UNITED STATES striker Robbie Findley has warned England they can cause them problems "all over the pitch" in Saturday's World Cup clash in Rustenburg.

JERMAIN DEFOE refuses to predict whether he has forced his way into the England starting line-up for the opening World Cup clash with the United States on Saturday.

WAYNE ROONEY cannot wait for the World Cup to begin.

FANS of Roy Race, the fictional Melchester Rovers star, are in for a treat during the World Cup. A one-off souvenir special edition of the much-loved Roy of the Rovers comic i

DIDIER Drogba has rejoined the Ivory Coast World Cup squad after weekend surgery on a fractured arm, the Ivorian Football Federation said.

ROBINHO scored twice and Kaka was also on target as Brazil routed Tanzania 5-1 in Dar-Es-Salaam in their last friendly before the World Cup.

GARETH Barry has confirmed he will sit out England's World Cup opener against the United States on Saturday.

FIFA claims its ticketing policy is the right one, insisting that sales or distribution of tickets should "never" be done at a stadium on a match day to avoid scenes l

GROUP D for dull? So some say. It has been classed as the least interesting of groups, but this does not take into account Germany's desire for re-invention.

ENGLAND limped to an unconvincing and, at times, pretty awful victory in their practice match against local South African league side Platinum Stars.

THE legend of England and the World Cup is an engaging narrative. They are not quite Scotland but the countries certainly share a capacity for self-destruction.

Singing for England! You can sing along too by joining our Mars fan wall:  www.facebook.com/Marsbar Get behind our boys in South Africa by leaving a message for them on the Mars fan wall - we'll then share this with the England team. Tags World Cup Pens World Cup Posters World Cup football

Danny Baker, the father of funny football phone-ins, made a salient point in 1999 as opprobrium was being heaped on England coach Glen Hoddle's avowed belief in karma and re-incarnation. Aren't football fans about the most superstitious creatures around? Just analyse your behaviour on the morning of a Cup Final or a big match involving your country in the World Cup . You find yoursel f performing obsessive compulsive tasks you would not normally, in case you upset the gods and tip the balance of nature against your team. Touch that architrave with two fingers, place that moisturiser bottle there, you're almost going mad believing you can affect the outcome far away from your poky bedroom in Staines. Make no mistake, football's portal to the land of dreams, ecstasy and wonder is a big reason it remains popular, whatever one's age. It has been a while since one of my teams did anything to get me nervously excited, but yesterday morning I had a fleeting glimpse of spiritual awakening. As I made my way through the ticket barriers at Waterloo to begin my familiar trek to work I saw Martin Peters , the second-youngest of England's 1966 World Cup-winning team, standing there in front of me, ostensibly waiting for a train like everyone else in a railway station. Is that? Is it? With no-one else apparently noticing one of England's hallowed team gracing them with his presence, I had to be sure I was not dreaming so I milled around for a minute while I should have been on my way to work, observing his face from a number of angles to be sure I was in the present of a legend. I was. After a minute or so of awe, I decided the excuse of seeing Mr Peters would not wash at work with my boss so I made for the exit. Feelings and images began to flood my head, of the young Peters wheeling away having rifled home in the World Cup final, and my father celebrating in the stands as he did that day at Wembley. Then England were in white and Steven Gerrard was hoisting the World Cup aloft in a blaze of confetti and camera flashes. Back home the nation went wild, driving around with flags fluttering and horns tooting all night. Oh the thought of being there at that moment, which seems once-in-a-lifetime for Englishmen! As I skipped down the stairs towards the South Bank, the wonder began to wear off , but I knew how immense that frisson I felt in Waterloo had been. Football had reminded me what it can do to the emotions and the mind. Googling Martin Peters back home this evening, I saw his age is now....66. And what with England in the World Cup and...Before I could start reading the Greek coffee to find out the World Cup winner like a friend of mine did this week (she reckons Spain), I halted my mind's mad march towards irrationality. Football is played on grass between 22 men and whoever scores most wins. That's it. A fantastic moment indeed. It's always nice to dream. But now bring on the real thing. (c) Sean O'Conor & Soccerphile Tags World Cup Pens World Cup Posters World Cup football

Best Buy, the US-based electronics giant, has launched a new World Cup viral, in which two employees create the ‘Ultimate Football Man-Cave’. The "Lad Pad" features gadgetry and tech available from Best Buy along with such essentials as beer, a kebab grill and pizza oven. But something is missing. Viewers are asked to watch the viral on YouTube and leave a comment on what they would add. The best answer will receive everything featured in the video in time for the World Cup kick off. The work has been created and is being seeded by the Viral Factory. See it by playing the video below. Tags World Cup Pens World Cup Posters World Cup football

Amazon.co.uk Widgets Tags World Cup Pens World Cup Posters World Cup football

Having already looked at the strikers in Fifa's official World Cup fantasy game, it's time to assess the midfield options available to players. The game allows you to choose eight midfielders, meaning that with only 140 units to spend, you will have to plump for at least three cheap ones. Read more... World Cup Fantasy Tips: Midfielders originally appeared on About.com World Soccer on Tuesday, June 8th, 2010 at 18:41:23.