The Kremlin on Tuesday "categorically" denied allegations that Russia had bribed FIFA officials for the right to host the 2018 World Cup. "Russia absolutely legally got the right to organise the World Cup," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

Russia denies bribing FIFA officials to host 2018 World Cup

2018 FIFA World Cup was a celebration of the world’s most popular sport -football- delivering a daily dose of thrilling goals, saves, comebacks, triumphs and heartbreaks.

2018 FIFA World Cup: Celebration of world’s most popular sport 'football'

Thirty-two countries from different confederations have qualified for the tournament and will go for the kill to clinch the most decorated trophy in the sporting world

FIFA World Cup 2018: 32 countries, 1 trophy and 1 dream

England have appeared in 14 World Cups, including the last five. Their best performance was 1966

FIFA World Cup 2018: A complete profile of England

Colombia are playing in their fifth World Cup, with their quarter-final appearance at Brazil 2014 -- where they lost to the hosts -- their best performance

FIFA World Cup 2018: A complete profile of Colombia

Portugal will be appearing at their eighth World Cup and sixth in a row

FIFA World Cup 2018: A complete profile of Portugal

Spain have played in 14 World Cups and qualified for every edition since 1978. They have won it once, beating the Netherlands 1-0 in the 2010

FIFA World Cup 2018: A complete profile of Spain

Belgium have appeared in 12 World Cups, with their qualification for the 2014 edition in Brazil coming after a gap of 12 years

FIFA World Cup 2018: A complete profile of Belgium

Argentina have played in 16 World Cup tournaments and have won the title twice

FIFA World Cup 2018: A complete profile of Argentina

Brazil is the only country to appear in every World Cup and the only nation to win the trophy five times

FIFA World Cup 2018: A complete profile of Brazil

German public broadcaster ARD/WDR's report had led to the suspension of Russia's track-and-field athletes

Russian sports minister says doping cover-up stories are silly revenge