With 2018 FIFA World Cup field halved, here's a look at what's next

MOSCOW (AP) - The World Cup started with eight groups of four, 32 nations in all seeking to make it to the knockout stage. Colombia and - just barely - Japan grabbed the two spots from Group H in Thursday's early matches, and England and Belgium sorted out the top of Group F later that night to solidify the field going forward. Here's a look at what's next, starting with the round...

Defending champion Germany eliminated from World Cup

KAZAN, Russia (AP) - Germany is out of the World Cup, the fourth defending champion in the last five tournaments to be eliminated in the group stage.

Watch how these friends help deaf-blind Brazil fan experience World Cup goal

A heartwarming video of a blind-deaf man celebrating a Brazil goal is inspiring thousands across the globe, illustrating the FIFA World Cup is bigger than just a tournament.

Russia faces beer shortages as World Cup fans drink the taps dry

Russia is known for its vodka, but fans at the 2018 FIFA World Cup are drinking a different type of adult beverage: beer. And they’re drinking so much of it that restaurants and bars around Moscow are running dry.

One week in: Top moments of the 2018 FIFA World Cup so far

Only a week into the 2018 FIFA World Cup and big moments have sent fans across the globe into a whirlwind of emotion.

Three 2018 FIFA World Cup rivalries to watch

Everyone loves a good rivalry. It's the fire between opponents that keeps up coming back and in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, several teams headed to Russia have a contentious history on the pitch.

Four reasons why Americans should care about the 2018 FIFA World Cup

The 2018 FIFA World Cup is in Russia this year and the Americans won’t be there after they failed to qualify for the tournament.

North American trio beats Morocco to host 2026 World Cup

North America will host the 2026 World Cup after FIFA voters overwhelmingly opted for the financial and logistical certainty of a United States-led bid over a risky Moroccan proposal for the first 48-team tournament.

A beginner's guide to the 2018 FIFA World Cup

Soccer rules are tough to pick up on the fly. We’ve compiled a cheat sheet for Americans watching the “other football” during the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

2018 FIFA WORLD CUP PREVIEW: Germany looks to become 1st repeat champ in half-century

MOSCOW (AP) - After raising the World Cup eight miles from Copacabana Beach four years ago, Germany hopes to lift the trophy four miles from the Kremlin on July 15 and become the first repeat champion in more than a half-century.

How a national team qualifies for the 2018 FIFA World Cup

Qualifying rounds of the FIFA World Cup are some of the most exciting as teams compete for a chance to represent their country in a prestigious global event.

GROUPS TO WATCH: The two most challenging 2018 FIFA World Cup groups

When it comes to groups in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, there’s no one “group of death.” Instead, two groups stand out as tougher than the rest.

World Cup health: from heart attacks to baby booms

The World Cup is here and while it brings a ton of excitement and joy -- it can also present a scary affect on our health.

World Cup by the numbers - what you need to know (or forgot)

The 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia is the 21st edition of the single biggest tournament for the single biggest sport on the planet, and the first to be held in Eastern Europe.