JOHANNESBURG - Alexandre Pato is following Brazil around South Africa as a fan after failing to make his country's World Cup squad.

Some Kiwi ladies are hoping for a different kind of score when the soccer World Cup kicks off this weekend in South Africa.

JOHANNESBURG - Mexico's main doubt going into Friday's World Cup opener against host South Africa is the identity of its striker. Will it be veteran Guillermo Franco or youthful Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez?

MULDERSDRIFT - The Socceroos have vowed to regroup and take inspiration from reserve goalkeeper Brad Jones' bravery after the family tragedy which looks certain to force him out of the World Cup.

Simon Elliott's journey has been a long and hard one - and will hopefully reap some reward in South Africa this month.

The NZ Herald finds 10 genuine reasons to believe the All Whites might find success in South Africa.

The Maori Party will go to Parliament seeking an apology from the Government for the exclusion of Maori players from the All Black tours to apartheid-era South Africa.

The Miramar kid recalls those who inspired him on his Cup path, writes Chris Rattue.

ATHENS - AEK Athens midfielder Grigoris Makos and Panionios defender Giorgos Tzavelas were dropped without surprise for Greece's final World Cup squad on Tuesday.

PM John Key says an apology to Maori rugby players excluded from All Blacks tours to South Africa is a matter between unions.

All you need to know about the grounds where the All Whites will play their World Cup matches, plus the semis and final venues.

Israel yesterday described as baseless reported findings in a new book that it offered to sell nuclear warheads to South Africa in 1975.

Small doses of the male sex hormone testosterone can make people less trusting of strangers, scientists have found.

Accusations of a player-poaching drive have given extra spice to an already tantalising Super 14 semi between the Crusaders and Bulls.

Richie McCaw's men can square their previous loss against the Bulls but they must fire on all cylinders, writes Wynne Gray.