00:00The build-up has been anything but beautiful.
00:02Politics, controversy and security fears have dominated the headlines before a ball has
00:07even been kicked.
00:08One referee was sent home before the tournament began.
00:11A reminder that this World Cup arrives carrying plenty of baggage.
00:19Yet here we are, the biggest World Cup in history.
00:2348 teams, 104 matches, 6 weeks that could redefine the game.
00:29And now, finally, the football takes centre stage.
00:33Could this be the final World Cup chapter for Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo?
00:38Two icons whose rivalry has defined an era?
00:41Can Argentina defend the trophy?
00:43Will France unleash the most frightening attack in world football?
00:47And can Spain's teenage sensation Lamin Yamal become the face of a new generation?
00:52Then they are the outsiders.
00:54Japan, Morocco, Senegal or perhaps a nation nobody sees coming.
00:59Every World Cup produces heroes.
01:01Every World Cup delivers moments that live forever.
01:04For some legends, this may be the final act.
01:07For others, it could be the beginning of something extraordinary.
01:11There are questions about the pitches, the heat and the travel.
01:15But on paper, the footballing talent is breathtaking.
01:19If this tournament is to be remembered for football rather than chaos, the players will have to give us something
01:24special.
01:25The good news, they look more than capable of doing exactly that.
01:30The tournament kicks off at 3am tomorrow, Friday, Malaysia time.
01:33When host Mexico face South Africa.
01:36Then at 10am, South Korea take on Czechia.
01:39Get the latest World Cup news through our exclusive tab available on freemalaysiatoday.com.
01:45Bob Holmes and Amardeep Gill, FMT.
01:48Game on.
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