Switzerland will be among the eight seeded teams at the World Cup draw in December after they leapt to seventh in the latest FIFA rankings announced on Thursday, while Italy were edged out.
Iran coach Carlos Queiroz is refusing to be seduced by the free-flowing soccer that is thrilling World Cup fans, saying his team will show the value of good defending when they face Nigeria.
The teams that have qualified for the 2010 Football World Cup in South Africa.
A defensive mix-up doubled their lead when Bayindir wandered out of his goal to collect a misplaced pass towards Ronaldo, only to watch Akaydin's backpass roll past him in slow motion.
Cristiano Ronaldo has signed a two-year contract extension with Al Nassr, the Saudi Pro League side announced on Thursday, which will keep the Portuguese forward at the club well past his 42nd birthday.
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.
South Korea have only one point after drawing their opening game against Uruguay and must beat Portugal to have any chance of progressing.
Spain goalkeeper David de Gea made a rare error which led to his side drawing 1-1 at home to Switzerland in a World Cup warm-up friendly on Sunday which the hosts dominated but failed to make their superior possession count.
Tickets for the World Cup semi-finals and final, as well as two of England's first round matches in South Africa, have sold out, FIFA said on Friday. FIFA said there were no more tickets for England's matches against the United States in Rustenburg on June 12 and Slovenia in Port Elizabeth on June 23.
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.
England beat Nigeria 2-1 in a friendly on Saturday that provided some clues as to how coach Gareth Southgate will line up his still experimental side when the World Cup gets underway in two weeks' time.
The World Cup's opening group games have produced several record-breaking moments in a scintillating start to the tournament. Here are five of them.
France must get past Ireland to reach the 2010 World Cup finals after they were drawn together on Monday for next month's two-legged European playoffs. Portugal, who scraped into the playoffs by winning their last three Group One fixtures to seal runners-up spot, face Bosnia, Euro 2004 champions Greece tackle Ukraine and Russia will play Slovenia.
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.
Asia's last survivors Japan face Paraguay and Spain assault the so far impregnable defence of Iberian neighbours Portugal on Tuesday as the last two World Cup quarter-final berths are decided.
Miroslav Klose scored a landmark goal as Germany and Ghana drew 2-2 with all the goals coming in a terrific second half of another rip-roaring football World Cup clash in Fortaleza, on Saturday.
Decisions about the availability of Otavio, who started against Ghana, and reserve left back Nuno Mendes, who is also an injury concern, would be taken after a training session later on Sunday, Santos said.
The favourites to win next year's World Cup in Russia were given navigable paths to the last 16 with the coaches of Germany, Brazil, Argentina and Spain having reason to feel reasonably optimistic after Friday's draw.
Spain, on four points, need a draw to guarantee their progress to the last 16 but will be looking to win and outscore Portugal, who face Iran, in case goal difference decides who finishes top.
Images from the Euro 2024 quarter-final between Portugal and France, at Hamburg Volksparkstadion, Germany, on Friday.
Born in Mozambique and a former coach of the South African soccer side, Portugal's Carlos Queiroz has flown to the Rainbow Nation countless times but said Sunday's flight to the World Cup finals was a unique moment and the culmination of an old dream.
Portugal coach Paulo Bento suggested the referee was favouring Germany after his side had a penalty awarded against them and a player sent off in their 4-0 World Cup defeat on Monday.
'It's a personal interview, very personal actually, and we have to respect that'
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.
Banned former FIFA president Sepp Blatter said he feels the soccer World Cup underway in Moscow is a little bit like "my World Cup" because he has been so well received on his visit to Moscow.
South Korea scored an added time goal to beat already-qualified Portugal 2-1 at the World Cup in a comeback win that sent the Asian side into the last 16 ahead of Uruguay on the number of goals scored.
France overwhelmed Croatia 4-2 in the World Cup final at Moscow's Luzhniki stadium on Sunday to lift the trophy for the second time in 20 years.
Rediff.com brings you some interesting clicks from the by lanes of Indian cities that summarise the soccer madness...
Ronaldo in sharp focus ahead of Portugal match against Switzerland
FIFA WC PIX: Ghana vs Portugal
Zoo director Vladimir Gerasimov believes Cleopatra might have a little better understanding of soccer than other animals.
There's no escaping the long hours of football on television. Beyond the action in Brazil there's a little more on offer for all the non-football fans. Rediff.com brings you the 10 hottest football stars of the World Cup.
The points table of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Belgium have retained injured Vincent Kompany in their final World Cup squad but put fellow defender Laurent Ciman on standby in case the Manchester City skipper is not fit for their opening match in Russia.
Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo will miss the two-legged World Cup playoff against Bosnia, the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) said in a statement on Tuesday.
The 2014 World Cup was a captivating carnival of football with high drama and Germany displayed their credentials as worthy champions.
Perhaps a delay in writing this has tempered down the incredulousness with which I lived the experiences that I am about to narrate. But the possible advantage is that I can do so now with a rational mind; sometimes too much emotion while writing isn't a good thing.
Ronaldo being benched in Portugal's 6-1 demolition of Switzerland has caused some of his die-hard fans to reconsider the current state of affairs.
Lionel Messi has identified Spain as the one country he hopes to avoid in the group stages of the World Cup finals next year.
