Fifa World Cup 2018 Feature

FIFA World Cup 2018: Nestor Pitana adds refereeing a final to resume that boasts nightclubs, films and basketball

Argentine Nestor Pitana has had a slightly different route to becoming the referee of the FIFA World Cup final, a journey that includes a stint as an extra in films and a period spent playing regional basketball.

FIFA World Cup 2018: How regional commentary captivated football fans in India and attracted new audiences

So here’s what our Firstpost writers thought of the regional commentary that took football to hitherto unexplored territories.

FIFA World Cup 2018: Gareth Southgate's new-look England has planted seed for widespread political dialogue in the country

Southgate’s England, this new England, have not only planted their flags as only the third English team to reach a World Cup semi-final, but also a seed for widespread political dialogue among the masses.

FIFA World Cup 2018: Croatia wade through obstacles and turmoil to script fairytale run to the final

There is turmoil in Croatian football. There are numerous issues that have threatened to derail the national team, yet in the middle of it all, they are in a World Cup final.

FIFA World Cup 2018 tour diary: After Samara Arena's last fixture, fans enjoy match on big screen and a walk on the field

The best bits and bobs from the sidelines of the FIFA World Cup 2018 in Russia, this time from the city of Samara.

FIFA World Cup 2018: Football takes France's immigrants from the streets of Paris to the stadiums of Russia

France's team is largely made up of immigrants, who have honed their skills on the streets of Paris and made their way out of poverty through football. As France flirts with racial tensions, a World Cup win could help improve relations between immigrants and French people.

FIFA World Cup 2018: 'It's coming home!' — football's birthplace Sheffield decks up as England dream of title

Three players in the current squad — quarter-final goal-scoring hero Harry Maguire, defender Kyle Walker and forward Jamie Vardy — were raised in Sheffield.

FIFA World Cup 2018: Captain Eden Hazard's selflessness could prove crucial for Belgium's hopes against France

In a World Cup dominated by chaos and unpredictability, controversy and inadequacy, Eden Hazard has been a breath of fresh air.

FIFA World Cup 2018's lighter side: Kylian Mbappe mirrors Neymar, football screenings at British weddings and Russia's Red despair

From Kylian Mbappe emulating Neymar's on-field antics to World Cup screenings starting to make their way into British weddings, here are some of the quirkiest moments from Week 4 of Russia 2018.

FIFA World Cup 2018: Russia's fairytale run ends in quarters but evokes hopes of a brighter future for football in the nation

Host nation Russia defied all expectations by reaching the quarter-finals of the World Cup, where they were eliminated by Croatia on penalties. In spite of their defeat, Russian fans were overjoyed with their team's performance.