England and Manchester United top career goalscorer Wayne Rooney praises his homeland’s “fantastic” World Cup effort on Monday, cheering the buzz and belief their semi-final run in Russia has inspired.

The eight young footballers rescued from a cave in Thailand after more than two weeks underground are unlikely to be able to take up an offer to attend the World Cup final in Moscow.

The Croatia captain Luka Modric carries his excellent club level form that helped Real Madrid secure their 13th UCL title earlier in May to this World Cup as the Croats are now very close to achieving the ultimate glory in Russia.

Kyian Mbappe has been magnificent in the World Cup so far but Belgium midfielder and Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne says he had no knowledge of the French forward. That is until Mbappe scored in both legs of the Champions League tie against Manchester City two seasons ago – a Round of 16 tie that finished 6-6 on aggregate over two legs with Monaco going through on away goals.

World Cup glory beckons for Croatian stars such as Luka Modric after several traumatic experiences at major tournaments, says their former coach Slaven Bilic.

For football fans in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, it's often a case of ABE (Anyone But England). It's tough for them to change the habit of a lifetime and get behind Gareth Southgate's team in the World Cup.

Brazil Football Confederation officials are furious with Brazil star Neymar as he refused to meet with fans when they landed back after World Cup exit.

France will unleash the attacking talents of Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann against Eden Hazard's gifted Belgium side in Saint Petersburg with a place in the World Cup final at stake.

"Football is separate from politics, come to Russia and support your national team" says Victoria Lopyreva, glamorous ambassador for the soccer World Cup in Russia.

The World Cup semifinal sees two of the strongest teams in the tournament face off but is still considered something of a surprise.

Uruguayan Andres Cunha will referee the World Cup semi-final between France and Belgium at the St Petersburg Stadium on Tuesday evening, FIFA said on Monday.

*Belgium's only previous semifinal appearance came at the 1986 finals, where Diego Maradona turned on the second half magic and ensured for Argentina a place in the final with both goals in a 2-0 victory.

The semifinal line-up is complete and two intriguing, all-European ties lie in wait. But while the teams in the last four of Russia 2018 hail from the same continent, the similarities end there. France, Belgium, England and Croatia all boast very different attributes. This article on FIFA.COM takes a look at the salient features of the four semifinalists.

Football is played in cycles, although they do not change often.

If you discount World Cup pedigree, which has actually had little or no bearing in Russia 2018 so far, there is little to choose from between France and Belgium when the two European nations lock horns in the first semifinal at the Saint Petersburg Stadium today.

Romelu Lukaku

The Spanish Football Federation has appointed Luis Enrique as Spain's new national team coach on a two-year deal, the president of the federation Luis Rubiales said during a news conference on Monday.

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic has identified Raheem Sterling as England's danger man in the World Cup semifinal on Wednesday.

England manager Gareth Southgate says winning the World Cup would make his players even bigger heroes than the 1966 generation because of the impact of social media and the globalisation of football.

After more goals came from set pieces in this World Cup's group stage than any other, set-play strategy has continued to have a huge impact in the knockout phase, with five of the 11 goals scored in the quarterfinals coming from free-kicks or corners.