World Cup Central — your May first bulletin. Forty-one days to kick-off.

Mbappé's hamstring is the fitness story heading into PSG's Bayern return on May sixth.1 Scans confirmed left semitendinosus damage. He is expected to miss La Liga's final weeks, but French medics remain cautiously optimistic he returns in time for France's World Cup opener on June seventeenth.

PSG also confirm Hakimi misses Munich — hamstring tear from last week's five-four classic.2 Zaire-Emery fills in at right-back. Morocco are mapping alternatives with six weeks to their opener.

Good news for Croatia: Modrić came through Monday's cheekbone surgery.3 Manager Dalic says he is confident his captain will lead them at the tournament — Croatia open against England on June seventeenth.

Cristiano Ronaldo told Rio Ferdinand this week: the end of my career is approaching — I enjoy it day by day.4 With Portugal chasing glory, fans see this summer as Ronaldo's final chapter.

At the FIFA Congress in Vancouver, Infantino confirmed he will seek re-election at next year's Rabat meeting.5 CAF and CONMEBOL have already backed him.

Injury desk: Romero targets Argentina's squad despite a season-ending knee setback,6 Brazil monitors Estêvão Willian's Grade Four hamstring, and Saka is back in training — Arteta says days not weeks. Forty-one days: the clock is ticking.

That is World Cup Central for May first. Follow for daily coverage — forty-one days and counting.