Italy and Costa Rica clash for the first time in a World Cup competition when they lock horns at the Arena Pernambuco in Recife on Friday (BBC, 5pm). The teams both have three points to their name after they each recorded opening Group D victories…

Twitter can be one of the cruellest (and also funniest) of the social media platforms and users are very quick to pick up on the mistakes of others as BBC's Jonathan Pearce discovered during the France vs Honduras game when Pearce appeared…

The 2014 World Cup is almost finally upon us and Jack Kitson has provided us with his preview of the first game, the opening fixture between the hosts Brazil and Croatia. Excitement is reaching fever pitch ahead of the opening match of the…

As Rio 2014 looms large on the horizon, I have picked a 23-man squad of players that I want to be in Manaus to face Italy on June 14th.The decisions made in selecting a World Cup squad can either raise or destroy the hopes of a nation and with…

Germany is a country steeped in World Cup history and success having won the tournament on three occasions: 1954, 1974, and 1990. ‘Die Mannschaft' consistently reach the latter stages of major tournaments and after finishing third at the last…

Thomas Richardson takes a look at the recent history of Premier League side Southampton and how other clubs around the country could learn a thing or two.

Oliver Friend shares his thoughts on why it's good to a fan of the English national team as the team prepare for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil Has there ever been lower expectations for England going into a tournament? A less than convincing…

With Belgium qualified for the 2014 World Cup Sean Gibson takes a look at the teams chances in Brazil. Incidentally, the 2002 campaign saw Marc Wilmots captain Belgium to the last 16. The former Schalke midfielder has now earned his opportunity…

Due to the international break, this week's picks are taken from Friday's 2014 World Cup qualifiers, which promise to be exciting affairs with place in Brazil up for grabs for many teams. We take a look at two matches in Group A, where Croatia…

This week, Bruce Halling looks ahead to next year's World Cup and, given the events of the Confederations Cup, gives his thoughts about Brazil's capabilities of hosting the tournament. It is now just under a year until the next World Cup. The…

Now that Japan have booked their place to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil Jack Kitson takes a look at which teams from Europe could be joining them .We are now just over 12 months away from the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and the qualification process…

This weekend on the tiny Caribbean island of St. Lucia the Canadian National Team is looking to secure a spot in the third round of FIFA World Cup qualification, and all they need to get there is either a point in St. Lucia on Friday or a point…