The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on Thursday suspended five wrestlers, including U20 Asian Championship trails winner Deepanshu, for four years after their birth certificates were found to be fake during a verification exercise in its crackdown on age fraud in the sport.

Deepanshu, who had won the men’s freestyle 65kg event on Wednesday, has been replaced by Pawan Balaji Dhayagude in the squad for the championship, starting June 27 in Pattaya, Thailand.

The other suspended wrestlers are Tanuj Antil, Baljot Singh and Nikhil Dalal and Saket Drall, who reached the final of the 86kg trials. He was removed from the final and was replaced by Sahil Dalal, who eventually grabbed the place in the Indian team.

In an order issued by WFI president Sanjay Kumar Singh, the federation said it had taken a “very serious view” of wrestlers submitting forged birth certificates to gain eligibility for participation in National Wrestling Championships.

WFI said discrepancies in birth certificates had surfaced in several cases in recent months, leading to suspensions and widespread reporting in print, electronic and social media.

“Despite the action already taken, some wrestlers allegedly continued attempting to compete in national events by submitting alternative or fabricated documents,” WFI said in its notice.

The federation said verification conducted with the Registrar (Birth and Death), Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh, confirmed that the birth certificates submitted by the five wrestlers were not genuine and that corresponding records could not be traced in official registers.

Terming the violations serious, the WFI announced disciplinary proceedings against the wrestlers and suspended them from all wrestling-related activities under its aegis for a period of four years with immediate effect.

The latest action comes amid the federation’s efforts to curb age manipulation, an issue that has long plagued age-group competitions in Indian wrestling. 

Show-cause notice to referee commission member 
In a separate development, the WFI issued a show-cause notice to referee Jaibir, a member of the WFI Referee Commission, alleging conflict of interest and misconduct during the Asian Games selection trials in Lucknow on May 31.

According to the notice, Jaibir had been appointed as a referee for the trials and was officiating on the mat where Greco-Roman bouts were conducted. During the competition, his son, Ronak Dahiya, participated in the 130kg Greco-Roman category.

The federation alleged that during the final bout of the 130kg event, Jabir removed his referee kit and assumed the role of coach for his son while continuing to remain associated with the event as an appointed referee.

WFI said such conduct amounted to a serious conflict of interest and was contrary to the principles of neutrality, impartiality and professional ethics expected from a technical official.

The federation has asked Jaibir to submit a written explanation by June 10 as to why disciplinary action should not be initiated against him.

As Jaibir is currently officiating at the third Ranking Tournament in Mongolia, scheduled to conclude on June 9, the WFI has permitted him to continue his duties there. However, he will stand temporarily suspended after the tournament pending a final decision by the federation.

The WFI maintained that officials must disclose any potential conflict of interest and recuse themselves from duties that could compromise the integrity and fairness of competitions.

Jordan Spieth, over Muirfield Village Golf Club’s first five holes, two-putted five times. He hit 10 putts, missing birdie looks from 19, 21, 14, 50 and 13 feet, so when he left the 6th hole with 11 putts in the most improbable of ways, his summation of the event felt as accurate as his golf ball’s roll.  

“It’s golf right there.”

Golf golfed, and Spieth Spiethed on the 6th green during Thursday’s first round of the Memorial Tournament. In the end, Spieth birdied the par-4, but how he played his third stroke is worth some examination. After his tee shot finished just to the right of the right fairway bunker, he hit his second shot to the right part of the green, which kept him away from trouble but left him with a bit of a geometry problem. 

With the pin on the left side of the green and a dramatic right-to left slope facing him, the question Spieth had was how far right would he have to aim on a 63-foot putt. During Wednesday’s practice round, he said he tried the putt twice. 

“And I hit it poorly,” Spieth said. 

But he had an idea of what it would do. On putts like that, he said, he’ll try to find where “the fall line is on top and, you know, see a pitch mark or something where my ball needs to essentially roll around.” Thursday, Spieth rotated to the point where his back was facing the hole. 

He then hit. 

After 3 seconds, Spieth started to walk slowly behind it. This gave him a good peek at the break, should he need to hit another putt, though it also looked like he was walking his ball to his home, which would have been an all-time swagger move. “You can’t tell from where you hit it when you’re playing that much break,” Spieth said, “so a lot of times I just walk to the high side and see. But I was also starting to walk because I thought maybe it was a foot short, which it’s hard to judge that from that far.”

For 15 seconds, Spieth waited. 

At second 14, his ball inched toward the 4 o’clock spot on the hole. And then it disappeared. 

A one-putt. 

As of late Thursday afternoon, the video of it on the PGA Tour’s X account had drawn three-quarters of a million views, and you can watch it below. 

From there, Spieth played even-par golf for a one-under 71, putting him four back of the leaders. 

“It’s great just to get into red on this golf course before anything else,” Spieth said. “Because then you don’t feel like you’ve — you don’t feel, like on 7, I didn’t feel like I needed to try to hit it further on the third shot, I didn’t have to try to get back to the pin. It shouldn’t matter, but when we’re used to shooting under par when we play, it’s really nice when you actually get that one, and it actually kinds of helps you stay patient from there. 

“I hate when the golf course is beating me, so I always want to be ahead of it. And obviously out here that’s different than the last tournament I played, but it’s just kind of a mentality thing. So I felt like I just, I had a very good game plan and stuck to it today. But that being a bonus one makes you think, OK, if I was trying to shoot a couple under maybe that’s three-under now, because you weren’t necessarily expecting to get that one.” 

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Colombian pop star Shakira will perform her official song for the 2026 World Cup at the competition’s opening ceremony in Mexico.

Shakira will perform Dai Dai, along with Burna Boy, on Thursday, 11 June at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, before Mexico and South Africa play the first of the tournament’s 104 games (20:00 BST).

Dai Dai – an Italian phrase meaning “let’s go” or “come on”.

Colombian reggaeton star J Balvin and South African singer-songwriter Tyla will also perform at the show in Mexico.

Opening ceremonies will precede each of the first matches played in the host nations of USA, Canada and Mexico.

Canadian singer-songwriters Michael Buble and Alanis Morissette will headline the opening ceremony at BMO Field in Toronto before Canada take on Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday, 12 June (20:00 BST).

In the USA, pop star Katy Perry and rapper Future will perform before the USA take on Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Friday, 12 June (Saturday, 02:00 BST).

Shakira, along with Madonna and K-pop boyband BTS, will also co-headline the Super Bowl-style half-time show at this summer’s World Cup final on 19 July.

Guela Doué haunted his brother’s national team as he scored once and set up the winner to fire Ivory Coast to a shock 2-1 comeback victory over France in a World Cup warm-up match in Nantes on Thursday.

The 23-year-old Strasbourg defender, older brother of France and Paris St Germain forward Désiré Doué, cancelled out Rayan Cherki’s sublime opener shortly after halftime before delivering the cross that Amad Diallo converted for the winner, earning the Elephants a first-ever victory over Les Bleus.

France appeared comfortably in control after an encouraging first-half display and led through Cherki’s moment of brilliance, but Didier Deschamps‘s side unravelled after the break as Ivory Coast punished a series of defensive lapses.

Les Bleus, who were on a nine-match unbeaten streak, next face Northern Ireland in a final warm-up game in Lille on Monday.

Deschamps made 10 substitutions in the second half as France appeared bothered by the speed of Ivory Coast, who begin their World Cup campaign against Ecuador on June 15.

The positive point for France was Cherki’s display as the Manchester City player made his case for a place in the starting lineup for the team’s World Cup opening game against Senegal on June 16.

Captain Kylian Mbappé started and showed intent throughout the opening period, creating several dangerous situations against a disciplined Ivory Coast side before being replaced at halftime.

France threatened early when Michael Olise slipped Mbappé through in the seventh minute, but goalkeeper Yahia Fofana reacted well to parry the striker’s effort.

Cherki should have put France ahead in the 31st minute when Marcus Thuram picked him out in front of goal, but the 22-year-old hesitated and was denied by a last-ditch challenge.

He remained influential, however, and nearly turned provider nine minutes later when Aurélien Tchouameni’s header from his delivery was tipped over by Fofana.

Cherki finally got his reward on the stroke of halftime. He gathered a loose ball on the right side of the area, dragged it past a defender with a clever drag-back and fired a right-footed shot across the goalkeeper into the far corner.

France, however, were caught off guard early in the second half.

Doué was played through by Nicolas Pepe and slipped the ball past Mike Maignan to level in the 53rd minute.

His cross was then met by Diallo, who tapped in to boost Ivory Coast’s morale before they fly to the U.S.

(FRANCE 24 with Reuters)

Iran is heading to the World Cup while the country is at war with the primary host nation, a situation that is unique in the tournament’s history.

In exclusive interviews with The Associated Press during a team camp in Turkey, two members of Iran’s squad described how the conflict is affecting its World Cup preparations.

“Well, to be honest, it’s not easy,” said Saeid Ezatolahi, a 29-year-old midfielder who also played for Iran in the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

“That’s going to be my third World Cup. So for me and some of the other players, it might be easier to manage these kind of things,” he said in English on the sidelines of a training session on Wednesday. “But at the end … it is going to be difficult for us because at the same time, we are following the news in our country and the political things, of course, can affect the mind of the players and the people.” 
The Iran team has spent more than two weeks in Turkey, mostly practicing at the coastal resort Antalya, and some went to the capital Ankara to submit visa applications at the U.S. embassy. Media access to their World Cup preparations has been limited, and the players rarely speak to international journalists.

Iran will be based in Mexico during the World Cup 
The team is set to travel to Mexico this weekend after receiving visas from the Mexican embassy in Ankara. The team said Thursday that the process of obtaining entry permits had been finalized for all members of the squad. Problems with visa processing meant Iran’s World Cup training base was moved from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, on Mexico’s border with California.

Iran will play its first two games near Los Angeles, which has a large Iranian community, many of whom oppose the current government.

“So for sure, we are expecting to have a lot fans during our games at the stadium,” Ezatolahi said. “And this is going to be a lot pressure for us because the expectation is going be high. I just wish we can make them proud and show them that Iranians, they are prepared for every hard job in the world,” he said. 

Mohammad Ghorbani, 24, is going to his first World Cup for Iran.

“It’s true that we are facing special circumstances right now but we are football players and we have to play, practice, and prepare ourselves for the competitions we have ahead,” the Abu Dhabi-based player told the AP in Farsi.

“On the other hand, we know that our people have been going through a lot of difficulties throughout the war, and we are going there for them, to get the best results for their joy and the joy of the people of our country.” 
The U.S. and Israel launched its war against Iran on Feb. 28, killing its supreme leader and other top officials. Iran responded with strikes targeting Israel, U.S. forces and the Gulf Arab states. It also has maintained a chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf, imperiling global energy supplies.

Despite a nominal ceasefire being in place, Iran and the U.S. have yet to negotiate a permanent end to the war and attacks continue in the region.

Iran is in Group G with New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt 
Iran’s team is not required to enter the United States until June 14, one day before its first match against New Zealand at the Los Angeles Rams’ stadium in Inglewood.

Iran returns to Inglewood to face Belgium on June 21 and completes Group G in Seattle, against Egypt on June 26.

“I’m really proud to be part of my national team,” said Ezatolahi, whose career has taken him to play for clubs in Spain, Russia, England, Belgium, Denmark, Qatar and now Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

“We need to clear up our minds and be fresh because our target and our duty is to fight for our people, to represent our country and to show how good we are,” he said.

Ghorbani agreed, saying the team wants to bring joy to Iranians.

“The best message I can give right now is that the Iranian team is showing what it means to be a team,” he said. “We are showing that we are one team under one flag that can bring joy to our whole country, and to show the power of Iranian players and Iranian people to the world.

Queensland Country Bank Stadium will play host to Saturday’s
Round 14 NRL game between North Queensland Cowboys and
Dolphins. The game kicks off at 5:30 pm with Dolphins heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the North Queensland Cowboys vs.
Dolphins
game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Saturday June 6, 2026 at 5:30 pm

Where: Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

North Queensland Cowboys vs Dolphins Odds

North Queensland Cowboys vs Dolphins Preview

Two Queensland sides with finals ambitions collide in Townsville as the Cowboys attempt to rebound from a disappointing loss against one of the competition’s form teams. North Queensland had built momentum with consecutive victories before being brought back to earth by Canberra, while the Dolphins enter this clash riding a four-game winning streak and boasting one of the NRL’s most potent attacks. The visitors receive a major boost with the returns of Herbie Farnworth, Kodi Nikorima, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Selwyn Cobbo, adding further firepower to a backline already in outstanding touch. The Dolphins have also enjoyed recent success in this matchup, winning four of six meetings and posting scores of 58 and 43 points in their two victories over the Cowboys last season. With both sides possessing attacking weapons across the park, another high-scoring contest appears likely.

PAK vs AUS 3rd ODI Highlights© AFP

Poland head coach Jan Urban praised his players after their 2-2 draw with Nigeria’s Super Eagles in an international friendly at the Stadion PGE Narodowy in Warsaw.

The Super Eagles took the lead twice during the match, but Poland fought back on both occasions to earn a share of the spoils in an entertaining contest.

Nigeria opened the scoring in the 25th minute when Terem Moffi finished off a move created by Moses Simon. Poland levelled in first-half stoppage time through Kacper Potulski, who headed home from a cross by Nicola Zalewski.

Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle made seven changes at half-time, including giving Abdullahi Bewene his debut. Nigeria regained the lead in the 77th minute when substitute Paul Onuachu scored from the penalty spot.

However, Poland refused to surrender and grabbed a dramatic equaliser in the fifth minute of added time through Przemyslaw Wiśniewski to make it 2-2.

Despite not winning the match, Urban said he was happy with the way his team performed against a strong Nigerian side.

“The same thing happened as in our previous matches – we played well but the opponent scored. I was not worried because we were playing good football,” Urban said.

“It was a good game against a strong team. The goal we conceded could have been avoided. Until then, we had not allowed many dangerous chances.”

Urban admitted he was frustrated by how efficiently Nigeria took their opportunities but said the overall performance gave him confidence.

“The opponent did not create many chances but still scored from two or three opportunities. They punished us well. But these are friendly matches and we will learn from them,” he said.

The Poland coach also revealed that tactical changes helped his side improve after the break.

“We were thinking about the result, but we were also playing well and creating chances. We were close to scoring again.

“We had planned to switch to a four-man defence if needed. Later, when we wanted to push for the equaliser, we made the change and it helped us.”

Urban said his team would now focus on the UEFA Nations League and promised that there would be no room for experimentation.

“We will take the Nations League very seriously. I cannot imagine it any other way,” he added.

Nigeria will continue their European tour with another international friendly against Portugal on June 10.

Over six months have passed since Anthony Joshua knocked out Jake Paul, and there is a real possibility the American will not fight again professionally.

Ahead of his shot at Joshua, Paul consecutively defeated former world champions in Mike Tyson and Julio Cesar Chavez, a feat which reads better than it looks given both men were shadows of their former selves when the bouts took place.

However, against two-time heavyweight ruler, Joshua, Paul had no ace up his sleeve. There was no noticeable advantage in his favour and no real reason other than self-belief to expect anything other than a brutal defeat as he admirably stepped through the ropes in pursuit of a famous upset.

The fairytale did not come to fruition for ‘The Problem Child’. Instead, Paul was dealt a cruel serving of reality as Joshua closed the show in style and broke his jaw in two places in the sixth round, leaving the former YouTuber requiring surgery.

Since then, the 29-year-old superstar has underwent further surgery, and, in his latest update on the matter, admitted that there a real possible that the injury and potential complications may see him unable to fight again.

Speaking to Pro Boxing Fans, Joshua showed little remorse, believing that he did what was asked of him by fight fans.

“That is what was asked of me when I took the fight, [to end Jake Paul’s boxing career,] and I think that I delivered.”

Whilst his body may not be prepared for a ring return, Paul’s mind remains undeterred, having recently revealed that he has sent a major offer to Canelo Alvarez, hoping to secure a showdown with the Mexican superstar next year. Doctors must first approved, which has no foregone conclusion.

He will remain in the sport, however, with promotional company MVP performing well and carving out a unique platform for female fighters.

Is this the most open group at the 2026 World Cup? It’s certainly right up there. Co-hosts United States are the top seeds and the favourites to progress as Group D winners, but the other contenders will also fancy their chances.

Mauricio Pochettino is the man entrusted with leading the US at their second home tournament. In 1994, they progressed to the round of 16, losing to eventual champions Brazil. Thirty-two years on, the US are long shots to win the tournament but will be backed by a boisterous home crowd on the west coast.

As for the rest, it’s extremely open. Just 18 ranking spots separate Turkey (22), Australia (27) and Paraguay (40), with the South Americans’ impressive qualifying record (second-best defence) evidence that they will be no pushover. Australia have always gone well on the world stage, reaching the knockout stage last time out in Qatar, while Turkey have momentum after progressing through the European play-offs in March.

Group D fixtures

(all times BST)

13 June, 2am: USA vs Paraguay – SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles

14 June, 5am: Australia vs Turkey – BC Place, Vancouver

19 June, 8pm: USA vs Australia – Lumen Field, Seattle

20 June, 4am: Turkey vs Paraguay – Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara

26 June, 3am: Turkey vs USA – SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles

26 June, 3am: Paraguay vs Australia – Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara

United States

Expectations are naturally high for the co-hosts and their manager Pochettino, who has been building towards this tournament since replacing Gregg Berhalter two years ago.

Results in the last year have been patchy and the US missed out on glory at last summer’s Gold Cup after losing to Mexico in the final. Fascinatingly, the squad captained by ex-Fulham defender Tim Ream (now playing for Charlotte FC) have faced all three Group D opponents in the last year in friendlies, beating Australia and Paraguay but losing to Turkey.

Progression to the knockout stage is the minimum requirement, but the US will have their sights set on going deep. If that’s to happen, they’ll need their star players – such as Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Folarin Balogun – to make the difference when it really matters. As they say stateside, it’s show time.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Chris Brady (Chicago Fire), Matt Freese (New York City), Matt Turner (New England Revolution)

Defenders: Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew), Sergino Dest (PSV Eindhoven), Alex Freeman (Villarreal), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Miles Robinson (Cincinnati), Joe Scally (Borussia Monchengladbach), Auston Trusty (Celtic).

Midfielders: Tyler Adams (Bournemouth), Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders), Brenden Aaronson (Leeds), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), Gio Reyna (Borussia Monchengladbach), Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen), Tim Weah (Marseille), Alejandro Zendejas (Club America)

Forwards: Folarin Balogun (Monaco), Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven), Haji Wright (Coventry City)

Coach: Mauricio Pochettino

Star player – Christian Pulisic, AC Milan: Long heralded as the USA’s truly world-class player, the winger has often flattered to deceive in his topsy-turvy club career. A mixed bag at Chelsea, Pulisic’s hip issues have hampered him at AC Milan. However, his speed and cutting-edge in the final third still makes him Pochettino’s biggest asset.

Breakout talent – Folarin Balogun, Monaco: The ex-Arsenal frontman, who was born in New York but grew up in London, has impressed at Monaco this season, scoring 19 goals in all competitions. The 24-year-old’s record for his country is also respectable, with nine goals in 26 caps.

Fifa ranking: 16.

Odds to win the World Cup: 50/1.

Paraguay

Qualifying for their first World Cup since South Africa 2010 – when they narrowly lost to winners Spain in the quarter-finals – Paraguay head into the tournament with confidence, having finished with the joint-second best defensive record in South American qualifying and beating Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay in the capital of Asuncion.

However, their style of play is obvious: soak up the pressure, allow opponents to dominate the ball and then break quickly on the counter-attack. Sunderland’s Omar Alderete is a leader at the back, with ex-Newcastle winger Miguel Almiron and Brighton’s Diego Gomez their star players going forward.

They did lose to the US in a friendly last November, 2-1, but have beaten Mexico and Greece in the past year too.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Roberto Fernandez (Cerro Porteno), Orlando Gill (San Lorenzo), Gaston Olveira (Olimpia)

Defenders: Gustavo Gomez (Palmeiras), Junior Alonso (Atletico Mineiro), Fabian Balbuena (Gremio), Omar Alderete (Sunderland), Juan Caceres (Dynamo Moscow), Jose Canale (Lanus), Alexandro Maidana (Talleres), Gustavo Velazquez (Cerro Porteno)

Midfielders: Andres Cubas (Vancouver Whitecaps), Diego Gomez (Brighton & Hove Albion), Damian Bobadilla (Sao Paulo), Braian Ojeda (Orlando City), Matias Galarza (Atlanta United), Mauricio Magalhaes (Palmeiras)

Forwards: Miguel Almiron (Atlanta United), Ramon Sosa (Palmeiras), Antonio Sanabria (Cremonese), Julio Enciso (Strasbourg), Gabriel Avalos (Independiente), Alex Arce (Independiente Rivadavia), Isidro Pitta (Red Bull Bragantino), Gustavo Caballero (Portsmouth)

Coach: Gustavo Alfaro

Star player – Miguel Almiron, Atlanta United: A first World Cup for the popular ex-Newcastle man, now plying his trade at Atlanta United. Not only does the 32-year-old have 75 caps to his name – the second-most in the squad – but perhaps worryingly, he has the most international goals in the squad. However, that’s not even double figures, with nine.

Breakout talent – Julio Enciso, Strasbourg: Formerly of Brighton (with a six-month loan spell at Ipswich last year), the incisive, blonde-haired attacker is now at Strasbourg and scored 12 goals in all competitions. Capable of a spark at any moment, he could be a difference-maker in the final third.

Fifa ranking: 40.

Odds to win the World Cup: 150/1.

Australia

Compared to previous eras which had the likes of Harry Kewell, Tim Cahill and Mark Schwarzer in the squad – all proven Premier League players – this 2026 team is lacking in star names and expectations are minimal heading into North America 2026.

Coach Tony Popovic prefers a back five system, with the onus on set-pieces at the attacking end of the pitch with the likes of Leicester’s Harry Souttar and Feyenoord’s Jordan Bos. At the other end, ex-Brighton keeper Mat Ryan is an experienced No 1 in between the sticks.

They lost narrowly to champions Argentina in the round of 16 in Qatar, sliced open by some Lionel Messi magic. Progression to the knockout round would be a commendable achievement this time around.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Mat Ryan (Levante), Paul Izzo (Randers), Patrick Beach (Melbourne City)

Defenders: Aziz Behich (Melbourne City), Jordan Bos (Feynoord), Cameron Burgess (Swansea), Alessandro Circati (Parma), Milos Degenek (APOEL), Jason Geria (Albirex Niigata), Lucas Herrington (Colorado Rapids), Jacob Italiano (Grazer), Harry Souttar (Leicester), Kai Trewin (New York City)

Midfielders: Cammy Devlin (Hearts), Ajdin Hrustic (Heracles Almelo), Jackson Irvine (St Pauli), Connor Metcalfe (St Pauli), Paul Okon-Englster (Sydney), AidenO’Neill (New York City)

Forwards: Nestory Irankunda (Watford), Mathew Leckie (Melbourne City), Awer Mabil (Castellon), Mohamed Toure (Norwich), Nishan Velupilly (Melbourne City), Cristian Volpato (Sassuolo), Tete Yengi (Machida Zelvia)

Coach: Tony Popovic

Star player – Jackson Irvine, St Pauli: The 33-year-old is captain of both his country and his club, German outfit St Pauli. Known in the UK for his time at Hull City and in Scottish football (Celtic, Kilmarnock, Ross County and Hibernian), the pony-tailed midfielder has endured an injury-plagued season but will be appearing at his third World Cup this summer.

Breakout talent – Tete Yengi, Machida Zelvia: Five years ago, aged 20, Yengi wasn’t even a professional footballer. However, having moved to the UK with Ipswich Town and impressing at Livingston in Scotland, he moved to Japan to play for Machida Zelvia, scoring six goals across 22 games. He has not yet been capped by his country.

Fifa ranking: 27.

Odds to win the World Cup: 500/1.

Turkey

A first World Cup appearance in 24 years for Turkey, who stunned the world last time out when they reached the semi-finals in 2002, only narrowly losing to champions Brazil in the semi-finals.

A pair of 1-0 victories in March’s play-offs, against Romania and Kosovo, secured their passage to this year’s showpiece and they will be champing at the bit in what is a winnable group.

They will have the group’s star player in Real Madrid’s Arda Guler leading their attack while, defensively, some familiar faces to Premier League fans are Man Utd back-up keeper Altay Bayindir in goal and Brighton’s Ferdi Kadioglu in defence.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Altay Bayindir (Manchester United), Mert Gunok (Fenerbahce), Ugurcan Cakir (Galatasaray)

Defenders: Abdulkerim Bardakci (Galatasaray), Caglar Soyuncu (Fenerbahce), Eren Elmali (Galatasaray), Ferdi Kadioglu (Brighton), Merih Demiral (Al-Ahli Saudi), Mert Muldur (Fenerbahce), Ozan Kabak (Hoffenheim), Samet Akaydin (Caykur Rizespor), Zeki Celik (Roma)

Midfielders: Hakan Calhanoglu (Inter Milan), Ismail Yuksek (Fenerbahce), Kaan Ayhan (Galatasaray), Orkun Kokcu (Besiktas), Salih Ozcan (Borussia Dortmund)

Forwards: Arda Guler (Real Madrid), Baris Alper Yilmaz (Galatasaray), Can Uzun (Eintracht Frankfurt), Deniz Gul (Porto), Irfan Can Kahveci (Kasimpasa), Kenan Yildiz (Juventus), Kerem Akturkoglu (Fenerbahce), Oguz Aydin (Fenerbahce), Yunus Akgun (Galatasaray)

Coach: Vincenzo Montella

Star player – Arda Guler, Real Madrid: After a breakthrough campaign with Real Madrid, the left-footed playmaker won the Champions League’s Young Player of the Season award and was a regular for Los Blancos, playing 51 games across all competitions. Still just 21, his prowess from long-distance and free-kicks could be a killer weapon for his country this summer.

Breakout talent – Kenan Yildiz, Juventus: Versatile and capable of playing in several different forward positions, the Juventus player scored 10 Serie A goals this season and should link up well with Guler. Also strong from long distance.

Fifa ranking: 22.

Odds to win the World Cup: 80/1.

Group D prediction

A tough one to call. Instinct says USA and Turkey will be the top two, and I’ll plump for the European side to top the group, given their momentum and attacking quality. In at third will be Paraguay, given their strong defensive record, though it admittedly feels like an oversight to overlook the Socceroos.