2018 World Cup

Gerard Pique scrutinised in Spain team for Catalonia stance

Pique broke down in tears after Barcelona`s win over Las Palmas on Sunday, declaring "I am Catalan and feel Catalan" and offered to quit the Spain team if anyone in the side had a problem with his views.

Oct 06, 2017, 00:06 AM IST

Lionel Messi's misfiring Argentina face awkward hurdle in 2018 World Cup qualifier

A lacklustre 1-1 home draw with Venezuela in their last outing on September 5 left Argentina`s hopes of automatic qualification for next year`s finals in Russia hanging by the slenderest of threads.

Oct 04, 2017, 12:18 PM IST

FIFA announces simplified format for 2018 World Cup draw

The global soccer body said that the 32 teams would be divided into four pots with the seven top-ranked teams plus hosts Russia in pot one, the next eight-ranked teams in pot two and so on.

Sep 15, 2017, 00:05 AM IST

2018 World Cup qualifiers: Lionel Messi-led Argentina look to maintain pressure on Chile

An uninspiring 0-0 draw with Uruguay in Montevideo on Thursday left Argentina level on 23 points with fourth-placed Chile, who lead on goal difference.

Sep 04, 2017, 10:54 AM IST

Russia faces first test for 2018 World Cup with Confederations Cup opener

World Cup holders Germany and the FIFA Confederations champions compete in the eight-team tournament which will put Russia`s ability to handle thousands of visiting and home fans under the spotlight.

Jun 17, 2017, 08:36 AM IST

Five things to look out for at FIFA Confederations Cup 2017

Since its inception in 1997, the Confederations Cup has been won four times by Brazil, twice by France and once by Mexico.

Jun 16, 2017, 22:53 PM IST

2018 World Cup: FIFA admits North Korean workers helped build Russian venues

The impoverished North Korea state is known to export workers abroad in a bid to earn hard currency. The workers are often employed in near slave-labour conditions.

May 26, 2017, 23:23 PM IST

2018 World Cup: Russia gets FIFA chief Gianni Infantino's approval over tournament preparation

"I`ve always been convinced that Russia will meet all of its obligations -- now we can see the concrete facts," RIA Novosti news agency quoted Infantino as saying in the southern city of Krasnodar in comments translated into Russian.

May 23, 2017, 23:00 PM IST

2018 FIFA World Cup hooligan threat 'overblown' and 'fake': Russian official

Since well-prepared Russian hooligans struck at Euro 2016 in France, one Russian legislator has called for hooliganism to be made legal and turned into a spectator sport.

May 18, 2017, 16:51 PM IST

FIFA uplift Lionel Messi ban for abuse of fourth official, making him free to play World Cup qualifiers

Argentine football chief Armando Perez conceded that Messi "made a mistake", but argued that FIFA`s sanction was disproportionate.

May 05, 2017, 19:19 PM IST

FIFA image damaging search for 2018 World Cup sponsors, claims hosts Russia

FIFA has been struggling to find major new sponsors since corruption scandals that ousted its head Sepp Blatter and dozens of other football officials erupted in 2015.

Apr 20, 2017, 00:08 AM IST

New Argentine FA president vows to get Lionel Messi ban reduced

Messi was suspended on Tuesday after FIFA said he had "directed insulting words at an assistant referee" during their 1-0 World Cup qualifying win over Chile on Thursday.

Mar 30, 2017, 09:50 AM IST

2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying: Neymar's Brazil almost there, Lionel Messi-less Argentina crash

Messi`s suspension left Argentina coach Edgardo Bauza forced to make a hasty reshuffle to his starting line-up.

Mar 29, 2017, 09:53 AM IST

2018 FIFA World Cup: Hosts Russia's defeat raises alarm bells

Russia, jeered off the field at the end of the game, have won just three games in 12 over the past year.

Mar 25, 2017, 00:14 AM IST

FIFA chief Gianni Infantino 'confident' of video officials at 2018 World Cup

Speaking at Wembley Stadium after the Annual Meeting of IFAB, Infantino said all the referees likely to officiate in Russia next year had been tested with VAR technology.

Mar 04, 2017, 12:12 PM IST

English Premier League confirms start, finish dates for 2017-18 season

This current EPL season started on August 13, 2016 and will end on May 21 this year.

Feb 09, 2017, 00:07 AM IST

Kremlin to host 2018 World Cup final on December 1

Russia will host the 2018 World Cup between June 14 and July 15 at 12 stadiums in 11 cities including Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Kazan and Sochi.

Jan 23, 2017, 20:44 PM IST

USD 640mn boost forecast for 48-team FIFA World Cup: Report

In a 40-team World Cup, Europe would gain one extra berth compared to its current 13, while Africa would be able to send seven teams rather than five with Asia`s allocation increasing from 4.5 to 6.

Jan 07, 2017, 00:07 AM IST