Fifa 2018 World Cup Qualifiers

FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifiers: Lionel Messi and Argentina face moment of truth in must-win Ecuador tie

If Argentina manage to win the game it would guarantee them finish no worse than fifth place, putting them into a two-legged play-off against New Zealand they would be expected to win.

FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifiers: Harry Kane takes England to their sixth sucessive finals appearance

The result left England six points clear at the top of Group F above neighbours Scotland, whose 1-0 win over 10-man Slovakia in Glasgow left them in pole position to claim the play-off place.

FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifiers: Syria's late penalty in first leg play-offs against Australia keeps Russia hopes alive

Australia were left fuming by Syria's Soma winning a spot-kick in the 85th minute, after the towering forward was nudged mid-air by Mathew Leckie.

FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifiers: Argentina's ticket to Russia in jeopardy after draw with Peru

Thursday's draw with Peru will give Argentina's fans little cause for optimism as the familiar failings in front of goal once again dogged Jorge Sampaoli's side.

FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifiers: Syria face Australia in home leg of play-offs with eye on 'dream' Russia berth

A qualifying campaign that has defied civil war and internal splits has brought Syria within sight of a miraculous World Cup berth — if they can overcome Asian champions Australia.

FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifiers: Egypt aim to end 28-year wait in wilderness; Nigeria, Tunisia among African favourites

There are five places reserved for Africa at the 2018 World Cup in Russia and Nigeria, Tunisia, and Egypt could fill three of them this weekend.

FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifiers: Joachim Loew hopes Germany can make up for slump of nation's clubs in next game

Joachim Loew said on Wednesday he hopes Germany can restore national pride in Northern Ireland after an "alarming" series of results for the nation's club sides in Europe.

FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifiers: Italy failing to qualify would be catastrophic, says coach Giampiero Ventura

"I'm not thinking about the play-offs, we need to think about the next two matches and then based on who we meet we'll weigh things up," said Ventura.

FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifiers: Tottenham's Harry Winks drafted into England team for last 2 games

Winks, 21, was promoted from the England Under-21 squad for the senior team's final two World Cup qualifiers, at home to Slovenia on Thursday and away to Lithuania on Sunday.

FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifiers: France coach Didier Deschamps lauds striker Kylian Mbappe's versatility

Mbappe has mostly operated as a central striker or on the left side of a front three. Deschamps believes he can perform equally well on the right, where he's been positioned for new club PSG