Football Features

Jose Mourinho predicts Socceroos to reach World Cup last 16

Jose Mourinho predicts Socceroos to reach World Cup last 16

Manchester United head coach Jose Mourinho has predicted Australia to finish second in Group C and qualify for the 2018 World Cup knockout stages. 6 Jun 2018
Tunisia Defender says playing at World Cup was childhood dream

Tunisia Defender says playing at World Cup was childhood dream

Tunisia defender Yohan Benalouane said on Wednesday that it was his childhood dream to play at the FIFA World Cup and that he was overwhelmed by the chance to represent his country at this summer's tournament in Russia. 6 Jun 2018
Ex-Bulgaria Defender Sirakov Says Russia to Reach Knockout Stage at 2018 FIFA World Cup

Ex-Bulgaria Defender Sirakov Says Russia to Reach Knockout Stage at 2018 FIFA World Cup

MOSCOW, June 6 (Sputnik) - Former Amkar Perm and Bulgaria defender Zahari Sirakov told Sputnik Wednesday that the Russian national team could reach the knockout stage at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. 6 Jun 2018
Teams Based in St. Petersburg During FIFA World Cup to Arrive by June 12 - Deputy Governor

Teams Based in St. Petersburg During FIFA World Cup to Arrive by June 12 - Deputy Governor

ST. PETERSBURG, June 6 (Sputnik) - The national football teams of Saudi Arabia, Croatia, Costa Rica, England and South Korea, which will be based in St. Petersburg during this summer's FIFA World Cup, are set to arrive in the city from June 9 to June 12, St. Petersburg Deputy Governor Vladimir Kirillov said on Wednesday. 6 Jun 2018
Midfielder Alli Says England Go to Russia to Win 2018 FIFA World Cup

Midfielder Alli Says England Go to Russia to Win 2018 FIFA World Cup

MOSCOW, June 6 (Sputnik) - Tottenham Hotspur and England midfielder Dele Alli said Wednesday that nothing but winning the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia would suffice for the England national football team. 6 Jun 2018
International Security Service Center Opens in Russia Ahead of FIFA World Cup

International Security Service Center Opens in Russia Ahead of FIFA World Cup

MOSCOW, June 6 (Sputnik) - A center for cooperation between international security services has opened in Russia ahead of this summer's FIFA World Cup, First Deputy Head of the Russian Interior Ministry's department for security of major international and mass sports events Anton Gusev said on Wednesday.  6 Jun 2018
Egypt Head Coach Hopes Star Striker Salah Recovers by First Match of 2018 FIFA World Cup

Egypt Head Coach Hopes Star Striker Salah Recovers by First Match of 2018 FIFA World Cup

MOSCOW, June 6 (Sputnik) - Egypt head coach Hector Cuper said Wednesday that he hoped injured forward Mohamed Salah would recover in time for the team's first match at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. 6 Jun 2018
Russia's Saturday Training Session to Be Open to Supporters - Football Union

Russia's Saturday Training Session to Be Open to Supporters - Football Union

MOSCOW, June 6 (Sputnik) - Football fans will be able to attend the Russian national football team's open training session to be held at Moscow's CSKA Arena on Saturday, the Russian Football Union said Wednesday. 6 Jun 2018
Russian Federal Customs Service Issues Tourist Guide for 2018 FIFA World Cup Fans

Russian Federal Customs Service Issues Tourist Guide for 2018 FIFA World Cup Fans

MOSCOW, June 6 (Sputnik) - The Russian Federal Customs Service has issued a tourist guide for fans planning to visit Russia for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the service said Wednesday. 6 Jun 2018
German Interior Minister to Attend FIFA World Cup in Russia If Schedule Permits

German Interior Minister to Attend FIFA World Cup in Russia If Schedule Permits

BERLIN, June 6 (Sputnik) - German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer, who is also responsible for sports in the German government, plans to visit Russia and attend this summer's FIFA World Cup if his schedule permits, the ministry's spokeswoman said Wednesday. 6 Jun 2018
Volunteer Center Opens in Moscow Ahead of 2018 FIFA World Cup

Volunteer Center Opens in Moscow Ahead of 2018 FIFA World Cup

MOSCOW, June 6 (Sputnik) - Moscow's volunteer coordination center has opened in the Russian capital ahead of this summer's FIFA World Cup, a Sputnik correspondent reported on Wednesday. 6 Jun 2018
Visa Card-Only Payments at World Cup Arenas Conforms With Russian Law - Antitrust Watchdog

Visa Card-Only Payments at World Cup Arenas Conforms With Russian Law - Antitrust Watchdog

MOSCOW, June 6 (Sputnik) - Visa card-only payment at the stadiums during the FIFA World Cup, which will be held in Russia this summer, does not contradict the Russian antimonopoly legislation, Deputy Head of the Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service, Andrey Kashevarov, told Sputnik on Wednesday. 6 Jun 2018
Yekaterinburg's Hospitality Industry Workers Brush Up English Ahead of 2018 FIFA World Cup

Yekaterinburg's Hospitality Industry Workers Brush Up English Ahead of 2018 FIFA World Cup

YEKATERINBURG, June 6 (Sputnik) - Almost 800 hospitality industry workers in Russia's Sverdlovsk Region, whose capital Yekaterinburg will host four FIFA World Cup matches this summer, have taken English courses ahead of the tournament, the department of information policy of the region's head said Wednesday. 6 Jun 2018
Israeli Defense Minister Blasts Argentina's Cancellation of Pre-World Cup Israel Friendly

Israeli Defense Minister Blasts Argentina's Cancellation of Pre-World Cup Israel Friendly

TEL AVIV, June 6 (Sputnik) - Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman criticized on Wednesday Argentina's decision to cancel a planned friendly against Israel. 6 Jun 2018
Any Team May Play Well at 2018 FIFA World Cup, Including Hosts Russia - Ex-Russia Defender

Any Team May Play Well at 2018 FIFA World Cup, Including Hosts Russia - Ex-Russia Defender

MOSCOW, June 6 (Sputnik) - Any team may produce a successful performance at the FIFA World Cup in Russia, including the hosts, former Russia defender Dmitrн Khlestov told Sputnik on Wednesday. 6 Jun 2018
Most Moscow FIFA World Cup Volunteers to Work on Public Transport, at Fan Fest

Most Moscow FIFA World Cup Volunteers to Work on Public Transport, at Fan Fest

MOSCOW, June 6 (Sputnik) - A total of 6,000 city volunteers will work in Moscow during this summer's FIFA World Cup, with the majority of them set to help out on public transport and at the FIFA Fan Fest, Moscow's volunteer center Mosvolonter told Sputnik Wednesday. 6 Jun 2018
Friendly Between Israel, Argentina Canceled After 'Threats' to Messi - Israeli Embassy

Friendly Between Israel, Argentina Canceled After 'Threats' to Messi - Israeli Embassy

MOSCOW, June 6 (Sputnik) - Saturday's friendly between Israel and Argentina has been canceled due to "threats and provocations" aimed at Argentina captain Lionel Messi, the Israeli Embassy in Argentina said on Wednesday. 6 Jun 2018
Volgograd's FIFA World Cup Arena Becomes New Attraction for Locals, Visitors - Organizers

Volgograd's FIFA World Cup Arena Becomes New Attraction for Locals, Visitors - Organizers

MOSCOW, June 6 (Sputnik) - Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Arkady Dvorkovich said that Volgograd has changed ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup and that the newly-built Volgograd Arena has become one of the city's main attractions, the press service of the Volgograd Region's administration reported Wednesday. 6 Jun 2018
About 100,000 Chinese Fans Expected to Travel to Russia for FIFA World Cup - Reports

About 100,000 Chinese Fans Expected to Travel to Russia for FIFA World Cup - Reports

BEIJING, June 6 (Sputnik) - Around 100,000 football fans from China are going to visit Russia for this summer's FIFA World Cup, the Chinese media reported. 6 Jun 2018
Ex-Coach Bilyaletdinov Says No Need To Panic After Russia's 1-1 Friendly Draw With Turkey

Ex-Coach Bilyaletdinov Says No Need To Panic After Russia's 1-1 Friendly Draw With Turkey

MOSCOW, June 6 (Sputnik) - Former SKA-Khabarovsk and Rubin Kazan head coach Rinat Bilyaletdinov told Sputnik Wednesday that Russia's poor results in the recent friendlies against Austria and Turkey were no reason for panic. 6 Jun 2018
Argentina Striker Higuain Supports Cancellation of Israel Friendly Ahead of FIFA World Cup

Argentina Striker Higuain Supports Cancellation of Israel Friendly Ahead of FIFA World Cup

MOSCOW, June 6 (Sputnik) - Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain said that he approved of the cancellation of Saturday's friendly against Israel due to political pressure, the US media reported. 6 Jun 2018