Moscow (AFP) – Lionel Messi's Argentina aim to put a shambolic World Cup build-up behind them and make a statement in their opening match against tournament debutants Iceland on Saturday. The two-time champions arrived in Russia dogged by poor form, injuries and controversy. But Messi is a man on a mission as he chases his […]

Oceanport (United States) (AFP) – A cheer goes up around the bar as Russia scores its first goal at this small seaside town in New Jersey: the state has just legalized sports betting, and now has its sights set on catching up with Las Vegas. Hundreds of punters have descended on the Monmouth Park race […]

Saint Petersburg (AFP) – Asia's quartet of World Cup representatives failed to deliver a single victory four years ago and hopes of a turnaround in Russia are low, with continental powerhouses Japan and South Korea struggling for form. Five nations qualified from the Asian confederation for the 2018 World Cup but Saudi Arabia's 5-0 thumping […]

Yekaterinburg (Russia) (AFP) – Luis Suarez will be chasing redemption on Friday when Uruguay face Egypt in his first World Cup appearance since being thrown out of the tournament in 2014 for biting Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini. The controversial Barcelona striker, 31, was described on the eve of their first game in Russia as "more […]

Saransk (Russia) (AFP) – Paolo Guerrero will look to prove his drug-ban controversy is behind him on Saturday when Peru face Denmark and their star goal-scoring midfielder Christian Eriksen in both teams' World Cup opener. The presence of Flamengo forward Guerrero is a huge relief to Peru boss Ricardo Gareca after his 14-month ban for taking […]

Bronnitsy (Russia) (AFP) – Lionel Messi's arrival in Bronnitsy, a quiet town with 20,000 residents some 50km southeast of Moscow, has brought an unprecedented level of attention to a place most renowned for its Archangel Michael cathedral. But as the euphoric shouts echoing around a temporary stand suggests, its selection as Argentina's team base camp […]

Madrid (AFP) – French striker Antoine Griezmann announced on Thursday he was staying put at Atletico Madrid in an eagerly awaited decision that ends intense speculation of a possible move to Barcelona. "I've decided to stay," Griezmann told a Spanish pay per view channel 48 hours before he turns out for France in their World […]

Jerusalem (AFP) – FIFA said Thursday it has started disciplinary proceedings against the Palestinian Football Association's chief, after he called for protest against Lionel Messi and his plan to play with Argentina in Jerusalem. "The FIFA disciplinary committee has opened disciplinary proceedings against the president of the Palestinian Football Association, Jibril Rajoub," a spokesman for the […]

Moscow (AFP) – Russia kicked off their World Cup in style on Thursday, thumping Saudi Arabia 5-0 in front of an ecstatic crowd in Moscow as President Vladimir Putin basked in the glow. Putin declared the tournament open at the 80,000-capacity Luzhniki Stadium, saying football "unites the entire world" before watching his team overwhelm their […]

Moscow (AFP) – Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny on Thursday denounced the high cost of hosting the World Cup, alleging that much of the money was embezzled by businessmen seen to be close to President Vladimir Putin. During a live video broadcast shortly after Russia's punishing 5-0 win over Saudi Arabia, Navalny — known for […]

Moscow (AFP) – Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny on Thursday denounced the high cost of hosting the World Cup, alleging that much of the money was embezzled by businessmen seen to be close to President Vladimir Putin. During a live video broadcast shortly after Russia's punishing 5-0 win over Saudi Arabia, Navalny — known for […]

Sochi (Russia) (AFP) – Spain captain Sergio Ramos and new coach Fernando Hierro displayed a united front as they looked ahead to Friday's World Cup opener against Cristiano Ronaldo's European champions Portugal following an extraordinary 48 hours. Hierro and Ramos posed together, smiling for the cameras, at a press conference inside the Fisht Olympic Stadium […]

Saint Petersburg (AFP) – Hosts Russia got the World Cup off to a flying start by hammering Saudi Arabia 5-0 in the opening game in Moscow. Fears that Russia may become just the second host nation to fail to qualify from the group stages have been quashed for now, but their next opponents Egypt were […]

Moscow (AFP) – Russia winger Denis Cheryshev said he "could never have dreamed" of his two-goal performance for the hosts in the opening match of the World Cup after a long struggle back from injury. The former Real Madrid player scored twice in a convincing 5-0 defeat of Group A opponents Saudi Arabia after coming […]

Madrid (AFP) – Julen Lopetegui said Thursday that being sacked as Spain coach was the "saddest day" of his life since the death of his mother and defended his move to Real Madrid, saying it was done in an "absolutely honest way". Spain's World Cup preparations were thrown into turmoil on Wednesday as the Spanish […]