2018 World Cup

Sochi (Russia) (AFP) – The Confederations Cup kicks off on Saturday when Russia play New Zealand in St Petersburg, with the hosts promising there will be no repeat of the violence which marred Euro 2016.

June 15 – FIFA has defended another attack on its record of protecting construction workers building the 2018 World Cup stadia in Russia, saying that a Human Rights Watch (HRW) report is mis-representative of the situation.

June 14 – Iran became the second team to qualify for the 2018 World Cup as they defeated Uzbekistan 2-0 in Tehran with goals from Sardar Azmoun and Mehdi Taremi.

Moscow (AFP) – Human Rights Watch in a report released on Wednesday highlighted exploitation of workers on 2018 World Cup construction sites and accused FIFA and host Russia of taking insufficient action to halt abuse.

Tehran (AFP) – Sardar Azmoun and Mehdi Taremi were on target as Iran confirmed their spot in the 2018 World Cup finals with a 2-0 victory over Uzbekistan at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran on Monday. It was Iran’s sixth win from eight matches in Group A which took the table-toppers to 20 points...

With Martin O'Neill's team unbeaten so far in 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying, there is no better time to get behind the Boys in Green as they bid to secure a place at next year's finals in Russia.

By Mark Baber

June 12 – A busy weekend of international football saw African Cup of Nations qualification under way in earnest, with all 48 teams in contention having now completed their first game in the Group stage...

Glasgow (AFP) – Scotland manager Gordon Strachan has warned his players not to lose their cool in Saturday’s 2018 World Cup qualifier at home to old enemies England. Scotland-England encounters have traditionally been blood-and-thunder affairs...

Paris (AFP) – England will look to close in on a place at the 2018 World Cup when they face auld enemy Scotland in qualifying this weekend, while Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal are in action before heading to the Confederations Cup.