In a June 22 World Cup Match in St. Petersburg, Russia, Costa Rica's Giancarlo Gonzalez fouls Brazil's Neymar (in blue at left), but the penalty was rescinded after Video Assistant Referee review. Brazil went on to win 2-0. Lee Smith/Reuters hide caption
Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, left, is beaten by a header from France's Samuel Umtiti for the opening goal during the semifinal match between France and Belgium at the 2018 soccer World Cup in St. Petersburg, Russia on Tuesday. Martin Meissner/AP hide caption
Neymar reacts after a tackle during the Russia 2018 World Cup match between Brazil and Mexico in Samara on Monday. Saeed Khan/AFP/Getty Images hide caption
Children play in the fountains near the Monument of Glory statue in Samara, Russia. The city's utility company is urging residents to conserve water during the World Cup. Stuart Franklin/FIFA via Getty Images hide caption
South Korean players celebrate during their World Cup upset win over Germany in Kazan, Russia, in which they scored twice late to shock the defending champs. Dylan Martinez/Reuters hide caption
France's Olivier Giroud, center, goes down after a header during the group C match between Denmark and France at the 2018 soccer World Cup at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on Tuesday. The teams played to a scoreless tie — the tournament's first. David Vincent/AP hide caption
In the Sochi Olympic Park, the Bolshoy Ice Dome is seen behind the Olympic flame cauldron, which now has a singing fountain that performs for tourists after sunset. The 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, was the most expensive Olympics in history. Alina Selyukh/NPR hide caption
Young soccer players practice at the Sarcelles A.A.S. complex in Sarcelles, France. Pete Kiehart for NPR hide caption
Before the World Cup began, Mousa Faye sold his "Allez Les Lions" (French for "go Lions") scarves for $1.25. Now they're going for $4.40. Ricci Shryock for NPR hide caption
Ukrainian film director Oleg Sentsov is seen inside of the defendant's cage in a military courtroom in the southwestern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don in July 2015. Sergey Venyavsky/AFP/Getty Images hide caption
The Telstar 18 is the official match ball for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Mladen Antonov/AFP/Getty Images hide caption
Hannes Halldorsson of Iceland saves a penalty kick by Lionel Messi of Argentina on Saturday in Moscow. Ryan Pierse/Getty Images hide caption
Nike successfully marketed its Nigeria jerseys not just as sports gear, but streetwear. Nike hide caption
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, pictured here at Moscow's courthouse in May, was released from custody on Thursday. He said on Instagram that the prison where he was held for a month has been decked out for World Cup fans. Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP/Getty Images hide caption
Yury Zhirkov of Russia wins a header Mohammed Alburayk of Saudi Arabia during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Group A match between Russia and Saudi Arabia at Luzhniki Stadium on Thursday in Moscow, Russia. Matthias Hangst/Getty Images hide caption
Alexander Shprygin, a former Russian soccer hooligan, says he doesn't expect any violence during the World Cup because of the heavy police presence. Lucian Kim/NPR hide caption
Tibet's team met the London Turkish All-Stars at a CONIFA World Cup match this week. Final score: London Turkish All-Stars 4, Tibet 0. Sam Mellish/In Pictures via Getty Images hide caption
Ofer Eini and Rotem Kamer, president and CEO of the Israeli Football Association, respectively, address the media Wednesday in the town of Ramat Gan, east of Tel Aviv. The men announced that the organization will file a formal complaint to FIFA against the Palestinian Football Association. Jack Guez/AFP/Getty Images hide caption
FIFA accuses ticket reseller Viagogo of unfair competition and "opaque and deceptive business conduct." Here, the view from seats inside the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, where the 2018 World Cup will kick off on June 14. Ivan Sekretarev/AP hide caption
