Reuters sports writers chose their team of the tournament.
The approach Slovenia are expected to take on Monday -- a disciplined, deep back five who offer little space, and explosive counter-attacks from long balls -- to put pressure on Portugal.
A restaurant in St Petersburg has struck a chord with the hordes of soccer fans in town for the World Cup by serving up pizzas featuring the faces of some of the tournament's biggest stars.
From the debate-arousing introduction of VAR to maximum number of Penalties to the superb Ronaldo, here are the A to Z of the ongoing 2018 World Cup
IMAGES from the FIFA World Cup Group H match played between Ghana and South Korea on Monday.
Figo, 32, opted to take an indefinite break from international football after last year's European championship but reconsidered his decision last month.
the countries assured of places in the 32-team field for next year's World Cup finals in Russia after Tuesday's qualifiers.
Centre forward Eder, who scored the winning goal in the Euro 2016 final against France, was among 10 players from that squad omitted from Santos's list. Other unlucky players included midfielders Andre Gomes and Renato Sanches, forward Nani and defender Eliseu.
IMAGES from the FIFA World Cup Group H match played between Uruguay and South Korea at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar on Thursday
Former world champions France will play Ukraine for a place in the World Cup finals in Brazil next year with the advantage of the second leg at home following the draw for the European playoffs.
This World Cup is only getting better for me. There I was, tired and patiently waiting at the Cape Town airport for my friends to arrive by a later flight. We were to hire a car and head to green point, the venue for the Spain - Portugal round of 16 clash.
The World Cup lost its headline acts on Saturday as the game's two biggest stars, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, readied to leave Russia after their teams were eliminated in the round of 16. Messi's Argentina lost 4-3 to France and hours later Ronaldo's Portugal went down 2-1 to Uruguay, leaving the tournament without its two best known and most loved players.
'Les Bleus' will be inspired by the two-decade anniversary of their only World Cup win in 1998, while double winners Uruguay's modern generation are desperate to recreate the black-and-white-era glories of their 1930 and 1950 trophies.
Holders France got their World Cup qualifying campaign off to a disappointing start with a 1-1 draw at home to Ukraine
Martinez stepped down as Belgium's coach following his side's World Cup group stage exit
The stability and pragmatism of Carlos Queiroz's seven-year reign has firmly established Iran's as Asia's number one team, but the nation will go to the World Cup hoping to advance for the first time to the knockout phase.
France coach Didier Deschamps heaped praise on his players after they reached the World Cup final with a 1-0 win over Belgium on Tuesday, saying the lost final at Euro 2016 was still on his mind.
"In addition to the titles won, Fernando Santos became the coach with the most games and most victories," FPF said.
Two goals each for Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard and one for Michy Batshuayi swept Belgium to a 5-2 victory over Tunisia on Saturday that put them in command of World Cup Group G.
A round-up of Sunday's Nations League second leg quarter-final matches.
The four bidders seeking the right to stage the 2018 World Cup finals -- England, Netherlands/Belgium (joint bid), Russia and Spain/Portugal (joint bid) -- are in a close race with little to choose between the leading trio.
Uruguay will head to the World Cup on a winning note after beating Uzbekistan 3-0 in a chilly warmup in front of their own fans on Thursday.
Thirty-two teams that qualified for the 2006 Football World Cup Finals in Germany were on Friday drawn into eight groups.
Former 'Miss Bumbum' Andressa Urach was kicked out for obsessively following Cristiano Ronaldo at Portugal's training session, it has been revealed.
Portugal could qualify early for the next phase of the World Cup with a game remaining if they beat Uruguay on Monday, a task probably much easier said than done.
The 21-year-old midfielder is likely to be Portugal's key player at the World Cup.
A guide to the Croatia starting 11 ahead of the World Cup final against France.
The two lowest-ranked teams will kick off the World Cup at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on June 14.
Portugal coach Fernando Santos has been boosted by news that key midfielder Otavio should be fully fit and ready to play in their World Cup last-16 match against Switzerland on Tuesday.
Messi memes quickly sprung up on the internet.
The final line-up of teams for next year's World Cup in South Africa was settled on Wednesday after six drama-charged play-offs on three different continents.
A draw in Kaliningrad would guarantee the 2010 winners safe passage into the last 16 but to be assured of winning the group they need to win a scoring contest with Portugal, who play Iran at the same time.
No one expects Nigeria to win, but by now everyone knows that shirt...
Having scored 10 goals in the last 12 games with Portugal and 42 in 41 matches with Al-Nassr this season, Ronaldo's relentless mentality could be the key to him making a statement with his country in Germany against all odds.
The mesmerising moments that made the 2018 FIFA World Cup a blockbuster worldwide.
The draw for the eight groups for the final round of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, which will be played from June 12 to July 13 in Brazil, was just held in Costa do Saupe near Salvador de Bahia.
"After many kilometres travelled together, the Spanish Football Federation and Fernando Hierro have called an end to their relationship now that Spain have finished their participation in the World Cup," said a statement on the Spain team's website (www.sefutbol.com).
