FIFA World Cup 2018 Offbeat
Soaked but smiling, Croatian president wins admirers at WC final
Croatian President Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic wins many admirers for own performance at the World Cup final in Moscow, where she stands in driving rain at the closing ceremony, smiles and hugs every player from both teams.
Paris subway changes names to honour WC champs
France's soccer coach will have a subway train station named after him to celebrate his World Cup win and poet Victor Hugo will have to share his memorial slot on Paris's transport map with the team's goalkeeper and captain.
Russia targeted by almost '25 million cyber-attacks' during WC: Putin
Russia was the target of almost 25 million cyber-attacks during the World Cup, President Vladimir Putin says, though he did not indicate who may have been behind the attacks.
Trump congratulates Putin on hosting the WC
President Donald Trump tweets Sunday to congratulate the winning team, President Vladimir Putin, and Russia after the World Cup final, which he calls "one of the best ever!"
Croatian leader hands Putin soccer shirt before WC final
Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic gave Russian President Vladimir Putin a Croatian soccer shirt with the name "Putin" printed on the back on Sunday, hours before Croatia play France in the World Cup final in Moscow.
Croatia the smallest nation to reach WC final since 1950
Croatia, a small east European nation with a population of just 4 million, become the smallest and lowest ranked team ever to reach a World Cup final.
Croatia cabinet meets in soccer team jerseys
Croatia's cabinet ministers held a session dressed in the red and white checkered jerseys of the national soccer team to celebrate the country's victory in a World Cup semi-final.
Paris celebrates France's march to the World Cup final
The French national anthem La Marseillaise, chants of "We're in the final" and a cacophony of car horns and fire crackers rings out over Paris as residents of the capital celebrates France's march to the World Cup final.
Messi, Beckham and others star in Adidas’ World Cup ad
Adidas releases an ad featuring stars like Lionel Messi, David Beckham along with other sporting figures and musicians for its “Create the Answer” ad campaign.
Messi’s hometown turns blue & white
Lionel Messi’s hometown Rosario paints in the Argentine national colours ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, which will start next week in Russia.
FIFA files criminal complaint against Viagogo
FIFA files a criminal complaint against the secondary ticketing firm Viagogo's sale of 2018 World Cup tickets, opening a new battle between sports organisations and websites seeking a share of their profits.
Two England fans to cycle 2400 Miles to Russia for World Cup
How far would you go to watch the World Cup? Would you fly, travel by train, or even drive? Or, would you cycle 2,400 miles across 8 countries? England fans Jamie Marriott and Mitch Jones are doing exactly that.
Each Messi, Neymar goal to feed 10,000 children
From Thursday onwards, each goal scored by Argentine genius Lionel Messi and Brazilian sensation Neymar in competitive matches including the upcoming FIFA World Cup, will feed 10,000 school children in Latin America and the Carribean.
Russian cosmonauts show off football skills in zero gravity
Russian cosmonauts Anton Shkaplerov and Oleg Artemyev showcase their footballing skills in zero-gravity at the International Space Station (ISS) ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2018,set to begin on June 14.
Russians to take no part in World Cup drug testing
Russians will not be involved in drug testing procedures at the World Cup as FIFA looks to reassure teams that samples cannot be tampered with.
Watchdog urges Russia world cup opening boycott over Syria
World leaders should boycott Russian President Vladimir Putin's VIP box at next month's World Cup opening unless he takes steps to protect Syrian civilians, Human Rights Watch said Tuesday.
Russia prepares for World Cup drone attack
Russia will reportedly deploy jamming devices used in Syria and the war in Ukraine to defend World Cup stadiums against a drone attack. The threat of terror has been a prime concern for organisers of the June 14 to July 15 football showpiece.