World champions Italy need a win against Slovakia on Thursday to ensure they stumble into the World Cup second round and all eyes will be on captain Fabio Cannavaro after mistakes in the first two matches led to goals.
The surprise exclusion of Fabio Grosso from Italy's World Cup party has propelled left back Domenico Criscito into the limelight and placated critics demanding more youth in the Azzurri team. The fresh-faced 23-year-old looks just out of school with his shy smile, soft voice and boyish blonde hair.
FIFA WC PIX: Ghana vs Portugal
Germany expects 2.7 million people to attend matches in stadiums across the country and some 12 million in its fan zones for outdoor viewing, including on a long stretch of turf laid out in front of Berlin's Brandenburg Gate.
Real Madrid will seek inspiration from their former midfielder and France World Cup winner Zinedine Zidane for Tuesday's Champions League match at Ajax Amsterdam, according to Xabi Alonso.
The 32-year-old joined Marseille on loan from Manchester United in January and the English club had already agreed to terminate his contract at the end of June.
The Football Association want England's next manager after Fabio Capello to be English, director of football Trevor Brooking was quoted as saying on Saturday.
India hope their experiments work in series decider against West Indies
Ecuador are confident that Enner Valencia, who got both goals in their 2-0 win over hosts Qatar on Sunday, will be fit to play despite some concerns over a knee sprain.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz marked the start of the one-year countdown towards Euro 2024 by unveiling a competition.
Bayern Munich defender Philipp Lahm will captain Germany in place of injured Michael Ballack and Manuel Neuer will be the starting goalkeeper at next month's World Cup, coach Joachim Loew said.
Angelo Mathews criticised Bangladesh's decision to dismiss him via a 'time out' as 'disgraceful'
China took it easy in this week's 2-0 friendly defeat to Portugal for fear of injuring Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo and ruling him out of the World Cup, according to coach Gao Hongbo.
The Indian hockey team that won a second successive Olympic bronze for the country here on Thursday featured 11 players, who will come back as two-time medallists from the quadrennial showpiece.
Regarded as the greatest player in history, Lionel Messi has admitted he has cried many times after performing poorly for his national team, Argentina.
Talismanic goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon bid a tearful farewell to Juventus after 17 seasons at the club when he played his last match for them in a 2-1 win over relegated Verona on Saturday.
India, who were the 127th-ranked men's team in December, dropped 12 places since.
Morocco will no doubt revel in another opportunity to thrive as underdogs
Kaka scored a superb goal only six minutes into his first international for eleven months to set Brazil on the way to a 4-0 win over Venezuela in a World Cup qualifier.
Ronaldo in sharp focus ahead of Portugal match against Switzerland
Your chance to congratulate Dhanraj Pillay and his boys.
Francesco Totti has no shortage of obstacles standing in his way if he wants to come out of international retirement and play for Italy at the World Cup finals. The AS Roma striker quit the national team after their 2006 World Cup triumph but coach Marcello Lippi has consistently said he would consider the 33-year-old for the June 11-July 11 tournament in South Africa if Totti reverses his decision.
The FIFA World Cup knock-out phase kicks-off on Saturday in Qatar. Here's an overview of the teams advancing to the last 16.
Veteran Australia midfielder Mark Bresciano has called time on his international career after celebrating the Socceroos' Asian Cup triumph on home soil last month.
England were seventh last month but in the latest edition, issued by FIFA, they are down to 11th
The most impressive players at the FIFA World Cup 2022 after Round One.
The former German ace accused FIFA of being interested in making money from ticketing and hospitality.
The Dutch striker has been banned for two World Cup qualifying matches for insulting referee Anders Frisk.
PSV Eindhoven coach Guus Hiddink was named as Australia's new national coach for their World Cup campaign
India were drawn against their Pakistan for an away Asia-Oceania Zone Group 1 fixture.
The Barcelona forward's comeback could see Brazil attack with the "three Rs" in the World Cup qualifier against Ecuador.\n\n
Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has retired from football, the 45-year-old announced on Wednesday, after 28 years in which he reached exceptional milestones for club and country.
Former France defender Mikael Silvestre, who played for Indian Super League side Chennaiyin FC in the inaugural edition in 2014, feels that football is growing fast in India.
