Accra (AFP) – Few people in Ghana would be able to recognise Anas Aremeyaw Anas on the street — but almost everyone knows his name and his burgeoning reputation as the country's anti-corruption hero. The journalist keeps his identity a closely-guarded secret and on camera wears a trademark hooded tunic, his face covered by a […]

Krasnodar (Russia) (AFP) – Spain's World Cup preparations were thrown into turmoil on Wednesday as Real Madrid-bound coach Julen Lopetegui was sacked, with Fernando Hierro taking charge just two days before their opening game in Russia. In a surprise announcement on Tuesday, Madrid appointed Lopetegui as Zinedine Zidane's successor to take over after the tournament […]

London (AFP) – Over 1,000 English football hooligans have had to hand in their passports ahead of the World Cup in Russia to prevent them from attending, diminishing fears of a repeat of the clashes with Russian rivals at the Euro 2016 finals. The British government issued a statement on Wednesday saying that the Football […]

Saint Petersburg (AFP) – England trained for the first time in Russia on Wednesday, with midfielder Eric Dier praising coach Gareth Southgate's ability to shield his players from the hothouse World Cup atmosphere. A day after touching down in Saint Petersburg, England held an open training session in nearby Zelenogorsk watched by hundreds of excited […]

Rabat (AFP) – The award of the 2026 World Cup to North America on Wednesday was met with bitter disappointment in Morocco, after its fifth failed bid to host the tournament. The joint ticket of the United States, Canada and Mexico won 134 votes, compared to 65 for Morocco, at a FIFA Congress in Moscow […]

Krasnodar (Russia) (AFP) – The sacking of Julen Lopetegui just two days before the start of Spain's World Cup campaign leaves new coach Fernando Hierro precious little time to regroup a stunned squad that 24 hours ago were considered among the favourites for the tournament. Spain face European champions Portugal in Sochi on Friday in […]

Moscow (AFP) – Russia coach Stanislav Cherchesov has told his team to ignore media criticism ahead of Thursday's World Cup kick-off against Saudi Arabia and focus on winning. The host nation enter their first home World Cup in the worst possible form. They have beaten both Russian and Soviet records by going winless in seven […]

Moscow (AFP) – Russia's football team has failed to chalk up a single victory in eight months but things could be about to improve — according to a supposedly clairvoyant cat who predicted a win for the side in the first World Cup match. Achilles, a deaf white cat who is the official animal soothsayer […]

Los Angeles (AFP) – The 2026 World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico promises to take the tournament to a new level, delivering more teams, bigger crowds and bumper profits. FIFA had already decided to expand the 2026 tournament to 48 teams and by backing the joint bid it has also committed […]

Vatutinki (Russia) (AFP) – Germany got down to business in the defence of their World Cup title on Wednesday with their first training session in Russia, which was open to the public. Around 400 spectators, who needed tickets to see the world champions in action, and 200 media saw head coach Joachim Loew put the […]

Moscow (AFP) – The United States, Mexico and Canada will host the 2026 World Cup after a clear victory over underdogs Morocco in a vote by FIFA member nations on Wednesday. The joint North American bid received 134 of the 203 votes, while Morocco polled 65 in the ballot at a FIFA Congress held in […]

Bronnitsy (Russia) (AFP) – Argentina reserve goalkeeper Nahuel Guzman says the squad must do everything in their power to allow Lionel Messi to perform at his best during the World Cup in Russia. Messi and Argentina, who finished runners-up to Germany in Brazil in 2014, launch their Group D campaign against World Cup newcomers […]

London (AFP) – England's World Cup stars have been given a briefing by security experts on how to stay safe from hackers during the tournament in Russia. Gareth Southgate's players and his coaching staff received advice from GCHQ's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) on how to protect their personal information and possessions. Russian hackers have […]

Los Angeles (AFP) – The decision to award the 2026 World Cup to North America on Wednesday follows an explosion in football's popularity across the region which can be traced directly to the 1994 finals staged in the United States. For decades, the United States was regarded as the final frontier for the world's most […]

Moscow (AFP) – The United States, Mexico and Canada won the right to host the 2026 World Cup after easily beating Morocco in a vote by FIFA member nations on Wednesday. The joint North American bid received 134 of the 203 votes, while Morocco polled 65 in the ballot at a FIFA Congress held in […]