Moscow (AFP) – The World Cup kicks off in Russia Thursday as the host nation take on Saudi Arabia in front of 80,000 people in Moscow after President Vladimir Putin officially declares the tournament open. Russia is spending more than $13 billion (11 billion euros) on hosting football's showpiece, the most important event in the […]

Moscow (AFP) – Like most Germans, Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp admits to being a big fan of Iceland as the minnows attempt to shock giants Argentina in their World Cup debut on Saturday. The Icelanders captured the imagination at Euro 2016 in France, knocking out England in the last-16 before bowing out to hosts France […]

Moscow (AFP) – The World Cup trophy was displayed at Moscow's 80,000-seat Luzhniki Stadium on Thursday ahead of the tournament's opening match between host nation Russia and Saudi Arabia. To deafening loud cheers at the crucible of Russian and Soviet sports, former Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas held up the golden trophy for fans to photograph. […]

Moscow (AFP) – AFP Sport takes a look at some of the stories you may have missed as the World Cup starts in Russia. Cast a spell on you With the help of two priestesses and a rain stick shaped like an ancient Mesoamerican god, Mexico's "Grand Warlock" has cast a spell to help the […]

Saint Petersburg (AFP) – Cancelled friendlies, world-class opposition and even a shortage of boots will not dent Iran's World Cup dreams, says coach Carlos Queiroz, whose side have become accustomed to upsetting the odds. Iran open their fifth World Cup campaign on Friday against Morocco in what Queiroz described as a "must-win" match in Saint […]

Moscow (AFP) – British gay rights activist Peter Tatchell was arrested on Thursday in Russia for holding a one-man protest against the country's record on LGBT rights, hours before the kick-off of the World Cup. The veteran campaigner was led away by police shortly after unfolding a poster that said President Vladimir "Putin fails to […]

Yekaterinburg (Russia) (AFP) – Egypt coach Hector Cuper said that star striker Mohamed Salah has recovered from his shoulder injury and will almost certainly play in their World Cup opener against Uruguay on Friday. Salah's return is a massive boost for Egypt and for the tournament in Russia because it means one of the hottest […]

Vatutinki (Russia) (AFP) – Mesut Ozil has been challenged to do his talking on the pitch in Germany's World Cup opener against Mexico on Sunday after refusing to comment on a political storm triggered by a picture of him with the Turkish president. Arsenal midfielder Ozil and Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan, who were born in […]

Moscow (AFP) – Former Argentina star Javier Zanetti said it would be a "great satisfaction" for his country to host the 2030 World Cup as part of a joint bid alongside Uruguay and Paraguay. The 44-year-old Zanetti appeared at the 1998 and 2002 World Cups and played 143 times for Argentina, a record he shares […]

Saint Petersburg (AFP) – Mario Goetze is an "eternal talent" who was left out of Germany's World Cup squad and Tony Adams is an Arsenal legend but he was still derided as "a donkey" in England. Hundreds of millions of football fans across the globe will be screaming encouragement — and a fair amount of […]

Madrid (AFP) – Just a day after he was sacked on the eve of the World Cup, former Spain coach Julen Lopetegui arrived in Madrid on Thursday where he will be officially presented as Real Madrid's new manager. Lopetegui landed at Madrid's Barajas airport just before 5 am (0300 GMT). He will be officially presented […]

Kazan (Russia) (AFP) – Australia talisman Tim Cahill shot down talk of retirement on Thursday as he targets joining Pele on an elite, four-man list of players to have scored at four World Cups. But first he has to hope Australia's Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk gives him the nod from the substitutes' bench. Socceroos […]

Accra (AFP) – Former Ghana captain Abedi Pele has been appointed to help run football in the country in the wake of a corruption scandal that saw the government dissolve the sport's governing body. Pele, a three-time African footballer of the year who played most of his club football in Europe, was named in a […]

London (AFP) – Premier League champions Manchester City will begin their title defence away to Arsenal on the weekend of August 11-12, the English Premier League announced Thursday as it unveiled the fixtures for the 2018/19 season. The match will also be new Arsenal manager Unai Emery's first in English football's top flight. The exact […]

Moscow (AFP) – The World Cup kicks off in Russia on Thursday as years of preparations dogged by diplomatic scandals give way to a month-long feast of action on the field. Russia get the ball rolling against Saudi Arabia at the completely refurbished 80,000-capacity Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow after an opening ceremony attended by President […]