Gelendzhik (Russia) (AFP) – For a trio of Russia-based Iceland players, the World Cup means a return to familiar territory and welcome support from fans in their adopted "home" city of Rostov. Defenders Ragnar Sigurdsson and Sverrir Ingason, and striker Bjorn Sigurdarson, all play for Russian top-flight side FC Rostov, whose stadium hosts the third […]

Kolkata (AFP) – A die-hard Argentina fan in India has painted his house in the team's blue and white colours ahead of the football World Cup, saying his love for Lionel Messi's men knows no bounds. Kolkata resident Shib Shankar Patra's passion for Argentina began during the 1986 World Cup when Diego Maradona helped the […]

London (AFP) – Vietnam will stage the draw for the first round of next season's English League Cup on Friday. The League Cup, won by Manchester City in February, is sponsored by Thai energy drinks firm Carabao and two rounds of last year's tournament were also drawn in Asia in Bangkok and Beijing. Organisers will […]

Moscow (AFP) – The World Cup big guns limbered up on Monday ahead of the tournament opener in Russia while brash underdogs Australia warned Euro 2016 finalists France to brace for an early shock. As the atmosphere built before Thursday's curtainraiser between the hosts and Saudi Arabia, the French and Argentine players were put through […]

London (AFP) – The Matabeleland soccer team's dramatic, crowd-funded journey from a dirt field to becoming stars of the sport's alternative World Football Cup is a mighty contrast with the upcoming billion-dollar bonanza of Russia 2018. The Zimbabwean side won hearts at the London-held tournament for football's outsiders, thanks to their infectious joy at simply […]

London (AFP) – Graham Potter will bid to lead Swansea back to the Premier League after being confirmed as the Welsh club's fifth manager in the last two years. Potter signed a three-year contract with the Championship side on Monday following his exit from Swedish club Ostersunds. The 43-year-old replaces Carlos Carvalhal, who was sacked […]

London (AFP) – Nigeria midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo took a break from his World Cup preparations to join English Championship club Stoke on Monday. Etebo will be a member of the Nigeria squad when the World Cup gets underway in Russia on Thursday. The 22-year-old is free to concentrate on his international commitments after leaving Portuguese […]

Vatutinki (Russia) (AFP) – After the tropical tranquility of their base at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, reigning champions Germany fly into Russia on Tuesday hoping the rain stays away from their isolated base outside Moscow. Campo Bahia, the sun-drenched luxury hotel surrounded by palm trees on Brazil's Atlantic coast and specially constructed to […]

Nairobi (AFP) – Wolfsburg striker Divock Origi is putting the disappointment of being left out of Belgium's World Cup squad behind him with a two-week holiday in his ancestral home, Kenya. The 23-year-old son of former Kenyan international Mike Okoth Origi was the breakout star of Belgium's World Cup campaign in Brazil four years ago. But […]

Yaoundé (AFP) – Cameroon great Roger Milla has told AFP that he never received the credit he deserved for his World Cup goalscoring exploits. Milla, lured out of retirement at the ripe old age of 38, left an indelible mark on the 1990 finals in Italy. Considered an intriguing addition to a Cameroon team expected […]

Nice (France) (AFP) – Former Arsenal and France star Patrick Vieira, world and European champion with Les Bleus, has taken the reins at top flight Nice, the French club said Monday. Vieira, 41, arrives after a stint at MLS outfit New York City FC. He has signed a three-year contract and replaces Lucien Favre who […]

Madrid (AFP) – Spain goalkeeper David de Gea has demanded a "public apology" from Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez over comments he made in connection with a false 2016 sex slur. Socialist leader Sanchez, who took over as prime minister earlier this month after conservative Mariano Rajoy lost a vote of confidence, criticised De Gea two […]

Kazan (Russia) (AFP) – Socceroos goalkeeper Mat Ryan has warned France that a new, improved Australia team are plotting an early World Cup shock when the sides meet in Kazan on Saturday. "Come the France game, we're going to be ready... and giving ourselves opportunities to win this game," the Brighton stopper warned."We can't wait […]

Kratovo (Russia) (AFP) – Lokomotiv Moscow midfielder Manuel Fernandes on Monday underlined the importance of Portugal's opening World Cup group game against Spain in an early heavyweight clash in Russia. The European champions face 2010 World Cup winners Spain in their first Group B fixture in Sochi on June 15, the winner of which will […]

Moscow (AFP) – Brazil arrived in Russia on Monday hungry to make amends for their World Cup humiliation in 2014 with Neymar apparently fighting fit, as Lionel Messi cast doubt over his international future. The Brazilians landed in the early hours in Sochi, the Black Sea resort where they will be based, buoyant after beating […]