Football Features

Ospina says Japan will be tough opponents

Ospina says Japan will be tough opponents

Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina said on Monday that Japan would be a tough team to play against, ahead of their match on Tuesday in Saransk. 19 Jun 2018
Glik may miss Senegal match says Nawalka

Glik may miss Senegal match says Nawalka

Poland Defender Kamil Glik may miss the 2018 World Cup match against Senegal, Poland head coach Adam Nawalka said on Monday. 19 Jun 2018
Hamilton wishes England success

Hamilton wishes England success

Four-time Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton wished England "all the best" in their first 2018 World Cup encounter on Monday. 19 Jun 2018
Dalic confirms Kalinic exclusion from World Cup squad

Dalic confirms Kalinic exclusion from World Cup squad

Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic confirmed on Monday that the team’s forward Nikola Kalinic had been sent home from the squad after refusing to come on as a substitute during Saturday’s World Cup match against Nigeria. 19 Jun 2018
Croatia will prepare to play Argentina, not just Messi says Vrsaljko

Croatia will prepare to play Argentina, not just Messi says Vrsaljko

Croatia defender Sime Vrsaljko said Monday that his team were preparing to play against Argentina and not just against their captain Lionel Messi, in their next World Cup match. 19 Jun 2018
Senegal need to enjoy World Cup says Kouyate

Senegal need to enjoy World Cup says Kouyate

Senegal midfielder and captain Cheikhou Kouyate said on Monday that it was important for the team to enjoy the World Cup and give joy to their supporters. 19 Jun 2018
Almost 10 million Russians watched World Cup opener

Almost 10 million Russians watched World Cup opener

Almost 10 million Russians watched the television broadcast of the World Cup opening game between Russia and Saudi Arabia, a survey revealed on Monday. 19 Jun 2018
Hasebe says Japan are in excellent shape

Hasebe says Japan are in excellent shape

Japan are in excellent shape and are ready to face Colombia in their first game of the World Cup, the team's captain Makoto Hasebe said on Monday. 19 Jun 2018
Nishino says earthquake in Japan may have psychological impact

Nishino says earthquake in Japan may have psychological impact

Japan head coach Akira Nishino said on Monday that the earthquake in the western Japan city of Osaka might have a psychological impact on his players ahead of their first 2018 World Cup match against Colombia. 19 Jun 2018
Antwerp mayor says World Cup has been well organized

Antwerp mayor says World Cup has been well organized

Antwerp Mayor Bart de Wever told Sputnik Monday that the 2018 World Cup in Russia was "well organized." 19 Jun 2018
Andersson says atmosphere at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium was fantastic

Andersson says atmosphere at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium was fantastic

Sweden head coach Janne Andersson said Monday that the atmosphere had been "fantastic" at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium where his team beat South Korea 1-0 earlier in the day. 19 Jun 2018
Granqvist says spying allegations are over the top

Granqvist says spying allegations are over the top

Sweden defender and captain Andreas Granqvist said Monday that the whole issue of Sweden allegedly spying on South Korea was "over the top." 19 Jun 2018
Cisse says African team will win World Cup one day

Cisse says African team will win World Cup one day

Senegal head coach Aliou Cisse said Monday he was sure an African team will one day win the FIFA World Cup. 19 Jun 2018
Over 5.3 million Russians watched World Cup opening ceremony

Over 5.3 million Russians watched World Cup opening ceremony

Over 5.3 million Russians watched the opening ceremony of the 2018 World Cup, broadcast live on Russia’s Channel One, a survey revealed on Monday. 19 Jun 2018
Japan should try to keep Rodriguez at bay says Nishino

Japan should try to keep Rodriguez at bay says Nishino

Japan head coach Akira Nishino said on Monday that it was crucial for all of his players to pay special attention to Colombia midfielder James Rodriguez during the teams first match at the 2018 World Cup, which is set to be held in Saransk on Tuesday. 19 Jun 2018
Two UK fans face penalties after drunken incident

Two UK fans face penalties after drunken incident

Two UK football fans, who were involved in an incident on a train traveling to a 2018 World Cup match in the southern Russian city of Volgograd, were drunk and now face administrative penalties, the Russian transport police said Monday. 19 Jun 2018
Russian embassy in London wish England good luck

Russian embassy in London wish England good luck

Russian Embassy in London wished good luck to England in their first match of the 2018 World Cup against Tunisia on Monday. 19 Jun 2018
Deputy UK Ambassador to Russia lays flowers at World War II memorial

Deputy UK Ambassador to Russia lays flowers at World War II memorial

Deputy UK Ambassador to Russia Lindsay Skoll and UK and Russian football fans laid flowers at Mamayev Kurgan, a World War II memorial located in the southern Russian city of Volgograd, the press service of local football club Rotor said Monday. 19 Jun 2018
Two UK fans face penalties after drunken incident

Two UK fans face penalties after drunken incident

Two UK football fans, who were involved in an incident on a train traveling to a World Cup match in the southern Russian city of Volgograd, were drunk and now face administrative penalties, the Russian transport police said Monday. 19 Jun 2018
Granqvist penalty gives Sweden 1-0 win over South Korea

Granqvist penalty gives Sweden 1-0 win over South Korea

Sweden defender and captain Andreas Granqvist's perfectly executed spot kick proved to be the difference as the Scandinavian team beat South Korea 1-0 in Nizhny Novgorod on Monday. 19 Jun 2018
TWO UK FANS DETAINED AFTER INCIDENT ON TRAIN TO FIFA WORLD CUP MATCH IN VOLGOGRAD GIVEN ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTIES - POLICE

TWO UK FANS DETAINED AFTER INCIDENT ON TRAIN TO FIFA WORLD CUP MATCH IN VOLGOGRAD GIVEN ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTIES - POLICE

SPUTNIK 19 Jun 2018