Brazil, France, SKorea return to Cup looking similar to last time

Brazil, France and South Korea picked up just about where they left off four years ago.

Croatia's Kranjcar also target of jibes about weight

Ronaldo isn't the only player at this year's World Cup whose weight is being closely scrutinized.

Brazil's golden 11 seek sixth World Cup

Dida, Cafu, Lucio, Juan, Roberto Carlos, Emerson, Ze Roberto, Kaka, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo and Adriano are Brazil's "golden 11" given the task of winning the nation's sixth soccer World Cup known as the "hexacampeonato".

Togo bonus row branded a national disgrace

Togolese soccer fans voiced shame on Monday over their team's demands for hefty bonus payments at the World Cup, with one newspaper branding the row "a national disgrace".

Footballers'wives go on shopping spree

In the heat of first World Cup encounter, England's footballers started well but faded fast.Their wives and girlfriends put on a performance of stamina and spending power that showed England have a team to take on the world - at shopping.

France coach furious at media on eve of Switzerland

France coach Raymond Domenech criticized his country's media Monday for helping World Cup opponent Switzerland by revealing details of his likely lineup

I'm always proud to be an Aussie

World Cup scores for US,European networks

The U.S. team may have lost Monday's match to the Czech Republic, but U.S.-based networks have shown winning ratings in the weekend's opening rounds of the World Cup soccer championship.

Czech gives solid display in beating USA 3-0

U.S. fans gesture in the stands before the Group E World Cup 2006 soccer match between the U.S. and the Czech Republic in Gelsenkirchen June 12, 2006.[Reuters]

French supermarket recalls fake World Cup balls in China

Fake soccer balls bearing markings similar to those used at the World Cup have been pulled from the shelves of French supermarket chain Carrefour's Chinese stores, media reports said Tuesday.

Police not allowed to bet on World Cup

Shanghai police yesterday warned local entertainment or catering businesses against any gambling practices related to the World Cup.

Time for Brazil to take World Cup stage

Time to samba. Brazil sets course for what could be its sixth World Cup title — twice as many as any other country — when it plays Croatia at the Olympic Stadium on Tuesday night. Already, thousands of Brazilian fans are in town.