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While Kylian Mbappe grabbed the headlines by scoring a double to become France's all-time top scorer, it was Michael Olise who topped your player ratings in their World Cup opener against Senegal.Olise was moved from the right wing to a more central position in the second half and unlocked the Senegal assist by providing the assist for Mbappe's opener in a 3-1 win for Didier Deschamps' side."By re-adjusting Olise's position to a more central one and closer to Mbappe, we can see the good understanding that they can have," former France forward Olivier Giroud told BBC One."The freedom Olise can have in that position playing higher up the pitch, [and Ousmane] Dembele can do the job on the side one v one, so [that means] Deschamps has a lot of options."Olise scored 8.01 out of 10, with Mbappe third in the rankings on 7.27, behind Bradley Barcola (7.99).After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.

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ShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleGautam BhattacharyyaSports WriterWill India ever play at the Fifa World Cup?The familiar lament that Indian football fans have learnt to live with is back after the "greatest show on earth" kicked off last week.For those tracking the fortunes of the Blue Tigers - as the Indian men's national football team is called - over the years, the question is one of the biggest clichés as the country has never progressed beyond the preliminary rounds of Asian zone qualifiers.The irony, however, lies in the manner in which the World Cup is celebrated in a number of football-crazy Indian states such as West Bengal, Kerala and Goa - or in the growing number of accredited Indian journalists covering the event on the ground despite the country having no stakes in the competition."We have faced frequent questions in the press box as to whether India plays football. Most of them know us as a cricket-playing nation," joked a senior Indian football writer who has covered four World Cups.It's not just India - neighbour China, the world's second-most populous country, has also not qualified for the World Cup again. Fifa, however, is well aware of the importance of these markets, prompting it to dispatch a high-powered media rights team to India to secure a last-minute broadcasting deal for live coverage of the matches.So will a place in the World Cup continue to be a bridge too far for India?Baichung Bhutia, former national team captain and arguably one of the biggest names in Indian football, thinks it's not impossible - though there are no shortcuts."Yes, India can definitely play [in the World Cup] as nothing is impossible. The quota of Asian teams have gone up to eight [along with a ninth team in Iraq which came through from confederation play-offs this time] in the bigger 48-team format, where teams like Uzbekistan and Jordan are playing. However, it will require a lot of hard work," he said.Bhutia added that there was no dearth of talent in a big country like India."What is lacking is the right ecosystem as we don't have a serious grassroots programme with a long-term vision. It's the most popular team sport in the world and we will need time for the results to show,'' said Bhutia.Shyam Thapa, 78, who helped India win bronze at the 1970 Asian Games - the country's last major continental success - also emphasised the need for a sustained grassroots programme, saying the key was to bring more children into the game.The trace of irritation in his voice was unmistakable. Thapa, a canny striker famed for his bicycle-kick goals, lamented that middle-class and upper-middle-class parents were increasingly steering their children away from football and towards cricket.''I have run a youth academy myself for years and can vouch for the fact that the more young children take to the game, the more the chances of finding brighter talents. However, what has the All India Football Federation (AIFF) done to set such a system in motion?''He added that many Indian parents were taking their children to cricket coaching camps, hoping they would get a "lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL cricket tournament) contract"."They need to understand that there can be good money if they can make a career in football too,'' he said.A closer look at the nine teams from the Asian continent which made the cut for the World Cup this year shows the enormity of the task that lies ahead of India.They are Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Iraq (via inter-confederation play-offs) - with Jordan and Uzbekistan making their long-awaited debut.Both debutants are, incidentally, ranked well above India in the current Fifa standings.Uzbekistan are 52nd in the world and Jordan 63rd, while India have slipped to 136th after a sharp decline over the past 18 months.The rankings underscore the scale of the challenge facing Indian football. As Kalyan Chaubey, the first former footballer to become AIFF president, said after taking office in 2022: "I will not sell dreams like India will play in the World Cup in eight years. Instead, I will say we will take Indian football forward from its current condition."Nearly four years on, the question is whether his administration has succeeded in that.Far from fast-tracking Indian football, many believe the past three years have turned the AIFF into an object of ridicule.In 2014, the federation had launched a domestic club-based tournament, the Indian Super League (ISL), with much fanfare, pulling in big names from business, Bollywood and cricket. It was professionally run and attracted good foreign players. But now its future is uncertain.The latest season of ISL was severely delayed after the AIFF failed to attract any bidders for commercial partnership, leaving hundreds of footballers facing anxious futures and generating a torrent of negative publicity.Finally, the federation was forced to run a curtailed version without any commercial partners and has now gone back to the drawing board for the next season.Against this backdrop, Chaubey's Vision 2047 - an ambitious roadmap that promised to bring 35 million children into football - increasingly resembles a forgotten campaign pledge. And the disconnect between lofty targets and on-field results has only grown starker.A brief resurgence in 2023 saw the senior men's team climb back into Fifa's top 100 after winning an invitational tournament and the SAFF (South Asian Football Federation) Championship. Since then, however, the gains have largely unravelled.After raising hopes of reaching the third round of the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup for the first time, the team fell short and then failed dismally to qualify for next year's AFC Asian Cup.In the near term, a ticket to the Asian Cup - which has 24 top teams from the continent in the fray - is the immediate priority.In an informal chat with media a few years back, former captain Sunil Chettri, who came back from retirement in 2025, said that one has to set realistic goals.''We need to take one step at a time and right now, our goal should be to qualify for all Asian Cups as it will help us play against stronger opposition. Once we can establish ourselves among the top 15-20 Asian countries, then only can we think of raising the bar for the World Cup,'' he said.For the moment, the outlook remains bleak, though the AIFF leadership has been pushing hard for a policy change that would allow overseas citizens of India - also known as an OCI cardholders - to play for India.At present, players of Indian origin holding foreign passports must renounce that to represent the country. Australia-born Ryan Williams did exactly that and quickly demonstrated his value with an impressive start in Indian colours.If such a policy change is implemented, it could make a significant difference.At this World Cup alone, four players of Indian origin are representing other countries: Tahsin Mohammed for Qatar, Nishan Velupillay for Australia, Sarpreet Singh for New Zealand and Samuel Moutoussamy for Congo.For now, however, all that is still in the realm of possibility.Until then, Indian fans will once again watch from afar, cheering the Messis, Ronaldos and Neymars of the world, while marvelling at the achievement of nations such as Curaçao, the smallest country ever to reach the World Cup.The inevitable question will linger: if Curaçao can do it, why can't India?

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Midfielder did not declare rape charges against himTeam face Panama in World Cup in Toronto on WednesdayA judge in Canada has rejected Thomas Partey’s appeal to enter the country after the Ghana midfielder was denied entry for the World Cup.On Tuesday, Justice Roger Lafrenière, who heard the emergency application in Ottawa, rejected Partey’s request to override temporarily a decision by immigration officials. The Black Stars are due to in Toronto for the team’s opening match against Panama on Wednesday.In his judgement, Lafrenière sided with Canada’s immigration rules and said Partey failed to show grounds for emergency relief.At issue are the seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault Parey faces in the United Kingdom. He has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial in London next year.In its rejection of his application, Canada has said immigration decisions are made on a case-by-case basis and that hosting the World Cup does not change the country’s immigration laws. Lafrenière said granting Partey relief would have “lawfully rendered inadmissibility finding and ⁠facilitate his entry for a specific event”.Notably, documents filed in court showed Partey had claimed he had not been charged with any criminal charges in any country when applying to enter Canada before the tournament. Partey was previously asked by Canadian immigration officials to clarify the charges he was facing in the UK.In an affidavit filed with the court, Partey pledged to remain under the supervision of team officials if permitted to enter Canada. He also promised to would leave the country in accordance with the tournament schedule.“I have not been convicted of any offence. I have pleaded not guilty, and I remain presumed innocent,” Partey said.The midfielder also said being unable to travel to Canada would “materially affect” Ghana’s ability to play in the tournament. “This is the first time that my country has qualified at the World Cup,” he also said in the affidavit. Ghana qualified for the previous tournament in Qatar, where Partey played in three games.Before the ruling, Ghana’s head coach, Carlos Queiroz, said he was prepared to “play with the cards that are in front of me”. He told reporters: “We are waiting for a decision. When the decision come, we are ready. We are ready to make the final approach to the game.”Partey was permitted to enter the United States for Ghana’s training camp and upcoming World Cup matches. He will be able to play in the two matches against England and Croatia, in Boston and Philadelphia.

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A Canadian court on Tuesday dismissed an appeal ‌by Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey after he was denied entry into the ​country for his team's game against Panama at the World Cup.The Canadian government last week refused a visa ​for Partey, 33, which led to his lawyers ‌launching a last-minute appeal to the Federal Court in Ottawa. The Black Stars face ​Panama in their Group L match in Toronto on Wednesday.In dismissing the appeal, judge Roger Lafreniere wrote that Partey sought "extraordinary, mandatory interlocutory ​relief" that would have required Canada to set ⁠aside a "lawfully rendered inadmissibility finding and ⁠facilitate his entry for a specific event."Ahead of the verdict, Partey's lawyer Mackeda Bramwell told Reuters ‌they were hopeful of a positive outcome. Bramwell said Partey would not appeal if the judge ruled against him.She did not immediately respond ‌to a Reuters request for comment following the judge's decision.Former Arsenal midfielder Partey faces allegations of rape and sexual assault in Britain. He has denied the charges.The US government has granted Partey a visa, but ⁠Canada's immigration officials said that under Canadian law, ​foreign nationals can be found inadmissible without a ​foreign conviction."When there are reasonable grounds to believe an act ​that would trigger inadmissibility has been committed by an applicant, ⁠they can be deemed inadmissible to Canada," a spokesperson for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada said.

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Kylian Mbappe became the highest scorer in France's history as his sensational double powered Les Bleus to a 3-1 win over Senegal in their Group I World Cup opener in New Jersey.After equalling Olivier Giroud's record of 57 goals with a first-time finish from Michael Olise's defence-splitting pass in the second half, the Real Madrid forward became the outright leading scorer on 58 with a sensational long-range finish in stoppage time.He now moves to 14 goals at World Cups, putting him level with Germany legend Gerd Muller in the all-time scoring charts and behind only Ronaldo, who hit 15 for Brazil, and Miroslav Klose, who holds the record with his total of 16 for Germany.Mbappe's stunning second goal came only two minutes after Senegal substitute Ibrahim Mbaye, a young player billed as the next Mbappe, had pulled one back following a delicate, chipped finish by Bradley Barcola for France's second of the game.But Mbappe had the final say in spectacular fashion having earlier been controversially denied a penalty following a challenge by Sadio Mane when referee Alireza Faghani stuck with his on-field decision despite having been sent to the monitor by the VAR.France's explosive second-half performance came after a dire first-half showing during which they only mustered one shot despite head coach Didier Deschamps naming a front four of Mbappe, Olise, Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue.Senegal looked the more dangerous side in that period but came to regret their missed chances, with Ismaila Sarr the main culprit having fired over from six yards out in first-half stoppage time. France, and Mbappe in particular, made them pay.

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The top stories and transfer rumours from Wednesday's newspapers...Marcus Rashford has a secret £40m release clause in his Manchester United contract after Barcelona's £26m option on the forward expired - The AthleticArsenal maintain interest in Alex Scott after Tottenham entered the race to sign Sandro Tonali - Daily MailManchester City are the third team in the fight to sign Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali along with Spurs and Arsenal - The TelegraphJose Mourinho and Real Madrid are confident of pulling off a shock £80m swoop for Manchester City's Ruben Dias - Daily MirrorManchester United have slapped a £30m price tag on Manuel Ugarte as Ruben Amorim considers reuniting with the midfielder at AC Milan - Daily MirrorReports from Uruguay are tipping Darwin Nunez with a sensational return to Liverpool - The SunLeeds are weighing up a move for Southampton youngster Shea Charles - Daily MailHeung-Min Son has received a public apology after a massive row saw the South Korean players boycott the country's World Cup media over the use of a slur in a media video discussing the winger's military national service - The SunJohn Terry has accused England of putting Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers on a PR mission to praise Jordan Henderson after his inclusion in Thomas Tuchel's World Cup squad - Daily Mail

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Thomas Partey will miss Ghana's World Cup opener against Panama after wrongly telling officials in Canada he had never been arrested or charged with a crime.Partey, 33, was denied entry to Canada before Wednesday's match in Toronto because of ongoing criminal proceedings in the UK.The Ghanaian government sought permission for him to enter the country briefly to take part in the game but that appeal was rejected at a federal court in Ottawa.The appeal ruling said there was "no serious issue in the underlying refusal" of the visa and "the applicant failed to disclose that he is the subject of multiple criminal charges for sexual violence in the UK".Former Arsenal player Partey pleaded not guilty to seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault relating to allegations by four different women between 2020 and 2022 and is due to stand trial next year.Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada told the BBC: ''Canada has been consistent that hosting major events does not change Canada's immigration laws."Every person seeking to come to Canada is assessed individually, based on the facts available and the law that applies.''Ghana boss Queiroz no qualms over Partey selectionBefore the tournament, head coach Carlos Queiroz said he had no qualms over selecting Partey.Asked about the issue again on Tuesday, he said: "My business is to play with the cards that I have in front of me."We are waiting for a decision. When the decision [arrives], we are ready."Ghana play England in Boston on 23 June and Croatia in Philadelphia on 27 June.They could return to Canada in the last 32 if they finish as runners-up in Group L.Play BBC Sport's new World Cup predictor gameEverything you need to know about the World Cup

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BBC Scotland's chief sports writer in CharlottePublished16 June 2026, 22:33 BSTUpdated 19 minutes agoLyndon Dykes has his own place in the folklore of Steve Clarke's team, a shaven-headed cult hero, a striker who doesn't score very often but when he does, Scotland always win.Dykes has scored in nine different international games - twice in one - and has won the lot. He scored the winner in four of them.All of that goes back awhile, of course. He has only scored one international goal in three years and only scores intermittently in club football; six in 43 last season, six in 34 the season before, seven in 43 the season before that.Clarke values him regardless. Goals or no goals, his impact is measured in other ways; physicality, personality, energy. Dykes works himself to a standstill. That's a given, every single time.He has fetched up at the World Cup with a skinhead look. His team-mates like it that way."They prefer the bald Dykes, a bit more aggressive, maybe," he says, before wondering aloud if he could get the whole team to go skinhead. The one player who would put up the most resistance? "McTominay," he replied, with a smile.Stag-do drag to World Cup - the rise of Scotland's other national anthemHe's a character, a good storyteller, a man who was never more down than when missing the last Euros through injury and never more up than running into the fray at the Boston Stadium in Foxborough the other night.He didn't play two years ago in Germany but he was still hanging around the squad at times, observing what was going on. More relaxed this time, he feels. More down days. More fun. Less intensity, until it's time for intensity."We seem a lot more calm," he says. "And we've got a few youngsters coming in that haven't been in the squad for long."The whole squad has just gelled a little bit more coming into this tournament, knowing what it's going to be. It's going to be tough. It's going to be relentless. But the experience from previous tournaments has definitely helped."On his Germany upset: "It was ups and downs. Some days I was really happy to be with the team and other days it was a struggle being on the outskirts. Everything's not easy in life and some things just aren't meant to happen."And now this in the States: "It's a dream come true. You take everything in. You want to enjoy it and have special memories. I'll be forever grateful. All my family back in Dumfries is proud. I would have never thought I would be in a situation like this."Morocco, next. Big test. Scotland are the underdogs now. Is Dykes ready for a massive step-up? "I'm always ready. I always give my best and wear my heart on my sleeve. I'm ready for whatever my role is."The charisma is hard to miss, the eloquence, the attitude, the self-belief."The way I've come through football, I've earned what I've got," he says. "Scottish people, in general, we're fighters. We want to go out and prove everyone wrong. We're not going to just roll over and just take it. It gives you a burning feeling in your belly."We can definitely get another two wins in this tournament. It's going to be difficult but I believe in myself, I believe in my team and I believe in the manager and all the fans that have travelled over as well to help us win games."Morocco, he says, have world-class players and are a serious team. Scotland can't just sit-in and soak up their pressure. "It's not how we want to be. We want to be dangerous."Dykes will most likely start on the bench against Morocco, but at least he's here.Oli McBurnie and Kieron Bowie were both much-talked about in the preamble to the squad announcement, but Clarke picked Dykes ahead of them. He knows him and trusts him and the feeling is mutual.You get the feeling that the player would do anything for the manager."Ever since I've come to Scotland, people have seen what I've given," Dykes says. "I'm in double figures for goals. I've been involved in making tournaments and I'm super grateful to him [Clarke]."When I first spoke to him, he said it's not a given that you're always going to get called up, you have to make sure you prove yourself."I think I always do that, even if some people say I'm not scoring enough goals. I do a lot more in other aspects to help the team."He will be called upon again on Friday in Boston, a bit-part, perhaps, but a part he will relish. Morocco won't miss him; bald and belligerent and up for the battle.Everything you need to know about the World Cup

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59 CommentsIt was a decision that stunned the world's best referees.France forward Kylian Mbappe was on the attack against Senegal when he went down inside the box after a 58th-minute challenge by Sadio Mane.With the game goalless at the New York New Jersey Stadium, referee Alireza Faghani was sent to the pitchside monitor to look at the challenge again.He returned to the pitch and appeared to point to the penalty spot, much to the delight of the thousands of France fans inside the ground.However, their joy was short lived as Faghani had actually signalled for a goal-kick, before he then explained that Mbappe had initiated the contact.Speaking to BBC One, Darren Cann - the 2010 World Cup final assistant referee - said: "My phone has blown up with messages from several of the world's best referees who also can't understand why a penalty wasn't given."Former Scotland winger Pat Nevin, at the game for BBC Radio 5 Live, labelled it a "rubbish decision"."No chance at all. How can he [Mbappe] have initiated the contact? The most nonsensical line I have ever heard."Former England captain Alan Shearer, at the game for BBC One, said it was a "bizarre" decision not to award a penalty."I don't get it," added Shearer."You can see the lunge from Mane and his left leg catches Mbappe."How can Mbappe initiate contact if he is in front of him? It's bizarre it really is."In the end the decision did not hurt France, who ran out 3-1 winners with Mbappe scoring two for the two-time world champions.In doing so Mbappe replaced Olivier Giroud as France' all-time leading scorer with 58 goals in what was his 99th appearance for his country.The Real Madrid forward also became France's all-time top scorer at World Cups with 14 goals in 15 tournament matches.Cann added: "I can't support the referee's decision to be honest."For me it is very, very clear and I am extremely surprised he did not point to the spot after a correct VAR review."Project Mbappe - the road to becoming France's record scorerEverything you need to know about the World Cup