The festive Gazprom Football for Friendship Children's Championship, which saw budding footballers under the age of 12 from 211 countries participate, came to an end as the FIFA World Cup got underway through the opening match between hosts Russia and Saudi Arabia at the Luzhniki Stadium yesterday.

The French will embark on their World Cup campaign with a tough encounter against a resolute Australian side. Although the Aussies

Key players

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

The Luzhniki Stadium morphed into a kaleidoscope of colours a few hours before the opening World Cup match between hosts Russia and Saudi Arabia. It was as if all roads led to the stadium of light before the start of the biggest show on Earth.

With Spain unbeaten in 20 games and Portugal having lost one competitive match since September 2014, Friday's clash in Sochi appeared to be a case of an irresistible force meeting an immovable object -- at least until Wednesday.

Spain's decision to sack coach Julen Lopetegui on the eve of the World Cup will have little impact on the quality of the 2010 world champions' game, Germany midfielder Toni Kroos said on Thursday.

Finally let loose after a year-long diet of international friendlies, hosts Russia roar their World Cup intent to the rafters with a 5-0 tournament-opening win over Saudi Arabia.

The 2018 World Cup saw its first goal as Russia’s uri Gazinsky directs a header behind the reach of Saudi Arabia goalkeeper A-Mayoof.

Mohamed Salah recoveres from his shoulder injury and barring a last-minute hitch the Egyptian star will play in their World Cup opener against Uruguay on Friday, coach Hector Cuper said.

The World Cup trophy is displayed at Moscow's 80,000-seat Luzhniki Stadium ahead of the tournament's opening match between host nation Russia and Saudi Arabia.

Build-up to the opening ceremony and the opening match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Brazil legend Roberto Carlos has rubbed salt on Argentina and Lionel Messi’s wounds, saying that the mercurial No. 10 would already have a World Cup under his belt if he was Brazilian.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup begins today in Russia. Lets check out the time schedules of the main events related to the World Cup's opening day and where you can watch them.

Bangladesh has been ranked 20th among the football playing nations of Asia by the global football body, as the FIFA World Cup starts in Russia.

FIFA World Cup FIxtures

The 2026 World Cup will be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada after FIFA's congress voted overwhelmingly on Wednesday to back the tri-nation joint bid for the tournament and leave Morocco to miss out for the fifth time.

Argentina reserve goalkeeper Nahuel Guzman says the squad must do everything in their power to allow Lionel Messi to perform at his best during the World Cup in Russia.

Superstar Mohamed Salah gave Egypt's World Cup hopes a boost as he joined a squad training session at their Grozny base on Wednesday, a day after coming under heavy criticism for a smiling photo with Ramzan Kadyrov, strongman of Chechnya.

The sight of Lionel Messi is always a spectator's delight. And if the Argentina superstar is to be seen just hand-shaking distance away it is well worth the hour-and-a-half drive from Moscow to the tranquil setting of Syro Ezhkon Sports School training site.