VOLGOGRAD, Russia -- Chechnya leader Ramzan Kadyrov granted honorary citizenship on Friday to striker Mohamed Salah at a banquet held to say goodbye to Egypt's World Cup squad.

The players adopted the Russian region's capital, Grozny, as their base for the tournament.

The Egyptian Football Association said the banquet was held at Kadyrov's presidential palace in Grozny.

It is the third time in two weeks the Chechen leader, a keen sports fan, has shown his admiration for 26-year-old Liverpool striker...

Mohamed Salah will not leave the World Cup early despite Egypt's elimination from the competition with one group game remaining, the country's Football Association has said.

Salah returned from an injury suffered in the Champions League final to feature in the 3-1 defeat against Russia on Tuesday, a result that ended their participation in the tournament and led to reports that he could be released before the final group game against Saudi Arabia on Monday.

However, Egyptian FA president Hany Abo...

Former Ivory Coast and Arsenal right-back Emmanuel Eboue says African teams will continue to struggle at the World Cup if they don't improve their defence.

The five teams from the continent arrived in Russia with high hopes of finally reaching the semifinals, but already Morocco and Egypt are eliminated after only two rounds of games, while Nigeria and Tunisia also lost their openers.

Many of the goals conceded have come from set-pieces, with Cristiano Ronaldo's header from a corner-kick knocking...

Africa's much-awaited and coveted tilt at World Cup glory looks as far off as ever after a dismal round of opening fixtures for the continent's teams at the tournament in Russia.

Not even a win for Senegal in their first Group H in Moscow on Tuesday could temper an otherwise disaster-filled opening six days of the tournament for African hopes.

Five defeats in the six games featuring African teams offered little hope of new benchmarks being set, with Senegal's 2-1 triumph over Poland the only bright...

Egypt were beaten 3-1 by Russia in their second World Cup outing as Hector Cuper's side stand on the brink of an early elimination.

The Pharaohs started tentatively, but grew into the game, although they collapsed in the second half and appeared unable to cope with the hosts after falling behind.

Positives

Offensively, there were spells in which Egypt looked more adventurous - and more menacing - going forward than they ever did in their opener against Uruguay.

Mohamed Salah also appeared not to...