Mini World Cup begins

Inspired by the 2006 World Cup, Shanghai kicked off a "mini world cup" for local high school and college students on Saturday.

British soldiers in Afghanistan cheer on World Cup

With much national pride and a bit of homesickness, about 300 soldiers in the British-dominated headquarters of the NATO force in Afghanistan were glued to a live feed of England's opening World Cup win against Paraguay.

We like it hot: Japan's World Cup samurai

Asian champions Japan claim that the sweltering weather, which made England struggle to a scrappy 1-0 World Cup win over Paraguay, would benefit his players when they take on Australia

World Cup blackout in Somali

Hardline Islamic courts shut cinema halls and barred residents in the Somali capital from watching the World Cup, prompting scores of civilians to protest the ban in which two people were killed, court officials and residents said.

No positives so far in World Cup testing

Soccer's governing body conducted more than 125 tests in 24 international friendlies and all 32 training camps before the tournament started last Friday, and tested two players from each team in the opening matches.

All soccer giants struggle to win on Cup 3rd day

The world soccer powerhouses Netherlands, Mexico and Portugal struggled to beat their rivals on Sunday, the third day of the World Cup Germany kicking off on Friday evening.

Dutch fans celebrate victory 1-0 against Serbia and Montenegro

Dutch soccer fans celebrate the victory of their team in the World Cup soccer match against Serbia and Montenegro 1-0 in Leipzig, June 11, 2006.[Reuters]

Britain advocates drink-driving ban during World Cup

Christian beliefs will help us, says Korean Lee

Defender Lee Young-pyo said the number of Christians in South Korea's squad would have a positive effect on their World Cup challenge.

Eriksson optimistic for Rooney return on Thursday

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said striker Wayne Rooney could be fit to return ahead of schedule against Trinidad & Tobago in World Cup Group B on Thursday.

Argentina, England win as Cup heats up

Former champions Argentina and England claimed hard-fought victories on a sweltering second day of the World Cup finals in Germany. England edge Paraguay 1-0 and Agentina ousts Ivory Coast 2-1

Cup sees first bloody clash, leaving scores injured

Some 200 frantic fans from England clashed in a Frankfurt financial street with their counterparts from Paraguay during the second half of their World Cup Group B showdown, leaving scores of fans injured.