Football

South Korea will be playing at their eighth consecutive World Cup finals in June but must improve on a dire qualification campaign to have any chance of escaping a tough group in Brazil.

Greece's departure for their World Cup training base in Brazil has been delayed after their flight was cancelled in the United States.

The Azzurri arrived at their tournament base following disappointing friendly draws against Ireland and Luxembourg in the past week.

Unlike nearby Latin American nations where a tourist's US dollar or euro seemingly stretches forever, Brazil is astoundingly expensive.

It's the eagerness to pin the nation's World Cup hopes on one player that irritates England coach Roy Hodgson so much.

Today's Brazil is a completely different country from the one that last hosted the World Cup in 1950 but some things have hardly changed even after 64 years.

Brazil's Sports Minister said it was impossible to promise his country would be ready for next week's opening match of the World Cup.

English Premier League clubs earned a record $4.23 billion in revenue in the 2012-13 season to lead the "big five" leagues in the world.

South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo remains quietly confident that his side can surprise their higher-ranked World Cup opponents in Brazil.

Belgium, Algeria, Russia and South Korea will give their best for the two Round of 16 spots available from the group.

In Xavi, Iniesta, Fabregas and David Silva, Spain have some of the best passers in the game, and Del Bosque will be counting on Costa making the intelligent runs.

Villa, 32, has scored 56 goals for Spain and helped them win the 2008 European Championship and the 2010 World Cup.

Prandelli explained he had been clear with Rossi since meeting with the forward in early May, shortly after his comeback from a four-month injury layoff.

The 39-year-old Beckham, who is trying to launch a Major League Soccer team and build a stadium in Miami, said "there's never been a player-owner, but maybe?"

With 10 days to go to the World Cup, Brazil was rushing to finish installing seats in stadiums and deal with threats ranging from violent protests to dengue fever.

France were champions in 1998 and runners-up in 2006 but made first round exits in 2002 and 2010 after failing to win a single match.