Germany striker Miroslav Klose scored his 15th World Cup goal but Germany were held to a thrilling 2-2 draw by Ghana in the Group G World Cup match in Fortaleza, on Saturday.
The permutations, combinations and number crunching has begun. While some teams are hanging on to outside chances to advance others have gone through to the last 16 without a fuss. With the final round of games set to start in the World Cup groups, there is plenty to play for and a plethora of permutations for many of the 32 teams competing for glory in Brazil. Here are the main possibilities based on the latest standings...
While the gloom has lifted around England's prospects of reaching the World Cup after their 4-1 hammering of Montenegro on Friday, manager Roy Hodgson says his approach has not altered in the face of criticism throughout the campaign.
For Yuvraj Singh, it is his favourite club Manchester United that has forced him to switch loyalties from his perennial favourite Brazil to supporting France in the ongoing FIFA World Cup.
The United States' bid for a fourth consecutive CONCACAF Nations League title came to a stunning end
More than one billion television viewers watched last year's World Cup soccer final between Germany and Argentina in Brazil although audience figures for the tournament were slightly down because of adverse kickoff times, according to a FIFA report.
Lionel Messi marked his retirement about face with a goal to give 10-man Argentina a 1-0 win over Uruguay on Thursday that lifted them to the top of the South American qualifying group for the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia.
IMAGES from the FIFA World Cup opening match between hosts Russia and Saudi Arabia at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow
Spain midfielder Koke revealed he and his team mates have been unable to watch some World Cup games because it interferes with their 'siesta', the traditional afternoon nap.
Adidas can declare itself the winner over arch rival Nike in the upcoming soccer World Cup even before the first match kicks off as it is kitting out the most teams.
Roy Hodgson has given himself the option to give England a youthful, fresh edge at the World Cup after including Ross Barkley, Raheem Sterling, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Luke Shaw and Adam Lallana in his provisional squad on Monday. There were no real surprises as the irresistible late-season form of Everton's attacking midfielder Barkley and Liverpool wide man Sterling made their inclusion an easy choice for Hodgson despite having only five caps between them.
We asked Mumbaikars a few simple questions about the football World Cup. Here are their - in some cases, rather unexpected - answers :))
Brazil lost their second consecutive World Cup qualifier match as Colombia fought back to win 2-1 against the five-times champions.
Germany have four players and Argentina three in the 10-man FIFA shortlist for the adidas Golden Ball, which is awarded to the World Cup's most outstanding performer.
The points table of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
After three weeks of unrelenting drama and excitement, the World Cup took a rare time-out on Wednesday as the eight surviving teams tried to catch their breath before the quarter-finals kick off on Friday.
Honduras qualified for the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil on Tuesday by clinching the last of the automatic qualifying spots in North and Central America and the Caribbean, while Mexico stayed in contention by claiming the playoff spot after Panama suffered a heartbreaking loss to the United States.
Images from the Club World Cup match between Borussia Dortmund and Mamelodi Sundowns at TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio, on Saturday.
Germany and Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira has had successful surgery on torn knee ligaments and he may be available for the World Cup, according to Germany team doctor Hans-Wilhelm Mueller-Wohlfahrt.
The midfield duo, who both have dual Moroccan-Belgian nationality, kept Belgium alive with their goals off the bench in the extraordinary round of 16 comeback against Japan and were handed starts in the 2-1 win over Brazil.
India had fielded a 19-member strong contingent in the prestigious boxing tournament, that attracted talented boxers from powerhouses like China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, South Korea, and host Thailand.
Neymar will have extra motivation against Croatia, as he is one goal away from equalling Pele's record
The football fans in Kochi will get a chance to witness a fascinating contest between Brazilian attacking flare and Spanish 'tiki-taka' possession football in what could be a final before the final of this tournament.
Nine players from treble-winning Paris St Germain have been nominated for the men's Ballon d'Or this year along with the club's coach Luis Enrique as France Football announced the list of nominees on Thursday.
Two-goal Romelu Lukaku fired Belgium's golden generation into next year's World Cup finals with Germany and Switzerland also sealing their tickets to the Brazil extravaganza on Friday.
Now that the World Cup is over, we take a look at the good, bad and ugly moments in the month-long football extravaganza.
Summary of the South American World Cup qualifiers played on Thursday
Spain-based striker Park Chu-young has been left out of South Korea's 23-man squad for this month's World Cup qualifier against Qatar, the country's football association said on Monday.
Reader Santosh Turumalla sent us these pictures from the World Cup in South Africa.
The third of a five part history of the World Cup from Uruguay in 1930 up to the preparations for the 2014 finals in Brazil.
Have you joined the rediff fan club to support your favourite football team in the World Cup 2006?
Technology that could change football in coming years.
France, World Cup winners in 1998 and finalists in 2006, missed out on a place in the eight top seeds for Friday's draw, announced by FIFA on Wednesday.
In a World Cup packed with thrilling high-scoring matches, own goals are playing a prominent role as the drama unfolds in Brazil. Even Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan is amazed at the number of own goals scored so far in the competition.
Rodrygo said arch-rivals Argentina could pose a threat after their continental success.
Italy's football players will be banned from using Twitter and other social media at the World Cup in Brazil next year, coach Cesare Prandelli said.
In the wake of the latest findings of the McLaren report, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has ruled out taking the 2018 World Cup from Russia.
Hundreds of visiting supporters have been queuing up to visit Josef Stalin's bunker - chambers dug out underneath the southwestern city to protect the Soviet leader from a Nazi German assault that never came.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
