Over the next month, Russia will serve up a football stroganoff spiced with enthralling matches, a dash of the world's finest players and the biggest prize in the sporting world -- the FIFA World Cup.

Argentina reserve goalkeeper Nahuel Guzman says the squad must do everything in their power to allow Lionel Messi to perform at his best during the World Cup in Russia.

Superstar Mohamed Salah gave Egypt's World Cup hopes a boost as he joined a squad training session at their Grozny base on Wednesday, a day after coming under heavy criticism for a smiling photo with Ramzan Kadyrov, strongman of Chechnya.

The sight of Lionel Messi is always a spectator's delight. And if the Argentina superstar is to be seen just hand-shaking distance away it is well worth the hour-and-a-half drive from Moscow to the tranquil setting of Syro Ezhkon Sports School training site.

Some tightened their lungis in the inimitable Bangladeshi style while getting ready for the next ball, a few were wearing three-quarter pants and all were bare-chested during the cricket match on a barren paddy field under fading daylight. This was the scene a few days ago in a remote village of Netrokona.

The 2018 version of the Telstar football features redesigned panels that are pixelated for durability and propellor-shaped to help flight

Spain dramatically sacked coach Julen Lopetegui on Wednesday and appointed federation sporting director Fernando Hierro -- just two days before the team's opening game at the World Cup.

It has been like rainbow after rain in Moscow for the last couple of days as fans from across the world have thronged the Russian capital and other cities in their thousands ahead of the World Cup, which kicks off at the Luzhniki Stadium today.

Spain named federation sporting director Fernando Hierro as its World Cup coach to replace Julen Lopetegui, who was sensationally sacked after his appointment as Real Madrid manager.

The greatest show on the earth will begin June 14 with the opening ceremony of the World Cup and ahead of the grand festivities Russia prepared to show off their culture and traditions through dancers, performers and other big-name headline acts in front of the world.

Egypt's Mohamed Salah gave his countrymen a World Cup boost as he join a squad training session at their Grozny base.

Brazil's former legendary player Roberto Carlos believes that Brazil have lost their essence under manager Tite but acknowledges that the team is more solid now.

Jose Mourinho predicts a stunning clash between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in the final of the World Cup 2018 -- the two greats of this generation, but he leaves the final outcome of the game to the imagination of the football fans.

Brazil are looking for their sixth world title and according to former Selecao legend Ronaldo, the country's hopes lie with Neymar.

The World Cup is arousing high passions in Bangladesh, where machete-wielding fans of Brazil and Argentina have clashed in the streets and flags of the two countries are so ubiquitous that some people want to ban them.

Two strikes from captain Robert Lewandowski followed by goals from Dawid Kownacki and Jakub Blaszczykowski give Poland a 4-0 victory over Lithuania in their final pre-World Cup friendly in Warsaw on Tuesday.

Everything in Moscow is imposing. It is perhaps no surprise because it is the capital of the largest country in the world.

Russia is all set to host the biggest show on Earth, the football world Cup that returns every four years to captivate the world sport fraternity.

Moscow authorities are pleading with locals not to drive in the run-up to Thursday's World Cup opening match to avoid causing gridlock

England landed in Russia on Tuesday hoping a talented young World Cup squad spearheaded by captain Harry Kane can shake off the disappointments of recent tournaments.