The World Cup

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A fire burns in the stands at the Moses Mabhida stedium in Durban, South Africa, Saturday, April 21, 2018, after violence broke out at a soccer game when hundreds of fans ripped up parts of the stadium, invaded the pitch, and assaulted at least one security guard. The incident occurred after the Kaizer Chiefs lost 2-0 to Free State Stars in the semifinals of the Nedbank Cup competition. (AP Photo/Bongani Mbatha - African News Agency)

Hundreds of South African soccer fans riot at game

By GERALD IMRAY - Associated Press

Lawyers for Russian player say FIFA ends anti-doping case

By GRAHAM DUNBAR - Associated Press

Peru captain could miss World Cup in doping appeal case

Associated Press

Japan Football Association (JFA) new coach Akira Nishino speaks during a press conference at its headquarters in Tokyo, Thursday, April 12, 2018. Japan fired coach Vahid Halilhodzic on Monday, two months before the World Cup, and immediately replaced him with Nishino. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)

Japan coach Nishino says timing of promotion a challenge

Associated Press

Morocco takes FIFA to court to recruit Spain’s El Haddadi

Associated Press

France's head coach Didier Deschamps awaiting the kickoff during the international friendly soccer match between Russia and France at the Saint Petersburg stadium in St.Petersburg, Russia, Tuesday, March 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)

Column: A half-billion dollar problem for France’s Deschamps

By JOHN LEICESTER - Associated Press

In this Nov. 15, 2016 photo, Japan's coach Vahid Halilhodzic is seen before their 2018 World Cup Russia qualifier soccer match against Saudi Arabia, at Saitama Stadium, in Saitama, north of Tokyo. Halilhodzic is expected to be dismissed as Japan's head coach on Monday, April 9, 2018, following two disappointing international friendly matches and with the World Cup opening in just over two months. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)

Japan fires Halilhodzic as coach; replaced by Akira Nishino

By STEPHEN WADE - Associated Press

In this Wednesday, March 28, 2018 photo, a tourist takes a picture in the area where the fan zone of the Russia Soccer World Cup 2018 will be placed, with Moscow State University main building in the background in Moscow, Russia. At Moscow State University, Russia's oldest and most prestigious, there will be a 25,000-capacity fan zone outside the main building during exam season, prompting thousands of students to campaign against the tournament. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

Russia’s World Cup drives some students to rare protests

By JAMES ELLINGWORTH - Associated Press

France's Paul Pogba, right, duels for the ball with Russia's Fyodor Smolov during the international friendly soccer match between Russia and France at the Saint Petersburg stadium in St.Petersburg, Russia, Tuesday, March 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)

FIFA to probe Russian racism against France players

By DMITRI LOVETSKY and JAMES ELLINGWORTH - Associated Press

Ola Kamara of Norway celebrates after scoring his third of Norway's four goals, in action during their friendly soccer match, in Oslo, Norway, Friday March 23, 2018. (Cornelius Poppe/NTB scanpix via AP)

Australia World Cup preparations off to bad start in Norway

Associated Press

Portugal national team coach Fernando Santos and Brazilian coach Luis Felipe Scolari, right, arrive for the Portuguese soccer federation awards ceremony Monday, March 19, 2018, in Lisbon. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

Portugal sticks to winning formula from Euro 2016

By TALES AZZONI - Associated Press

FILE - In this Friday, June 9, 2017 file photo, Russia's Fyodor Smolov, left, struggles for the ball with Chile's Pablo Hernandez during the international friendly soccer match between Russia and Chile at the VEB Arena stadium in Moscow, Russia. Smolov was linked with West Ham during the January transfer window but opted to stay with FC Krasnodar, saying he didn't want to abandon his team as it battles Zenit and Spartak Moscow for a spot in the Champions League next season. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin, file)

Injuries leave host Russia limping ahead of World Cup

By JAMES ELLINGWORTH - Associated Press

File - In this March 8, 2018 file photo, Atletico Madrid's Diego Costa reacts during the Europa League Round of 16 first leg soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Lokomotiv Moscow at the Metropolitano stadium in Madrid. Spain enters the final stage of its World Cup preparations with coach Julen Lopetegui experimenting up front. Lopetegui has called up several different forwards since taking over the national squad and has plenty of options to choose from before announcing the final list for Russia in a few months (AP Photo/Francisco Seco, File)

Spain experimenting with its forwards ahead of World Cup

By TALES AZZONI - Associated Press

In this image taken from video Britain's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson gives evidence to the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee in Portcullis House, London Wednesday March 21, 2018. Johnson said Russia carried out a nerve-agent attack on British soil because the U.K. has &quot;time and again called out Russia over its abuses&quot; of human rights and democratic values. (PA via AP)

Johnson: Putin glorifying hosting World Cup is sickening

Associated Press

Brazil's soccer coach Tite gives a press conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday, March 12, 2018. With Neymar out injured, Tite has brought in Real Sociedad striker Willian Jose for upcoming friendlies against Russia and Germany. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)

Brazil coach Tite looks for rhythm in last friendlies

By MAURICIO SAVARESE - Associated Press

FILE- In this file photo dated Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, England's soccer team manager Gareth Southgate speaks to the media in Vilnius, Lithuania, before a World Cup qualifying match. At least half of England’s starting lineup for its opening match of the World Cup in Russia are thought to remain uncertain, making upcoming friendlies against Netherlands and Italy pivotal for Southgate and for squad hopeful players. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis, FILE)

England weak in key areas as World Cup approaches

By STEVE DOUGLAS - Associated Press

Brazil to play Austria in final warmup game for World Cup

Associated Press

US men’s soccer to play Bolivia in Philadelphia suburb

Associated Press

Graham Arnold attends a press conference where he will sign a four-year contract to coach the Australian national soccer team in Sydney, Thursday, March 8, 2018. Arnold, current coach of A-League champions Sydney FC, will replace Dutchman Bert van Marwijk after the World Cup in Russia. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

Arnold named Socceroos coach, takes over after World Cup

By DENNIS PASSA - Associated Press

Fifa's president, Gianni Infantino speaks during the press conference of the 132nd IFAB Annual General Meeting at the Home of FIFA in Zurich, Switzerland, Saturday, March 3, 2018. (Ennio Leanza/Keystone via AP)

FIFA panel adds video review to soccer laws ahead of WCup

By GRAHAM DUNBAR - Associated Press