Opinion

Senegal burst onto the scene at the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan when they defeated defending champions France in the opening game of the tournament.  The Lions of Teranga went on to reach the quarter-final of the event before being eliminated by Turkey.

With the news that Mauricio Pochettino has put pen to paper on a new five year deal at Tottenham, there is cause for optimism in North London this Summer. The former Southampton boss offered something of an ultimatum after the final game of the Premier League season, one that looks like it has been answered.

The question as to who will take over from Arsene Wenger as Arsenal Manager has finally been answered. Former Sevilla and PSG boss Unai Emery is the man who has been tasked with filling a very big pair of shoes in North London.

Croatia burst onto the scene at the 1998 World Cup in France, having previously been part of the former Yugoslavia.  With world class players including Robert Prosinecki, Davor Suker and Zvonimir Boban, Croatia reached the semi-final of the tournament and eventually finished in third place.

In qualifying for the 2014 World Cup, Iceland finished second in their group, above Norway and Slovenia but well adrift of leaders Switzerland.  They reached the playoffs but were defeated by Croatia.

England go into the World Cup 2018 tournament following an unbeaten qualifying campaign. The Three Lions have been in this position before, however. Whether the side can perform at the World Cup like they did in qualifying is the big question.

Mexico have the unenviable task of playing Germany, Sweden and South Korea at the World Cup 2018. Group F has been labelled as the strongest at the tournament and it will take all of Juan Carlos Osorio's expertise to lead El Tri through to the knockout phase.

Having qualified for the 2018 World Cup, the president of Panama declared a public holiday to allow the people of the country to celebrate.  This will be the first time Panama have played at the World Cup finals and they are going to make the most of being at the world’s biggest sporting event.

Saudi Arabia's quest to win the World Cup 2018 kicks off on June 14 in Moscow. The Saudis will take on hosts Russia in the first match of the event.

You must go back to South Africa and the 2010 World Cup to find the last time Denmark played in the tournament.  Many neutral fans will not remember them at the event as the Danes bowed out at the group stages.

Germany head to the World Cup 2018 in Russia as one of the favourites to lift the Jules Rimet Trophy. The Germans won the 2014 edition of the tournament as the team outlasted Argentina in the final, 1-0.

The first of two European club finals takes place this week as Atletico Madrid take on Marseille for the right to be called Europa League winners for 2018. Diego Simeone’s men beat Arsenal over two legs while their opponents from Southern France were tested by Red Bull Salzburg in the Semi-finals.

On Sunday afternoon, Manchester City recorded a 1-0 win at Southampton to become the first team in the Premier League era to break the 100-point barrier.

Brazil go into the World Cup 2018 as the sportsbooks' favourite to win the competition.

The Major League Soccer season is 10 weeks old, and despite several clubs having rocky starts to the year, there is still a long way to go before the MLS Cup champion is crowned.

The Premier League is in the homestretch and just as clubs fight it out for European qualification, a select few players are battling for the Golden Boot Award. The last two seasons have seen Tottenham striker Harry Kane romped to the trophy.

When Arsene Wenger joined Arsenal in October 1996, no one could have anticipated the positive impact he would have, not only on Arsenal Football Club but the whole of English football.

When Arsene Wenger joined Arsenal in October 1996, no one could have anticipated the positive impact he would have, not only on Arsenal Football Club but the whole of English football.

It is fair to say that Chelsea’s defence of the Premier League title is almost non-existent this season as the most coveted prize in English football is set to go from Stamford Bridge to the Etihad.

Six weeks of the Major League Soccer regular season are in the books. Two MLS clubs have shown their early strength in the league as both Sporting KC and New York City top their respective conferences.