Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic named his World Cup squad on Wednesday, with the 2018 runners up led by veteran captain Luka Modric.

Argentina's Giovani Lo Celso has been ruled out of the World Cup with a hamstring injury for which the midfielder requires surgery, Argentine media reported on Tuesday.

Ecuador coach Gustavo Alfaro criticised the decision to change the date of the World Cup's opening match between his side and hosts Qatar for giving him one less day to prepare for the tournament.

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter says the decision to award the 2022 World Cup finals to Qatar was a "mistake".

Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi has already achieved a lot for a player who has just turned 24.

Emiliano Matrangolo, 39, a business administration graduate in Buenos Aires, is putting everything on the line for the chance to travel to the soccer World Cup in Qatar to cheer on his team, one of the tournament favorites, and star striker Lionel Messi.

Brazil will arrive in Qatar as the favourites to lift a record sixth World Cup as they have an exciting team full of up-and-coming young talent and look to be peaking at the perfect moment ahead of the tournament.

Africa will have five home-grown coaches at the World Cup finals for the first time in a breakthrough that could lead to a change of mindset and more opportunity for locals.

Violent fans involved in illegal associations and even those in debt for food dues are part of a list of 6,000 Argentines who will not be allowed to enter World Cup stadiums in Qatar, the Buenos Aires city government said on Monday.

Ten thousand French fans have registered for World Cup fan passes and France will not boycott the tournament in Qatar, its ambassador to the Gulf state has said.

Teenage striker Garang Kuol, who recently signed for Newcastle United, was included Tuesday in Australia's squad for the World Cup, but influential midfielder Tom Rogic missed out.

A smooth operator with the dedication of a monk and a philosophical mind, Tite has brought back Brazil's aura as the Selecao begin their quest for a sixth World Cup crown in Qatar.

It is said that good things come in pairs, and for Brazilian attacker Pedro that was certainly true Monday: He proposed marriage to his long-time girlfriend after hearing that he'd made Brazil's team to play in the World Cup in Qatar.

An advanced guard of Argentina football fans chanted their certainty that Lionel Messi's last World Cup will end in success Monday ahead of the Latin American side becoming the first to set up their base camp in Qatar.

Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas's preparations for the World Cup have been far from ideal without any appearances so far for Paris St Germain this season but the national side's captain is the first name on coach Luis Fernando Suarez's teamsheet.

Liverpool's Roberto Firmino was left off the list Monday as Brazil coach Tite named his World Cup squad, seeking a sixth title with a team led by Neymar and 39-year-old veteran Dani Alves.

Brazil coach Tite made a surprise early announcement for his World Cup squad Sunday, naming football influencer and internet sensation Luva to his team, in a gag video that went viral on social media.

Pessimism surrounds Mexico as they gear up for the World Cup in Qatar after inconsistency in qualifying and warm-up matches.

Kevin De Bruyne’s mercurial talent is indisputable and Romelu Lukaku will be a powerful force up front, so the big question for Belgium heading to the World Cup in Qatar is whether they can get the best out of playmaker Eden Hazard.

Aston Villa's Philippe Coutinho will miss their next two games and could be out for longer due to a quadriceps injury, manager Unai Emery said, casting doubt on the Brazilian's availability for the World Cup.