Sochi (Russia) (AFP) – Brazil attracted an army of excited youngsters — including one who managed to break onto the pitch for a selfie — as they held their first training session on Russian soil ahead of the World Cup. Around 5,000 locals turned out to watch the relaxed session at the Yug-Sport Stadium, next […]

Damascus (AFP) – With days to go before the World Cup, bustling markets in Syria's capital are blanketed in the flags of competing countries — but host and government ally Russia is taking centre stage. The flags of usual favourites Argentina, Germany, and Brazil are still displayed prominently, but years of steadfast Russian support to […]

Moscow (AFP) – Russia has deployed air defence systems and stringent fan background checks in a sweeping security operation to counter the twin threats of terror attacks and hooliganism at the World Cup. The country was already intensely policed when it was controversially awarded the right to host the event in 2010 but the clampdown […]

Kratovo (Russia) (AFP) – Portugal midfielder Joao Mario deflected questions on the crisis engulfing Sporting Lisbon that has seen four national team players at the World Cup rescind their contracts with the troubled club. William Carvalho, Gelson Martins, Bruno Fernandes, as well as Dutch striker Bas Dost, all filed notice with Portuguese authorities on Monday […]

London (AFP) – Captain Harry Kane says England's bid to end their World Cup drought stretching back over half a century will not be undone by a divided squad. The 24-year-old striker said there were no cliques within the squad that flies out to Russia later on Tuesday seeking to emulate their 1966 predecessors in […]

Bronnitsy (Russia) (AFP) – Around 400 eager fans turned out at Argentina's World Cup base camp to catch a glimpse of Lionel Messi and his team-mates at an open training session. A particularly affectionate welcome was reserved for the Barcelona forward, as hordes of adoring young supporters chanted "Messi, Messi" on his way out for […]

Moscow (AFP) – Reigning champions Germany are set to arrive in Russia on Tuesday to join the World Cup party as Belgium served notice of their threat with a dazzling display 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 […]

Brussels (AFP) – A powerful brace from Romelu Lukaku and a glittering performance from Eden Hazard saw Belgium beat Costa Rica 4-1 in Brussels in their finals World Cup warm up on Monday. But Belgium fans will have watched in horror as Hazard, showing great form lately, limped off in the 70th minute. Coach Roberto […]

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

Istra (Russia) (AFP) – France coach Didier Deschamps spent part of his first day in Russia defending Olivier Giroud as the Chelsea forward battles to stave off stiff competition for places ahead of Les Bleus' World Cup opener against Australia. Giroud recently scored his 31st international goal, equalling the tally in a France shirt of […]

Paris (AFP) – Poland defender Kamil Glik has been cleared by his club Monaco to play at the World Cup after making an unexpectedly quick recovery from a shoulder ligament injury. Polish Football Federation (PZPN) president Zbigniew Boniek tweeted a week ago that Glik had no chance of taking part in the 2018 finals in Russia […]

Nizhniy Novgorod (Russia) (AFP) – Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera said Monday that he hopes Egyptian star Mohamed Salah will be fit to play when the two countries clash in their opening World Cup match on Friday. Following an hour-long training session for the Celeste at their humble Bor training camp just outside the city of […]

Paris (AFP) – Zinedine Zidane said Monday he was happy to have some time off after stepping down as Real Madrid coach just days after steering the Spanish giants to a third successive Champions League trophy. "I've got my feet up and am feeling good," Zidane told AFP at the inauguration of a playground in […]

Nice (France) (AFP) – After more than 20 years away, former Arsenal and France star Patrick Vieira, is returning to Ligue 1 to take the reins at Nice where he was unveiled as manager on Monday. "I'm very happy to return to France, which I left at the age of 19 or 20," Vieira told […]

New York (AFP) – US sporting goods giant Nike confirmed Monday it had stopped supplying Iran's football team with boots ahead of the World Cup due to sanctions. A statement from Nike said the company was forbidden from supplying kit to the Iranian team as it prepares for its opening World Cup game. "US sanctions […]