As a black football player who was born and raised in St. Petersburg, Bryan Idowu knows all about racism in Russia. He’s dealt with it on the streets and on the field, and could be playing...

The 11 World Cup cities - all in European Russia - don't always reflect the diversity of a country with dozens of native ethnic groups. With its largely Muslim population and distinctive local...

Italy sought to retain its title in France at a time when Europe was on the cusp of war. Spain was not there because of its civil war, while Austria, which had qualified, had to give up its berth in...

After taking power in Italy in the 1920s, fascist leader Benito Mussolini embraced sports as a political tool. That was evident at both the 1934 and 1938 World Cups — both won by...

The 21st World Cup gets underway next month in Moscow and billions around the world are expected to tune in during the monthlong tournament — a far cry from its low-key start in 1930 in...

Kaliningrad is the capital of a small territory isolated from the rest of Russia and sandwiched between Poland and Lithuania.  With a major Russian naval base nearby, the port city is packed...

France showed glimpses of its attacking potential with a 3-1 home win against Italy in a World Cup warmup match on Friday. Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembele scored, while Kylian Mbappe was...

Tunisia conceded a last-gasp equalizer against 10-man Turkey on Friday to register a 2-2 draw in a World Cup warm-up for the second game running. Four days after producing a two-goal comeback...

England's players and management are rallying around Raheem Sterling to ensure the tattoo controversy surrounding the forward doesn't affect his mindset heading into the World Cup. Sterling came...

Mathew Leckie scored twice to help Australia beat Czech Republic 4-0 in a World Cup warm-up game on Friday. The Hertha Berlin forward was set up by fellow Bundesliga player Robbie Kruse for the...