Belgium is back in the World Cup after 12 years, and with its hottest crop of players in a generation.

With an incredible knack for timing, Belgium's best have conspired to come of age in one providential season which has seen them taking on leading roles in England and Spain, the toughest two leagues in the world.

Since returning to the World Cup in 1990 after a 40-year absence, the United States has alternated group-stage elimination with advancement to the knockout round.

Ghana finished off the Americans in the first round in 2006, then four years ago beat them in extra time in the round of 16.

Despite being in charge of one of the top favorites at the World Cup, Germany coach Joachim Loew is deeply worried.

He is worried about the long travel and jet lag; worried that Germany's headquarters in Brazil are still far from completed; worried about the different kickoff times and the heat; but most of all, worried about the fitness of some of his top players.

The question facing Portugal at the Word Cup is plain: Can Cristiano Ronaldo do for his country what Diego Maradona did for Argentina at the 1986 tournament?

Argentina went to Mexico 28 years ago with a solid team, but it was Maradona who made the South Americans special as he lifted them to the World Cup title with some electrifying performances and sensational goals.

Real Madrid will play defending champion Bayern Munich in the Champions League semifinals, and Atletico Madrid will face Chelsea.

Madrid and Bayern have combined to win 14 European Cup or Champions League titles. They have also been runner-up a further eight times, yet never met in the final.

Authorities don't expect to release any results just yet from an autopsy on the body of popular ex-pro wrestler The Ultimate Warrior.

Maricopa County spokeswoman Cari Gerchick said the county Medical Examiner's Office had no plans to issue any preliminary findings on the autopsy, which was done Thursday.

Valencia fought back from a three-goal first-leg deficit Thursday to beat Basel 5-0 and qualify for the Europa League semifinal, while competition favorite Juventus advanced after a tense 2-1 win at home to Lyon.

Pablo Alcacer scored a hat trick in Valencia, with the third coming in extra time after Basel had seen Marcelo Diaz and Gaston Sauro sent off.

Lance Armstrong has given sworn testimony naming several people he says knew about his performance-enhancing drug use, insisting he didn't pay anyone or any organization to keep his doping secret.

The testimony came in written answers to questions in a lawsuit that was settled in late 2013. The previously undisclosed documents were filed this week as part of the federal whistle-blower lawsuit over his team's sponsorship by the U.S. Postal Service that could lead to fines in excess of $100 million.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter said he has been "reassured" by Brazil's president that the country will be ready to host the World Cup.

Blatter added in a statement he had "another very positive phone conversation" with Dilma Rousseff on Thursday. She told him that "all will be in place to welcome the teams and the fans" at the World Cup in nine weeks.

Former 100-meter world record holder Asafa Powell has been banned for 18 months.

The 31-year-old sprinter tested positive for the banned stimulant oxilofrone at Jamaica's national trials last June. He's been suspended from competition since his doping case was disclosed in July.