Egypt coach Hector Cuper said that star striker Mohamed Salah has recovered from his shoulder injury and will almost certainly play against Uruguay in the sides' World Cup opener on Friday.

Germany midfielder Toni Kroos said Thursday that he doesn't think the sacking of Julen Lopetegui as coach on the eve of the World Cup will significantly harm Spain's chances in Russia.

Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar are all aiming to leave an indelible mark on the World Cup but with billions watching, it is the perfect stage for a new generation to showcase their talents.

The Kremlin on Thursday rejected suggestions from a senior lawmaker that Russian women should not have sex with visiting World Cup fans, saying they would make up their own minds.

President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov reacted to comments on Wednesday by 70-year-old Communist lawmaker Tamara Pletneva warning that football-fueled flings with fans could leave Russian women raising children "of another race".

Spain dramatically sacked coach Julen Lopetegui on Wednesday and appointed federation sporting director Fernando Hierro --  just two days before the team's opening game at the World Cup.

In a surprise announcement on Tuesday, Real Madrid appointed Lopetegui as Zinedine Zidane's successor to take over after the tournament in Russia, sparking outrage among the federation and Spanish fans at the timing of the announcement.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday expressed joy via Twitter over the three North American countries winning their joint bid to host the 2026 World Cup.

The United States, Mexico and Canada won the right to host the 2026 World Cup after easily beating Morocco in a vote by FIFA member nations on Wednesday.

The joint North American bid received 134 of the 203 votes, while Morocco polled 65 in the ballot at a FIFA Congress held in Moscow on the eve of the 2018 World Cup.

Mohamed Salah gave Egypt's World Cup hopes a huge boost Wednesday when he joined a squad training session at their Grozny base.

The Pharaohs' superstar was sidelined after suffering a shoulder injury in Liverpool's Champions League final loss to Real Madrid on May 26, casting doubt on his World Cup participation.

Looking for a new haircut to celebrate the World Cup in style? A hairdresser is clipping 'portraits' of stars Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo onto the back of heads in soccer-made Serbia.

Mario Hvala gives his creativity free rein as he shaves and snips away on a headshot "hair tattoo" in his Novi Sad salon ahead of Thursday's World Cup kick-off.

The United States, Canada and Mexico have launched a joint bid to co-host the 2026 World Cup, which will be voted upon by FIFA members in Moscow on Wednesday.