Sports

Abhiraj Singh will be getting the opportunity of his lifetime when he escorts the star players onto the iconic Maracana Stadium between Colombia and Uruguay.

Manager Marcus Hoefl said in a statement posted via his Twitter feed that FIFA informed Beckenbauer on Friday the ban was lifted with immediate effect.

"They wanted him out of the World Cup. Perfect, they did it. They chucked him out of there like a dog," said Suarez's grandmother.

Bitter foes Mohun Bagan and East Bengal will clash in the season's first local derby in the Calcutta Football League (Premier Division) fixture.

The 35-year-old Pirlo, who plays for Juventus, said before the World Cup that he would quit international football after the tournament in Brazil.

Messi has scored 10 times in his last eight games for Argentina and became the only Argentine apart from Maradona to score four World Cup goals in a row.

Struggling South Korea will need to rediscover the magical spirit of 2002 as they fight to rescue their dismal World Cup campaign against unbeaten Belgium on Thursday.

Uruguay and Italy meet to decide who goes through to the Round of 16 and who follows England home from Group D.

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has often been criticised for a lack of impact when he plays in his national colours in comparison to his performances for Real Madrid.

Jorge Luis Pinto called on the FIFA to devise a more uniform system that won't generate suspicion.

Portugal star Ronaldo admitted the fact that they are no that good enough to win the World Cup.

With the final round of games about to start, there is plenty to play for and a plethora of permutations for many of the 32 teams competing for glory.

Nigeria eliminated Bosnia-Herzegovina from World Cup contention with a 1-0 win over the tournament newcomers on Saturday.

Brazil goalkeeper Cesar said that his team only thinks about victory against Cameroon and snatching first place in Group A.

"He is equally important to us as Cristiano Ronaldo is for Portugal, as Neymar is to Brazil, as Messi to Argentina," Bosnia-Herzegovina coach Safet Susic said.

In Group D, Italy and Costa Rica already have a win each, and another victory would let either team take control of the standings.