In 2017, the two brightest stars in football history were united in Moscow at the draw for the following year's World Cup in Russia.

England's bowlers have helped cover for their batting team mates' patchy Twenty20 World Cup and will now face their biggest test against the firepower of India in today's semi-final.

France coach Didier Deschamps included Raphael Varane in his World Cup squad on Wednesday despite the defender's recent injury problems, while 36-year-old striker Olivier Giroud was also called up.

Senegal forward Sadio Mane has sustained an injury to his right fibula and will miss Bayern Munich's last league game before the World Cup, his club said on Wednesday, leaving his participation at the tournament in doubt.

Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam slammed half centuries as Pakistan powered past New Zealand by seven wickets and into the Twenty20 World Cup final Wednesday, moving within one win of a second title.

Portugal’s hopes of challenging for a first World Cup title will likely be heavily dictated by how well they fare in an accessible group where their main rivals are Uruguay, the country that dumped them out in the last 16 four years ago.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has asked European clubs not to field any of his players who are not fully fit in league matches before the World Cup in Qatar.

South Korea and Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung-min confirmed on Wednesday he be available for selection for the World Cup in Qatar after undergoing surgery earlier this month to stabilise a fracture around his left eye.

Kane Williamson tried to play down concerns that New Zealand seem incapable of winning a global limited overs title, after they again failed to go the distance at the Twenty20 World Cup on Wednesday.

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

Pakistan will continue their rollercoaster ride at the Twenty20 World Cup into the final after beating New Zealand by seven wickets in front of a raucous crowd largely made up of their compatriots at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Wednesday.

Daryl Mitchell hit an unbeaten 53 against some sharp Pakistan fielding and disciplined bowling as New Zealand were held to 152-4 in the first Twenty20 World Cup semi-final in Sydney on Wednesday.

Skipper Rohit Sharma says beating England in their back yard just a few months ago gives his India team confidence they can do it again in their Twenty20 World Cup semi-final on Thursday.

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.

New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson won the toss and elected to bat against Pakistan in the first semi-final of the Twenty20 World Cup in Sydney on Wednesday.

England will make last-minute calls on the fitness of Dawid Malan and Mark Wood as they look to spoil the party in Thursday's Twenty20 World Cup semi-final against India, Jos Buttler said.

Australia great Ricky Ponting has declared speedster Shaheen Afridi as the player that must fire if Pakistan are to claim a second ICC Men's T20 World Cup title in Australia.

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".

Pakistan's best is yet to come and struggling skipper Babar Azam is due "something very special" in their Twenty20 World Cup semi-final against New Zealand on Wednesday, team mentor Matthew Hayden warned.