The system, featuring three centre backs and aggressive wing backs, marked a significant departure from the traditional 4-3-3 formation and appeared to address Real's defensive frailties from a disappointing, trophyless 2024-25 campaign.
Germans basked in World Cup glory again when the national team were honoured before attending the premiere of the official movie about their victory in Brazil in July.
'Les Bleus' will be inspired by the two-decade anniversary of their only World Cup win in 1998, while double winners Uruguay's modern generation are desperate to recreate the black-and-white-era glories of their 1930 and 1950 trophies.
The FIFA 2022 World Cup will kick-off in Qatar on Sunday, November 20. Here is a list of the 26-man squads playing in the quadrennial global football extravaganza.
His Brazilian fans loved him for his idiosyncratic personality and unapologetic nationalism. He liked to say he was born with victory at his side and was rarely shy to challenge those who said his teams were too defensive.
The World Cup group stages games are over and while European heavyweights Spain, Italy, England and Portugal are knocked out of the biggest sporting carnival, there is still plenty to look forward to.
Lionel Messi's World Cup double for Argentina in Wednesday's 3-2 victory over Nigeria suggests the four-time World Player of the Year may be ready to take his place among the all-time greats of the game.
James Rodriguez struck in the second half to give Colombia a 1-1 draw away against Chile in 2018 World Cup qualifying on Thursday as the hosts dropped their first points of the South American campaign.
Spain had Naranjito, the smiling orange in 1982; France, Footix, the football-playing rooster in '98. Now Brazil have chosen the endangered armadillo as the mascot for the 2014 World Cup.
Brazil have become the first team to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, maintaining their proud record as the tournament's only ever-present side with a little help from Lionel Messi's foul mouth and lightly-regarded Peru.
The following factbox details five times a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) made an impact at the World Cup.
Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen has been asked by FIFA to present the World Cup trophy in place of Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff, whose popularity has taken a sharp dip, according to the Boston Globe.
No one expects Nigeria to win, but by now everyone knows that shirt...
Lionel Messi, looking to score his first World Cup goal since 2006 in Brazil this month, went scoreless as Argentina cruised to a 3-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago in a World Cup warmup on Friday.
The World Cup has helped changed people's view of Russia, FIFA President Gianni Infantino told an audience at an event in Moscow's Bolshoi Theatre on Saturday, standing alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Referees at next year's World Cup will use goalline technology for the first time to settle some of the disputes that have marred past tournaments.
Be it protests or a kind word, football fans think out loud through these banners at the World Cup in Brazil!
Williams, Bharti join camp, signalling new chapter for Indian football
India has potential to play in FIFA World Cup soon, says Rathore
Brazil's Kaka has bowed out of the World Cup for the second time in a row with the frustration of failing to produce his best on the biggest stage.
Indian boxer Nupur urged the citizens of the country to support them in the same way they support the cricketers and opened up on her title clash.
Colombia marked their return to the World Cup after a 16-year absence with an attacking display that earned a 3-0 victory over Greece on Saturday, and the early initiative in what looks to be a really tight Group C.
Wayne Rooney's superb 73rd-minute strike gave 10-man Manchester United a 1-0 victory over Ecuador's LDU in the Club World Cup final on Sunday.
The trend has generated a wave of social media memes and satire, and even the creation of an app that allows you to track where to get the coveted stickers. New stock has been selling out in a matter of hours.
The two lowest-ranked teams will kick off the World Cup at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on June 14.
Goals have been flying in by the bucketload in World Cup 2014. Fans wait four years to watch and drool over their favourite players and they have already been rewarded. Several goals will compete for the best goals when the tournament wraps up on July 13 but for now let's take a look at the Group stage.
Rediff.com presents the best goal celebrations at the football World Cup.
Not even Bollywood's megastar Amitabh Bachchan was spared from the football bug that had bitten the whole world over the last month. Bachchan Sr tweeted about his trip to Rio de Janeiro and watching Brazil fall to another loss in the 3rd place match against The Netherlands at the just concluded FIFA World Cup.
A Ronaldinho-inspired Barcelona booked their place in the final with a classic 4-0 demolition of Mexico's America.
Germany will retain their World Cup title in Moscow to equal Brazil's record of five wins in the tournament, according to a Reuters poll of financial specialists more used to predicting market moves.
From Luis Suarez's bite to commenting on Brazil's big loss in the semi-final, everyone had their two-bit to share. Here is a selection of the best quotes from the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
The number of Brazilians who favour hosting the World Cup has fallen to an all-time low just four months before kick-off, with many criticizing the soccer tournament as a waste of money that would be better spent elsewhere, a poll showed on Monday.
'But he is someone I really appreciate, I'm happy for him.'
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
While Africa, Asia and North America will not be represented, dashing any hope of a revolutionary breakthrough in the eventual destination of the trophy, at least one of this year's finalists will not have reached the title decider for half a century, if at all.
England manager Roy Hodgson borrowed a line from the hit movie Forrest Gump on Monday when he described his thoughts ahead of this week's draw for the World Cup.
'So, clearly, getting out of the group and winning a knockout game would be a real sign of progress. And if you win one, you win more'
The 33-year-old began showing symptoms on Thursday and was immediately removed from team activities.
Pop star Shakira will perform before the World Cup final in Rio de Janeiro on July 13, headlining a closing ceremony that includes guitar virtuoso Carlos Santana and rapper Wyclef Jean.
The World Cup has seen the most talented footballers on the planet. The tournament is also home to the glamorous wives and girlfriends (WAGs) of these players.
