The World Cup’s opening celebrations roll over two days this week, in a musical double feature that boasts top stars like Shakira on Thursday, with a still-secret performance ahead of the match on Fri

Brazil full-back Maicon says his countrymen are more focused on winning a sixth World Cup in South Africa than maintaining the stylish legacy of their predecessors.
Brazilian fans have always demanded ‘o jogo bonito’ (the beautiful game) and in the past have gorged themselves on the skills of supremely gifted individuals such as Pele, Gerson, Zico and Ronaldo.

Not many people expected Grafite to be at the World Cup — not even the Brazil striker himself.
He had no idea it would happen when he played in an amateur league in exchange for diapers and food for his newborn baby girl. He had no idea it would happen when he hopped from door to door on the streets of a small Brazilian city selling trash bags as a 21-year-old.

Kaka isn’t concerned with his fitness ahead of the World Cup, and said on Friday he is ready to take on the responsibility of being Brazil’s leader at the tournament.
Kaka enters the tournament as Brazil’s biggest star, but he also arrives heavily affected by injuries that have put in doubt his performance in South Africa.
The Real Madrid playmaker, however, is confident he will be in good physical condition when the World Cup begins.
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Nelson Mandela met with South Africa’s national football team on Thursday, the same day the country’s ruling party said its most famous citizen will attend the World Cup’s opening game and the final.

Brazil coach Dunga defended his players on Thursday after their complaints about the World Cup ball were criticised by Fifa secretary general Jerome Valcke.
Valcke suggested two days ago that the Brazilians were using the ball as an excuse in case of failure, but Dunga dismissed the opinion as that of a “guy who never kicked the ball. He needs to play,” Dunga said.

England arrived in South Africa on Thursday morning hoping a favourable first-round draw can be the catalyst for a serious World Cup challenge.
Cool, clear conditions greeted some of the most watched performers in the global televised football arena when they landed at Johannesburg international airport with manager Fabio Capello.

If the Bafana Bafana are eliminated at the World Cup, look for South Africans to turn their support to five-time champion Brazil.
A local survey shows 26 per cent of South Africans will pick Brazil as their second-choice team if South Africa is out. England was next, with 11 per cent. The independent s

Brazil named its final squad for the World Cup on Tuesday, with coach Dunga retaining the 23 players already in South Africa preparing for the tournament.
Dunga had named an initial squad of 30 players only because it was a Fifa requirement, but did not make any surprise selections on deadline day.

Robinho said on Tuesday he was glad he decided to return to Brazilian football and reiterated that he wanted to remain at Santos after his six-month spell on loan from English club Manchester City expires in August.