2018 FIFA World Cup

Chinese firm delivers refund promise after France wins World Cup

France winning the World Cup trophy in Russia, Chinese kitchen and bathroom appliance maker Vatti Corp is now in the spotlight -- it is time for the company to deliver on a bold promise.

World Cup celebrations rock France

Newspapers and TV stations hail France's World Cup victory, while clean-up crews work against the clock to tidy up after a crazy night's partying in Paris ahead of a victory parade down the Champs Elysees.

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.

'Thank you, heroes'- press hail Croatia squad

Croatian media hails their team as heroes after the small country's historic success in reaching the World Cup final where France beat them 4-2.

Deschamps hails 'beautiful' WC win but Lovren says 'France didn’t play football'

Croatia defender Dejan Lovren is scathing of France's style of play following his side's defeat in Sunday's World Cup final.

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!"

Mental strength paid off for France, says Deschamps

France manages to overcome mistakes and imperfections in their World Cup final victory over Croatia with sheer mental strength to lift the trophy for the second time, coach Didier Deschamps says.

June 24, 2018
June 24, 2018

Senegal, Japan play out 2-2 thriller

Japan twice come from behind to draw 2-2 with Senegal in their World Cup Group H encounter on Sunday.

June 24, 2018
June 24, 2018

Hattrick Kane leads England into last 16

England and Belgium qualify for the World Cup knockout phase after Gareth Southgate's side sweep Panama aside 6-1 on Sunday.

June 24, 2018
June 24, 2018

Harry Kane overtakes Ronaldo, Lukaku in Golden boot race

England's Harry Kane rockets to the top of the 2018 World Cup goalscoring charts, netting a hat-trick against Panama to overtake Cristiano Ronaldo and Romelu Lukaku.

June 24, 2018
June 24, 2018

Nothing goes missing in Brazil's win

Whew! What a relief Friday night offered to fans of two Latin American football powerhouses -- Brazil and Argentina -- in Bangladesh and beyond.

June 23, 2018
June 23, 2018

Oh no, ARGENTINA!

What a shocker it was! No football buff, I believe, saw this coming. Argentina, the powerhouse of world football, are on the brink of elimination this early from the World Cup in Russia.

June 22, 2018
June 22, 2018

Musa gives Argentina hope

A brace from Ahmed Musa handed Nigeria a 2-0 win over Iceland, which keeps Argentina's hopes of progressing to the 2018 World Cup round of 16 alive.

June 21, 2018
June 21, 2018

Arab dismay - and jokes - after mass World Cup exit

No-one expected Egypt, Morocco or Saudi Arabia to win the World Cup but for all three to crash out on the same day was a disaster for Arab football.

June 21, 2018
June 21, 2018

Iranian girls finally allowed in stadium to watch World Cup match

For the first time in 37 years Iranian girls were allowed to enter the stadium and watch a game of football

June 21, 2018
June 21, 2018

Messi needs to get angry

Regardless of what happens to Argentina at this World Cup, Lionel Messi needs to free himself of the burden of being the Albiceleste’s only hope and play his own game – with the ferocity we have come to expect from the Barcelona great.

June 21, 2018
June 21, 2018

Costa sees Spain past Iran

Spain squeeze 1-0 past dogged Iran in their World Cup Group B encounter on Wednesday thanks to a fortuitous goal from Diego Costa.