Gareth Southgate has told England’s young squad to attack the World Cup unburdened by failings of the past.Seamless preparations have been underpinned by anticipation and hope, leaving the Three Lions in fine fettle ahead of Monday’s Group G opener against Tunisia in Volgograd.Southgate’s promising young side look ready to make a mark on the world stage and help atone for the d...Full Story »

Belgium manager Roberto Martinez admits he is “privileged” to have such a strong squad at his disposal and believes his players are capable of anything.The Red Devils’ so-called golden generation begin their World Cup campaign on Monday against finals debutants Panama in Sochi.Chelsea forward Eden Hazard, Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne and Manchester United striker R...Full Story »

Sweden coach Janne Andersson has played down a spying row with South Korea ahead of Monday’s World Cup clash between the two countries in Nizhny Novgorod.One of the Andersson’s coaching staff attended a Korea training session during their pre-tournament preparation camp in Austria and was asked to leave.Andersson, whose side beat Italy in a play-off to qualify, insists this was a sim...Full Story »

Brazil coach Tite admits Neymar is not fully fit but believes his captain is in impressive shape ahead of their World Cup opener.Paris St Germain forward Neymar has been battling back from injury having suffered a fractured metatarsal and sprained ankle in February.The 26-year-old – who is sporting a new bleached blonde hair cut – is expected to start on Sunday when five-time world c...Full Story »

Germany coach Joachim Low has no concerns over whether goalkeeper Manuel Neuer or midfielder Mesut Ozil will be ready for the champions’ World Cup opener.Despite missing most of Bayern Munich’s season with a foot injury, Neuer is in line to start against Mexico in Moscow on Sunday after playing in Die Mannschaft’s warm-up games against Austria and Saudi Arabia.Arsenal playmaker...Full Story »

Captain Aleksandar Kolarov says Serbia can achieve big things in Russia ahead of their World Cup opener against Costa Rica.Since the break-up of the former Yugoslavia, Serbia have never gone beyond the group stage of a World Cup.Their opponents in Samara famously reached the quarter-finals four years ago after topping a group including former winners England, Italy and Uruguay.Serbia made little...Full Story »

Luka Modric insists Croatia’s golden generation are under no extra pressure in Russia, even though it could be the last World Cup for several members of their talented squad.At 32, Real Madrid midfielder Modric – the shining Croatian light of his generation – could well be about to embark on his final World Cup.Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic, Juventus striker Mario Mandzukic...Full Story »

Peru boss Ricardo Gareca has declared captain Paolo Guerrero ready for the World Cup following the temporary lifting of his drugs ban.The South Americans play their first match at the finals since 1982 when they face Denmark in Group C on Saturday.And Guerrero, their record scorer, is clear to feature at the tournament in Russia.He was granted a temporary lifting of his suspension on May 31 by t...Full Story »

Captain Sergio Ramos hopes Spain can quickly overcome coach Julen Lopetegui’s shock sacking to make a winning start to the World Cup.The Spanish camp was rocked on Wednesday, just two days before their tournament opener against Portugal in Sochi, as Lopetegui was dismissed in response to his surprise appointment by Real Madrid.Real had announced the previous day Lopetegui would take over a...Full Story »

Egypt talisman Mohamed Salah looks set to play in the country’s first World Cup match in 28 years.Pharaohs manager Hector Cuper is confident the Liverpool forward will be in the side to face Uruguay in the Group A game in Ekaterinburg on Friday.Salah sustained a shoulder injury during the Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid on May 26 but trained with the ball for the first time on...Full Story »