Assessing the World Cup contenders

The 2010 World Cup will see 32 teams slug it out for the trophy, but which teams have a genuine shot? Freddie Ljungberg separates the contenders from the pretenders.

2010 World Cup draw and qualifiers

As the draw for the finals on December 4 gets close, we look at the shape of the pots and assess each of the 32 qualifying nations.

Ghana aiming high on home continent

Ghana is aiming high while playing on its home continent, but it will be tough to make an impression. Mark Young weighs in.

Danish dynamite ready to blow

As Sweden and Portugal will attest, count the Danes out at your peril. Mark Young weighs in.

Will confidence be justified?

Germany has the usual confidence heading into the World Cup. Can they justify that attitude? Mark Young weighs in.

Michael Ballack carries a wreath at Robert Enke's funeral

Ballack: We must learn from Enke death

Michael Ballack has spoken of his feeling of helplessness over the death of Germany team-mate Robert Enke and urged the football world to learn lessons from the tragedy.

Breaking down the World Cup draw

Need a quick primer of the draw? John Brewin examines all 32 teams headed to South Africa in 2010.

Michael Essien and Sulley Muntari in action for Ghana

Ghana FA set to punish Essien, Muntari and Gwan

The Ghana Football Association has vowed to take action against Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari and Asamoah Gyan after they failed to report for the friendly match against Angola on Wednesday.

Denmark 3-1 U.S.: Second-half surge for Danes

The United States wasted an early goal by Jeff Cunningham and lost a World Cup warmup 3-1 to Denmark on Wednesday night, the final match of 2009 for the Americans.

Germany 2-2 Ivory Coast: Emotional night

Lukas Podolski scored twice, including a 93rd-minute equaliser, as Germany's first match since the death of Robert Enke ended in a draw against Ivory Coast.

Bent likely to start as Capello relishes litmus test

Darren Bent will likely make his first England start for nearly four years on Saturday with Fabio Capello eager to assess another striking option in the ultimate test conditions - against the world's best team, Brazil.

Nilmar nets winner to beat England in Doha

Wayne Rooney's first game as England captain ended in defeat as a severely depleted side were beaten by five-time world champions Brazil in Qatar.

NZ World Cup hero Rory Fallon grateful for rule change

New Zealand's Rory Fallon thought his World Cup dreams had ended before they had even begun.