Football

Argentina are among the favorites to lift the trophy but have so far been unconvincing given the talented squad they possess.

Even though Brazil are in pole position to qualify but in the wake of a draw with Mexico the players admit they still have not hit anything like top gear.

Striker Luis Suarez will be fit to face Italy next week after suffering cramp late in his match-winning two-goal performance against England.

Ecuador forward Enner Valencia scored twice in a 2-1 comeback victory over Honduras on Friday that kept his team in contention at the World Cup.

Altidore will miss Sunday's game against Portugal because of his strained left hamstring.

Liverpool gear up for their pre-season tour next month with a friendly game in Denmark against Brondby.

Oxlade-Chamberlain is still not fit enough to play for England at the World Cup, with the midfielder ruled out of Thursday's match against Uruguay.

Mario Mandzukic scored two goals to keep Croatia in the mix at the World Cup with a 4-0 win and knock Cameroon out from the group stage.

Japan lost to Ivory Coast 2-1 in their opener, meaning neither team can really afford another defeat if they hope to advance out of Group C.

Del Bosque said he accepted the criticism of his team after the 5-1 mauling by the Netherlands and believes they will react in the right way against Chile.

Thomas Mueller scored his first international hat-trick as Germany thrashed hapless Portugal 4-0 in the Group G opener in Salvador.

Germany's priority is to reach the 2014 World Cup final and then think about winning the title, coach Loew said.

Oxlade-Chamberlain's recovery from a knee injury is exceeding expectations after staying in England's 23-man squad in Brazil.

West Bromwich Albion appointed Alan Irvine as manager on Saturday, replacing Spaniard Pepe Mel who left the English Premier League club last month.

Spain's run in this World Cup is far from over so the time has come for coach Vincente del Bosque to unleash young David de Gea on to biggest scene.

Uruguay's recovering striker Suarez will not start against Costa Rica in their World Cup Group D opener on Saturday, said coach Oscar Tabarez.