Warsaw (AFP) – Former Polish international Jerzy Brzeczek was appointed head coach of the national team, the country's football association announced on Thursday. The 47-year-old replaces Adam Nawalka, whose highly-fancied national squad were eliminated in the group stage of the World Cup in Russia. Brzeczek was a midfielder who captained Poland, won 42 caps, scored […]

London (AFP) – Winning the Champions League is the main reason Riyad Mahrez wanted to join Manchester City for a club record fee of £60million ($79million) he told a press conference on Thursday. The 27-year-old Algerian international forward had wanted to move to the champions in January but City baulked at the £80 million fee […]

Nairobi (AFP) – Kenyans voiced outrage on Thursday as it emerged that a group of lawmakers had gone to the World Cup at the taxpayers' expense, even though the country had failed to qualify for the tournament. The scandal erupted after some of the legislators posted selfies on social media of themselves enjoying matches in […]

Moscow (AFP) – Croatia have relied on mental strength to defy limited resources and become the smallest nation in 68 years to reach a World Cup final, said defender Dejan Lovren. Zlatko Dalic's men have taken the long road to a meeting with France in Moscow on Sunday after three lots of extra-time and two penalty […]

Zagreb (AFP) – Despite the prodigious talent of Croatia's players, few expected The Fiery Ones to reach the World Cup final — a feat not seen for such a small nation since Uruguay reached football's pinnacle in 1950. Here are five things to know about the country that on Sunday could become the ninth to […]

Moscow (AFP) – Former Nigeria star Emmanuel Amunike says African teams need to focus on improving youth development after a poor showing from the continent's representatives at the World Cup. None of Africa's five teams made it past the group stage in Russia, with Nigeria, Senegal, Tunisia, Egypt and Morocco managing only three wins between […]

Moscow (AFP) – Croatia's exhausted and battered players set their sights on the World Cup final against France on Thursday as England reflected on a missed opportunity to end more than half a century of pain. Luka Modric's team were taken to extra-time for the third consecutive match in Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium on Wednesday but […]

Beijing (AFP) – China has cracked down on online football gambling during the World Cup, arresting more than 540 suspected of participating in schemes involving more than $1.5 billion, state media said. The suspects were "associated with more than 20 gangs", and their servers, computers, mobile phones and bank cards were confiscated, police in China's […]

London (AFP) – Ivory Coast international Jean-Michel Seri signed for Fulham on Thursday in a real coup for the Premier League new boys as he preferred them to Chelsea and German side Borussia Dortmund. The 26-year-old midfielder signed a four-year contract — with the option for it to be extended by a year — with […]

London (AFP) – "An England United, first in hope, now in defeat". British media reflected Thursday on England's heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Croatia in the World Cup semi-finals, praising manager Gareth Southgate and his young team despite their exit. England won plaudits not just for their deeds on the pitch — reaching the semis for […]

Moscow (AFP) – Harry Kane says England restored pride during their run to the World Cup semi-finals and can use the tournament as a springboard for sustained success for a talented young generation. Playing in their first World Cup semi-final for 28 years, England blew a golden opportunity to reach their first final since 1966, […]

Moscow (AFP) – Croatia began preparations for the first World Cup final in their history on Thursday after they came from behind to crush England's hopes in an enthralling contest. The Balkan nation of just four million people will play France on Sunday after Mario Mandzukic's extra-time winner in Wednesday's semi-final prolonged England's 52-year wait […]

Moscow (AFP) – When Croatia scored the goal that took them into the World Cup final on Wednesday, an AFP photographer unwittingly became part of the celebrations as he was buried under a pile of joyous players. After Mario Mandzukic scored in extra-time to give Croatia a 2-1 win against England in the semi-final, he […]

Moscow (AFP) – Ecstatic Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic is confident tiredness will not be an issue for his side when they face France in the World Cup final despite once again coming through extra time to beat England on Wednesday. Croatia came from behind to win 2-1 in the semi-final clash in Moscow, with Mario […]

Moscow (AFP) – Croatia reached the World Cup final for the first time in its history on Wednesday, sparking scenes of joy in Moscow and in Zagreb after Mario Mandzukic's extra-time winner prolonged England's decades of pain to set up a decider against France. Luka Modric's team fell behind in just the fifth minute to […]