The injury rules him out of Croatia's World Cup qualifying match with England at Wembley on 9 September.

BBC: Spurs suffer Modric injury blow

Chances are it won't be Friday night, when England and San Marino meet again in another World Cup qualifying match.

WSJ: Eight Seconds of Soccer Glory

Thousands of miles away, members of Iran's national soccer team sported green arm and wrist bands Wednesday during their World Cup qualifying match against South Korea.

CNN: Iranian protesters mostly unfazed by government warnings

She was in Zambia in April 1993 when virtually the entire national team were killed in a plane crash while travelling to Gabon for a World Cup qualifying match.

BBC: Tam Cowan and Stuart Cosgrove are supporting the campaign

Hungary will be forced to play its World Cup qualifying match against Romania in an empty stadium after the Court of Arbitration for Sport dismissed an appeal by the Hungarian Football Federation on Tuesday.

WSJ: FIFA's Empty-Stadium

After just a single match in the final World Cup qualifying tournament, U.S. national team coach Jurgen Klinsmann said his squad is facing a "must-win" game against Costa Rica in Denver Friday night.

WSJ: Blindfold Bracket: Indiana Hoosiers Are Leading the Blind Pick

At one point Spain looked as though they were starting to gain a measure of control in midfield but Paraguay, who would have topped South America's World Cup qualifying group if they had won their final game, slowed the match down at every opportunity.

BBC: Paraguay 0-1 Spain

England and Croatia were then drawn again in qualifying for the 2010 World Cup, and meet at Wembley next week in a match which could possibly confirm England's place at the finals.

BBC: Gold rejects Croatia 'conspiracy'