Superstar Diego Maradona holds up the World Cup trophy in 1986. The World Cup tournament may prompt some people to get out and play themselves, leading to possible injuries.
(AP Photo/Carlo Fumagalli)
Made up almost entirely of West Germans, the roster of Germany’s national soccer team reflects divisions that remain almost 30 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
One of the favourites to win the World Cup, Germany’s national football team, on their way to Russia.
Armando Babani/EPA
Can we trust expert football predictions? Perhaps, but it’s variable.
Fans hold banners and cheer, as the U.S. team takes the field for a World Cup qualifying soccer match against Panama, Oct. 6, 2017, in Orlando, Fla.
AP Photo/John Raoux
Sports fans are of two types: purists and partisans. The attitudes of both can affect the game. An expert explains which one you are and what that means.
Argentine striker Mario Kempes controlling the ball during his team’s win against the Netherlands in the 1978 World Cup.
El Grafico
What should have been a great year for Australian soccer has been let down by underwhelming fan interest and a distracting dispute between Football Federation Australia and A-League clubs.
Drinking coffee before exercising could make you run faster and lift heavier - if you’ve the right genes.
The shirt numbers of Brisbane Roar player Ivan Franjic are seen to dislodge during the Preliminary Stage 2 AFC Champions League match between the Brisbane Roar and Ceres Negros FC at the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre in Brisbane, Tuesday, January 23, 2018.
AAP Image/ Dave Hunt
The combination of changing your manager early enough and forking out on transfers could be the difference between relegation and Premier League survival.
George Weah has his work cut out for him in Liberia.
Reuters/Luc Gnago
Russian officials will be hoping that excitement about one of the world’s biggest sporting events generates some goodwill for the country.
The Australian national football team’s remarkable triumph in Vietnam in 1967 has never been properly and collectively recognised.
Australian Soccer Federation
At the height of the Vietnam War, the Holt government agreed it would be a good idea if the national football team took part in a tournament in Vietnam to boost morale.
Defender Matt Besler sits on the field after losing to Trinidad and Tobago in a 2018 World Cup qualifying match.
Rebecca Blackwell/AP Photo
In a system that’s far better at identifying the best payers than finding the best players, the pipeline of talent gets choked out by costly tournament and team fees.