와텐스 개요

The World Cup has a remarkable ability to completely alter the course of careers. There is no grander stage in the game, meaning impressive performances garner the kind of acclaim and attention that is simply not possible in any other arena. Consequently, the transfer market tends to go wild in and around World Cups, as clubs scramble to snap up previously hidden gems or suddenly established stars.

Danny Murphy left television viewers taken aback during a recent World Cup broadcast on the BBC after sharing a bizarre story about his lost cat, Bob. The unexpected anecdote unfolded during the second half of the round of 32 clash between the Ivory Coast and Norway, sparking a flurry of mixed reactions across social media and drawing comparisons to comedic character Alan Partridge.

Four nations made debuts at the 2026 World Cup, with Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan gracing the grandest stage in international football for the first time. It is the tournament with the most newcomers since 2006 and Cape Verde have achieved the feat of ending a 16-year wait for a debutant to reach the knockout stages, with the African nation to face Lionel Messi's Argentina on Friday.

Comprehensive match preview of Ivory Coast vs Norway at World Cup 2026. We talk tactics, team news and more ahead of this round of 32 clash in Texas.