The next month holds many stories, and the beautiful game has narrative thread and needle at the ready to weave a tapestry that its followers will know by heart and harken back to for years to come.

Italian FA president Carlo Tavecchio has resigned after Italy's World Cup qualifying fiasco saw the four-time champions miss the finals for the first time in 60 years.

Lionel Messi produces a magnificent performance to drag his team to the World Cup.

The draw for the 2018 World Cup finals hosted by Russia will take place in the Kremlin on December 1, the country's Football Union (RFU) chief Vitaly Mutko said Monday.

New Brazil coach Tite says his immediate priority is ensuring the five-time champions qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

Sepp Blatter has claimed there was a deal to give Russia the 2018 World Cup before voting took place, and blamed England and the US for the corruption scandal engulfing Fifa.

Argentina remain winless in qualifying for the 2018 World Cup without Messi after a 0-0 draw in a physical clash with Paraguay at the Estadio Defensores del Chaco.