The World Cup

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FILE - In this Thursday Aug. 31, 2017 filer Portugal players pose for photos before the World Cup Group B qualifying soccer match between Portugal and Faroe Islands at the Bessa Stadium in Porto, Portugal. (AP Photo/Paulo Duarte, File)

2018 WORLD CUP: Guide to Group B of the World Cup

Associated Press

A girl poses for a photo in front of a clock counting down to the first match of the 2018 World Cup, which is installed on Manezh Square, outside the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017. The Final Draw for the 2018 FIFA World Cup will take place on Friday, Dec. 1, 2017, at the State Kremlin Palace in Moscow. (AP Photo/Denis Tyrin)

The Latest: Lack of blockbuster opener won’t harm World Cup

Associated Press

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks at the 2018 soccer World Cup draw in the Kremlin in Moscow, Friday, Dec. 1, 2017. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev)

With Russian sports under a cloud, Putin vows warm welcome

By JAMES ELLINGWORTH - Associated Press

FILE - In this Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017 filer Russia's players pose for a team photo prior to the international friendly soccer match between Russia and Spain in St.Petersburg, Russia. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)

2018 WORLD CUP: Guide to the teams in Group A

Associated Press

In this photo taken on Wednesday, June 28, 2017 the statue of Soviet founder stands in front of the Luzhniki stadium entrance in Moscow. The historic Luzhniki stadium, built in 1956, will host the opening and the final matches of 2018 World Cup. (AP Photo/Denis Tyrin)

2018 World Cup venues on track but marred by costs, deaths

By JAMES ELLINGWORTH - Associated Press

A signpost directing people to the entrance of the World Cup Final Draw is placed on the Red Square, with the St. Basil cathedral in the background, in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017. The Final Draw for the 2018 Fifa World Cup in Russia will take place on December 1 in the concert hall of the State Kremlin Palace in Moscow. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

Putin welcomes soccer world to Kremlin for World Cup draw

By ROB HARRIS - Associated Press

FILE - In this Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017 filer, Panama's coach Hernan Dario Gomez, from Colombia, celebrates with his player Roman Torres who scored his team's second goal, after a 2018 Russia World Cup qualifying soccer match against Costa Rica in Panama City. (AP Photo/Arnulfo Franco, File)

WORLD CUP DRAW: Guide to Pot 4 featuring newcomer Panama

Associated Press

Vitaly Mutko, Russian Federation Deputy Prime Minister &amp; Local Organising Committee Chairman reacts walking inside a metro train branded for the 2018 World Cup during a ceremony in Moscow, Russia, on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev)

Column: Russia yet to regain trust of sport before World Cup

By ROB HARRIS - Associated Press

FILE - In this Nov. 19, 2013, file photo, Iceland's Aron Gunnarsson, left, is challenged by Croatia's Luka Modric during their World Cup qualifying playoff second leg soccer match in Zagreb, Croatia. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic,File)

WORLD CUP DRAW: Guide to Pot 3 featuring newcomer Iceland

Associated Press

FILE - In this Saturday, July 2, 2016 filer, Germany's Toni Kroos, right, falls after he was fouled by Italy's Stefano Sturaro during the Euro 2016 quarterfinal soccer match between Germany and Italy, at the Nouveau Stade in Bordeaux, France. (AP Photo/Michael Probst, File)

WORLD CUP DRAW: Guide to 8 teams in Pot 1 headed by Germany

Associated Press

MLS attendance up, TV ratings lag as US mulls future

By RONALD BLUM - Associated Press

The Latest: Mexican TV network denies claims in FIFA case

Associated Press

FILE - The July 11, 1982 file photo shows Italian captain and goalkeeper Dino Zoff, right, holding the World Cup trophy aloft,after the presentation ceremony, at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Madrid. The best coaches in Italy emigrate. The stadiums around the country are falling apart. The lingering problems affecting Italy's domestic league might just be the reason for the country's failure to qualify for next year's World Cup. (AP Photo)

Correction: Italy-World Cup-Photo Gallery story

By The Associated Press - Associated Press

Brazil's Casemiro's tackle sends England's Ryan Bertrand flying during the international friendly soccer match between England and Brazil at Wembley stadium in London, Britain, Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Neymar looks to learn from Brazil’s difficulties vs England

By ROB HARRIS - Associated Press

Fans of the Italian team cheer prior to the World Cup qualifying play-off second leg soccer match between Italy and Sweden, at the Milan San Siro stadium, Italy, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Italian soccer fans need something else to do next summer

By DANIELLA MATAR - Associated Press

US Soccer looking into tourney for non-World Cup teams

By ANNE M. PETERSON - Associated Press

U.S. player Weston McKennie, centre left, celebrates with U.S. player Juan Agudelo after scoring the opening goal during an international friendly soccer match between Portugal and U.S. at the Dr. Magalhaes Pessoa stadium in Leiria, Portugal, Tuesday Nov. 14, 2017. (AP Photo/Pedro Rocha)

McKennie scores in debut as US ties Portugal 1-1

By The Associated Press - Associated Press

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic gives directions to his players during the World Cup qualifying play-off second leg soccer match between Greece and Croatia at Georgios Karaiskakis stadium, in Piraeus port, near Athens, Sunday Nov. 12, 2017. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)

Croatia to give coach Dalic new contract for World Cup

Associated Press

Italian players react to their elimination at the end of the World Cup qualifying play-off second leg soccer match between Italy and Sweden, at the Milan San Siro stadium, Italy, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Reaction to Italy’s failure to qualify for World Cup

Associated Press

Morocco, Tunisia last African teams to qualify for World Cup

By GERALD IMRAY - Associated Press