Articles by World Cup|FOX SPORTS

Cristiano Ronaldo skipped Portugal’s press conference ahead of the country’s opening World Cup match Thursday against Ghana following his shocking split from Manchester United on Tuesday.

Michy Batshuayi’s first-half goal proved enough for a below-par Belgium to squeeze to a 1-0 win over a Canada side playing their first World Cup match for 36 years on Wednesday.

Outspoken Socceroo Jackson Irvine says players hope to “continue to talk about’’ Australian human rights issues after accusations of hypocrisy over their strong stand taken against World Cup hosts Qatar.

Hansi Flick denied Wednesday that Germany’s pre-game armband protest and legal action against FIFA had distracted his team after they slumped to a surprise 2-1 loss in their World Cup opener against Japan.

Spain launched their bid to lift a second World Cup in spectacular style on Wednesday by shredding Costa Rica 7-0 in a brutal display which will serve as a warning to their rivals.

Japan stunned Germany 2-1 in their World Cup opener on Wednesday, punishing the four-time champions for not taking their chances after they dominated the first half.

The Socceroos kept their World Cup qualifying destiny in their own hands by claiming a draw with Saudi Arabia on Thursday night, but the match arguably left Australia fans with more questions than answers.

Playing on home soil for the first time in 763 days, the Socceroos dominated unbeaten group-leaders Saudi Arabia for large patches of an engrossing, bitterly-fought battle.

Australian footballer Josh Cavallo, who came out as gay last month, has revealed he would be scared to play at the upcoming World Cup in Qatar because of the country’s criminalisation of homosexuality.

David Beckham will be unveiled as the face of the Qatar World Cup next month in a deal worth $277 million (£150m).