Football

Lampard feels that the Italian has transformed the team's fortunes, with an outstanding run of form during the World Cup qualifiers.

One of just seven teams to lift the World Cup trophy, Uruguay have done it twice.

The Stars and Stripes had a surprise run to the final of the Confederations Cup, also in South Africa, last summer.

With a new coach and grab bag of talented players, Nigeria are perhaps the biggest question mark from Africa.

Maradona was speaking a day after Argentina defeated Canada 5-0 in its final warm-up match before the WC.

The striker had failed to score for his country in his last 16 appearances.

Portugal need more than Cristiano Ronaldo in top form if they are to succeed at the World Cup.

Blanc quit as Bordeaux coach last week and confirmed he wanted to succeed Raymond Domenech.

Luigi Del Neri has been confirmed as the new coach of Juventus.

The French player was sent off in the first leg of the semifinal match against Lyon.

Germany captain has been ruled out after injuring his ankle in Chelsea's FA Cup final win over Portsmouth.

FIFA launched a final drive last month to sell the remaining 500,000 of 2.7 million tickets.

Loew had nominated Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski, both out of form this season and others.

Barcelona's bid for the gifted playmaker was rejected by Zenit St Petersburg in July, 2008.

Chelsea will win its first championship title since 2006 if it beats Liverpool and Wigan in its last two games.

Giggs started and ended the scoring in the second half to put the defending champions two points clear of Chelsea.