France begin their World Cup campaign against Honduras on Sunday in Porto Alegre looking to wipe away the memories of four years ago when an unruly squad returned home shamed after picking up just one point from three matches against Uruguay, Mexico and South Africa.

Here, AFP sports looks at why things should be different this time.

Lionel Messi will be attempting to cement his legacy as an all-time great when Argentina tackle Bosnia-Hercegovina in their World Cup Group F opener in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday.

Trophies, plaudits and individual honors have rained down upon the record-shredding 26-year-old Barcelona sensation over the past few years, but a signature showing at a major international tournament still eludes him.

England manager Roy Hodgson and his Italy counterpart Cesare Prandelli declared themselves happy with the much-criticized Manaus pitch on the eve of their World Cup Group D clash on Saturday.

Players' union FIFPro lambasted the Amazonia Arena pitch after pictures emerged earlier this week in which it looked parched and was strafed by brown lines, but Hodgson said he had no worries about it.

Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel believes Nigeria are on the right track to turn around a dismal recent record in World Cup finals and can build on their success as African champions.

The Super Eagles have played in five of the past six World Cups but after reaching the second round in 1994 and 1998, have taken just two points from their past six matches in the finals.

With Australia's scalp in the bag, Chile now set their sights on a big game kill in the guise of world champions Spain.

Friday's 3-1 opening success over the stubborn Socceroos in Cuiaba combined with Spain's crushing loss to Holland earlier in the day means Chile can inflict a fatal blow on Vicente del Bosque's men when they meet on Wednesday in the Maracana.

Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben scored twice each as the Netherlands avenged their 2010 World Cup final defeat to Spain with a record 5-1 drubbing of the defending champions on Friday.

Van Persie pounced in each half as the Dutch recovered from a controversial Xabi Alonso penalty to inflict a crushing defeat on the reigning kings of world and European football.

Mexico beat Cameroon 1-0 at a rain-drenched Natal on Friday in a World Cup Group A match scarred by more refereeing blunders.

Oribe Peralta grabbed the only goal after 61 minutes but Mexico will consider themselves unlucky not to have been more comfortable winners after Giovani Dos Santos had two goals ruled out for dubious offside decisions in the first half.

Television cable providers in Lebanon criticized on Friday the state for failing to address the issue of broadcasting the 2014 FIFA World Cup, which has left several households unable to view the tournament that kicked off on Thursday.

General coordinator of the network of cable providers in Lebanon Mahmoud Khaled said during a press conference: “The state shied away from its responsibilities regarding this issue.”

France and Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna will join English Premier League champion Manchester City from next season.

Sagna's contract at Arsenal expires at the end of June, and his move from the Emirates Stadium was widely expected after he reportedly rejected a two-year contract extension.

Just one game into the World Cup, and referees are already in the spotlight.

The refereeing standards at the World Cup are always hotly debated, and Yuishi Nichimura made sure this one won't be any different after a controversial performance in the opening match on Thursday.