Lukas Podolski was a promising teenager when he made his debut for Germany 10 years ago. Now in his third World Cup, he's a veteran in a young squad with a role that goes well beyond...

Bosnia-Herzegovina reached its first World Cup by playing a brazen full-speed-ahead style of football that netted 30 goals in qualifying.   Sticking to that strategy in a big-stage premiere...

Learning a hard lesson from its traumatic World Cup experience of four years ago has made France a stronger force, and the players are cautiously optimistic they can go far this time...

Casual football fans scrolling down the FIFA rankings will no doubt pause when they reach No. 6.   Switzerland. Really?   Yet, the Swiss — with just one defeat in 18 matches...

Brazil players are not writing off Spain's chances of winning the World Cup despite the defending champions' shock defeat to the Netherlands.   Brazil playmaker Oscar and defender...

Spain's players dismissed notions that a 5-1 loss to the Netherlands spelled the end of an era for the world champions, although coach Vicente del Bosque said it might be time to shake up the...

Rarely has a loss provided so much optimism for England.   Even though England made a losing start to the World Cup for the first time in 28 years on Saturday, the team looked fearless and...

Pure class and pure power. Skill and strength. Creative vision and clinical finishing.   Andrea Pirlo and Mario Balotelli are a study in contrasts on the football pitch. And off...

Didier Drogba came off the bench to inspire Ivory Coast to a 2-1 comeback victory over Japan in a World Cup Group C match on Saturday.   Drogba, who had been carrying an injury, came on in...

Costa Rica came from behind to stun Uruguay 3-1 Saturday at the World Cup, opening the tough Group D with a major upset.   Uruguay left star striker Luis Suarez on the bench but went ahead...