All eyes will be on Russia this week as the World Cup kicks off in Moscow on Thursday, 14 June. The first match will be played between Russia and Saudi Arabia (Group A) at 5 pm CLT. Group member Egypt will play its first match in the tournament against Uruguay the following day (the first day of Eid El Fitr) at 2 pm CLT. The Pharaohs held their final home practice in Cairo yesterday before they make their way to Chechnya, where they will be based during the championship, the Associated Press reports. National star Mohamed Salah attended the practice but did not train, the newswire notes.

Literally every media outlet, whether local or foreign, is waiting to see if Salah will be ready. And if not, can the national team cope with such as a loss? Everyone — including Salah himself — is hoping we won’t have to find out: The striker promised President Abdel Fattah El Sisi that he will be “ready to play” by Friday, despite previous reports from his doctors that he would have to watch the first match from the sidelines, according to RT.

Egypt’s second match will be against host Russia at 8 pm on 19 June, followed by the country’s last match in the first round against Saudi Arabia at 4 pm on 25 June. Tap or click here for the full schedule.

As Egyptians begin flocking to Russia, EgyptAir will increase the frequency of its flights between Cairo and Moscow to 19 this week, up from 12 previously, to keep up with the increased demand ahead of the World Cup, according to Al Mal.

An auction for USD 715 mn-worth of one-year USD-denominated treasuries will be taking place tomorrow, according to Reuters.

US could agree to one day open embassy in Pyongyang at Trump-Kim summit on Tuesday: The United States is “willing to consider establishing official relations with North Korea and even eventually putting an embassy” in the North Korean capital, according to an exclusive report from Axios. The condition: “Denuclearization would have to be happening.” The two leaders meet on Tuesday in Singapore.