2018 FIFA World Cup

Nice (France), June 2 (IANS) France prevailed 3-1 over Italy here in the hosts’ penultimate international friendly before heading to Russia for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Facing an Italian side that is rebuilding after…

Mexico City, June 1 (IANS) Mexico’s president Enrique Pe?a Nieto said at a send-off ceremony for the FIFA World Cup-bound national football team that it had the unique ability to bring Mexicans of all political…

Eppan (Italy), June 1 (IANS) German goalkeepers Manuel Neuer, Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Kevin Trapp on Friday participated in their national football team’s training session in Italy, two weeks ahead of going to the 2018…

Schruns (Austria), June 1 (IANS) Smiles broke out at Peru’s pre-World Cup training ground in Austria on Friday as the team welcomed back its captain Paolo Guerrero the day after an anti-doping ban that threatened…

Carnago (Italy), June 1 (IANS) The Colombian team will face off in the northern Italian city of Bergamo against an Egyptian squad lacking injured captain Mohamed Salah in a friendly match ahead of next month’s…

Riyadh, June 1 (IANS) After failing to qualify for the World Cups in South Africa in 2010 and Brazil in 2014, Saudi Arabia will have the chance to compete at the 2018 FIFA World Cup…

Tehran, June 1 (IANS) They’ve entered the FIFA World Cup before, but never progressed beyond the group stage. Iran are eager to rewrite history this summer in Russia, but will have to face strong title…

Buenos Aires, June 1 (IANS) Runners-up at Brazil 2014, the Copa America in Chile in 2015 and again in the US in 2016, football powerhouse Argentina has been the perennial bridesmaid in recent years. The…

London, June 1 (IANS) The Nigeria football team have arrived here ahead of their pre-World Cup friendly against England at the Wembley on Saturday, with Chelsea FC star Victor Moses joining his teammates in camp….

Madrid, May 31 (IANS) Real Madrid defender Nacho Fernandez on Thursday joined training with the Spanish national football team in Madrid, three days ahead of La Roja’s friendly against Switzerland in preparations leading up to…

Lima, May 31 (IANS) Peru coach Ricardo Gareca has confirmed his 23-man squad for the FIFA World Cup in Russia, leaving out Velez Sarsfield centre-back Luis Abram. The announcement followed Peru’s 2-0 victory over Scotland…

Moscow, May 31 (IANS) Only once before has a World Cup host nation failed to progress beyond the competition’s first stage. That dubious distinction belongs to South Africa, who were sent packing 11 days into…

Melbourne, May 31 (IANS) Once upon a time, Australia dared to dream of reaching the FIFA World Cup finals, seemingly destined to always stumble at the final hurdle of an almost impossible qualification process. These…

Paris, May 31 (IANS) Two decades after lifting the World Cup on home soil, France is ready to relive the glory with one of the most talented teams they have had in recent memory. Kylian…

San Jose, May 31 (IANS) The Costa Rican national team preparing for next month’s 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia held their first practice at full strength here with the addition of goalkeeper Keylor Navas….

Innsbruck (Austria), May 31 (IANS) Russia’s defensive weakness was on display as the 2018 FIFA World Cup hosts fell 1-0 to Austria, who failed to qualify for the tournament. Playing their penultimate international friendly before…

Yokohama, May 30 (IANS) Japan lost 0-2 to Ghana in the Kirin Challenge Cup at the Nissan Stadium in Yokohama on Wednesday, leaving new head coach Akira Nishino with lots to think about before the…

Berlin, May 30 (IANS) Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer on Wednesday took part in his national football team’s training session ahead of a pre-World Cup friendly against Austria. On Monday, the goalkeeper played 30 minutes in…

Las Rozas (Spain), May 30 (IANS) Valencia forward Rodrigo Moreno on Wednesday told the press his intention was to stay at the football club for the coming season, thus playing down rumours ahead of the…