The 2022 World Cup in Qatar will start on Monday, Nov. 21, kicking off a 28-day tournament that will finish on Sunday, Dec. 18.

FIFA's executive committee confirmed the 2022 dates on Friday, six months after picking Dec. 18 — Qatar's national holiday — for the final.

The Arab League on Sunday condemned what it called the "hateful campaign" against Qatar's controversial hosting of the 2022 World Cup, amid a corruption scandal rocking football's governing body FIFA.

The League's General Assembly in a statement declared its "full support" for Qatar's hosting of the tournament, which would be the first World Cup held in an Arab country.

The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, on Thursday said the Gulf state will put on one of the finest World Cups in history when it hosts the tournament in 2022.

Qatar and football's world governing body FIFA are coming under increasing pressure to take the 2022 showpiece away from a country that has little sporting infrastructure or footballing culture, while there have been accusations of bribery in the bidding process.

Colombian pop sensation Shakira, Mexican guitarist Carlos Santana, Brazilian singer Ivete Sangalo and a samba school lead the musical entertainment at Sunday's World Cup closing ceremony.

Following the opening song, Shakira performed at her third World Cup, and sang "La La La (Brazil 2014)" alongside home favorite Carlinhos Brown.

Thousands of Argentine fans are expected to attend Sunday's World Cup final but President Cristina Kirchner will not be among them as she is sick with throat trouble.

Kirchner disclosed the news Thursday in a letter to Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff.

Gonzalo Higuain smashed home an early goal as Argentina dashed the World Cup dreams of much-fancied Belgium with a 1-0 win in the quarter-finals in Brasilia on Saturday.

Higuain struck in the eighth minute at the Mane Garrincha National Stadium to send Argentina into the last four for the first time since 1990 and thwart Belgian hopes of avenging their defeat in the 1986 semi-finals.

Lebanese judicial authorities on Friday dismissed a lawsuit filed by the beIN Sports TV network against state broadcaster Tele Liban over its airing of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

“Judge of Urgent Matters Zalfa al-Hassan has ruled on the lawsuit filed by the beIN Sports firm against Tele Liban over its broadcast of the World Cup matches, dismissing the case for lack of jurisdiction,” state-run National News Agency reported.

For those who may in fact fancy a nibble from disgraced Uruguay striker Luis Suarez, an online Swedish sex shop has come up with just the thing.

The online store Oliver & Eva on Wednesday unveiled a "Suarez nipple clamp" in the form of the footballer's head, teeth bared, for 33 euros ($45).

Brazil advanced to the quarter-finals of the World Cup on Saturday after holding their nerve to down Chile on penalties.

Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar was the hero, saving twice in the shoot-out before Chile defender Gonzalo Jara's final spot-kick crashed off the woodwork to hand the World Cup hosts a 3-2 win.

A stunning injury time strike from Lionel Messi spared Argentina's blushes as they qualified for the last 16 of the World Cup with a hard fought 1-0 win over Iran in Belo Horizonte.

Argentina had been thankful to three fine second-half saves from goalkeeper Sergio Romero just to be level heading into stoppage time, whilst Iran had also had a strong penalty appeal waved away when Pablo Zabaleta appeared to foul Ashkan Dejagah inside the area.