FIFA World Cup 2018 Offbeat

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.

6y ago

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.

6y ago

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.

6y ago

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!"

6y ago

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.

6y ago

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.

6y ago

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.

6y ago

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.

6y ago

Childhood memories make Neymar emotional

Neymar broke down in tears when he walks into a recreation of his tiny childhood bedroom on a TV program

6y ago

`Russia is really a football country'

French footballing great Marcel Desailly has no doubt about Russia’s hospitality and being “a football country” as it prepares to host the FIFA World Cup 2018 on the official FIFA Fan Fest zone in Moscow.

6y ago

Stunning Salah & Messi mosaics

Russian artists create stunning stone mosaics of two World cup stars, Argentina's Leo Messi and Egypt forward Mohamed Salah.

6y ago

Buttons fly in Brazilian tabletop football game

The game is played all over Brazil, as well as in a handful of other countries, but regional variations are common, meaning it can be surprisingly tricky to master.

6y ago

Ronaldo tucks into 'bread & salt' ceremonial welcome

Portugal Captain Cristiano Ronaldowas treats to a traditional Russian welcome of bread and salt when he arrives with his teammates at Moscow.

6y ago

Giant mural tribute to 'legend' Messi at Argentina base camp

With his arms cross and a face bursting with pride, Argentina superstar Lionel Messi towers above all those on the main street of Bronnitsy, a town of 20,000 residents some 50 kilometres from Moscow.

6y ago

VIDEO for Official 2018 FIFA World Cup Song Released

The official video clip to the World Cup 2018 song - ‘Live It Up’ -release featuring superstar Will Smith, DJ Nicky Jam and singer Era Istrefi with clips of some of the world’s top football stars.

6y ago

German Fan Driving Tractor to World Cup in Russia

A 70-year-old German fan is hoping he can reach Russia to enjoy the World Cup on a 30kph tractor within 10 days.

6y ago

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.

6y ago

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.

6y ago