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.

July 7, 2018
July 7, 2018

England romp into semis

An impressive England advance to their first World Cup semifinal for 28 years on Saturday after headers by Harry Maguire and Dele Alli give them a deserved 2-0 last-eight victory over a disappointing Sweden.

July 7, 2018
July 7, 2018

South Americans make early exit after top players fail to fire

South America will be absent from the World Cup semi-finals for the fifth time in the tournament's history after the continent's top players either fails to excel or sufferes injuries at key moments during the tournament in Russia.

July 7, 2018
July 7, 2018

England unchanged as Larsson returns for Sweden

England coach Gareth Southgate names an unchanged side for Saturday's World Cup quarter-final against Sweden following their penalty shootout victory over Colombia in the last round.

July 7, 2018
July 7, 2018

Lukaku shows he is capable of more than just scoring

"Everyone thinks Romelu Lukaku is just about goals, goals, goals, but I want to be seen as an all-rounder" says Lukaku.

July 7, 2018
July 7, 2018

Brazil dumped out by Belgium

Belgium ended Brazil's dream of a sixth World Cup title when they beat the South Americans 2-1 in a dramatic, enthralling end-to-end quarter-final on Friday to earn a semi-final tie against France.

July 6, 2018
July 6, 2018

France in semifinals

Raphael Varane's glancing header and a goalkeeping blunder that gifted Antoine Griezmann a soft goal gave France a 2-0 victory over Uruguay in the first World Cup quarter-final on Friday.

July 5, 2018
July 5, 2018

Maradona apologises over 'robbery' comments

Diego Maradona apologises to FIFA and its referees for saying that England's last 16 win over Colombia in the World Cup was a robbery and that referee Mark Geiger is not up to the task.

July 5, 2018
July 5, 2018

Suarez turns from villain to elder statesman

Surez comes to Uruguay's World Cup quarter-final against France on Friday an all-together wiser and maturer, albeit lacking a bit of the spark and speed of his earlier days.

July 5, 2018
July 5, 2018

Stones happy to send 'dirtiest team' Colombia home from WC

John Stones says Colombia are the "dirtiest team" and is glad England's new-found streetwise streak helped knock the South Americans out of the World Cup.

July 5, 2018
July 5, 2018

Guardiola's City players dominate WC as last-eight looms

With many of Manchester City's players still competing in the later stages of the World Cup, the influence of Pep Guardiola’s English champions is being felt across the globe.