Football Features

Zhirkov Fit and 'Well' After Leaving Training Early

Zhirkov Fit and 'Well' After Leaving Training Early

Russia midfielder Yuri Zhirkov is fit and "well" despite having to leave Russia’s latest pre-World Cup training session on Saturday early. 9 Jun 2018
A big day in Socceroos history

A big day in Socceroos history

Today marks the 95th anniversary of the Socceroos' first international on home soil. 9 Jun 2018
Russia Yet to Study opening night rivals Saudi Arabia

Russia Yet to Study opening night rivals Saudi Arabia

Russia forward Aleksei Miranchuk says he and his team have not yet studied rivals Saudi Arabia ahead of the tournament's opening game. 9 Jun 2018
Iceland fans can fly direct to Russia in time for the World Cup

Iceland fans can fly direct to Russia in time for the World Cup

S7 Airlines will begin operating direct scheduled flights from Moscow to the Icelandic capital Reykjavik ahead of the World Cup, the company said in a statement published on the official website. 9 Jun 2018
Midfielder Zhirkov Leaves Russia's Pre-World Cup Training Session Early

Midfielder Zhirkov Leaves Russia's Pre-World Cup Training Session Early

MOSCOW, June 9 (Sputnik) - Russia midfielder Yuri Zhirkov left the team's Saturday pre-World Cup training session at Moscow's CSKA Arena early. 9 Jun 2018
International Broadcast Centre Opens in Moscow Ahead of the World Cup

International Broadcast Centre Opens in Moscow Ahead of the World Cup

The International Broadcast Center (IBC) opened in Moscow on Saturday ahead of the upcoming World Cup. 9 Jun 2018
Russia hold open training session

Russia hold open training session

The Russian national team held an open training session at the CSKA Arena in Moscow on Saturday ahead of next week's World Cup. 9 Jun 2018
Good news for travelling Socceroos as Sochi matchdays are declared 'days off'

Good news for travelling Socceroos as Sochi matchdays are declared 'days off'

The mayor of Sochi has declared the days on which the city will host matches during the World Cup as official 'days off'. 9 Jun 2018
N. Korean dignitary to attend opening ceremony

N. Korean dignitary to attend opening ceremony

President of the Presidium of North Korea's Supreme People's Assembly Kim Yong Nam will attend the FIFA World Cup opening ceremony in Moscow on 14 June, according to the Korea Central News Agency. 9 Jun 2018
Fan ID support centres open at Moscow Airport

Fan ID support centres open at Moscow Airport

Support centres tasked with helping international visitors pass through customs using their World Cup Fan IDs have begun operating at Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport. 9 Jun 2018
Fans in Sochi reminded of border regulations

Fans in Sochi reminded of border regulations

Foreigners visiting Sochi for World Cup games will not be allowed to visit areas close to the Abkhazia-Russia border without the necessary documentation. 9 Jun 2018
FIFA sell 120,000 extra World Cup tickets overnight

FIFA sell 120,000 extra World Cup tickets overnight

About 120,000 additional tickets for the World Cup in Russia were sold to football fans over the course of a few hours. 9 Jun 2018
Russia beat Germany 5-3 in fun fan friendly

Russia beat Germany 5-3 in fun fan friendly

Russian State Duma lawmakers beat Germany's Bundestag football club's team 5-3 in a friendly match on Friday ahead of next week's FIFA World Cup, the Russian lower house's press service said Saturday. 9 Jun 2018
Extreme stats: The youngest team, warmest city... and longest national anthem

Extreme stats: The youngest team, warmest city... and longest national anthem

The players are picked, the cities are ready and the teams and fans are beginning to arrive in Russia for the greatest show on Earth. 9 Jun 2018
Poland Held to 2-2 Draw by Chile in Pre-World Cup Friendly

Poland Held to 2-2 Draw by Chile in Pre-World Cup Friendly

World Cup-bound Poland were held to a 2-2 draw by Chile in a friendly at the Municipal Stadium in Poznan on Friday. 9 Jun 2018
Romania Publishes Guide for Citizens Visiting Russia for FIFA World Cup

Romania Publishes Guide for Citizens Visiting Russia for FIFA World Cup

CHISINAU, June 8 (Sputnik) - Romanian citizens who are planning to visit Russia during this summer's FIFA World Cup are recommended to use a travel guide, the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Friday. 9 Jun 2018
International Cultural Exchange Center to Open in Russia's Volgograd Ahead of World Cup

International Cultural Exchange Center to Open in Russia's Volgograd Ahead of World Cup

VOLGOGRAD, June 8 (Sputnik) - The Volgograd Region's administration reported on Friday that the International Cultural Exchange Center, set to operate during the 2018 FIFA World Cup, would open in Volgograd on June 15, with the Day of England set to be the first event to be held there. 9 Jun 2018
UPDATE - Germany Defeat Saudi Arabia 2-1 in Pre-World Cup Friendly

UPDATE - Germany Defeat Saudi Arabia 2-1 in Pre-World Cup Friendly

MOSCOW, June 8 (Sputnik) - Germany finished their FIFA World Cup preparations on a high note after they defeated Saudi Arabia 2-1 in a friendly in Leverkusen on Friday. 9 Jun 2018
Germany defeat Saudi Arabia 2-1 in final warm-up match

Germany defeat Saudi Arabia 2-1 in final warm-up match

Germany finished their World Cup preparations with a narrow but welcome win after they defeated Saudi Arabia 2-1 in a friendly in Leverkusen on Friday. 9 Jun 2018
Yaya Toure backing Brazil and Spain

Yaya Toure backing Brazil and Spain

Manchester City and Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure told Sputnik on Friday that he believed Brazil and Spain were the favorites to win the 2018 FIFA World Cup. 9 Jun 2018
PUTIN: RUSSIA HAVE DONE EVERYTHING SO THAT SPORTSMEN, SPECIALISTS, FANS FEEL AT HOME DURING FIFA WORLD CUP

PUTIN: RUSSIA HAVE DONE EVERYTHING SO THAT SPORTSMEN, SPECIALISTS, FANS FEEL AT HOME DURING FIFA WORLD CUP

SPUTNIK 9 Jun 2018