Police prepared for tense encounter between Germany and Poland

Thousands of Polish fans are expected in Dortmund for Wednesday night's World Cup match between Germany and Poland,and police say they are prepared in case of trouble.

S.Korean fan critical after Sydney fall

A South Korean man was critically ill in an Australian hospital on Wednesday after falling off a road sign while celebrating his team's World Cup win, police said as they warned fans against "foolhardy behaviour".

Chinese women embrace beautiful game

Bucking dire predictions of domestic disharmony in China during soccer's World Cup finals, an online survey has revealed that more than 80 percent of Chinese women plan to watch at least some of the matches.

Thai gunman kills two noisy soccer fans

Thai police are searching for a gunman who shot and killed two soccer fans at a beach resort after complaining they were cheering too loudly during a broadcast of Italy's World Cup opener against Ghana, an official said Wednesday.

Fans in Brunei warned against betting, boozing and brawling

Police in largely Muslim Brunei are boosting patrols in public meeting places to prevent soccer fans from gambling, drinking alcohol or disturbing the peace during World Cup broadcasts, a news report said Wednesday.

Chinese fan has heart attack watching World Cup

A Chinese football fan suffered a heart attack during a World Cup match following three sleepness nights of heavy drinking and watching the tournament on television.

World Cup boosts sales in Brazil

Brazil's national football team will play its first game in the World Cup today. But even if the team does not do well and ends up loosing the Cup at the end of the competition, Brazilian retailers will celebrate.

Polish-born strikers may play against Poland

Greece vows to crack down on sports violence

Greece on Tuesday vowed to put sports hooligans into jail in a bid to crack down on sports violence after a series of widely-publicized incidents

English fans deported for wearing Nazi symbols

Two English soccer fans wearing Nazi SS symbols on their T-shirts -- an offense that can draw a fine or jail time in Germany -- were deported to the U.K. after being arrested at a World Cup Match in Frankfurt by German police.

Scores of German police guard American team

German police confirmed Tuesday what World Cup observers have suspected: The U.S. team has been given an unusually heavy security detail for soccer's showcase event.

Croatian fan interrupts Brazil-Croatia game

A Croatian fan wearing No. 17 jersey mysteriously ran into the pitch where the Balkan side were fighting with five-time world champions Brazil in World Cup Group F duel here on Tuesday evening.