The 2018 FIFA World Cup champions have been given a heroes’ welcome in France.

Players and officials of the French national football team were greeted by fans who lined the Champs-Elysées in central Paris, chanting their praise.

French president Emmanuel Macron also reportedly celebrated with the team on their return.

You will recall that France had on Sunday defeated Croatia four-two to lift the World Cup for the second; the first time being twenty years ago.

France's superstars came out to shine as Antoine Griezmann, Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe fired them to World Cup glory with an emphatic 4-2 win over Croatia

Following a tournament packed with thrills and drama, the final at  the Luzhniki Stadium lived up to what preceded it from the moment Les Bleus hit the front through an 18th-minute own goal by Mario Mandzukic – a cruel role reversal for Croatia's extra-time hero in the semi-final win over England.

Dalic's side had started the stronger and levelled through a fine Ivan Perisic strike before the Inter player was harshly adjudged to have handled in the box, as VAR made its first impact upon a World Cup final.

Griezmann converted his fourth of the tournament from 12 yards before Croatia pursued their opponents furiously once more at the start of the second half.

A pitch invasion from punk protest group Pussy Riot in the 52nd minute seemed a fitting precursor to the anarchy that followed, with Pogba and Mbappe arrowing in majestic strikes from outside the box.

An absent-minded error from France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris allowed Mandzukic to put his name on the other side of the scoreboard, but Didier Deschamps was not to be denied his piece of history as the third man to win the World Cup as both a player and a coach. Deschamps was captain of the Les Bleus' side that previously lifted the trophy back in 1998.

 All five African teams have crashed out of the group stage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup tournament in Russia.

The last to leave the tournament are Senegal, who lost against Colombia one-nil in their last Group H match played yesterday.

However; Senegal finished with equal points and goal tally with Japan, but were eliminate based on FIFA’s fair play rule, having picked up more Yellow cards than Japan.

The President of Egypt Football Association, Hany Abo Rida, says the Ramadan fasting affected the Pharaoh's preparations for the World Cup in Russia.

Rida said his squad chose to fast during the Muslim holy month that ended the day before Egypt's opening game against Uruguay, as well as the subsequent ties with the hosts Russia and Saudi Arabia.

Super Eagles’ Coach, Gernot Rohr has said the team’s two nil loss to Croatia in their opening match of Russia 2018 was due to many mistakes.

Rohr, while speaking at the post-match conference of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Group D fixture, said he and his players were aware they made some important mistakes during the game.

He said the entire team was disappointed at the result, adding that they needed to work on being professional with the set-pieces.

Rohr, however, assured that he and his assistants would go on to ensure the team was improved upon before their June 22 date with Iceland in Volgograd.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have revealed their new squad numbers ahead of the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup.

The squad numbers were made known via a 59 second video on the team’s twitter handle @ngsupereagles on Monday.

Goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa would adorn the number one jersey, while Spanish based Francis Uzoho has 23 leaving Daniel Akpeyi with 16 jersey as skipper Mikel Obi retains his number 10.

Newly signed Brighton and Hove Albion player, Leon Balogun will settle for number six, while Russia based Byran Idowu will wear the number two shirt.

 Portuguese based Tyronne Ebuehi will be seen in number 21, as fellow defender Chidozie Awaziem will put on number 20 while Abdullahi Shehu holds 12.

 Midfielder Ogenyi Onazi is with number 17 jersey while recuperating Wilfred Ndidi will wear number four.

 Forwards Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho will grace numbers 18 and 14, respectively.

 Chinese based Odion Ighalo has nine, leaving newly capped Simeon Nwankwo with number 13, as Russia-based Ahmed Musa holds seven.

 Chelsea’s Victor Moses stays with 11, as William Troost-Ekong has number five and Elderson Echiejile with three. Jersey number 19 is

 given to John Ogu while Italy based Joel Obi has 15, leaving Oghenekaro Etebo with the number eight shirt and Kenneth Omeruo on 22.

Egypt and Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has been named in Egypt's World Cup squad despite being injured in the Champions League final.

It is understood Salah will not meet up with his team-mates until 9 June as he continues his recovery from a shoulder injury, his national team said.

Egypt's opening World Cup fixture is against Uruguay on 15 June.

They meet hosts Russia on 19 June and conclude their campaign in Group A against Saudi Arabia on 25 June.

Defender Vincent Kompany has been named in Belgium's 23-man squad for the World Cup despite being an injury doubt but  Palace striker Christian Benteke misses out.

32 year old Vincent Kompany, suffered a groin injury during Saturday's goalless draw with Portugal.

Manager Roberto Martinez said he would make a decision on the centre-back's fitness closer to their opening match against Panama on 18 June.

Belgium's final 23-man squad

Goalkeepers: Koen Casteels (Wolfsburg), Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea), Simon Mignolet (Liverpool).

Defenders: Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham Hotspur), Dedryck Boyata (Celtic), Vincent Kompany (Manchester City), Thomas Meunier (Paris St-Germain), Thomas Vermaelen (Barcelona), Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham Hotspur).

Midfielders: Yannick Carrasco (Dalian Yifang), Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City), Mousa Dembele (Tottenham Hotspur), Leander Dendoncker (Anderlecht), Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United), Eden Hazard (Chelsea), Thorgan Hazard (Borussia Monchengladbach), Adnan Januzaj (Real Sociedad), Dries Mertens (Napoli), Youri Tielemans (Monaco), Axel Witsel (Tianjin Quanjian).

Forwards: Michy Batshuayi (Chelsea), Nacer Chadli (West Brom), Romelu Lukaku (Manchester United).