Lionel Messi’s hometown Rosario paints in the Argentine national colours ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, which will start next week in Russia.

A football-mad farmer in Bangladesh unfurls a homemade German flag stretching 5.5 kilometres (3.4 miles) in a bizarre act of devotion to his favourite team ahead of the World Cup.

Lionel Messi has risen to become football’s reigning GOAT (Greatest Of All Time).

Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah in Egypt's 2018 World Cup squad despite still underdoing treatment for a shoulder injury he suffered in the Champions League final.

Germany have included 2014 World Cup-winning goalkeeper Manuel Neuer in their final squad for the 2018 tournament, even though he has only just returned from a long-term absence through injury.

Neymar scored on his return to action after three months out through injury as Brazil warmed up for the World Cup with a 2-0 friendly win over Croatia at Anfield

"You may all know well that the president (Vladimir Putin) is supporting the team, just like the rest of the Russians" presidential spokesman Peskov said

The threat of terrorist attacks in France has put paid to fans' hopes of watching the World Cup on big screens in public spaces.

The new single Colors is available now! Colors is the Coca-Cola Anthem for the 2018 Fifa World Cup!

Behind the scenes of the official song for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, produced by Diplo and featuring Nicky Jam, Era Istrefi and Will Smith!

"We cannot send the message that we are the best, because that's not true." Messi said.

"People need to know that we are not going to Russia as favourites but we have a group of very good players." Messi said.

Dani Carvajal is still in contention to play at the World Cup.

"It's going to take a bit more time for this fear to go away, but I'm ready to play. Nothing can stop me from doing so," Neymar said.

A High Court bench refuses to hold hearing on a writ petition that challenged the legality of hoisting national flags of foreign countries at different places across the country at different times particularly during the FIFA World Cup tournament.

Veteran striker Lee Keun-ho out of South Korea's World Cup squad after tearing a knee ligament

Russia will reportedly deploy jamming devices used in Syria and the war in Ukraine to defend World Cup stadiums against a drone attack. The threat of terror has been a prime concern for organisers of the June 14 to July 15 football showpiece.

A Russian girls’ football team, from Agryz in Tatarstan, will perform as ball boys in the opening World Cup match.

The World Cup kicks off in Russia in a month's time with the hosts at loggerheads with the West and intent on using the football showpiece to trumpet their superpower status.

A group of EU lawmakers urge the bloc's leaders to boycott this year's football World Cup in Russia to protest over Moscow's "mockery of European values".