Sports

Brazilian striker Fred has learned from his mistakes of last year's Confederations Cup and vowed not to talk up his chances of scoring in the World Cup.

Mascherano has agreed a new deal to stay for a further four seasons, the club said, in a move that shows new coach Luis Enrique has a role for him in his side.

The team said in a statement that the Monaco left back had a muscle tear and needed three weeks to recover, not enough time to be fit for Nigeria's group games.

Spain striker Costa says Brazil coach Felipe Scolari's indifference made it easier to decide to play for his adopted country than his homeland at the World Cup.

Fernandao, who led Internacional to Copa Libertadores and World Club Cup triumphs in 2006, has died in a helicopter crash in central Brazil, his former club said.

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.