The omens do not look good for Argentina and Lionel Messi as the psychic cat Achilles predicts that Nigeria are going to send Argentina packing by defeating them in their last match of the group stage against the Albiceleste.

World Cup swag takes a quirky turn in Vietnam where a retired schoolteacher is making mascot memorabilia from hollowed-out eggs, meticulously crafted by hand.

Brazil fans mock Lionel Messi and celebrate Argentina’s defeat as they sing `Messi Ciao’ (Goodbye Messi) in St. Petersburg.

Tehran's largest football stadium is to admit thousands of women together with men for the first time since the the Islamic revolution of 1979 as World Cup fever grips Iran for its Wednesday evening group game against Spain.

During an afternoon at a Moscow park, Argentina fan Augustin Otelo is counting not the number of goals his team has scored in the World Cup but the number of phone numbers he has collected from Russian girls as foreigners in Russia try to find love.

Former Argentine footballer Diego Maradona says he does not like the decision that Mexico, Canada and the United States will host the 2026 World Cup, decrying the lack of passion in the countries.

Achilles, a deaf white cat who is the official animal soothsayer for the tournament, choose a bowl of food bearing the host's flag rather than that of Saudi Arabia, who Russia will face today's evening.

Inmates in an Argentine prison begin a hunger strike to press authorities to repair the cable TV system so they can watch the World Cup.

Russia is all set to host the biggest show on Earth, the football world Cup that returns every four years to captivate the world sport fraternity.

With only one day to go till the greatest show on earth -- the FIFA World Cup -- begins in Russia, the host nation held a miniature

Neymar broke down in tears when he walks into a recreation of his tiny childhood bedroom on a TV program

French footballing great Marcel Desailly has no doubt about Russia’s hospitality and being “a football country” as it prepares to host the FIFA World Cup 2018 on the official FIFA Fan Fest zone in Moscow.

Russian artists create stunning stone mosaics of two World cup stars, Argentina's Leo Messi and Egypt forward Mohamed Salah.

The game is played all over Brazil, as well as in a handful of other countries, but regional variations are common, meaning it can be surprisingly tricky to master.

Portugal Captain Cristiano Ronaldowas treats to a traditional Russian welcome of bread and salt when he arrives with his teammates at Moscow.

With his arms cross and a face bursting with pride, Argentina superstar Lionel Messi towers above all those on the main street of Bronnitsy, a town of 20,000 residents some 50 kilometres from Moscow.

The official video clip to the World Cup 2018 song - ‘Live It Up’ -release featuring superstar Will Smith, DJ Nicky Jam and singer Era Istrefi with clips of some of the world’s top football stars.

A 70-year-old German fan is hoping he can reach Russia to enjoy the World Cup on a 30kph tractor within 10 days.

Adidas releases an ad featuring stars like Lionel Messi, David Beckham along with other sporting figures and musicians for its “Create the Answer” ad campaign.

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.