The power of soccer to unite
My beloved Costa Rica, a little country of fewer than 5 million souls, has arguably captured the attention of billions by advancing into the quarterfinals of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. I will come together with my fellow Costa Ricans, supporters, and even rivals on Saturday to watch the next defining match for our country against Holland.
Quarterfinal preview
It’s taken a lot of work but the contestants for the World Cup quarterfinals can put their travails behind them and look forward to the prospect of a semifinal spot being just 90 minutes away. Whoever comes out on top, we should be in for fireworks on Friday and Saturday.
Go straight for the knockout to give African, Asian teams a fighting chance
Despite the fact that this World Cup has produced some of the most scintillating soccer in recent memory, there is still something deeply flawed about what has come to pass for the quarterfinals.
Goals galore hint at lots more in store at World Cup
If this excitement keeps up then FIFA will soon be able to trademark the 2014 World Cup as “The Most Exciting World Cup In History!”
Tournament in Brazil means saying farewell to the careers of many players
This tournament, as with every other, is going to be the last that we see some players on the international stage.
Soccer’s cousin futsal key to future FIFA World Cup championships
There were many sights to behold during the couple of hours I spent on the roads of Pernambuco state today but the most impressive was the number of games of soccer being played.
Getting to Costa Rica – Greece game in Recife just as, if not more, complicated as elsewhere
Wow.
There are not many games where you would think after a penalty shootout, a red card and high drama that getting to the stadium was still the most intense experience but Recife’s Arena Pernambuco can hold its head high on that count.
Recife almost refuses to receive fans
The host cities of the World Cup have each treated it very differently and none more so than Recife.
MLS stars finally earn their stripes
Julio Cesar’s strong right hand.
Emotions run high among Brazilian fans as home team wins match
Olinda is a beautiful town, if that is one divided into two: Old Olinda and New Olinda. New Olinda is not worth knowing, it’s a modern blight on the Brazilian northeast readied for World Cup tourists and the overshoot of nearby Recife.
The road to Rio: second round preview
Goodness gracious, what a fortnight that has been. The 2014 World Cup has more than lived up to the pre-tournament hype with upsets and goals in abundance. Everything on the pitch has gone so well that it’s enough to make an anti-FIFA protester down tools and take up a Mexican wave. And this is only the beginning. Here’s our preview of the second round.
Fortaleza’s post-apocalyptic FIFA Fan Fest fails supporters’ fun test
A major part of the fan experience in the 12 host cities of the World Cup is the FIFA Fan Fest.
Keshi makes history as Super Eagles soar ahead
With Nigeria's breathtaking 3-2 loss to Argentina, Stephen Keshi made history.
Luis Suarez’s childlike actions require adult punishment from FIFA
Each World Cup always creates a new cast of heroes and villains, but this year one man has perfectly encapsulated both sides.
Who will survive the Group of Death?
The opening stages of the World Cup conclude with the final games in Group G and Group H on Thursday.
Country logistics make for a smooth ride to the game
Tuesday started with breakfast in the hotel among expectant Cote d'Ivoire technical staff here in Fortaleza as the team geared up for their final Group C game against Greece.
Will winners come from Groups E or F?
Groups E and F come to a conclusion Wednesday and it could be that we will witness the tournament’s eventual winners in action.
It’s all eyes on the tournament as Brazil move on to the last 16
Despite what you might think, Brazil doesn't quite grind to a halt when the national team play. However, it's hardly business as usual, even in a land where business can go very slowly indeed.