Beckenbauer to assist in FIFA World Cup probe

Franz Beckenbauer has told FIFA that he will assist with their ethics investigation into the World Cup bidding process.

The Germany legend - formerly part of FIFA's Executive Committee - had initially failed to co-operate with a probe led by lawyer Michael Garcia looking into the validity of the process around the 2018 and 2022 tournaments being awarded to Russia and Qatar respectively.

In response, the governing body handed out a 90-day ban that prevented the 68-year-old from taking part in any football-related activity, forcing him to cancel his trip to watch the current showpiece in Brazil, where he was due to fulfil television obligations.

However, Beckenbauer's manager, Marcus Hofl, confirmed in a statement released via Twitter on Sunday that his client will answer the questions asked by FIFA's ethics committee by June 27, and expects the ban to be lifted as a result. 

Top players’ reactions to Brazuca World Cup ball

Lionel Messi, Dani Alves, Fernando Torres, among others, rate the adidas brazuca – the official 2014 Fifa World Cup Brazil match ball.

Adidas spent two and a half years testing brazuca, using 600 players, 30 professional and national teams in 10 countries – making it the most tested ball adidas has ever created.

Brazuca is also the first ever six-panel ball, combining the best technology from the popular Tango 12 and Uefa Champions League balls to improve symmetry, uniformity and efficiency.

Casillas reveals condition for Real Madrid exit

The Spain goalkeeper has hinted at a possible departure from the Santiago Bernabeu, suggesting he wants to play for a club where he would be considered No.1

Casillas has dropped the biggest hint yet that his future lies away from Real Madrid.

The goalkeeper, who is currently understudy to Diego Lopez at the Bernabeu, has spoken of his desire to be first choice again at club level.

Casillas has been linked with a string of top European sides ahead of next summer's World Cup when he faces a battle to keep his position as Spain's No.1.

The 32-year-old was expected to attend a training camp in Doha - backed by the Iker Casillas Foundation - for around 20 specially selected, young goalkeepers from around the world.

FIFA change in World Cup draw may benefit France

FIFA gave France better odds of avoiding Brazil and Argentina with a new procedure for the World Cup draw.

As the lowest-ranked of nine unseeded European qualifiers, France was expected to go in the Africa-dominated pot — meaning it could not be placed in the same group as a top-seeded European team.

But instead of following its format from 2006, FIFA decided Tuesday that all nine European teams enter an open ballot to decide which can be drawn alongside the five African teams, plus Chile and Ecuador, in Pot 2.

Thiago Silva hopes for Brazil-France World Cup clash

The PSG defender believes Les Bleus have the quality to get to the final of next summer’s competition, although he is backing the Selecao to lift the trophy

Thiago Silva believes a Brazil-France final is a very realistic possibility at next year’s World Cup, though he also sees Spain, Germany, Argentina and Uruguay as serious contenders.

The Paris Saint-Germain defender, who has represented the Selecao 44 times, has been plying his trade in Ligue 1 since the summer of 2012 and has said it would be an emotional experience to face Les Bleus on the game's grandest stage.

Ayew out for two months

Ghana Black Stars Marseille attacker Ayew out for two months injured

Ghana attacker Andre Ayew has been ruled out for two months after undergoing knee surgery on Monday.

The 23-year-old sustained the injury during his country's World Cup qualifying play-off second leg tie against Egypt in Cairo last week.

Don't judge us yet, urges England captain Steven Gerrard after double defeat

Steven Gerrard has urged fans to go easy on England as manager Roy Hodgson experiments on the road to Rio.

Successive home defeats to Chile and Germany have brought Hodgson's men down to earth after the comprehensive victories last month that secured their place at next summer's World Cup.

England will not be among the top seeds for December's group draw but Gerrard sees no reason to panic - and reckons a low-key build-up could work in their favour.

"I think it is important people are not too harsh on us. These games are all about experimenting and trying things," the Liverpool midfielder said.

World Cup: Roy Hodgson to tinker with his England line-up against Denmark

Roy Hodgson looks set to experiment with his line-up against Denmark in March even though defeat would make him the only England manager in history to lose three successive home games.

Boos rang out yet again at Wembley on Tuesday evening as Per Mertesacker's header condemned England to back-to-back home defeats for the first time since 1977.

Hodgson looked at 25 players during the losses to Germany and Chile, with Jay Rodriguez, Adam Lallana and Fraser Forster making their debuts.

Jordan Henderson and Kieran Gibbs returned to the international fold after a long absence while Ross Barkley and Tom Cleverley were given a chance to prove they are worthy of a ticket to Brazil.

Monreal: I need Arsenal games to boost Spain World Cup hopes

Nacho Monreal is convinced moving to Arsenal has boosted his chances or earning a regular place in the Spain side.

And the defender says he hopes he can gain more game time with the Gunners to help him fulfil his dream of playing in next summer’s World Cup in Brazil.

Of his Samba tournament hopes, he said: “I’m aware that it’s not going to be easy, also partly because I’m not getting as many minutes as I would like with Arsenal. I’m going to continue fighting and working hard because I really want to be at the World Cup.”

Didier Drogba targets World Cup knockout rounds with Ivory Coast.

Didier Drogba is targeting the knockout rounds of the World Cup with the Ivory Coast after sealing qualification with a 4-2 aggregate win over Senegal.

Speaking after the game Drogba said: "It will be the third World Cup in a row for a small country like Ivory Coast. I am proud to be part of this adventure and then enter the history of football in my country with the third consecutive qualification.

"We're happy, we'll go home and enjoy this. We want to do something interesting at the World Cup. The previous two were difficult. Here we hope to have a few more chances and at least qualify from the first round."

World Cup: UEFA back moving World Cup in Qatar in 2022 to winter

FIFA vice-president Jim Boyce has confirmed European countries have given their overall backing to moving the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to the winter.

Boyce revealed the 54 UEFA associations, who have been meeting in Croatia, want FIFA to consult much further with the game's major stakeholders before making their decision about an exact date for the controversial tournament.

The world governing body meets in Zurich early next month when a decision is expected to be made in principle to moving the competition away from the summer months, when the heat in Qatar can reach more than 50 degrees centigrade.

"There were certain reservations regarding the World Cup in Qatar but everyone agreed that it would be impossible to play in the severe heat of Qatar in the summer," Boyce said.

Hodgson: Gerrard can play beyond 2014 World Cup

The Three Lions midfielder has indicated he will retire from international football after Brazil 2014 but the 66-year-old feels his captain's new role will allow him to carry on.

Roy Hodgson believes Steven Gerrard can carry on playing for England after next summer's World Cup.

The Liverpool midfielder has previously suggested he will retire after Brazil 2014, having already earned 105 caps since his international debut in 2000.

However, Hodgson is refusing to plan for the 33-year-old’s international departure just yet and hopes his captain will still be available after next summer.

Paraguay 2-5 Argentina: Messi at the double as Argentina book their World Cup place

Two goals from Lionel Messi helped the travelling Albiceleste to secure what was in the end a comfortable win against Paraguay, seeing his nation top CONMEBOL qualifying

  Argentina have booked a place at the 2014 World Cup after a 5-2 win over Paraguay in Asuncion on Tuesday.

Alejandro Sabella's men were the dominant side at Estadio Defensores del Chaco, winning thanks to a brace of Lionel Messi penalties, plus goals from Sergio Aguero, Angel Di Maria and Maxi Rodriguez.

World Cup: England boss Roy Hodgson braced for 'cup final' against Ukraine

                           

                          

England boss Roy Hodgson admits he is ready for a "cup final" against Ukraine in Tuesday's World Cup qualifier.

Hodgson's men travel to Kiev leading Group H on goal difference and ahead of Ukraine by a point but, with Poland and San Marino to come, a win for the hosts would put them in the box seat for Brazil.

England, by contrast, finish their qualifying campaign with testing home games against Montenegro and Poland and are desperate to avoid the runners-up spot that would see them slip into the play-offs.

Netherlands captaincy will not change me, says Van Persie

The former Feyenoord star has insisted that he will remain true to himself and is optimistic about Holland's chances at the World Cup

Manchester United striker Robin van Persie says his new role as Netherlands captain will not change him as a player or person.

The prolific forward replaced Wesley Sneijder as Oranje's skipper earlier this summer and he's determined to show that he's worthy of the captain's armband.

World Cup in Brazil will be a Success - Sepp Blatter

The Fifa president believes that the country has all the economic strength to host a memorable tournament in 2014

Fifa president Sepp Blatter has reaffirmed his belief that Brazil will deliver a successful World Cup in 2014.

The 77-year-old is in the country ahead of the Confederations Cup and attended a meeting with the Brazilian Sports Minister Aldo Rebelo to discuss progress ahead of the tournament.

“I am sure that the five time winners will present an outstanding competition in 2014” he told Fifa.com.

“I am confident that through its economic power and strength of will, Brazil will be ready and deliver a wonderful World Cup.”

Meanwhile, Rebelo has also given reassurances that the new stadiums will be ready ahead of the December 2013 deadline, and highlighted Brazil’s delight in hosting the tournament.

“The preparations for the World Cup will meet the expectations of the organisers and, of course, Brazil,” he added.

“This is a vital event for Brazil. We’re delighted and honoured to be able to host it.”