The build-up to Friday's quarterfinal clash between France and Uruguay has been dominated by individuals, but it may be the South Americans' almost unbreachable four-man defence which decides the result.

Diego Maradona has apologised to FIFA and its referees for saying that England's last 16 win over Colombia in the World Cup was a robbery and that referee Mark Geiger was not up to the task.

Brazil coach Tite has defended Neymar from criticism over his histrionics on the pitch and said he was just happy to have the team's talisman playing "at his best" ahead of Friday's quarter-final against Belgium.

Belgium coach Roberto Martinez has admitted he has no secrets as he plots to end Brazil's bid for a record-extending sixth World Cup ahead of their "dream" quarter-final in Kazan on Friday.

Moscow will open a new fan area in the capital ahead of Russia's World Cup quarter final against Croatia, local officials said on Thursday citing heavy demand from soccer fans.

The Bangladesh media contingent in Russia for the 2018 World Cup seems quite large when considering that the journalists hail from

Kazan's mural artists were back to work again yesterday, painting the face of Neymar on a wall behind the Brazil team hotel. Neymar is

Didier Deschamps won everything as a player, including captaining France to glory at the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000. As a coach he took Monaco to the Champions League final in 2004 and ended Marseille's long wait to win a French title.

France's Kylian Mbappe is undoubtedly fast.

When the battle to reach the last four in the World Cup starts today after a couple of days' break, both Brazil and France will desperately look for a semifinal collision course, something they would otherwise have tried to avoid before the final.

Kylian Mbappe...

Diego Maradona apologises to FIFA and its referees for saying that England's last 16 win over Colombia in the World Cup was a robbery and that referee Mark Geiger is not up to the task.

Surez comes to Uruguay's World Cup quarter-final against France on Friday an all-together wiser and maturer, albeit lacking a bit of the spark and speed of his earlier days.

John Stones says Colombia are the "dirtiest team" and is glad England's new-found streetwise streak helped knock the South Americans out of the World Cup.

With many of Manchester City's players still competing in the later stages of the World Cup, the influence of Pep Guardiola’s English champions is being felt across the globe.

Argentina were dumped out of the World Cup after poor first displays where the team lacked the cohesion and togetherness to pull through against relatively easy opponents. Jorge Sampaoli is reportedly getting the sack from his coach role and according to various sources, the job will be offered to Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola.

Russia want to do something very special for Brazil striker Neymar. The authorities in Kazan have promised to give Brazil star Neymar land if he scores a hat-trick in the team’s World Cup quarter-final against Belgium.

Brazil now play like an European side with Brazilian talent and the man behind this change is their coach Tite, who above all emphasises balance.

"We were hardly competing internationally, We had to travel to the most distant parts of the world just to have matches." Tabarez says on an interview.

Brazil names Miranda as their captain for the World Cup quarter-final against Belgium.