An overview of contenders in the race for top scorer at the 2022 World Cup.
Football runs through the veins of every Kolkatan. And their love for the game was on show when Germany took on Argentina in the FIFA World Cup final on Sunday.
Well-known US soccer journalist Grant Wahl died on Friday after suffering "acute distress" while covering a match at the World Cup in Qatar, his agent said.
The 70-foot statue of Lionel Messi in Kolkata, West Bengal, is set to be dismantled due to safety concerns after being found unstable in the wind.
Indian shooter Sift Kaur Samra won her first individual ISSF World Cup gold in the women's 50m rifle 3-positions final, while Esha Singh bagged a second individual World Cup silver in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
IMAGES from the FIFA World Cup Group C match played between Argentina and Poland on Wednesday.
Indian junior women's hockey coach Tim White emphasises the need for physical improvement to match international standards, while senior team coach Sjoerd Marijne highlights the importance of mental resilience and finishing skills.
Salvatore Schillaci, who was born in the Sicilian city of Palermo and was hospitalised there, suffered from colon cancer.
Argentina rallied from two goals down to beat Belgium in the final of the qualifying tournament in Quilmes.
champions Argentina have suffered an ignominious early exit from the under-20 World Cup in New Zealand.
Picking a World Cup team isn't just about football. Somewhere between the colours, the players and the vibe of a team, you end up revealing a little bit about your own personality too.
Argentina captain Lionel Messi is not thinking about his international future beyond next year's Copa America, where he will try to lead the country to a second successive continental title at the tournament in the United States.
Earlier in the night, Bolivia were denied their first win when Kaku scored with 18 minutes remaining to rescue a 2-2 draw for home side Paraguay in Asuncion.
France midfielder Paul Pogba said the finals in Russia might be his last World Cup but he hopes he will be fit for more.
Injured Lionel Messi will miss Argentina's 2018 World Cup qualifier away to Venezuela on Tuesday with a groin problem.
Argentina's impressive opening qualifying victory over Chile last week was soon forgotten when the two-time World Cup winners were handed a humiliating 1-0 defeat by Venezuela on Tuesday.
Shot-stoppers who turned into showstoppers during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Lionel Messi congratulated FC Barcelona after their 29th La Liga title win over Real Madrid, recalling his legendary trophy-laden legacy with the Catalan giants.
Andreas Brehme, whose late penalty in the 1990 final against Argentina in Italy handed Germany their third world title, has died at the age of 63
Belgian defender Arthur De Sloover feels the way Indian hockey is progressing over the years, the country is a "big contender" for more glory at the word stage in future.
"Our team fulfils our dreams!" and "Where is Messi? We beat him!", the green-clad Saudis chanted over and over in the Lusail Stadium, on their feet and greeting every clearance, including one headed off the goal line with a deafening roar.
IMAGES from the FIFA World Cup semi-final between France and Morocco, played at Al Bayt Stadium on Wednesday.
Qatari Abdulrahman Al Jassim was appointed to referee the third-place match between Croatia and Morocco at the Khalifa International Stadium on Saturday.
Bottom placed Argentina scored their first win of the tournament, edging past New Zealand with a solitary goal in their penultimate Pool A match of the Hero Honda Hockey World Cup at Dhyan Chand National Stadium on Sunday.
The match will take place between November 10 and 18, and is likely to be played Kochi.
"Our parents talked to us about Maradona, and we will talk to our sons about Messi. We hope that we will win the cup, and we can celebrate with him and all the people in Argentina," said Nicolas Gomez, a fan from Argentina.
World Cup 2022: start date, schedule, teams, venues and final
Argentina and the Netherlands will meet in Sunday's final of the women's hockey World Cup after narrow wins in Friday's semi-finals.
Saudi Arabia's 2-1 victory over Argentina is rated the biggest shock in World Cup history.
Eight stadiums in Doha will host 64 matches at the World Cup.
Messi's last visit with the Argentina team to India was back in 2011, when they faced Venezuela in a friendly match at Kolkata's iconic Salt Lake Stadium.
Eight years is a long time in the life of an athlete. But just like Messi, Di Maria has preserved and persisted towards his childhood dream, points out Deepti Patwardhan.
Argentina start as hot favourites to beat Iceland in their opening World Cup Group D match on Saturday but the toughest opponent for the runners-up four years ago may be themselves rather than the tiny tournament debutants.
Argentina stumbled again in World Cup qualifying, losing to Paraguay 1-0 in Asunsion on Wednesday night and falling out of the top four in the South American standings.
Argentine referee Nestor Pitana will take charge of Thursday's opening World Cup match between hosts Russia and Saudi Arabia in Moscow, FIFA said on Tuesday.
Argentina reached their first World Cup final in 24 years on Wednesday, beating the Netherlands 4-2 on penalties after the first scoreless semi in the tournament's history, with old foes Germany awaiting them in Sunday's showpiece.
FIFA boss Infantino urges World Cup ceasefire in Ukraine
Robert Lewandowski struck the goal that sealed Poland's victory over Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
Lionel Messi's World Cup double for Argentina in Wednesday's 3-2 victory over Nigeria suggests the four-time World Player of the Year may be ready to take his place among the all-time greats of the game.
