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With the 2014 finals just around the corner, Goal is running a series looking at every major nation and arguing the case for each winning the cup. Here we assess France
COMMENT
By Robin Bairner
How quickly things can change in international football. Last November, following a 2-0 playoff defeat in Ukraine, the odds were against France even travelling to Brazil this summer, yet Didier Deschamps’ side turned the tie around with a 3-0 success in Paris, from which they built a sequence of results that has them tipped as dark horses for the competition.
Key to the shift in mood in Les Bleus’ camp has been an apparent transformation of the team’s spirit. That night in Paris against Ukraine acted as an excretory event for the national team, who had been damaged almost beyond repair following dressing room revolt dating back almost a decade.
Much of the egotism associated with the France side has been expunged by Deschamps, whose decision to leave Manchester City’s Samir Nasri from the World Cup squad was greeted with disbelief in England but some relief at home.
Amidst a string of expletives on Twitter delivered by his girlfriend, the playmaker’s dreams of lifting the game’s most coveted trophy were obliterated for another four years, but equally this outburst, though not delivered by the player himself, added weight to the case of the coach, whose decision was likely based on reasons away from the field.
"The aim was to build the best squad, not necessarily to take the top 23 French players," the former Juventus coach dryly replied in his press conference as the decision was announced.
"Samir said himself he couldn't stand to be a substitute. This is true and this is something we feel among the squad. It's the reason why he has not been selected."
Indeed, in previous competitions the importance of the whole has often been overlooked in favour of the individual. Not so by Deschamps, who finally seems to have forged a team of togetherness.
Of course, there is no shortage of quality in France’s ranks, with each area of the field boasting players of strength.
A back problem, however, has ruled out Ballon d'Or nominee Franck Ribery, but France have a strong artillery regardless, with promising youngster Antoine Griezmann approaching this competition seeking to ignite his career in a similar fashion to the Bayern Munich player, who made his breakthrough at the 2006 World Cup, also as a 23-year-old.
European Cup winner Karim Benzema will likely start as first choice centre forward, ably supported by Olivier Giroud and Loic Remy, who after a troubled season due to injury will provide a tremendous option as a wildcard off the bench with his pace to stretch defences.
If the strikers seem to complement each other nicely, the midfield also dovetails in a pleasing manner. Paul Pogba, having only just turned 21, is already showing the power and ball recuperation skills that have long seen him touted as a world-class talent, while Paris Saint-Germain’s Yohan Cabaye adds class on the ball as club-mate Blaise Matuidi brings apparently limitless energy.
Perhaps one weakness France may have is a lack of experience in the defence, where Laurent Koscielny and Mamadou Sakho are set to start in the centre, despite a combined tally of fewer than 35 caps. The Liverpool centre-back is often cited as a potential fallible link, though his performances for the national side have typically been more assured than at club level, and it was his double that inspired France to victory over Ukraine – an evening that seems to have inspired the Parisian.
In goal, meanwhile, will be Hugo Lloris, one of the most accomplished sweeper-keepers in the modern-day game. Though controversy remains over his status as captain, even in goal he successfully embodies the dynamic and athletic nature of the squad.
Concerns may have been expressed about the lack of depth in the squad, though a more correct criticism would be a dearth of international experience beyond the starting pool. Deschamps, however, has opted for youthful vibrancy in his squad, of which eight are aged 24 or under.
These young guns have all proven to be exceptional able at club level, with the likes of Raphael Varane, Eliaquim Mangala and Antoine Griezmann having shone with Real Madrid, Porto and Sociedad respectively.
In the searing heat and humidity of Brazil, Deschamps may well be glad of their energy, though it will be their attitude and spirit – words not easily associated with the France side – that will be crucial for Les Bleus, whose draw against Switzerland, Honduras and Ecuador offers a welcoming possibility of progression.
From there, Bosnia and Herzegovina or Nigeria would likely wait, and against lower-ranked opposition France would be favourites to move to the quarter-finals, from which stage they would see anything as being possible.
Make no mistake, this France team may not be bristling with the stars of old, but it may not need to if it is to enjoy a fruitful trip to Brazil this summer.
'It's more than a dream' - Bony relishing World Cup
By Harry West
Jun 9, 2014 2:01:00 PM
The Swansea City striker impressed during his first season in the Premier League and is now keen to take that form to Brazil
Wilfried Bony says playing in his first World Cup with Cote d'Ivoire is "more than a dream".
The Swansea City striker impressed in his debut Premier League season, netting 17 goals in 34 appearances to attract interest from Liverpool, and hopes to take that form into the finals in Brazil with his country.
The Ivorians have been drawn in Group C along with Colombia, Japan and Greece, and in such a competitive group, Bony knows how crucial it is to get off to a strong start.
"To play in the World Cup - the biggest tournament in the world of sport - is a massive moment for my country," he told the club's official website.
"For me, it doesn't get any bigger than this. My first World Cup in Brazil is more than a dream. I've watched the World Cup all of my life, and now I get to play in one.
"It's a 50-50 group. Any team could win it or finish bottom. The first game is hugely important against Japan. If we could win that game then it would really give us a good chance of progressing.
"As a team, we achieve everything together, and that is something we pride ourselves on."
Germany will set out to attack in Brazil, says Low
Jun 9, 2014 3:27:00 PM
The 54-year-old has vowed to stick by the nation's entertaining philosophy, insisting they have complete faith in their style
Joachim Low has promised that Germany will persist with their attacking brand of football when the World Cup gets under way in Brazil.
Runners-up in 2002 and third in both 2006 and 2010, the Germans are among the favourites to be crowned world champions for a fourth time.
Low is preparing to steer the side into their fourth major tournament under his stewardship, with the nation having developed a reputation for producing young, exciting footballers who play an expansive brand of the game.
The coach has pledged to continue with that philosophy, despite misgivings from elsewhere over the impact such a style could have on Germany's defensive stability.
"We've analysed all of our games from the last two years very closely," he told Fifa's official website.
"We've lost a bit of speed in our transitional play so obviously we'll be paying special attention to correcting that, but we don't need to change our playing style because we've got a philosophy we're all 100 per cent behind.
"Part of our preparations involve helping the new players take that philosophy on board. We will of course also take a close look at how we defend, but that's something the whole team must be involved in, not just the back line.
"We have our own system and we have faith in it. An essential part of our philosophy is flexibility and that's the trend I'm expecting to see in Brazil.
"Teams have to be able to vary their tactics now more than at any time in the past. Playing with just a single system isn't enough nowadays."
Ronaldo return the best thing to happen to Portugal, says Vieirinha
By Dejan Kalinic
Jun 9, 2014 2:55:00 PM
The Real Madrid star has been an injury concern for the last few weeks but returned to training on Sunday and the Wolfsburg player is delighted to see him back
Cristiano Ronaldo's return to fitness is the "best thing that could have happened" to Portugal, team-mate Vieirinha says.
The Real Madrid star trained on Sunday with the national team as they prepare for the World Cup in Brazil, easing concerns over his fitness ahead of their opening game against Germany on June 16.
Portugal have struggled without Ronaldo recently, having been held to a 0-0 draw by Greece before needing a late goal to beat Mexico 1-0, and Vieirinha was delighted to see the team's talisman back on the field as they prepare for Tuesday's friendly against the Republic of Ireland.
"For us it is important to know how important Cristiano Ronaldo is," the midfielder said.
"His presence on the national team, gives motivation to the other players. It is very important to us and very important to Portugal, because he is another player who will help the team.
"I think the last training answered the questions that everyone had. I think this training shows he came to help the team and all of us are happy with it.
"We hope this stays in this way, without creating a lot of expectations with him being back in the team.
"I believe that was the best thing that could have happened in recent days."
Van Persie: I've been in pain for the last six years
By Harry Sherlock
Jun 9, 2014 4:12:00 PM
The Netherlands and Manchester United striker has struggled with a series of injuries in recent years and says he cannot recall a game where he has not been in pain
Robin van Persie has revealed that he has been playing through the pain barrier in "every single game" for the past six years.
The Netherlands striker endured an injury-plagued eight-year spell at Arsenal before joining Manchester United in 2012 and made just 21 appearances for the club last season, with groin and hamstring injuries repeatedly ruling him out of games.
And he has now revealed that he "can't think of one game" where he has not had to cope with some sort of injury.
"I've been playing in pain for the last five or six years; every single game," he told reporters.
"I can't really think of one game where I didn't have a niggle or pain somewhere.
"I'm used to that. I know, together with the team and with the medical staff, how to deal with that.
"I'm the one who looks at that and manages it."
Van Persie was substituted during the Netherlands' World Cup warm-up win over Wales last week as a precaution but he has allayed fears that he could head to Brazil in an unfit state.
"You can't really even call it an injury," he insisted.
Van Persie and co will face Spain, Chile and Australia in Group B of the showpiece.
The Chelsea boss is backing the Super Eagles to follow Argentina into the second round of the summer showpiece in Brazil
Jose Mourinho has tipped Nigeria to make it out of their group at the World Cup.
Nigeria face a difficult task, having been drawn alongside Argentina, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iran Group F.
The Chelsea coach, speaking at a Yahoo global football ambassadors event, tipped Argentina to top the pile, but feels Nigeria are capable of joining them in the knockout stages, although admitted he is biased because his player John Obi Mikel plays for the Super Eagles.
"Argentina has to be the group winner and what makes me decide for Nigeria is the fact that I have there one player there," he said.
Mourinho was then asked for his opinion on Cote d'Ivoire, the country of his former star player Didier Drogba.
"I'm very emotional, I go always with my friends," Mourinho said in reference to his backing of the Ivorians, who will battle Greece, Japan and Colombia in Group C.
Ivory Coast begin their campaign against Japan in Recife on June 14 while Nigeria open against Iran in Curitiba two days later.
Cameroon needed private loan for player bonuses, says spokesman
Jun 9, 2014 4:37:00 PM
The African team refused to get on their plane to Brazil until the issue was resolved, and eventually began their journey 12 hours later than scheduled
The Cameroon Football Federation (CFF) have confirmed they had to take out a private loan to meet players' World Cup bonus demands.
Cameroon's squad refused to board a plane to Brazil on Sunday until the issue was resolved, and eventually left for the tournament 12 hours later than scheduled.
CFF spokesperson Laurence Fotso revealed the governing body was forced to secure a private loan against future World Cup payments.
"Everything is ok now," said Fotso. "That money is given [by Fifa] three months after the end of the competition, so we borrowed money as a private loan to satisfy the players."
Cameroon coach Volker Finke had played down the situation prior to the team's departure, suggesting the row was "not really as big as people made it out to be".
He told Sport1: "There has been an agreement now and there is no need to make a big sensation out of it or make huge stories out of it."
Neither the bonus dispute, nor the absence of talismanic striker Samuel Eto'o, affected Cameroon in their final warm-up match in Yaounde on Saturday as they beat Moldova 1-0.
Finke's men begin their World Cup campaign with a game against Mexico on Friday.
Copacabana blocked as anti-World Cup protests reach Rio
Jun 9, 2014 9:15:00 PM
Protests blocked the Copacabana for half-an-hour as Brazil's ministers of culture and sport promoted this summer's showpiece tournament in the press auditorium
By Greg Stobart and Liam Twomey in Rio de Janeiro
Anti-government protests overshadowed a press conference to promote Brazil's World Cup preparations in Rio de Janeiro on Monday.
Hundreds of striking workers from the ministries of culture, education and health chanted against the government and displayed a banner reading "we don't want the cup" outside the Copacabana Fort.
Inside the fort, the minister of culture Marta Suplicy was telling a packed auditorium that the World Cup offers Brazil a chance to project "an image beyond samba music".
She was joined by sports minister Aldo Rebelo and a number of government and Fifa dignitaries in another embarrassing episode for tournament organisers just three days before the first game of the World Cup.
The protests spilled into the streets and blocked traffic heading along the Copacabana for at least half-an-hour.
Clashes between police and striking subway workers in São Paulo last week raised fears of a repeat of the nationwide protests that overshadowed the Confederations Cup last year.
The cost of hosting the World Cup was one of the main reasons that millions took to the streets in cities across Brazil last June to complain against poor public services and corruption.
Iran's only concern is Nigeria, says assistant coach
By Peter Hanson
Jun 9, 2014 6:52:00 PM
Carlos Queiroz's side beat Trinidad and Tobago on Friday and his assistand is confident they are ready for the challenge of the summer showpiece
Iran assistant coach Oceano Cruz was quick to switch the country's focus to their World Cup opener with Nigeria after the 2-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago on Friday.
Carlos Queiroz's side had been on a four-match winless run before Sunday's friendly victory in Sao Paulo.
Assistant coach Cruz is happy to be heading to Brazil on the back of a victory, but is keen not to dwell on the result and instead urged the squad to concentrate on the Group F clash against Nigeria next Monday.
"It was a game that has fulfilled our expectations," Cruz told Globoesporte.
"We are preparing for the first match against Nigeria. Our only concern is Nigeria at the moment.
"Victory is always important to create a culture of winning. This only happens with results like this."
As well as Nigeria, Iran also face Argentina and Bosnia-Herzegovina in Group F.
The coach says his side need to concentrate on removing the lapses in concentration from their game and improve their defending ahead of the World Cup
Italy coach Cesare Prandelli says his team must cut the errors out of their game if they are to succeed at this summer's World Cup.
The Azzurri conceded three times in their final warm-up game before the tournament - Sunday’s 5-3 friendly victory against Brazilian club side Fluminense - and also succumbed to a late equaliser at home to Luxembourg last week.
"To correct certain faults, certain limits and certain mistakes, we need time," Prandelli told reporters. "The little time we have had we have used well.
"For 40 minutes yesterday we didn’t succumb to a single counter-attack. Of course, when you concede three goals you need to try to understand it, but if you make individual mistakes it is accepted and corrected.
"For the first goal, for example, we made an error in terms of continuing to play the ball even when things were tight. From now on, we mustn’t make any more errors of judgement."
The 56-year-old also took comfort from his side's strong attacking performance ahead of their first game of the World Cup, against England in Manaus, on June 14.
"We thought we would have an advantage by drawing their defence forward," said the coach. "After two minutes, they gave two poor offsides against us.
"Then in the second half, we brought the midfield line 20-30 metres further forward and we pressed them high up. As a coach I am very satisfied."
Colombia look set for last 16 even without injured Falcao
By Mike Collett
SAO PAULO Mon Jun 9, 2014 11:15pm BST
Colombia's soccer player Radamel Falcao looks on while coach Jose Pekerman announces the 23-man squad for the World Cup finals, in Buenos Aires June 2, 2014. Falcao, a key player for Colombia with nine goals in the South American qualifiers, has failed to recover from knee ligament surgery in January and was left out of the World Cup squad on Monday. REUTERS/Enrique Marcarian
(Reuters) - Even without prolific striker Radamel Falcao, Colombia start as favourites to qualify from World Cup Group C after finishing second in the South American qualifiers and taking decent results against Belgium and the Netherlands in friendlies.
A successful opening match against Greece in Belo Horizonte on Saturday, hours before Ivory Coast meet Japan in Recife, should put Jose Pekerman's side on the way to what seems a probable last 16 finish.
Asian champions Japan, coached by Italian Alberto Zaccheroni, also beat Belgium and drew with the Netherlands in pre-World Cup friendlies and gained valuable experience of conditions in Brazil at last year's Confederations Cup.
But although they produced some excellent football at times and played their part in a 4-3 defeat to Italy in the match of the tournament, they did lose all three games.
Zaccheroni said at the time that the important thing was to gain as much experience as possible for what would be their fifth successive appearance and in the event Japan were the first team to qualify for the World Cup.
If their defence can stop leaking goals, they have a reasonable chance of finishing in the top two although Ivory Coast are probably favourites to edge them out.
Japan's opening match against the Africans will certainly be a clash of footballing cultures.
The Ivorians come to the finals knowing this is the last chance for two of Africa's greatest players to make a real impact in what will be their last World Cup.
Didier Drogba, who is now 36 but still a potent force with Galatasaray in Turkey, and 31-year-old Yaya Toure, who has just led Manchester City to the Premier League title, are the talismanic figures.
The quartet is completed by Greece who proved when they won the European title in 2004, after starting that competition as 100-1 outsiders, that anything is possible.
But despite being ranked in FIFA's top 16 for the last five years, the Greeks have never reached the knockout rounds in a World Cup.
In fact, they have the least impressive World Cup credentials of any of the quartet and have played in only two finals - in the United States in 1994 and South Africa four years ago and winning only one of their six matches.
LONG ABSENCE
Colombia return to the finals after a 16 year gap since their last appearance in France'98 and under the experienced Pekerman, who took Argentina to the quarter-finals in 2006.
They look a fine side and would have been even better if Falcao had been fit.
He suffered a serious knee injury playing for AS Monaco in a French league match in January but, despite his failure to recover, Colombia have some other decent attacking options in Seville's Carlos Bacca and Porto striker Jackson Martinez.
One of them is likely to play alongside Teofilo Gutierrez up front and if they beat Greece as expected and get at least a draw against Ivory Coast in Brasilia on June 19, Colombia should seal their place in the last 16 against Japan in Cuiaba five days later.
One of the most influential players in this section is likely to be Toure, whose brother Kolo is also in Ivory Coast's 23 despite suffering a bout of malaria before the finals.
Yaya was upset at the end of the season oddly saying he was not respected enough by his club who did not even send him a birthday cake on his birthday.
But if he helps his country into the last 16, probably alongside Colombia, Ivory Coast coach Sabri Lamouchi might deliver one to him personally -- with icing on it.
(Reporting by Mike Collett, editing by Alan Baldwin)
The Netherlands pair suffered minor injuries after a collision with an enthusiast of the extreme sport on Ipanema Beach
Netherlands stars Robin van Persie and Daryl Janmaat have been left with "light scratches and headaches" after being hit by a kitesurfer in Brazil during their preparations for the World Cup.
The pair were on a visit to Ipanema Beach when the accident happened, the Dutch Football Association [KNVB] told VI Orange. "But beyond that, there is nothing to worry about", the statement added.
Netherlands fans will be relieved to hear nothing serious befell Manchester United striker Van Persie, who has a reputation for picking up injuries and mentioned before his incident with a kitesurfer that he has been in regular pain while playing for over half a decade.
Van Persie became the top Dutch goalscorer of all-time during qualification for the tournament in Brazil and boasts 43 goals from his 84 caps. Feyenoord defender Janmaat is less experienced having bagged 16 caps to date.
Louis van Gaal's men's first match of the World Cup is against Spain - who they played in the final of the 2010 iteration - on June 13 in Salvador. Their other Group B opponents are Chile and Austalia.
The team trained behind closed doors with coach Van Gaal on Monday, using Brazilian club side Flamengo's facilities.
The Manchester City midfielder says he and his team-mates are ready to try and retain the World Cup in Brazil, while discussing his preferred role within the team
David Silva has talked up Spain's bid to become the first side to retain the World Cup after hailing their preparations for the tournament.
Vicente Del Bosque will attempt to lead his team to a second consecutive triumph in the competition this summer – in what would be a fourth major title on the bounce.
Despite the tough task on their hands, the Manchester City midfielder, 28, believes Spain are more than ready for the test ahead.
“We know the environment that awaits us. Now we have a base here and that's great for us. We are ready,” Silva was quoted as saying in Marca.
Spain will play the Netherlands in their Group B opener on June 13, in a repeat of the 2010 World Cup final.
Silva was a fringe player in la Roja’s World Cup winning side of 2010 but hopes he will get the chance to play a bigger part in the team's campaign this summer - starting with Louis van Gaal’s side in Salvador.
"The first game is crucial and if we win it, it’s an important game,” Silva said.
"I feel more comfortable behind the front line. I am very good in that position. I attempt to adapt.
“We have very good strikers and we hope to score a lot of goals.”
Brazil shanty-town puts on show 'for the English to see'
By Jeb Blount
RIO DEIRO Tue Jun 10, 2014 5:30am BST
England soccer player Danny Welback performs capoeira during a visit to a sports complex at the Rocinha slum in Rio de Janeiro ahead of the 2014 World Cup, June 9, 2014. REUTERS-Pilar Olivares
(Reuters) - Members of England's World Cup squad made a flying visit to Brazil's largest shanty-town on Monday, yet observers were left wondering if it achieved little more than 'para inglês ver'.
Five England players, Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck, Adam Lallana, Jack Wilshere and Fraser Forster visited Rocinha, a collection of cinderblock buildings, which houses 70,000 people, stacked up the steep side of a jungly, granite mountain.
Security was tight for the visit, which included a demonstration of capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian martial art, and the players kicking a ball with boys and girls on a battered, synthetic pitch.
"It puts everything into perspective," Lallana said.
"It's great to see this side of Brazil, the kids enjoying themselves. It's great to see the different cultures."
The visit, however, felt little more than official glad handling by World Cup organisers, an example of the popular Brazilian saying 'para inglês ver,' a Portuguese phrase meaning 'for the English to see'.
More deeply, it means doing something just for show to cover up inconvenient facts and was first used in the 19th century as Brazil tried to pretend it was meeting treaty promises to Britain to end the African slave trade.
At the sports complex, where police and heavily-armed solders stood guard while suitcase-sized, camera-carrying drones buzzed above the event scanning for trouble, the players had at least tried to get into the spirit of the event.
Sturridge and Welbeck did their best to join in with the high-kicking, cartwheeling capoeira kids, while English FA official Trevor Brooking said the organisation would make a "five-figure" donation to the sports complex.
The money may be well received.
Brazil had promised improvements for poor shanty-town residents as a legacy of the tournament, though the crime, violence and unfinished infrastructure projects that sparked street protests over the country's World Cup priorities were not hard to find in the area surrounding Rocinha.
Work on an unfinished metro extension snarled traffic - just one example of the promised infrastructure projects in the 12 host cities that remains unfinished.
A river of grey sewerage flowed out of the back of the complex to pour into the ocean 100 metres from the team's hotel.
The fact the event was so heavily guarded was little wonder. In 2010 a Rocinha drugs gang took 35 people hostage at the same hotel England are staying at after a gun battle with police.
Asked if Rocinha was getting better and if the event showed his community's real face or merely something "for the English to see" teenage capoeira performers were philosophical.
"It's complicated," said Carlos Andre Camino.
"It's a great event. But they're here to see us, not the other way around, right?"
(Reporting by Jeb Blount; Editing by Greg Stutchbury)
By Andrew Downie
SAO PAULO Mon Jun 9, 2014 10:51pm BST
A girl points to a photo of a replica of the World Cup trophy at a bus stop in Paulista Avenue, the financial centre of Sao Paulo, June 2, 2014. REUTERS/Nacho Doce
(Reuters) - With Brazil odds-on favourite to top Group A in their home World Cup, there will be a dogfight between Mexico, Croatia and Cameroon to secure the second qualifying place for the last 16 with little between any of them.
The Brazilians have played in every World Cup and only once have they failed to make it past the opening round, in England in 1966.
A repeat on home soil is beyond unthinkable and with players such as Neymar, David Luiz and Thiago Silva in the side they are expecting nothing less than to win the trophy.
They may be rusty in the tournament's opening game against Croatia on Thursday but it would be a seismic shock if they did not go on to win the group.
So the real intrigue is in the battle for second, with Mexico and Croatia marginally ahead of Cameroon in the betting stakes.
The Mexicans were perhaps the luckiest team in qualifying and only squeaked a place in the playoffs thanks to late goals by the US in their match against Panama.
However, new manager Miguel Herrera has instilled a new-found confidence in the side. They spanked New Zealand home and away in the playoffs and have lost just one of their six friendlies since.
They start their campaign against Cameroon on Friday and a win against the group outsiders is probably vital if they are to have any chance of progressing.
"We'll be playing the biggest part of our ticket (to the knockout phase) against Cameroon, it's always important to start with a win," Herrera said at Mexico's World Cup base in Santos on Sunday."We saw that Spain lost (to Switzerland in their 2010 opener) and then became world champions but in our case it really is very important to win," he added.
Croatia started the European qualifiers well but limped into the playoffs after taking just one point from their last four group matches.Coach Niko Kovac took over from the sacked Igor Stimac for the elimination double-header against Iceland and they squeezed through 2-0 on aggregate against what was probably the weakest of the eight sides in the playoffs.
Kovac has since led Croatia on an unbeaten run of three wins and two draws and if they can get a point from Brazil, or avoid a confidence-deflating thrashing, he will be confident they can progress.The Croatians have an outstanding midfield in Real Madrid's Champions League winner Luka Modric and Sevilla's Ivan Rakitic but their defence is decimated by injuries and suspensions.
Towering striker Mario Mandzukic is banned for the opener against Brazil and the Croatians will have to dig very deep into their slim resources if they are to advance into the knockout rounds for the first time since 1998, when they stunned the world to reach the semi-finals in their first World Cup as an independent nation.
The outsiders in the group are Cameroon. The Indomitable Lions are led by Samuel Eto’o and have several other players with top class experience but they look unlikely of reaching the heights of 1990 when they became the first African team to reach the quarter finals.
What already looks the group's key match is when Croatia take on Mexico in Recife on June 23 - in the final round of Group A fixtures.
Cameroon will have a different view, despite being unconvincing in the qualifiers and needing points given to them after Togo fielded an ineligible player to progress.
They arrived in Brazil later than planned this week after a rows with their federation over bonuses.
With their last group game against Brazil, Cameroon know they need to hit the ground running and do have the power to push Mexico in their first game on Friday.
(Additional reporting by Zoran Milosavljevic and Rex Gowar)
Balotelli will marry girlfriend after Brazil proposal
By Vaishali Bhardwaj
Jun 10, 2014 9:22:00 AM
The Italy striker announced on Instagram that he is now engaged to his Belgian model partner just days ahead of the Azzurri's World Cup opener against England
Italy striker Mario Balotelli has announced via Instagram that he will marry girlfriend Fanny Neguesha.
The 23-year-old proposed to the model in Brazil at the beginning of the week – five days before the Azzurri face England in their Group D World Cup opener in Manaus.
Balotelli revealed the news on the social network site on Tuesday along with a picture of Neguesha wearing an engagement ring.
The AC Milan striker wrote: “She said yes.. The most important yes in my life. That was the place of my question! I Love you and happy birthday too ! Je t'aime my WIFE”.
The former Manchester City forward has been dating the Belgian model since 2013, although they briefly split last year before rekindling their romance.
Balotelli's team, Italy, will take on Roy Hodgson's England side before facing Costa Rica and Uruguay at the World Cup in Brazil this summer.
'The Brazilian government is betraying the people' - anti-World Cup protests reach Rio
Jun 10, 2014 7:56:00 AM
SPECIAL REPORT: Striking workers from the Ministry of Culture, in conjunction with protesters from the health and education sectors, overshadowed a conference at the Copacabana
By Liam Twomey in Rio de Janeiro
In a conference room deep within the heavily guarded confines of the Copacabana Fort on Monday, Brazil’s Minister of Culture Marta Suplicy was giving a speech.
“The World Cup is an opportunity to project an image beyond samba music,” she told assembled journalists and Fifa dignitaries. What she could not know as she spoke was that less than 200 yards away, members of her own government department were doing precisely that.
"The grievances are insufficient pay and working conditions, combined with a lack of state investment."
It began with a handful of people armed with a banner and a megaphone outside the fort’s main entrance and ended with hundreds forming a chanting, swaying, defiant mass which commandeered one of Rio de Janeiro’s busiest roads and denied access to one of the world’s most iconic beaches.
Employees of Brazil’s Ministry of Culture have been on strike since May 12 – leaving all 30 of the country’s federal museums, including the National History Museum, National Museum of Fine Arts and the National Library, closed ever since – but this, in conjunction with protesters from the health and education sectors, was their most effective public statement yet.
The grievances are insufficient pay and working conditions, combined with a lack of state investment in the department – just 0.6 per cent of the total federal budget.
It is not about football but, as Brazil prepares to host a competition which has ended up costing the country €8.5 billion, it also undeniably is.
I meet Lia Jordao on the edge of the crowd, handing out information leaflets in English and Portuguese which detail the reasons for the protest. Despite the potential risks she tells me her name and cause without hesitation, and for most of our conversation she wears an expression that screams both pride and anger.
“The Brazilian government is betraying the people," she insists. "We don’t make money so this is the only way we can show our value.”
"We are not paid enough because the government does not consider culture a priority and there is no incentive for us to improve. If I went away and did a PhD I would be better at my job but it makes no difference to my wages. We lose good people to other departments because of it.”
We don't want this cup | Brazilians make their presence felt with banners and megaphones
Nor is it a new issue. Ministry workers went on strike in 2005, 2007 and 2011 citing similar grievances. Each time the Brazilian government acquiesced to a new agreement; each time, Jordao claims, they reneged on the deal.
On this occasion, with the World Cup a matter of days away, Dilma Rousseff’s administration is playing hard ball. Last week it filed a lawsuit against the strikers and, in her speech on Monday, Suplicy insisted that World Cup visitors could still enjoy any of the 3000 Brazilian museums not under federal control.
In truth, Rousseff has bigger problems. A poll conducted by local firm MDA in April revealed a drop in her presidential approval ratings to 47% and, with elections scheduled for October, she can ill afford a repeat of the violent protests which marred last summer’s Confederations Cup.
Jordao is not all that concerned by the possibility of her actions overshadowing Rousseff and Fifa’s big moment.
“We are not against football, but this is bigger,” she continues. “The World Cup is a lot of money but we don’t have the basics."
'Sorry about the chaos' - Strike-hit Sao Paulo a shambles ahead of World Cup opener
Jun 10, 2014 7:44:00 AM
COMMENT: Traffic was bumper to bumper on Monday as transport workers continued their industrial action just days before the World Cup kicks off at the Arena Corinthians
By Kris Voakes in Sao Paulo
Tempers are being frayed, passions are running high, civilians are clashing with police, everybody is attempting to have their say, and nobody is going anywhere fast.
This is Sao Paulo in the week it hosts the 2014 Fifa World Cup’s opening fixture.
The subway workers’ strike which began last week is set to enter its sixth day on Tuesday, leaving authorities sweating over the city’s fitness to stage Thursday's Brazil-Croatia clash which will mark the beginning of this year’s biggest global sporting event.
The strike has now been declared illegal in the country’s courtrooms, but workers continue to petition for a huge wage rise, seeking increased compensation after years of perceived underpayment. In the meantime, journey times are being almost endlessly extended.
Chaos | Authorities already appear to be losing control amid transport strikes
My approximate 35-minute taxi ride from the international airport in the north-east of the city to the town centre turned into a two-and-a-half hour ordeal as Sao Paulo’s 20 million inhabitants attempted to negotiate their city early on Monday morning without its quickest and most effective mode of transport.
Twenty-minute metro rides have temporarily become two-hour bus journeys. Trips of more than five miles across the city are being cancelled in order to save immense hassle.
Those on the picket line have come up against stern opposition, with police firing tear gas at protestors outside the Ana Rosa subway station to the south of the city centre on Monday. While those for whom the underground network is a way to earn a living continue to make their concerns heard in the loudest possible fashion while the ears of the world tilt in their direction, the remainder of the city is lamenting the chaos that has been caused as a result of the stoppages.
Brazil has long since lost hope of coming out of this summer with the right to call the 2014 World Cup a complete success. A success of any kind might even be pushing it as things stand.
There have been fatal accidents during construction of new stadia, while many of the venues remain incomplete with just hours to go before the big kick-off. Protests from citizens claiming the government to have misspent on the festival of football rather than filtering funds into healthcare, housing and education have brought various cities to a standstill and threaten to do so again throughout the tournament.
High-speed rail links between major cities were also promised but never delivered, and as the World Cup countdown clicks ever closer to zero, so do the speedometers all across South America’s biggest city.
The metro workers have taken the decision to suspend their strike for two days as negotiations continue for improved rights and salaries, but the threat has been made clear - give us what we want, or we will strike again. On the opening day of the World Cup. It's an unthinkable scenerio.
At a time when local businesses are taking in a record influx of foreign clients, first impressions should be positive. But instead, pleasantries are mixed with apologies.
“Welcome to Sao Paulo. Sorry about the chaos.”
The rest of the globe is ready for the World Cup's big bow, but the host city has never been more ill-prepared.
Metro workers vote to suspend their five-day strike until June 11, the day before the start of the 2014 World Cup. Photo: Reuters
Subway workers in Sao Paulo suspended on Monday a strike that had caused traffic chaos in the World Cup host city but warned the work-stoppage could resume when the tournament kicks off.
The union’s vote will come as a relief to commuters in the business hub of 20 million people as the city prepares to host the opening ceremony and the Brazil-Croatia game on Thursday.
After preparations marred by delays, overspending and protests, officials want to avoid traffic mayhem when the world’s eyes will be on Brazil for the next month.
Around a billion people worldwide are expected to watch the opening game on television, while UN Secretary general Ban Ki-moon and 12 heads of state and government will be in the stadium, which workers are rushing to finish in time.
Demonstrators jump over the turnstiles without paying subway fare in support of a strike by metro workers in Sao Paulo on Monday. Photo: Reuters
The union decided to halt the five-day-old walkout after transport authorities fired 42 employees for “just cause” over actions they took during the strike, which was ruled illegal by a court.
“Whether we put down tools or not will depend on the re-hiring of the 42 workers,” union president Altino Melo dos Prazeres said after a heated debate among workers.
“I’m a fan of Neymar and I will support the Cup,” he said. “Nobody here wants to mess up the Cup. But we see that there’s money for the tournament but not for the workers.”
Subway workers walked out last week to demand a pay raise in the latest wave of protests and strikes that have swept Brazil ahead of the World Cup and October elections.
The union wants a 12.2 per cent pay hike, but the government is offering only 8.7 per cent.
Early on Monday, some 150 demonstrators supporting the strikers were dispersed by riot police using tear gas after the protesters set rubbish bags on fire outside a metro station.
But the other demonstrators regrouped with chants of “there won’t be a Cup, there will be a strike!” and they were joined by 1,000 others as they marched downtown.
The five-line subway has been operating partially, causing headaches to 4.5 million passengers and forcing people to find alternative routes to the Corinthians Arena that will host the opening ceremony and match.
World Cup teams, meanwhile, continued arriving in Brazil, with reigning champions Spain touching down on Sunday night.
France, Cameroon, Argentina, Uruguay, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Honduras and the United States also arrived on Monday the latter three in Sao Paulo.
Rising inflation and a sluggish economy have tarnished the World Cup glow in Brazil, fuelling the anger of strikers and protesters who say the US$11-billion budget would have been better spent on education, health and transport.
Work on the 12 host stadiums has also been overshadowed by delays and accidents that have killed eight workers, including three at Corinthians.
A young soccer fan stands in front of a police line during the fifth day of metro worker's protest in Sao Paulo on Monday. Photo: Reuters
The new 61,600-capacity Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo has become a symbol of the problems besetting the tournament.
At the weekend, workers were still racing to finish the over-budget and chronically delayed stadium.
President Dilma Rousseff, who is seeking reelection in October, insists the money spent on the tournament will leave a lasting legacy of modernised transport infrastructure.
But many of the promised projects have been shelved, adding to protesters’ anger.
Last year during the Confederations Cup, a World Cup dress rehearsal, more than a million people flooded the streets, some destroying property and clashing with police.
Recent protests have been smaller, but activists are vowing to revive last year’s “Tropical Spring” during the World Cup.
Rousseff meanwhile, will not attend Tuesday’s formal opening of the Fifa Congress, a meeting of the world football body’s 209 members, the Sao Paulo newspaper O Estado de Sao Paulo reported on Monday.
The head of state or head of government traditionally addresses the meeting.
The newspaper cited unnamed sources at the presidential palaces.
Fifa has criticised Brazil over the last few years for delays in building World Cup stadiums and related road and airport projects.
The paper said Sport Minister Aldo Rebelo would replace Rousseff who has promised – despite poor preparations – that this will be the “Cup of Cups.”
Dilma Rousseff insists the money spent on the tournament will leave a lasting legacy of modernised transport infrastructure. Photo: AFP
In another sign of the disquiet surrounding the tournament, neither Rousseff nor Fifa President Sepp Blatter will speak at Thursday’s opening match. They were jeered at the opening of the Confederations Cup a year ago.
Fifa’s general secretary Jerome Valcke angered Brazilians two years ago when he said the country needed a “kick in the backside” to get construction moving.
About US$4 billion of Brazil’s World Cup budget has been allocated to build or renovate 12 stadiums. Four of those are expected to become white elephants.
The lavish spending became a target of protests at the Confederations Cup – a warm-up for the World Cup. Daily demonstrations were met with tear gas and rubber bullets, and tear gas wafted into the Maracana stadium in Rio during the final between Brazil and defending World Cup champions Spain.
Brazil is deploying almost 200,000 soldiers and police around the country this time, bracing for more demonstrations with many citizens lukewarm about the tournament, and similarly apprehensive about spending on the 2016 Olympic in Rio de Janeiro.
Spending there has reached US$17 billion – a mix of public and private money – with the costs sure to rise.
Rousseff is still the favourite for re-lection, but her polls numbers are falling. A recent Pew survey found 61 per cent of Brazilians opposed to holding the World Cup.
(Reuters) - The following is a list of the 20 MLS players who are part of World Cup squads:
United States: Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC) Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake) Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes) DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders) Graham Zusi (Sporting KC).
Australia: Tim Cahill (New York Red Bulls)Spain: David Villa (New York City FC)Costa Rica: Giancarlo Gonzalez (Columbus Crew), Waylon Francis (Columbus Crew), Roy Miller (New York Red Bulls).
Honduras: Jerry Bengtson (New England Revolution), Victor Bernardez (San Jose Earthquakes), Marvin Chavez (Chivas USA), Oscar Boniek Garcia (Houston Dynamo).
