Moscow (AFP) – Reigning champions Germany arrived in Russia on Tuesday to join the World Cup party as Belgium downplayed an injury scare over star player Eden Hazard in their final warm-up match. Gareth Southgate's youthful England team are also due to touch down as excitement mounts ahead of Thursday's opening fixture in Moscow between […]

Los Angeles (AFP) – The United States, Canada and Mexico have launched a joint bid to co-host the 2026 World Cup, which will be voted upon by FIFA members in Moscow on Wednesday. The following is an overview of the bid: – STADIUM FACILITIES – Arguably the greatest strength of the North American bid is […]

Sochi (Russia) (AFP) – Brazil goalkeeper Alisson played down speculation over his club future on Tuesday as he lives "a boyhood dream" at the World Cup in Russia. "I've been waiting for this moment since the start of the season and I don't want anything to mess it up," the 25-year-old Roma star told journalists […]

Moscow (AFP) – FIFA members will decide on Wednesday whether the 2026 World Cup should be played in North America or in Morocco, taking football's global showpiece to Africa for just the second time. The choice is clear — between a slick bid based on gleaming stadiums in the United States, Mexico and Canada or […]

Accra (AFP) – A Ghana court on Tuesday ordered the suspension of the country's embattled football federation, paving the way for its dissolution following explosive corruption allegations. The High Court of Ghana granted the request of Ghana's attorney general Gloria Akuffo to suspend the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and its officials. "GFA has undermined its […]

Nizhniy Novgorod (Russia) (AFP) – Uruguay's Giorgian De Arrascaeta has shrugged off their tag as Group A favourites, saying the South Americans would be a "humble" team in Russia despite the talents of Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez. The Celeste have been widely tipped to top a relatively weak-looking group, which contains hosts Russia, Saudi […]

Kazan (Russia) (AFP) – Australia talisman Tim Cahill may have to settle for a World Cup cameo role while captain Mile Jedinak could start on the bench but the Socceroos say team changes will not hurt their campaign. Bursaspor defender Aziz Behich said team selection will make little difference to a Socceroos side aiming to […]

Moscow (AFP) – Host nation Russia are under enormous pressure to perform as they head into Thursday's World Cup curtainraiser against Saudi Arabia in a contest between the two lowest-ranked nations in the tournament. Stanislav Cherchesov's side will walk out onto the pitch at the 80,000-capacity Luzhniki stadium, the historic crucible of Russian sport, ranked […]

Anapa (Russia) (AFP) – Tottenham midfielder Christian Eriksen is Denmark's standout star but the Nordic side are far from a one-man team, coach Age Hareide said on Tuesday. Nicknamed "King Christian", Eriksen is one of the top players in the Premier League and has been voted Danish footballer of the year four times. The Dane […]

Moscow (Russia) (AFP) – Moscow authorities are pleading with locals not to drive in the runup to Thursday's World Cup opening match to avoid causing gridlock in the city. The Russian capital of 12 million people is creaking at the seams as it starts receiving hundreds of thousands visitors for the month-long football final. Fans […]

Kazan (Russia) (AFP) – There's only one thing better than the post-wedding bliss of a relaxing honeymoon: playing at the World Cup, says Australia defender Josh Risdon. "I guess there's no better place to be, except for the honeymoon, after a wedding," Risdon told media on Tuesday at the Socceroos' training camp in Kazan on […]

Moscow (AFP) – Reigning champions Germany are set to arrive in Russia on Tuesday to join the World Cup party as Belgium downplayed an injury scare over star player Eden Hazard in their final warm-up match. Gareth Southgate's youthful England team are also due to touch down as anticipation mounts ahead of Thursday's opening fixture […]

Madrid (AFP) – Nine Saudi players loaned to Spanish clubs to improve their level before the World Cup left without hardly playing in what ended up as a "fiasco". "Adapting is difficult," said David Cobeno, sporting director at Madrid-based second division side Rayo Vallecano, which signed 24-year-old Saudi midfielder Abdulmajeed Al-Sulayhem. "Everything outside of sports, […]

Brussels (AFP) – Belgium made light of injury to Eden Hazard in their last warm-up before the World Cup on Monday, the Chelsea star limping off in the 4-1 defeat of Costa Rica in Brussels. Hazard was forced off in the 70th minute after an apparent knock to his right ankle as Belgium sparkled against […]

Moscow (AFP) – Russia's love for Igor Akinfeev, their goalkeeper who spends much of his time picking balls out of the net, speaks volumes about the home team's World Cup chances. Now Akinfeev wants someone who can score to share the fame when the men in red get the party started against Saudi Arabia on […]