Spain and Italy were placed in the same qualifying group for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, as were the Netherlands and France, but holders Germany were handed a kinder campaign with the Czech Republic their chief rivals in the draw made on Saturday.
The two lowest-ranked teams will kick off the World Cup at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on June 14.
From the debate-arousing introduction of VAR to maximum number of Penalties to the superb Ronaldo, here are the A to Z of the ongoing 2018 World Cup
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.
The teams that have qualified for the 2010 Football World Cup in South Africa.
"I'm very happy for my players, we showed character and the right mentality, it was very hard for us tonight. We worked hard defensively."
Marta became the all-time leading scorer at the women's World Cup on Tuesday as Brazil vaulted to the top of Group E with a 2-0 win over South Korea, while Eugenie Le Sommer's superb long-range strike gave France victory over England.
Germany should really not be surprised by their earliest World Cup exit in 80 years.
India produced another clinical performance against Sri Lanka in their Group H clash to inch closer to the knockout stages of the mixed team event of the BWF World Junior Badminton Championships.
Aggie Beever-Jones scored a stunning first-half hat-trick as England were ruthless hosts in a 6-0 thrashing of Portugal on Friday at Wembley in their penultimate game of the Women's Nations League group stage.
First-timers Bosnia joined holders Spain, England and Russia in grabbing Europe's remaining automatic spots for the 2014 World Cup finals on Tuesday as the last round of group matches ended in joy, despair and shattered nerves.
A dogged Germany, late-scoring Denmark, stylish Serbia and dramatic Italy all booked their places in the World Cup finals on the penultimate night of European qualifying on Saturday.
Brazil were knocked out of the Women's World Cup on Sunday after a surprise 1-0 defeat by Australia in the round of 16.
Newcastle United have signed German forward Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart in a club-record deal.
Spain's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal inspired his country to a thrilling 5-4 win over France on Thursday to send the holders through to their third successive Nations League final where they will face Iberian neighbours Portugal.
Lionel Messi has identified Spain as the one country he hopes to avoid in the group stages of the World Cup finals next year.
After more goals came from set-pieces in this World Cup's group stage than any other, dead-ball strategy has continued to have a huge impact in the knockout phase, with five of the 11 goals scored in the quarter-finals coming from free kicks or corners.
Have you joined the rediff fan club to support your favourite football team in the World Cup 2006?
The stability and pragmatism of Carlos Queiroz's seven-year reign has firmly established Iran's as Asia's number one team, but the nation will go to the World Cup hoping to advance for the first time to the knockout phase.
Ukraine have been ordered to play their next home 2014 World Cup qualifying match against Poland behind closed doors due to the racist behaviour of their fans, FIFA said on Friday.
The Springboks beat defending champions England 15-6 in a dour, defence-dominated final on Saturday night.
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.
A commanding India dished out a superb show of attacking hockey to outplay a tricky Spain 2-0 in their FIH men's World Cup campaign opener in Rourkela on Friday.
the countries assured of places in the 32-team field for next year's World Cup finals in Russia after Tuesday's qualifiers.
Images from the FIFA World Cup match between Senegal and England on Sunday.
India will aim for their first podium finish in 48 years in the men's Hockey World Cup as they begin their campaign with a tricky match against Spain in Rourkela on Friday.
France will play Argentina, who are also looking to win the World Cup for the third time, in Sunday's final at the Lusail Stadium.
England, appearing in their first semi-final since 1990, had looked on course for their first final since 1966 as they led through Kieran Trippier's fifth-minute free kick and totally dominated the opening half.
The points table of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Wayne Rooney will end his England career after the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the striker said on Tuesday.
A debatable penalty awarded with the use of FIFA's new video replay system proved a turning point in the World Cup final on Sunday and raised more questions over whether the new technology is being used in the way it was originally intended.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino promised that the tournament would leave a lasting legacy and there are "concrete plans" to make sure the stadiums are used in the future.
Images from the FIFA World Cup Quarter-final match between Portugal and Morocco on Saturday.
No one expects Nigeria to win, but by now everyone knows that shirt...
'We have to look at the whole team, not just one player. If we play together, and stay compact we can do well. I would not target a single player.'
Giroud, at 36, brings experience and guile to France's attack, while Mbappe, 23, is blessed with pace
