By Andi Thomas @andi_thomas on Dec 5 2013, 3:38p + We take a look at the qualification and draw for the 1950 World Cup in Brazil, perhaps the strangest in history. Come back in time with SB Nation Soccer to 1950. Then, as now, Brazil were about…
Browsing: Brazil
World Cup hopefuls Italy will face Ireland at Fulham’s Craven Cottage ground as the Azzurri finalise preparations for this summer’s tournament in Brazil, the Italian football federation (FIGC) said Thursday. Italy, the beaten Euro 2012 finalists, recently…
Brazilian security forces conducted a safety drill on Wednesday at the Mane Garrincha national stadium in the capital Brasilia ahead of the World Cup that the country is hosting in June. (March 20)
Iran coach Carlos Queiroz told AFP he hopes his side can overcome poor preparations to make an impact at the World Cup finals in Brazil, but admits that the draw has left them facing a huge task. Iran, who are known among fans as ‘Team Melli’, will…
A secret Brazilian government report lists several security “risks” in having the country host the World Cup this year, including political protest and strikes, O Globo daily said. The office of President Dilma Rousseff told AFP the undated report was…
More than a month of flooding in northern Brazil has swollen rivers and driven thousands of people from their homes, authorities said Wednesday. Heavy rain in regions bordering Bolivia forced 22,000 households to leave their homes, including 3,000 families…
Real Madrid and Germany midfielder Sami Khedira says it will not be “the end of the world” if he misses this year’s World Cup in Brazil with a serious knee injury. The 26-year-old tore the cruciate ligament in his right knee playing for Germany in a…
Brazil’s sports minister couldn’t resist making a playful joke at England’s expense regarding the weather in Manaus, where the Three Lions begin their World Cup campaign in what is set to be stifling heat. Prior to last year’s World Cup draw, England…
Yesterday the blogosphere was saturated with the wedding story of Nigerian singer Olu Maintain. . The star singer who became…
Children as young as 12 are selling themselves for sex for as little as 80p in one of Brazil’s World Cup cities, a Sky News investigation has found. It comes as international footballers join a campaign warning fans travelling to the tournament not…
Juan Mata hopes his club record transfer from Chelsea to Manchester United will help cement his place in the Spain World Cup squad in Brazil later this year. A lack of first-team opportunities, and concerns over his international future, prompted the…
African champions Nigeria will train in Houston in the United States for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, a top official has announced. Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi had proposed the team train in either Miami or Houston for the World Cup, but top Nigeria…
Brazilian forward Kaka boosted his World Cup hopes by scoring his 100th and 101st goals for AC Milan in a welcome 3-0 win over Atalanta at the San Siro on Monday. Kaka is one of several Europe-based stars hoping to nail a place in Luiz Felipe Scolari…
Spain coach Vicente del Bosque says his only fear for the 2014 World Cup is players gloating over past victories and failing to be humble in the face of the great challenge ahead in Brazil. “We have to forget the past and not gloat over what we have…
• Brazil suffers record number of football violence deaths
• Ultras in eastern Europe, Russian and Italy pose huge threat
• Unrest in Africa spontaneous rather than planned
• Owen Gibson: World Cup – and outbreak of supporter violence – link Brazil and Russia
Brazil’s northern Amazonia state ruled Wednesday that work could resume fully at the World Cup stadium in Manaus where a worker fell to his death over the weekend, media reports said. Construction at the site partially resumed on Monday, although not…
One person was killed Saturday in an accident at the Manaus Arena World Cup stadium in Brazil, falling some 35 meters, officials said. The accident came barely two weeks after two people died at the World Cup stadium in Sao Paulo which is scheduled…
Brazil’s organisational reputation, already under fire in the run-up to the World Cup, suffered another blow Sunday when three spectators were seriously hurt in violent clashes at a league match. Police said that fans of Atletico Paranaense and Vasco…
As Brazil strains at the leash to prepare next year’s World Cup, FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke told AFP on Thursday that organisers should see the glass as half full. The tournament has been beset by delays, with the stadiums at Curitiba and…
As the 32 teams qualified for next year’s World Cup prepared to learn their fate in Friday’s draw, FIFA said Thursday the champions of the 2014 tournament will claim $35m. FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke also indicated that the runners-up would…