The World Cup

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FILE - In this Oct. 11, 2013 file photo, Dutch soccer team poses prior the start the Group D World Cup qualifying soccer match between Netherlands and Hungary, at Arena stadium in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Background from left: Jeffrey Bruma, Michel Vorm, Daryl Janmaat, Ron Vlaar, Kevin Strootman, and Rafael van der Vaart. Foreground from left: Daley Blind, Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben, Jeremain Lens and Nigel de Jong. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)

Netherlands hoping to end World Cup winless streak

By MIKE CORDER - Associated Press

FILE - In this Nov. 19, 2013, file photo, Iceland's Aron Gunnarsson, left, is challenged by Croatia's Luka Modric during their World Cup qualifying playoff second leg soccer match in Zagreb, Croatia. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic, File)

At home, Brazil clear favorite to win Group A

By TALES AZZONI - Associated Press

FILE - In this Nov. 19, 2013, file photo, Croatia's head coach Niko Kovac looks on at the beginning of a World Cup qualifying playoff second leg soccer match against Iceland in Zagreb, Croatia. Kovak already knows it wonít be at full strength for the difficult opener against Brazil. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic,File)

Croatia coach Kovac: Little experience, high hopes

By DUSAN STOJANOVIC - Associated Press

FILE - In this March 5 2014, file photo, Cameroon coach Volker Finke, from Germany, listens to the national anthems before their friendly soccer match with Portugal, in Leiria, Portugal. The game is part of both teams' preparation for the World Cup in Brazil. Cameroon hasn’t advanced past the group stage since 1990, when it became the first African team to reach the quarterfinals. (AP Photo/Armando Franca, File)

Finke eying collective success for Cameroon

By DIVINE NTARYIKE - Associated Press

FILE - In this Nov. 19, 2013 file photo, Croatia soccer team poses prior to the start the World Cup qualifying soccer match between Croatia and Iceland in Zagreb, Croatia. Background from left: Josip Simunic, Mario Mandzukic, Vedran Corluka, Ivan Rakitic, Stipe Pletikosa and Ivan Perisic. Foreground from left: Darijo Srna, Mateo Kovacic, Luka Modric, Danijel Pranjic and Ivica Olic. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic, File)

Croatia looking to spring a surprise at World Cup

By DUSAN STOJANOVIC - Associated Press

Fans on field, sound system issues at WCup test

Associated Press

Pitch invasion among setbacks in Manaus test event

By TALES AZZONI - Associated Press

Benteke out of World Cup with Achilles injury

By STEVE DOUGLAS - Associated Press

FILE - In this March 15, 2014 file photo, Brazilian club Corinthians soccer players practice at the Itaquerao stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Brazilian organizers are adding safety features where a worker died in the stadium hosting the World Cup opener, hoping to quickly reverse an order that halted construction in part of the venue. The addition of new safety rails comes a day after labor officials said the installation of 20,000 temporary seats at the Itaquerao stadium could not continue until safety concerns were addressed. On Saturday March 29th, 2014, a 23-year-old worker died after falling from about 26 feet while installing the seats needed for the opener. (AP Photo / Andre Penner, File)

Official: Problems ignored at World Cup stadium

By TALES AZZONI - Associated Press

Unfinished World Cup stadium opens in Brazil

By TALES AZZONI - Associated Press

FILE - In this April 4, 2013 file photo, fans of Uruguay's Nacional display a gigantic flag before the start of a Copa Libertadores soccer match in Montevideo, Uruguay. The entire leadership of Uruguay’s soccer federation resigned Monday, March 31, 2014, with little more than two months left before the World Cup because President Luis Mujica ordered the withdrawal of police protection from the home stadiums of Penarol and Nacional, last week, after Nacional’s fans injured 40 police officers. The federation and its clubs say they won’t be safe without police protection. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico, File)

Uruguay soccer leaders quit in fan violence crisis

By LEONARDO HABERKORN - Associated Press

In this Sunday March 9, 2014 photo, Mordechai Shpigler poses for a photo at a stadium in Natenya, Israel. At the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, a young Shpigler curled a mighty left-footed strike into the back of the net to secure a 1-1 draw for Israel against Sweden. The goal immediately became a seminal moment in Israeli sports and turned Shpigler into a national icon. To the frustration of Israeli fans, it also remains the country’s only World Cup goal. (AP Photo/Aron Heller)

Why can’t Israel match Bosnia at World Cup?

By ARON HELLER - Associated Press

FILE - In this March 15, 2014 file photo, Brazilian club Corinthians soccer players practice at the Itaquerao stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil. A construction company says one of its workers has been seriously injured at the site of the Itaquerao stadium that will host Brazil’s World Cup opener. Fast Engenharia says in a statement that the worker fell about 26 feet (8 meters) while helping install temporary seats at the stadium. The accident comes about four months after two workers died when a crane collapsed at the stadium. (AP Photo/Andre Penner, File)

Brazil police: Worker likely without safety cable

By TALES AZZONI - Associated Press

Delayed Curitiba stadium opens for test event

By TALES AZZONI - Associated Press

Ronaldo, Brazil's former soccer player and a member of the local organizing committee for the 2014 World Cup, talks during a news conference at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Thursday, March 27, 2014. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

Ronaldo: Pressure ‘huge’ on Brazil World Cup team

By STEPHEN WADE - Associated Press

A general view of the soccer fields at the Granja Comary training center, where the Brazilian soccer team will be training and staying during the upcoming World Cup, in Teresopolis near Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, March 26, 2014. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

Brazil inaugurates its World Cup training center

Associated Press

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli smiles in the stands prior to the Serie A soccer match between Parma and Genoa at Parma's Tardini stadium, Italy, Sunday, March 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Marco Vasini)

Italy coach Prandelli agrees to 2-year extension

Associated Press

Torres says he can make Spain’s World Cup team

Associated Press

Snagging Green big beyond 2014 World Cup

By JIM VERTUNO - Associated Press

Croatia’s Simunic loses World Cup ban appeal

Associated Press