Ochoa first represented Mexico on the world stage at Germany 2006.

What unfolded on that green carpet that day may, in the record books, be reduced to a few numbers. But for those who witnessed it, it remains etched in a far deeper dimension. Like a line from a poem that suddenly lodges in your throat, or a familiar tune that brings back the scent of a long-lost afternoon -- just like that.

The first FIFA World Cup to be held on African soil took place in South Africa, where the piercing buzz of vuvuzelas and the vibrant, distinctive celebrations of African supporters created an unforgettable spectacle.

Soaring ticket prices and transport costs at this year's FIFA World Cup will expose fans to cyber fraud and scams as supporters are attracted by fakes in the mistaken belief they have bagged a bargain, an industry expert has warned.

The Iran war, World Cup logistical headaches and the unresolved question of Russia's international ban are set to feature in discussions among roughly 1,600 delegates from more than 200 member associations.

The cash injection was announced following a meeting of FIFA's ruling council ahead of the body's Congress taking place in Vancouver on Thursday.

The 2002 FIFA World Cup is remembered as a tournament of shocks and surprises. Traditional powerhouses like France and Argentina crashed out in the group stage, while emerging sides such as South Korea and Turkey defied expectations to reach the semifinals.

The year 2002 was widely tipped as Argentina’s moment to end their 16-year wait for a FIFA World Cup title. Few teams entered the tournament in Korea and Japan with greater expectation.

The FIFA Council will meet Tuesday in Vancouver to discuss new rules ahead of the first 48-team tournament in World Cup history.

While official squad lists won’t be submitted until May 11, a number of players have effectively been ruled out.

Spanish media reported that the 27-year-old France captain could miss the rest of Real's season after picking up the injury during the 1-1 draw at Real Betis on Friday.

The date was June 22, 1974. The Volksparkstadion in Hamburg played witness to a match layered with drama, politics, and a nerve-shredding test of will.

Fear has its own scent. A suffocating mix of gunpowder smoke, congealed blood, and the sudden crunch of boots in the dead of night seemed to choke an entire country. Even shadows whispered, afraid to reveal their existence. Mothers sat beside the empty beds of their disappeared loved ones, their tears dried into stone. And from that black hole of despair, a magical moment was suddenly born. A strange white cascade descended from the sky, washing -- if only briefly -- the exhaustion and terror off the streets.

For any footballer, playing a World Cup final for their country is a lifelong dream. Even reaching the final twice -- let alone in consecutive tournaments -- for a single nation is an extraordinary feat. Yet football history witnessed something even rarer, truly unparalleled. Midfielder Luis Monti played in back-to-back World Cup finals -- but for two completely different countries!

The 41-year-old Ronaldo is set to appear in a record sixth World Cup in June, a tournament expected to be the final major chapter of the forward's career.

Iran's footballers will be welcome at this year's World Cup, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday, distancing the US government from a proposal that Italy could take their place in the tournament.

An eerie silence had fallen across the field. As if some invisible force had swallowed the roar of thousands in a single breath. Under the blazing lights of that vast green stage stood one man.

The prospect of Iran being replaced at the “greatest show on earth” has stirred a mix of disbelief and indifference across Italy, after a suggestion by a US envoy reignited debate over the intersection of politics and sport.

The early 1990s. The skies over the Balkans were no longer blue, but choked with black smoke from relentless airstrikes. Sirens would halt games mid-play, and footballers’ boots were replaced by the heavy gear of soldiers. Croatia was no longer just a defined line on a map -- it had become the name of a blood-soaked struggle.

The 18-year-old prodigy suffered a Grade 4 hamstring injury and is "highly unlikely" to be ready for the start of the North American tournament on June 11, The Athletic reported on Wednesday.