a winner’s medal and the World Cup heartbreak of four years ago will be fresh in his memory. They play group underdogs, Iceland in this opening match, but they should be careful not to fall for the antics of the Euro 2016 ...

This is one of the most talented French teams in recent memories, and after they reached the finals of Euro 2016, they are expected to go all the way in this competition – their first task is facing group underdogs, Australia in Kazan. This French team is blessed from defence with players like Presnel Kimpembe and Raphael Varane through midfield ...

The heavyweight clash at this World Cup comes early as European champions, Portugal face off with their old foe Spain in the battle for who will top group B begins. This game is made more intense by the fact that these teams are expected to beat Iran and Morocco, so the winner of this match will most likely top the ...

This is Morocco’s first appearance at the World Cup in 20 years and they will be giving it their very best in a really tough group which includes Spain and Portugal. The class of their other two opponents means the team that wins this game is the side that has a small chance of going through to the knockout phase. ...