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FIFA says Brazil not footing World Cup operational costs
By Anthony Boadle
BRASILIA Tue Jun 10, 2014 9:12pm BST
FIFA President Sepp Blatter (R) and Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff pose with the World Cup trophy during a ceremony at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia June 2, 2014. REUTERS/Joedson Alves
(Reuters) - World soccer's governing body FIFA defended itself on Tuesday from criticism that it is making big bucks from the most costly World Cup in history at the expense of the Brazilian people.
FIFA said in a statement that it has covered the entire $2 billion operational costs of the World Cup with money from the sale of World Cup TV and marketing rights, and not a cent will be footed by Brazilian taxpayers.
The 32-nation tournament that kicks off on Thursday will cost Brazil 25.8 billion reais (6.92 billion pounds) in investments in stadiums, airports, urban transport and other infrastructure improvements. One third has been spent on new or renovated stadiums in 12 host cities.
FIFA said it was Brazil's choice to build 12 stadiums instead of opting for eight or 10, and investments include infrastructure not directly linked to the World Cup that will benefit the country for years to come.
Many Brazilians consider the price tag excessive for a developing nation that has more important priorities and say the money should have been spent on improvements to deficient public services in health, education and transport.
The high costs have brought disillusionment with the top event in a sport Brazilians are passionate about. The resulting anti-World Cup movement triggered massive street protests a year ago and threatens to disrupt access to Cup stadiums.
Brazilians believe FIFA has turned the World Cup into a business, to the point where it obliged their country to change its laws to allow the sale of alcoholic drinks produced by event sponsors.
They also complain that tickets to the games in the new stadiums are so expensive that many Brazilian fans of the popular sport cannot afford them. FIFA said there are tickets available that are cheap compared to other sports events like the Olympic Games, Formula 1 races and tennis tournaments.
FIFA also denied it had demanded tax exemption for its sponsors and commercial activities during the World Cup, though it has required the easing of customs rules to import materials needed to organise the event, such as computers, footballs and electronic advertising boards, the statement said.
The soccer body also rejected charges it demanded evictions of people living next to stadiums that were built or renovated, or that it had driven out street vendors from around the venues.
Due to security concerns, however, vendors had to get accredited to sell authorised products outside the stadiums and were given training and uniforms, the FIFA statement said.
The 2010 World Cup in South Africa generated total revenue of $3.65 billion for FIFA, including $2.4 billion from the sale of TV rights, but excluding ticket revenue. Expenses incurred totaled $1.3 billion, according to FIFA.
(Reporting by Anthony Boadle; Editing by Ken Ferris)
Simmering tension threatens to sully Brazil extravaganza
By Ossian Shine
RIO DE JANEIRO Wed Jun 11, 2014 3:17am BST
A boy wrapped in Brazilian national flag stands in front of policemen and listens to speech from a truck during a protest by metro workers in Sao Paulo June 9, 2014. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj
(Reuters) - Simmering civil tension and the stench of corruption threatens to sully Brazil's global soccer party when the World Cup kicks off on Thursday against a backdrop of protests, unrest and alleged political graft.
What was to be a soccer celebration is in danger of being hijacked by off-field issues as a growing furore surrounding FIFA over alleged vote-buying for the 2022 World Cup stews and anger over domestic political corruption broils throughout Brazil.
The gloom is a far cry from what was envisioned when Brazil was selected as host nation in 2007. But if any country can perform a feat of spiritual alchemy using football as its tool, Brazil can.
And for all the FIFA and protest dramas, billions of people around the world will tune in as eagerly as ever once the action begins.
The home of what Pele termed "the beautiful game" is likely to respond like few others could, if its yellow-shirted heroes can carry all before them.
A joyous festival of football would indeed be testament to the power of soccer if the sport shrugs off the unseemly smog enveloping the lead-up to this tournament.
Brazil will be confident of providing the perfect fillip when they open the World Cup with a Group A clash against Croatia in Sao Paulo on Thursday.
EXORCISE THE GHOSTS OF 1950
The hosts are favourites to clinch a record-extending sixth World Cup crown come the July 13 final at Rio's Maracana stadium, and certainly it would be a triumph to finally exorcise the ghosts of 1950.
Sixty-four years ago the tournament was held with a round robin format and the Brazilians needed a draw to win the title in front of 200,000 fans at the Maracana.
However, they were beaten 2-1 by Uruguay in a national tragedy known as "the Maracanazo".
While there will be some 100,000 fewer people in the rebuilt Maracana for the 2014 tournament, expectation will be no less weighty.
That does not bother their wily coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, who led Brazil to their fifth triumph 12 years ago.
"Every day I am more and more certain we are going to win the World Cup," he said, allowing no room for failure.
"I know we must respect other teams but generally speaking we are better. Be with us during the World Cup: participate, jump up and down, get into the spirit.
"We want you to help us particularly when we are in trouble because that is when you can make the difference."
LUKEWARM WORLD CUP CAMPAIGNS
Brazil have their script - one involving locals suspending their anger at the eye-watering cost of the tournament held with a backdrop of rising inflation, urban gridlock and soaring crime - but there are no shortage of other teams and players lining up to take their place in the pantheon of soccer giants.
Argentina's Lionel Messi tops the list.
Considered by most to be the world's best footballer, the Barcelona phenomenon has never hit the heights at a World Cup.
Unless he does, as the likes of Pele, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona have before him, there would always be a hint of a question mark over a career in which in every other way has touched the stars.
At the age of 26, a veteran already of two lukewarm World Cup campaigns, Messi has never really been embraced by Argentine fans. It doesn't help that he was brought up in Spain after local clubs allowed him to slip through their fingers.
But a triumphant World Cup in their biggest rival's backyard could elevate the 5ft 7in forward, four times World Player of the Year, to the level of the similarly diminutive but much-revered World Cup-winning Maradona in his homeland.
But Argentina are much more than Messi, who will have great support from the other three members of the "Fantastic Quartet" Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero and Angel Di Maria.
"We're more together than ever because of the dream we all have," skipper Messi said after Argentina breezed past Slovenia in their final World Cup warmup.
FORMIDABLE GERMANS
The formidable Germans have their minds set on a slice of history for themselves. No non-South American team has triumphed in these parts, but Joachim Loew's stylish squad have observers lining up to say that spell is ready to be broken.
Without a major title since the 1996 European Championship, it has been quite a while between drinks for a nation used to toasting tournament winners, but with creative dynamo Mario Goetze at the heart of their machine, the wait may be about to end.
Another European powerhouse is not ready to relinquish its grip on the World Cup, however, and champions Spain will also be a formidable force.
Vicente del Bosque led La Roja to victory in Johannesburg four years ago and to the European title in 2012, and his side is still packed with some of the best passers in the game.
Some critics argue that the heart of that team is over the hill but there is new blood in the shape of Diego Costa, the Brazil-born striker whose call-up by Spain has been a dagger blow to the host nation.
Brazil's coach Scolari said Costa was "turning his back on the dream of millions" in choosing Spain over his homeland, but the Atletico Madrid forward could instead be embracing World Cup glory if Del Bosque can work his magic one more time.
Three more former winners will fight it out in Group D as one of Italy, England and surprise 2010 semi-finalists Uruguay will be going home early.
Uruguay, more specifically the hand of striker Luis Suarez, prevented Ghana becoming the first African nation to reach the semi-finals four years ago in South Africa.
The Black Stars are back again but, along with the other four African representatives, they will have to punch above their weight to shatter that toughened-glass ceiling.
Klose eyes Ronaldo's record - World Cup all-time top scorers
By Alec Fenn
Jun 11, 2014 8:18:00 AM
Just one goal separates the two strikers as the tournament prepares to get underway - Goal documents the leading hitmen in the competition's history
Since his last World Cup in 2006, Ronaldo's record tally of 15 goals in the competition has remained untouched, but that could change over the next month.
The Brazil legend amassed his strikes across three tournaments, in 1998, 2002 and 2006 - and lifted the famous trophy once along the way, 12 years ago this summer.
However, with 14 goals to his name, Miroslav Klose is within touching distance of making history and is well fancied to do so as the focal point of a strong Germany side.
The 36-year-old is level on goals with another national hero, Gerd Muller, who starred in the 1970 and 1974 tournaments and boasts an incredible ratio of 1.08 goals per World Cup games.
Just one strike adrift of the two Germans is former France star Just Fontaine - who found the back of the net 13 times during the 1958 tournament. That remains a record haul for goals in a single edition.
With 12 goals in four World Cups between 1958 and 1970, Brazil legend Pele is a prominent figure in the top 10, and was the star as his country lifted the trophy three times in that period.
A goal further back, two players are on 11, in the shape of Hungary great Sandor Kocsis and Germany hero Jurgen Klinsmann, who will of course take charge of the USA in Brazil.
The final three places in our list are occupied by another German, Helmut Rahn, in 1954 and 1958, former England striker Gary Lineker and one of Argentina's most lethal hitmen of all-time, Gabriel Batistuta.
All three players scored 10 World Cup goals, but their places could be under threat if David Villa (eight goals) or Diego Forlan (six goals) enjoy a particularly fruitful summer in Brazil.
Hart looking to England's Liverpool stars to stop Suarez
By Alex Young
Jun 11, 2014 8:32:00 AM
Five of Brendan Rodgers' squad made the trip to Brazil with England, with Rickie Lambert signing soon after, and the goalkeeper hopes their experience can stifle the striker
Joe Hart is looking to England's Liverpool contingent for help in stopping Luis Suarez when Roy Hodgson's men face Uruguay in the World Cup.
Roy Hodgson's side start their Group D campaign in Brazil against Italy on Saturday evening, before facing Uruguay on June 19 and Costa Rica on June 24.
Suarez was a double player-of-the-year winner this season after notching 31 goals in 33 appearances for Liverpool, and Hart is expecting the striker to pose a significant threat to the Three Lions.
"The fact we know Suarez means we know that he'll cause trouble for us," Hart to reporters. "There'll be some familiarity, and the Liverpool players will know him a lot better.
"I'm sure they'll give us their input on the different ways of stopping him. It's fair to say we are more familiar with Italy. We know a bit about Uruguay because of the Suarez factor and [Edinson] Cavani.
"Then Costa Rica are a bit more unknown at the moment. But we'll do our research. It's three really tough games – but it's a World Cup so you don't expect anything else.
"They're all dangerous, they all came through tough qualifying campaigns, Italy in Europe and the other two in South America. It's not easy to do that."
Hart was part of Fabio Capello's squad that were knocked out at the last-16 stage in the 2010 World Cup, but did not play a game, and is now looking forward to representing his country on the world stage.
The goalkeeper, though, also backed the likes of the inexperienced Adam Lallana and Ross Barkley to head into the tournament full of confidence after impressing for Southampton and Everton domestically.
"I enjoyed the last World Cup, I'd not been involved in too many squads before that, and I'd had a good season at Birmingham," he added.
"I understood that Rob Green and David James had played in the majority of the qualifiers, so I was happy to back them up, provide support. This time, I hope I'll be playing.
"I think we've had a really positive season with these players, the young guys coming through. I think we have to go out there with no fear – and make sure we leave the tournament with no regrets."
The striker had surgery on a knee injury less than three weeks ago and Cristian Rodriguez says he has ramped up his preparation routine in a bid to be fit for the World Cup
Cristian Rodriguez has revealed that Uruguay star Luis Suarez is training in "double and triple shifts" in a bid to speed up his return from injury ahead of the World Cup.
The Liverpool striker underwent surgery on a knee injury less than three weeks ago, and is now expected to be fit for his side's second group game - against England on June 19.
Suarez thanked those who supported him via a video message on Tuesday evening, citing his determination to be fit as soon as possible, and Rodriguez is keen to see his team-mate return as soon a possible.
"He is very focused. He is working in double and triple shifts and we hope to have him with us soon," Rodriguez told reporters.
Uruguay head coach Oscar Tabarez echoed his midfielder's sentiments, but admitted it is too soon to set a return date for Suarez.
"He's responding very well and his spirits couldn't be better," Tabarez said. "He's working full out on his physical fitness.
"As we have no set deadlines, I don't know if we'll have him for the first match, for the second, for the third. If it were up to me, Suarez would play tomorrow."
The 22-year-old was the star of the Confederations Cup last summer but the Argentina icon believes he will struggle to make the same impact on a stage so big
Diego Maradona says Brazil star Neymar is "too young" to dominate a World Cup on his own, but has applauded his boundless potential.
The 22-year-old won the Golden Ball award for best player at the 2013 Confederations Cup after inspiring the Selecao to a 3-0 victory over Spain in the final.
Twelve months on and Neymar will again be expected to shoulder Brazil's attacking burden and lead them to a sixth World Cup success.
But, with just one season under his belt in Europe following his move to Barcelona last summer, Maradona believes the tournament has come too soon for the former Santos starlet to make such a big impact.
"Neymar is an exciting youngster with exceptional talent," the Argentina great told the Times of India.
"What he did for Brazil in the Confederations Cup was extraordinary. But he is too young to light up a World Cup on his own.
Brazil will definitely root for him, though, especially after he has shown what he is capable of."
Maradona took charge of Argentina at the 2006 World Cup and, after assessing the quality of the current Albiceleste squad, thinks his country are well set to challenge in Brazil.
"Alejandro Sabella has been in charge of Argentina for almost three years and has developed a core group where [Lionel] Messi is the indisputable leader," he continued.
"Mascherano has no problems in supporting him since they play for the same club. And I was happy to see Angel Di Maria supporting [Lionel] Messi when Barcelona fans found fault with their prized possession.
"It reflects a healthy relationship between them, although they are fierce rivals in club football. And I won't be surprised if Sergio Aguero gets going.
Real Madrid star has struggled with injury since the Champions League final but has 'no worries' about his fitness for Brazil
Cristiano Ronaldo has reassured Portugal fans he will be 100 per cent fit for the World Cup after coming through the 5-1 friendly win over the Republic of Ireland.
The 29-year-old has been dogged by multiple injuries since Real Madrid's Champions League final win over Atletico, and there were concerns he could join Marco Reus, Franck Ribery and Radamel Falcao in missing the tournament.
However, the former Manchester United winger appeared from the start against Martin O'Neill's side in New Jersey on Tuesday night and completed 65 minutes before being replaced by Nani.
It has left Ronaldo confident he will be firing on all cylinders when Portugal face Germany in their opening World Cup game on Monday.
He told Times of India: "I am training well, keeping the advice of the doctors in mind. The progress is encouraging, they say, and I am feeling better with each day.
"You need to reach there when you are at your peak, both physically and mentally. I shall definitely be there, fully fit, no worries."
Paulo Bento's side face a tough task to qualify from Group G, after being drawn alongside Germany, USA and Ghana, and Ronaldo is realistic about the challenges ahead.
He added: "We played Germany in the Euros, so we know a bit or two about them. On the other side of the coin, they know more about us too. They have a great side. They are one of the favourites to win it this time. It's going to be really tough.
"But we had the Netherlands and Denmark in our group in the Euros too and we did qualify. This time we have the USA and Ghana. It's going to be real tough. But we are determined to give our best."
Welbeck suffers injury scare ahead of World Cup opener
By Jamie Dunn
Jun 11, 2014 8:05:00 AM
Roy Hodgson's medical staff are assessing a thigh problem the Manchester United forward was carrying during a training session at England's Urca headquarters on Tuesday
Danny Welbeck is struggling with a thigh injury ahead of England's World Cup opener against Italy in Manaus on June 14.
The Manchester United forward is being assessed by medical staff after a training session at England's World Cup headquarters in Urca.
Welbeck is understood to have trained with strapping around his thigh before limping out of the session early.
England are expected to give an update on Welbeck's fitness on Wednesday, with the clash against Italy in Manaus just three days away.
Injury to Welbeck would leave England with a selection issue after Roy Hodgson indicated Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is only expected to be fit to face Uruguay on June 19.
"Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain did well yesterday and we will be stepping up his training programme during the course of the week," Hodgson told reporters.
"The medics are hopeful he will be fit by the second game [against Uruguay]."
Hodgson has, however, played down suggestions Steven Gerrard is struggling with a tight groin and has no injury concerns over the England captain.
Sneijder: World Cup final loss is my biggest disappointment
By Andrew Wychrij
Jun 11, 2014 1:12:00 AM
The Netherlands midfielder admits that he is still troubled by his side's 2010 defeat to Spain, reflecting on how close he and his team-mates were to securing a historic victory
Wesley Sneijder has described Netherlands' failure to overcome Spain in the 2010 World Cup final as the worst moment in his career.
The Oranje were left heartbroken after Andres Iniesta's 116th-minute strike won the tournament for his sidefor the first time and consigned the Dutch to their third runners-up berth, after making the final in both 1974 and 1978.
The two sides meet again in their Group B opener on Friday, but Sneijder acknowledged that he would not find it easy to forget about their previous World Cup encounter.
"The final against Spain is the biggest disappointment of my career," the 30-year-old told Der Telegraaf.
"I had to walk past the cup but couldn't hold it. We were so close and the ball went in just [four] minutes before the end of the match."
Sneijder's frustrations are shared by his teammate Arjen Robben, who missed a wonderful opportunity in the 62nd minute of the game when, with the scores at 0-0, he failed to score after being put through one-on-one against Iker Casillas.
"Disappointments are part of the career of a sportsman," the winger said in an interview with Sp!ts.
"I will always carry that missed shot with me. We were so close to winning the tournament. I will always have that pain. But it happened and we can not do anything about it any more."
The Three Lions' boss does not feel his side will need to conserve energy during their match in the rainforest and he refuted claims the team weren't happy with the host country
England coach Roy Hodgson has downplayed the impact the Manaus heat will have on his team against Italy on Saturday.
The Three Lions open their World Cup campaign deep in the world's largest tropical rain forest - the Amazon.
Steamy and humid conditions are expected and how both sides fare in the Group D clash could be crucial in their hopes of reaching the last 16.
"I don't think at this World Cup you will see a big difference in the way teams play due to conservation of energy," Hodgson told reporters.
"I'm not really expecting enormous changes.
"What we have to do is play our football and with the 14 players at our disposition, play the football we want to play."
Hodgson also rejected suggestions from England midfielder Jack Wilshere that his side could play a different brand of football due to the heat.
"It's always unfair to ask young players those questions [about different styles of play] because I'm sure he doesn't understand what answer he should be giving," he said.
"We are expecting our players to run around a lot and if I select Jack, I'll expect him to run around a lot.
"A lot has been spoken about Manaus and conservation of energy and heat. I think we just need to wait and see what Manaus brings.
"We'll concern ourselves then about how much conservation of energy will be necessary."
Hodgson also angrily rejected suggestions that England had complained about having to play in Manaus.
"It's not true that we complained about Manaus or Brazil. Quite the opposite really," he added.
"I think that nonsense should be put to bed right away. We would have been happy to play in any city we were drawn in.
"We are very much looking forward to play[ing] in the World Cup."
Thigh injury could rule Ghana's Waris out of World Cup
By Kent Mensah
Jun 10, 2014 10:40:00 PM
The 2010 quarter-finalists have suffered an injury blow after the forward tore his quadriceps in their warm-up victory over South Korea
Ghana medical officials have confirmed that striker Abdul Majeed Waris could miss the World Cup due to a severe thigh injury.
The Black Stars' medical team is working around the clock to get the Spartak Moscow forward back on his feet before their crucial opening game, against the USA on June 16.
Waris, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Valenciennes, damaged his quadriceps during a 4-0 warm-up victory against South Korea in Miami on Tuesday and could be ruled out of this summer's tournament in Brazil.
“He had a knock on his left thigh. We initially tried to see if he could go back to play but we realised it was an injury that needed to be taken care of and managed well,” team doctor Baba Adam told the Ghana FA's official website. “We did an MRI on the quadriceps and what we realised is that, there was a tear.
“We hope to get him on to the field again pretty soon. However, we are still monitoring him to the deadline when we will give our final statement on his state of affairs.”
“The FIFA deadline is 15 [June], so we will monitor till [sic] that day and see how things turn up," he added.
Ghana's will also face Germany and Portugal in a difficult Group G, after their clash with the USA.
Fifa selects Nishimura to referee World Cup opener
By Andrew Wychrij
Jun 10, 2014 11:02:00 PM
The Japanese official will take charge of the tournament's curtain-raiser when Brazil face Croatia on Thursday, having previously overseen the Selecao's elimination in 2010
Fifa has announced that Yuichi Nishimura will referee Brazil's World Cup opener against Croatia on Thursday.
The 42-year-old from Tokyo will be assisted by compatriots Toru Sagara and Toshiyuki Nagi for the game at the Itaquerao stadium in Sao Paulo, while Iran's Alireza Faghani will be the fourth official.
Nishimura refereed four games at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, including Brazil's 2-1 quarter-final defeat to the Netherlands, where he sent off the Selecao's Felipe Melo in the 73rd minute of the encounter for a stamp on Oranje star Arjen Robben.
Fifa has also appointed Italian referee Nicola Rizzoli to oversee the highly-anticipated Group B clash between Spain and Netherlands in Salvador on Friday - a rematch of the tumultuous final that Spain won 1-0 four years ago.
The match will be a first World Cup game for Rizzoli, who took charge of the 2013 Champions League final.
Of the the 25 referees involved in the tournament in Brazil, Nishimura is one of five that took part in the World Cup in 2010, where he was fourth official for the final.
The other four are Uzbekistan's Ravshan Irmatov, Joel Aguilar of El Salvador, Peter O'Leary of New Zealand and England's Howard Webb, who officiated the final.
The Manchester United playmaker is hoping that his national side will give a good account of themselves in Brazil and at least match their record of reaching the knockout stages
Shinji Kagawa has urged his Japan team-mates to show their quality at the upcoming World Cup in Brazil.
The Manchester United playmaker is set to feature in his first World Cup over the next few weeks, with Japan grouped alongside Colombia, Greece and Cote d'Ivoire.
Together with the likes of Keisuke Honda, Shinji Okazaki and Yuto Nagatomo, Kagawa will be expected to play a key role as his nation aim get out of Group C and at least equal their previous best display of reaching the last 16.
The former Borussia Dortmund man is eager to show the strength of Japanese football in Brazil, and Alberto Zaccheroni's side can take confidence from scoring eight goals in their three warm-up matches against Cyprus, Costa Rica and Zambia.
"This is the first World Cup I have competed in. All we have to do is be fully prepared for our first game," said Kagawa.
"Since Japan is little known in football in the world, we want to play good football and make a huge impact so that we can make the world realise the presence of the Japan football team.
"Personally, scoring goals creates confidence and I gain the mental stability and get poised from it. And I would like to go into our first game with strength and need to be well prepared to do so."
Kagawa has struggled regularly to hit top form at Old Trafford, having initially caught the eye at Dortmund where he won two league titles and the DFB-Pokal.
The 25-year-old believes he faces different expectations at United, compared to those he has to deal with at international level.
"I personally think it is a completely different kind of pressure," he explained.
"When playing for Japan, it means that I carry my country on my shoulders and I feel a different kind of pressure as I am expected to do more when playing for Japan."
Low: I'll pick the players who can adapt to Brazil
By Vaishali Bhardwaj
Jun 10, 2014 1:48:00 PM
The Germany coach says he will wait to see how his squad copes in training before finalising a starting XI for his side's World Cup opener against Portugal
Germany coach Joachim Low has insisted he will not finalise his starting XI for his side's opening World Cup game against Portugal until he evaluates how well his players have adapted to the climate.
Germany are in one of the tournament's toughest groups alongside USA, Ghana and Portugal.
Low admitted that he has a good idea about which of his players will start the clash against the Seleccao in Salvador on June 16 but will first wait to see how his team acclimatise before confirming his selection.
"Of course I know roughly who will play. But the final decisions I will make after training sessions by who adapts well to Brazil,” Low told reporters.
"In Brazil, no one should expect that he can play all 90 minutes. Those who believe it are making a mistake.
"Under the conditions – the temperatures at 1pm local time – there will have to be a change in the game. There will be no team in this World Cup which will always use the same team."
Low will take charge for Germany’s fourth international tournament in a row as his side attempt to end their 18-year title drought in Brazil, with the 54-year-old having watched his side lose in the semi-finals at both the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.
And while he recently admitted that he thrives under the pressure that comes with coaching Germany, Low knows there is no magic formula to achieving success at a major tournament.
"In every tournament you know as a coach that in 90 or 120 minutes, it may be too late," he said.
"If a football nation like Brazil, Argentina, Spain, Italy or Germany were eliminated in the first round, then it is clear that all of the criticism would be focused on the coach."
Having been part of the side which lost all three matches in 2010, the midfielder insists the squad is stronger as a unit as they prepare to face Brazil, Croatia and Mexico
Jean Makoun is confident Cameroon have learned from the 2010 World Cup as they plot a path to the knockout stages in Brazil.
Four years ago the midfielder was part of a squad that failed to collect a single point from their group matches in South Africa.
The squad's flight to Brazil was also delayed by 12 hours after the players refused to board the plane over a dispute concerning bonuses, with the Cameroon Football Federation forced to take out loans in order to broker an agreement.
Makoun, who featured in all three games in South Africa in 2010, is convinced there is a better atmosphere in the current Cameroon party and is optimistic they can escape from a group featuring hosts Brazil, Croatia and Mexico as they look to do their country proud this month.
"What happened in South Africa should not happen again," Makoun is quoted as saying in L'Equipe. "I think all who were there and will play at the World Cup in Brazil have gained experience and maturity.
"We have had four more years. There is a lot of serenity and solidarity in the squad.
"We needed this cohesion."
Cameroon face Mexico in their opening game on Friday and Makoun knows the importance of making a strong start.
"Much will depend on the first game against Mexico, it's almost a game of six points," he added.
"If we win, it puts us almost in orbit. In any case, it is important not to lose it.
"Our ambition is to pass the first round, which only happened once to Cameroon in the World Cup (in 1990)."
Colombia 'saddened' by injury problems, admits James Rodriguez
By Luke Sheehan
Jun 10, 2014 6:00:00 PM
The midfielder believes his side are lacking "vital" players ahead of this summer’s World Cup but is confident they can secure a positive result in the opener against Greece
Colombia midfielder James Rodriguez has rued the absence of "vital" team-mates who are set to miss the World Cup through injury.
Radamel Falcao is the notable absence from Jose Pekerman's squad, while Aldo Leao Ramirez, Edwin Valencia and Luis Amaranto Perea have also been ruled out of the tournament.
James, who plays his club football at Monaco with Colombia team-mate Falcao, said the squad had not forgotten the men who had helped them to qualify for the finals for the first time since France 1998.
"The group is sad because four really good players – who were vitals in the play-offs - left the camp, but we have to change our way of thinking and start to think about Greece," he said.
"We are adults who already suffered these kind of situations, so we just have to play and win against Greece and the rest of the games."
James, 22, plied his trade at Porto prior to his switch to the Ligue 1 outfit, and said his experience playing in one of Europe's top leagues has enhanced his game.
"Playing in different teams has been really good," he said.
"You get more experience and that is going to help the team to play good, and I will give my best for the team."
Colombia are competing in Group C, with their clash against Greece in Belo Horizonte on Saturday followed by meetings with Cote d'Ivoire and Japan.
The World Cup winner says the 25-year-old could miss out on a place in Joachim Low's starting side in Brazil having endured a difficult debut season at Arsenal
Lothar Matthaus believes Mesut Ozil is not guaranteed a place in Germany's starting line-up at the World Cup.
The 25-year-old, who joined Arsenal from Real Madrid in a club-record €50 million deal, has faced criticism over his form following a missed penalty against Bayern Munich in the Champions League in February.
Matthaus – who was a key part of Germany's World Cup triumph in 1990 – believes Ozil could subsequently lose his place in Joachim Low's starting side, especially given the wealth of talent available.
"Ozil has no guaranteed place in the starting lineup," he told Kicker. "Especially in his position as we have a lot of quality. First of all, he must prevail there. He could be the loser if you look at the way Low let his team play recently.
"But you always expect more from him than from other players. I don't think Ozil is untouchable."
Low has already confirmed he will wait to see which of his players adapts best to the Brazilian climate before deciding on his starting XI to face Portugal on June 16.
The former national team doctor believes a gruelling tour schedule will damage the side’s chances at this summer’s World Cup
Former Russia team doctor Yuri Vasilkov says the side will be hampered by their tough travel schedule at the World Cup.
Fabio Capello's side arrived in Sao Paulo, Brazil on Sunday after a long-haul flight from Moscow, and will again be boarding planes to Cuiaba, Rio de Janeiro and Curitiba for their three Group H matches.
Vasilkov, who travelled with Russia to South Korea and Japan for the 2002 finals, said such a drastic change in time zone was a significant factor in the national side's preparations.
"There is a whole new science about long-distance travel. If we move by north to south – to Madagascar, for example – it's easy. Our bodies don't need to adapt," Vasilkov told Uefa’s official website.
"But if we go east or west and spend more than four hours in the airplane, then our bodies find it harder to adapt to new circumstances."
Capello has reportedly gone lightly on his charges in their first hours in Brazil, and Vasilkov said that was a sensible move from the former England boss.
"After long flights, players shouldn't be training really hard," he said.
"They need time to recover. Also, we have noted that it is harder to sleep if you fly east to west."
Vasilkov also said that players should not be consuming “fancy food” at a World Cup; but did recount treating some of the Russia squad 12 years ago.
"Fancy food is not welcome at these tournaments as the pressure on players' bodies is very high anyway," he said.
"We had to take individual needs into account, though.
"Back in 2002, I took some black caviar with me to spread it on bread to make some players happy. Believe me, it wasn't just for me!"
Russia's team chef Nino Graziano said he will provide only nutritional options for the players.
"We will say no to fatty food," Graziano said.
"Pasta, chicken, fish and rice with vegetables are welcome and of course meat, which is very good in Brazil.
"We will give the players plenty of fruit too. The team's mood and results depend a lot on the quality of their diet."
The 38-year-old believes it would be “beautiful” to see his country become world champions and he is upbeat about their chances of winning Fifa’s prestigious competition
Hernan Crespo believes Argentina have a great opportunity to add to their two World Cup wins in Brazil.
Despite being one of the traditional powerhouses of international football, the South Americans have not lifted the trophy since 1986.
Crespo, a part of three Argentina squads that tried and failed during the intervening years, is hoping the class of 2014 can emerge triumphant - although he admits they would require a hasty exit from the country of their fierce rivals should they achieve the feat.
"If Argentina win the World Cup in Brazil, I advise them to have a helicopter nearby because they're going to get killed," the former striker joked.
"It would be beautiful. Argentina's a great team but it's been a while since they have made it to the semi-finals [24 years].
"We should understand that we're a very good team, that we have a chance but that we've only won two World Cups."
A major reason for Argentine hope is the presence of Lionel Messi, who many hope can add to a glittering CV by captaining his country to glory.
Asked if it will be Messi's World Cup, Crespo replied: "God willing. Hopefully."
Argentina have been drawn in Group F alongside Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iran and Nigeria.
Their first game will be against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Rio de Janeiro on June 15, before they face Iran in Belo Horizonte on June 21 and Nigeria in Porto Alegre on June 25.
The Atletico Madrid striker claims he is in the best possible condition ahead of Spain's opener with the Netherlands on Friday, insisting his injury problems are behind him
Diego Costa says he is fully fit and looking forward to representing Spain at the World Cup, as they prepare to face Netherlands.
The 25-year-old forward had a fine season with Atletico Madrid in 2013-14, scoring 27 goals in 35 league games as los Rojiblancos won La Liga, although he then limped out of his side's 4-1 Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid after just nine minutes.
However, the striker insists he has fully recovered from the hamstring problems that affected his final weeks of the campaign and says he is ready to perform at his full potential for la Roja.
"I'm feeling very good," he told a press conference on Tuesday.
"At this moment, I think I'm feeling the best I ever have - perfect. I feel I'll have no problems at the World Cup.
"I always have anxiety, even more so before playing against a team like Holland. But players try to just live in the moment and I hope to get going as soon as possible.
"As I said before, everyone is treating me in a special way and I'm enjoying a beautiful moment. I can only give my thanks."
The Brazil-born attacker courted controversy last October after stating his intention to play for Spain rather than his native Brazil, prompting Selecao boss Luiz Felipe Scolari to accuse him of 'turning his back' on his country.
However, Costa feels that he has nothing to be ashamed of and says even his family have no qualms about seeing him represent a rival nation at this summer's tournament.
"My parents are very happy to be close to me," he continued.
"They know why I chose Spain and they have always supported me."
Spain and Netherlands face each other in Salvador on Friday night in a repeat of the 2010 World Cup final, which saw Vicente Del Bosque's men crowned champions after a 1-0 win.
