World Cup

Taking the Michael: Fabio Capello greets Michael Dawson at training yesterday; the coach may choose Gareth Barry in midfield and David James as his goalkeeper for Saturday's opener against the United States

Welcome to the world's toughest job, Mr Capello

Italian is worth all of his money if he can shrug off losing his captain.

Inside World Cup

Samba hard to beat but it takes two to tango

Sunday, 6 June 2010

Yes it's winter and yes it's at altitude but expect the Latin Americans to reach the final at the most socially significant of all World Cups

Bert Williams: 'The pain has been with me ever since'

Sunday, 6 June 2010

America's 1-0 win over England on a bumpy pitch in Brazil in 1950 shocked the world. Simon Hart talks to the English goalkeeper that fateful day and the United States captain who led part-timers to glory

Soccer City can be a pot of gold at end of the rainbow

Sunday, 6 June 2010

Domestic game languishes in doldrums but global showpiece could revive passions of black majority

Rio will miss the World Cup, but you can still make it

Sunday, 6 June 2010

It may be the planet's biggest sporting tournament, but days before the World Cup kicks off on Friday, interest has yet to reach fever pitch. Tour operators and airlines still have availability for fans wanting to make last-minute getaways to watch live action – including the final – in South Africa.

'Ridiculous' to blame Heskey for Rio injury

Sunday, 6 June 2010

Tottenham's Michael Dawson, turfed out of the England squad five days ago, arrived to rejoin it as Rio Ferdinand's replacement yesterday, only to discover that two other centre-halves were unable to take part in his first training session.

Lampard the survivor is ready to step up for fallen friend Ferdinand

Sunday, 6 June 2010

Not just any old Iron as ex-Hammer looks to match heroes of '66

'Football has never needed a quota system and it never will'

Sunday, 6 June 2010

When South Africa face Mexico in the opening match of the 2010 World Cup on Friday, Soccer City will be packed with supporters from across the Rainbow Nation's racial divides.

Ntini is fired up for a whole new ball game

Sunday, 6 June 2010

Given there may be no more significant athlete in South African history, it seems ironic that most of the football supporters now heading for the country have probably never heard of Makhaya Ntini.

It's one of our best chances ever, says Cohen

Sunday, 6 June 2010

So where were you on 30 July 1966? A difficult question for, say, the under-50s, but those of a certain age have been flocking to 192worldcup.com, a website bringing together supporters to share memories of that day. Among those discovered so far is the boy – now aged 58 – who carried the flag for England's opening game, against Uruguay.

Chiellini: the key to defence of Italy's crown

Sunday, 6 June 2010

Amir Rashid meets the Italian centre back who heads the post-World Cup shopping lists of Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea, who insists he’s staying with Juventus for another year, but still names Nemanja Vidic and John Terry as the players he most admires

More world cup: