The World Cup

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Africa WCup qualifying: Cash for players, medicine for coach

By GERALD IMRAY - Associated Press

England's Harry Kane celebrates after scoring the opening goal of his team during the World Cup Group F qualifying soccer match between England and Slovenia at Wembley stadium in London, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017. England won 1-0. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

Kane sends England to World Cup with 1-0 win over Slovenia

Associated Press

Among the soccer arenas under construction in Qatar for the 2022 World Cup, the most magnificent is the half-built Al Wakrah Stadium. (Associated Press/File)

Qatar’s World Cup organizers block out Arab dispute

By Guy Taylor - The Washington Times

FILE - In this Monday, Sept 4, 2017 file photo, Spain's Gerard Pique takes part in a training session a day prior to the World Cup Group G qualifying soccer match between Liechtenstein and Spain at the Rheinpark stadium in Vaduz, Liechtenstein. Spain coach Julen Lopetegui has defended Gerard Pique from critics who question his loyalty to the national team because of his support for a disputed referendum on Catalan independence. (Gian Ehrenzeller/Keystone via AP, FIle)

Lopetegui wants focus on soccer after Pique jeered by fans

By TALES AZZONI - Associated Press

A man walks past a fence with graffiti depicting Argentina's soccer legend Diego Maradona in the town of Volkhov, 130 km (80 miles) east of St.Petersburg, Russia, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)

Brazil is in; Argentina still fighting for a World Cup spot

By STEPHEN WADE and RICARDO ZUNIGA - Associated Press

FIFA bans Iran midfielder Ezatolahi for 1 game at World Cup

Associated Press

Argentina's Lionel Messi reacts during a 2018 World Cup qualifying soccer match against Venezuela in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)

A World Cup without Messi, Ronaldo? It’s possible in Russia

By ROB HARRIS - Associated Press

Syria's soccer team celebrates after scoring a goal against Iran during their Round 3 - Group A World Cup qualifier at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017. The match draw 2-2. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

South Korea, Saudis into World Cup; Australia to face Syria

By JOHN DUERDEN - Associated Press

Syrian soccer fans follow their national team's match with Iran during their Round 3 - Group A World Cup qualifier at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Syria saves World Cup qualification bid with late equalizer

By AMIR VAHDAT - Associated Press

World Cup qualifying: All 5 of Africa’s places up for grabs

By GERALD IMRAY - Associated Press

Japan's Yosuke Ideguchi (2) celebrates after scoring a goal against Australia during their World Cup Group B qualifying soccer match in Saitama, Japan, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiayma)

World Cup qualifying spots on the line in last games in Asia

By JOHN DUERDEN - Associated Press

City in Iowa gets new cyclocross course

By HOLLY HINES - Associated Press

FILE- In this Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017 file photo, Egypt's Mohamed Salah, left, controls the ball in front of Cameroon's Ambroise Oyongo during the African Cup of Nations final soccer match between Egypt and Cameroon at the Stade de l'Amitie, in Libreville, Gabon. Egypt, the most successful team in Africa but a regular underachiever in World Cup qualifying, is in control of Group E. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba, File)

World Cup qualifying in Africa: How it stands

By GERALD IMRAY - Associated Press

Italy's players Marco Veratti, left, and Daniele De Rossi, right, jog during a training session at the Coverciano Sports Center near Florence, Italy, Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017. Italy is scheduled to play Spain in a 2018 World Cup qualifying soccer match in Madrid on Sept. 2. (Maurizio degl'Innocenti/ANSA via AP)

World Cup qualifying: State of play in Europe

By The Associated Press - Associated Press

Miami wants to be included in 2026 World Cup bid

By TIM REYNOLDS - Associated Press

Mexico's Elias Hernandez celebrates after scoring a goal against El Salvador during a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match in San Diego, Sunday, July 9, 2017. Mexico won the match 3-1. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Elias Hernandez leads Mexico past El Salvador 3-1

Associated Press

Germany coach Joachim Loew seen prior to a news conference at the Fisht Stadium in Sochi, Russia, Wednesday, June 28, 2017. Germany will play against Mexico in semifinal soccer match of the Confederations Cup on Thursday. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)

Germany coach wants clarity on Russia football doping claims

By GRAHAM DUNBAR - Associated Press

FILE- In this Thursday, Dec. 2, 2010 file photo, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Emir of Qatar, left, gets the World Cup trophy by FIFA President Joseph Blatter, right, after the announcement of Qatar hosting the 2022 soccer World Cup in Zurich, Switzerland. The report into suspected corruption in the 2018-2022 World Cup bidding contests, involving 11 nations and won by Russia and Qatar, has been the mystery ever since American investigator Michael Garcia delivered it more than 2-1/2 years ago. (AP Photo/Michael Probst, File)

FIFA: No improper activity by Qatar but conduct questioned

By ROB HARRIS and GRAHAM DUNBAR - Associated Press

New Zealand coach Anthony Hudson gestures during the Confederations Cup, Group A soccer match between New Zealand and Portugal, at the St. Petersburg Stadium, Russia, Saturday, June 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

Return to Russia in 2018 is tough for Cameroon, New Zealand

By GRAHAM DUNBAR - Associated Press

Germany team attends a training session in Sochi, Russia, Sunday, June 18, 2017. Germany's youthful Confederations Cup squad certainly isn't short of distractions away from the training pitch in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. And with the imitation of Bavaria's Neuschwanstein Castle looming over the Olympic Park, Germany feels right at home in the 2014 Winter Games host city where it will play two of its opening three matches. (AP Photo/Rob Harris)

Untested Germans seek Confed Cup thrills at theme park site

By ROB HARRIS - Associated Press