The list of world-class talent who have chosen to play in the Saudi Pro League has risen over the years. But could the presence of these multiple Champions League and Ballon d'Or winners be finally benefitting the nation that has been selected to host the 2034 World Cup? Over the years the Saudi Arabia national team has struggled on the world stage. At the 2002 World Cup they suffered a humiliating 8-0 defeat against Germany in their first group game in Japan. They exited the tournament without a point - or a goal. However, the performance of the national team has steadily improved since the Saudi Pro League started throwing money at attracting big names. In Russia in 2018, Saudi Arabia beat an Egypt team that included Mohamed Salah 2-1 thanks to Salem al Dawsari's late winner. And, four years later in Qatar, they sent shockwaves around the world by defeating Argentina in their opening game, with Al Dawsari again the scorer of the iconic winning goal On Monday, they launched their seventh appearance at the World Cup with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Uruguay in Miami. Are the days of 8-0 thumpings on the world stage a thing of the past? "We have to teach the young players here what it takes so they can move to other clubs," said Benzema after joining Saudi Arabian champions Al-Ittihad in 2023. "It's a good league and there are many good players."

The Pharaohs took the lead in the 21st minute through Al Ahly midfielder Emam Ashour, who thundered a 20-yard strike into the bottom corner past Thibaut Courtois. But Thomas Meunier's low cross was turned into his own net by Egypt defender Mohamed Hany in the 66th minute, under pressure from substitute Romelu Lukaku. Egypt were backed by a passionate support base on the USA's west coast as they hunted their first World Cup win in eight games, having made their tournament debut back in 1934. Instead the seven-time African champions spent the final moments holding on and managed to avoid defeat at a World Cup for only the third time. Despite being record Africa Cup of Nations winners, Egypt have a poor record across their previous three World Cup appearances, and have now failed to win any of their eight games since their debut 92 years ago. After going ahead, they nearly doubled their lead before the break when Mostafa Zico's drilled strike across goal was tipped behind by Belgium keeper Courtois. Playing on his 34th birthday, Egypt captain Mohamed Salah also had a second-half header well-saved by Courtois and goalscorer Ashour failed to hit the target on the rebound. Belgium manager Rudi Garcia introduced the Red Devils' all-time leading goalscorer Lukaku in the 66th minute - and seconds later his presence spooked Hany into his error. Hamstring injuries had limited Lukaku to just 40 minutes in Serie A for Napoli across the 2025-26 season. A few minutes before the equaliser, his club team-mate Kevin de Bruyne had struck the outside of the post from a free-kick as Belgium started to take control.

On the tickets and in the listings, this match was billed as Iran v New Zealand. But in the stands and chanting outside the stadium, it was not the Kiwis who were Iran's most vocal opponents - it was their own dissidents. Time and again, Iranian team officials have said they want football to unite people. The mood here for the World Cup group stage game was anything but united. Outside the Los Angeles Stadium, the atmosphere was politically charged. Hundreds of Iranian flags were flying. The most visible were the pre-revolutionary flags bearing the Lion and Sun emblem. For many Iranian-Americans, the flag has become a symbol of opposition to the regime in Tehran. Fifa has banned it inside stadiums as a political symbol. But it was flying inside nonetheless and emblazoned on t-shirts. A few hundred protesters gathered outside, angry at Fifa's decision and at what they see as a national team that represents the Islamic Republic rather than the Iranian people. "Mullahs' team is not my team," one group chanted. "Regime change in Iran," sang another. Then they broke into song - Iran's pre-revolutionary national anthem. A young man, when asked to translate, smiles. "It means freedom and pride," he says. The soundscape changed dramatically inside the stadium.

It was a stunning finish as the substitute opened his left foot to divert the ball into the corner after a powerful run from Wilfried Singo - and it ended a 19-game unbeaten run stretching for almost two years for Ecuador. Amad was a surprise exclusion from Ivory Coast's starting line-up on their return to the World Cup for the first time in 12 years. But he made a major impact with the winner which gives them a huge chance to qualify out of Group E - which also includes Germany and Curacao - and reach the knockout stages for the first time in their history. Ecuador hit the woodwork three times but could not find a breakthrough as John Yeboah and Alan Minda struck the bar in the first half. Veteran striker Enner Valencia then hit the post from a tight angle in the second half for the South American side. It was an even game, though Ecuador did not have a shot on target until the 68th minute when Gonzalo Plata forced Ivorian keeper Yahia Fofana into a save. Ivory Coast also hit the woodwork when Nice forward Elye Wahi shot against the bar early in the second half. It looked like Ecuador, who had previously kept 12 clean sheets in 19 games under manager Sebastian Beccacece, had done enough to stifle Ivory Coast's attack including star man Yan Diomande until Amad found the winner.

Tears streamed down the 40-year-old's face as the magnitude of what he had just achieved was starting to sink in, after his side's 0-0 draw with World Cup favourites Spain. The stands erupted and thousands of Cape Verde supporters, who had carried their team with relentless noise for 90 minutes, celebrated together - hugging, dancing, and relishing the result. On the pitch, players raced towards each other in complete joy. Even the neutrals had been swept up in the occasion - by full-time, many were celebrating too. Against European champions Spain, veteran goalkeeper Vozinha had delivered the performance of his life to earn a heroic clean sheet and the most memorable result in his country's history. "I cried because I grew up with my grandparents," said Vozinha after being awarded player of the match. "Unfortunately they were not here. They died a few years before. They were everything for me, everything for my life. "And also because of my mum. She didn't manage to be here because of the visa. Because of the money you have to pay for the visa, we didn't manage on time. I would like her to be here." He added: "Our best weapon is our unity. Regardless of the player who arrives today, or the player who is 10 or 15 years old, the way we treat our family is our greatest strength. "Everyone thought that we came here just to enjoy the World Cup, but no, we know that we have teams that we will always respect, because this is our first time, but we are here to compete, and we are here to fight for our country."