FIFA makes doping tests to Brazilian players

FIFA doctors Thursday made a surprise visit to Brazil's training camp in Weggis, Switzerland for doping tests on four of its World Cup players.

World Cup brief

England fans insist they've beaten back the bad boy image

Gary Kitching is self-employed, married with three children and has never been arrested.

Eastern European thugs pose World Cup threat

Tens of thousands of eastern Europeans head for the World Cup finals for the first time this year yet all eyes are on a tiny group of hooligans for whom the tournament is a first chance to make global headlines.

Germany will not let hooligans spoil the party

Hearty German hospitality is meant to be the hallmark of this year's World Cup, but foreign hooligans who abuse it may end up staying longer than they planned.

Low profile policing key to safe World Cup

Approachable officers keeping a low profile and self-policing by fans are the keys to a trouble-free World Cup, a study based on Euro 2004 said on Thursday.

Cold, rain expected for tournament opener

There is an 80 percent chance of rain for Munich at some point on June 9 when the World Cup starts, a top meteorologist said on Wednesday.

World Cup price for Mideast fans steep

When it comes to the World Cup, Israelis and Palestinians are in full agreement: The price to watch the games on TV is too high.

European leagues dominate at World Cup

If the English Premier League, the Italian Serie A and the Spanish league were able to put together their own World Cup teams, no one else would stand a chance of winning the trophy.

World Cup brief

Ukraine adjusts workday to watch cup

The Ukrainian government asked employers to adjust the workday on June 14 so that Ukrainians can watch their national soccer team make its debut in the World Cup.

42,000 show up for German soccer practice

More than 42,000 fans turned out Wednesday to watch an open practice of the German team nine days before it kicks off the World Cup.