Sports

After Italy struggled with the heat and humidity at last year's Confederation Cup, coach Cesare Prandelli put a serious emphasis on fitness and nutrition.

Neymar's sparkling two-goal display at Sao Paulo's Arena de Sao Paulo stadium eclipsed the World Cup debuts of legends like Pele and Ronaldo.

Zabaleta believes that Brazil's hard-fought 3-1 victory over Croatia in the opening game of the World Cup is an alert to his national team.

"If I score against Germany, I will not celebrate. I think it's in respect. I grew up in this country (Germany) and it gave me a lot," Jones said.

Drogba has given Ivory Coast an injury scare ahead of their World Cup Group C opener against Japan after leaving training early with a thigh injury.

The omens are good for a positive result against Croatia as no host nation has ever lost their opening match in the World Cup.

Spain have travelled to Brazil as the reigning World Champions, after their success in South Africa four years ago, and also as reigning European Champions.

If Spain decide to tinker with the possession-based system that has given them so much success, striker Diego Costa is ready.

In their last warm-up on Sunday, France thrashed Jamaica 8-0, Les Bleus' second heaviest win after squeezing Azerbaijan 10-0 in 1995 in Euro Cup qualifying.

Jordan Ayew scored a hat-trick after entering the game as a substitute as Ghana thrashed South Korea 4-0.

Belgium are among the youngest of the 32 teams at an average age of 25 years, 11 months, but their players are unlikely to crumble under pressure.

Colombia coach Jose Pekerman has named midfielder Carlos Carbonero to the World Cup team to replace the injured Aldo Leao Ramirez.

The World Cup kicks off on Thursday and soccer fans have been shining with their passion for the sport.

Lukaku sustained the injury during Belgium's 1-0 win over Tunisia and the federation released a picture on Sunday with his right ankle heavily bandaged.

Ferdinand, who left Manchester United at the end of the season, has no intention of retiring yet and has had offers from a number of clubs.

Cameroon's World Cup team refused to board a plane due to take them to Brazil because of a long-running dispute over bonus payments for the tournament.