London (AFP) – The World Cup has only just kicked off, but a surprise winner has already emerged: Iceland. That's according to a study looking at which of the countries competing in Russia scores most on an array of indicators of economic and financial health. The report released Friday by Denmark's Saxo Bank amounts to […]

Vatutinki (Russia) (AFP) – Holders Germany start their World Cup campaign on Sunday against Mexico in Moscow having won just one of their six friendlies since qualifying for Russia 2018 with a perfect 10 wins. AFP looks at five questions the German team must answer if they are to become the first team for 56 […]

Kazan Arena (Russia) (AFP) – France coach Didier Deschamps called on his quality-packed side to "seize the day" when they face Australia looking for an opening win in the World Cup in Kazan on Saturday. Deschamps, a 1998 World Cup winner with France, leads the youngest team of the tournament and is desperate to make […]

Ho Chi Minh City (AFP) – Frank Lampard's Derby County will take on Oldham Athletic away in the first round of the English League Cup, organisers said in Vietnam Friday, in a key first knockout competition for the former England midfielder. Lampard took over Derby in May in his first foray into management, with all […]

Riyadh (AFP) – Saudi Arabia's sports authorities threatened Friday to hold members of the national football team "accountable" after their crushing defeat against hosts Russia in the opening match of the World Cup. Russia defied expectations as the lowest-ranked side in the tournament by thrashing Saudi Arabia 5-0 in front of an ecstatic home crowd […]

Glasgow (AFP) – New Rangers manager Steven Gerrard says he will not be preoccupied by Celtic as he concentrates on making Rangers a force to be reckoned with. "I think for me it is important not to be obsessed with Celtic. I have to sort Rangers out," the former Liverpool and England skipper told Britain's […]

Sochi (Russia) (AFP) – Spain face Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal on Friday in a mouthwatering clash following the extraordinary sacking of coach Julen Lopetegui as Mohamed Salah was left out of the starting line-up for Egypt's World Cup opener against Uruguay. After host nation Russia's rousing 5-0 win against Saudi Arabia in the opener, the World […]

Lagos (AFP) – In Nigeria's commercial hub, Lagos, the question isn't whether you're going to buy the neon green and white zig-zag jersey of the national football team, it's how much you want to pay. It seems there's a replica top to suit all pockets in the bustling markets, which also do a thriving trade […]

Yekaterinburg (Russia) (AFP) – Mohamed Salah was not included in Egypt's starting line-up for their World Cup opener against Uruguay on Friday following his shoulder injury. The star striker, who turned 26 on Friday, suffered the injury three weeks ago in Liverpool's Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid. On the eve of the Uruguay […]

Sochi (Russia) (AFP) – Shell-shocked Spain face Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal on Friday in a mouthwatering clash following the extraordinary sacking of coach Julen Lopetegui as Egypt's Mohamed Salah is set for a dramatic return from injury against Uruguay. After host nation Russia's rousing 5-0 win against Saudi Arabia, the World Cup kicks into high gear […]

Kazan (Russia) (AFP) – The ego-driven problems of the past that saw France players go on strike at the 2010 World Cup are well and truly consigned to the past as the latest crop of Les Bleus target a repeat of their 1998 glory. But coach Didier Deschamps, who captained France to World Cup victory […]

London (AFP) – English Championship outfit and fallen giants Leeds said Friday they have appointed Argentinian Marcelo Bielsa as new head coach on a two-year deal. "I am delighted to accept the role of head coach at Leeds United. It has always been my ambition to work in England," Bielsa said in a statement. "When […]

Kaliningrad (Russia) (AFP) – Former World Cup semi-finalists Croatia take on African powerhouses Nigeria in the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad on Saturday in their opening Group D match that may prove a test of the organisers' anti-racism drive. It is 20 years since Croatia surged to the final four at France '98 with a resounding […]

Saint Petersburg (AFP) – England's young guns are talking about emulating Andres Iniesta and Dani Alves but four years ago they watched the World Cup on the back of spells at Burnley, Brighton, Carlisle and York. Jesse Lingard cites Spain's Iniesta as the player he most likes to watch. "It's just the way he graces […]

Moscow (Russia) (AFP) – Russia have proved the doubters wrong — for the moment. The World Cup hosts showed nerves of steel and ruthless finishing in thumping Saudi Arabia 5-0 in the tournament's opening match before an anxious crowd of nearly 80,000 in Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium on Thursday. The emphatic result transformed the men in […]