Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday handed over the mantle of World Cup host to the emir of Qatar, whose country will stage the 2022 edition of the tournament.
'Baggy Green worship made me want to puke'
The World Cup has helped changed people's view of Russia, FIFA President Gianni Infantino told an audience at an event in Moscow's Bolshoi Theatre on Saturday, standing alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Gareth Southgate singled out defender John Stones for special praise and defended captain Harry Kane's performance
England midfielder Fabian Delph says he and his team mates will live with regret for their World Cup semi-final defeat by Croatia for the rest of their lives.
A third place finish at the World Cup on Saturday leaves a strong legacy for Belgian football, coach Roberto Martinez said
The 43-year-old from the small sub-tropical province of Misiones will become the second referee after compatriot Horacio Elizondo to officiate at both the opening match and final after being picked for Sunday's match between France and Croatia.
I'm the little man who can, says Croatia's Modric
Croatia will need their big-game players to step up.
Deschamps has proven both innovative and brave as coach, and is now one victory away from joining an elite club.
Football fever has gripped the French capital and sales of the national team's soccer shirts are surging ahead of France's World Cup final against Croatia.
Playing in front of defenders, for much of his career Kante's abilities had gone unnoticed given that as recently as 2013 he was playing in France's second division.
Experienced Argentine official Nestor Pitana will referee the World Cup final between France and Croatia at the Luzhniki Stadium on Sunday, an uncontroversial decision which rewards his authoritative performances in Russia.
FIFA collected 2,761 samples prior to the tournament and another 626 during it, including 108 collected on non-matchdays, as part of the largest-ever World Cup testing programme.
For the first time in its history, the American sportswear manufacturer will be providing the kit for the two finalists, France and Croatia.
American doubles great Mike Bryan reached his first Grand Slam final without twin brother Bob on Thursday when he and Jack Sock beat Briton Dominic Inglot and Croatian partner Franko Skugor in a five-set thriller at Wimbledon.
Belgium and England have already met during the World Cup in a match both teams seemed reluctant to win and on Saturday they will face each other again in a game they both seem reluctant to play. The two sides must pick themselves up and dust themselves down after suffering the crushing disappointment of semi-final defeats to play for the modest prize of third place in a fixture often criticised as pointless.
England hailed as heroes after World Cup heartache
England players find solace in WAGs and kids
With their own bitter memories of past semi-final defeats in the soccer tournament, England and Croatia will be competing for a spot in Sunday's final against France.
Welcoming fellow leaders including Macron and US President Donald Trump to a summit of the NATO defence alliance in Brussels, premier Charles Michel said the Western bloc must go on setting aside differences to protect each other.
The Champs Elysees and the vast circle around the Arc de Triomphe were packed with an estimated 200,000 fans
Bitter defeat for Belgium in the World Cup semi-final is tempered by the fact that influential squad members will likely still be around in two years' time for the European Championship where they will have another realistic chance at a major title.
Some of soccer's biggest names are cheering the rescue of 12 Thai boys and their coach from a flooded cave
France coach Didier Deschamps heaped praise on his players after they reached the World Cup final with a 1-0 win over Belgium on Tuesday, saying the lost final at Euro 2016 was still on his mind.
"I'm very happy for my players, we showed character and the right mentality, it was very hard for us tonight. We worked hard defensively."
"Football's Coming Home is a song I couldn't even listen to for 20 years, frankly. So for me it has a slightly different feel," Southgate told reporters
The simplicity of football was again emphasised as France secured a place in the World Cup final from a basic set- piece.
Relations between Ukraine and Russia remain highly charged following Moscow's 2014 annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region and its backing for a separatist rebellion in eastern Ukraine. Some Ukrainian politicians have called on countries to boycott the soccer World Cup, which Russia is hosting.
The American-made robot housed in Moscow's Robo Station predicted a few hours before kickoff that France would beat Belgium in Tuesday's semi-final in St Petersburg.
Before the tournament the groundwork was put in at England's tranquil, rural St George's Park training centre and once in Russia, they have been ensconced in the quiet lakeside resort of Repino, 45 kilometres outside of St Petersburg.
Croatia's Football Federation (HNS) sacked Ognjen Vukojevic, a member of the national team's coaching staff, over a "glory to Ukraine" video posted after Croatia beat Russia in the World Cup quarter-finals, HNS said in a statement on Monday.
Bertens, the first Dutchwoman to reach the last 16 since Michaella Krajicek, sister of former men's champion Richard, did so in 2007, followed up her win over Venus Williams in the third round with a display of power and poise.
Belgium and France meet in the World Cup semi-final at the Saint Petersburg Stadium on Tuesday.
Despite Saturday's defeat, Russians have been celebrating, proud of a campaign which saw their players reach the last eight after starting out as the lowest-ranked team in the tournament.
Goals from Harry Maguire and Dele Alli gave Gareth Southgate's side a deserved 2-0 last-eight win over Sweden on Saturday, and they must now prepare to take on Croatia in three days time for a spot in the World Cup final.
'This award is not just mine.' 'It is my team mates' from Real Madrid and Croatia.' 'Without my coaches, I would not have won this and without my family I would not be the player I am today.'
The 38-year-old defender, who spent his entire club career at Russian clubs, was a key member of Russia's run to the last eight at their home tournament, having played in each of their five matches.
England's World Cup victory over Sweden on Saturday was heard throughout the land.
England form and Pickford saves made the difference, said Sweden's coach
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