One hand washing the other

One hand washing the other

We still do not know quite how Blatter swept into Presidential power before the 1998 tournament in France, succeeding the ineffable Joao Havelange, under whose corrupt tutelage the moral cause at FIFA was lost, when he bought African votes (with money from the Brazilian Confederation of which he was President) defeating the English incumbent Sir Stanley Rous, writes Brian Glanville.

Errors of judgement

Errors of judgement

A few controversial refereeing decisions in the first week have fuelled the debate over video replays. With the successful introduction of goal-line technology at Brazil 2014, many wonder if FIFA would now consider bringing in video replays to help minimise refereeing errors.

Cameroon and Croatia look for revival

Belgium rallies to win

Algeria fails to hold on to an early strike

Come on England: Three Lions fans gear up for World Cup opener

THE BUNTING is out and the nerves are braced as England fans prepare themselves for our opening clash with Italy tonight.

BRAZIL BEAT: Japan's Fans Brighten Stands

RECIFE, Brazil June 14, 2014 (AP)

Result

12.06.14 Brazil - Croatia              03-01
12.06.14 Mexico- Cameron          01-00
12.06.14 Spain- Holland               01-05
12.06.14 Chile -Australia              03-01

CURITIBA (Brazil), June 12, 2014

‘Spain looking for revenge’

12.06.14 Brazil-Croatia

FIFA World cup Football Brazil-12.06.2014

Brazil-Croatia

MATCHDAY PREVIEW – Record five-time winners and host nation Brazil will ensure a sprinkling of prestige and history as they kick off the 20th edition of the FIFA World Cup™ against an ambitious Croatia side with nothing to lose. All the pressure will be on Neymar and Co in Sao Paulo, with an entire nation desperate for a winning start to their World Cup odyssey on home soil. Niko Kovac's cosmopolitan squad boast the tools to spoil the party, however, drawing talent from some of the biggest clubs in Europe and featuring just two players based in Croatia.

FIFA World cup football

The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the sport's global governing body. The championship has been awarded every four years since the inaugural tournament in 1930, except in 1942 and 1946 when it was not held because of the Second World War. The current champions are Spain, who won the 2010 tournament in South Africa.