Football

Germany could lose Marco Reus for the World Cup after he pulled up with an ankle injury on Friday.

France winger Franck Ribery has been ruled out of the World Cup after failing to overcome a back injury.

Italy's two most influential players have a combined age of over 70 and their most prolific striker has been omitted over fitness concerns.

Netherlands captain Robin van Persie suffered a groin injury in his country's last World Cup warm-up match against Wales on Wednesday.

Lampard won three Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups, the Europa League and the Champions League with Chelsea.

Rossi has been left out of the Italy squad setting off for the World Cup in Brazil on Thursday, with Parma's Antonio Cassano preferred to the injury-plagued Fiorentina frontman.

Van Gaal named a mix of experience and youth in his final 23-man World Cup squad, as the Netherlands seek to go one better than their runner-up finish in 2010.

Julio Cesar said he starts the World Cup at home a lot more prepared than he was four years ago, when his mistake played a part in the team's elimination in South Africa.

Torres has dismissed concerns the Spain players may be over-tired after a gruelling season.

Bale completed a dream first season at Real Madrid as he paid off another large slice of his world record price tag with the decisive goal in a 4-1 Champions League final triumph.

The final test event at Itaquerao stadium has been pushed back, raising fresh uncertainty about the arena's readiness to host the opening match of the tournament.

Inter's under-fire coach Mazzarri has committed his future to the Serie A club following president Erick Thohir's vote of confidence earlier this month.

Di Natale scored a hat trick to help Udinese draw 3-3 against Sampdoria in Serie A match on Saturday, then announced he was going back on his decision to retire this year.

Arsenal go into Saturday's final against Hull City without having won anything in nine years.

The team went from champions to a seventh-place finish and fired manager David Moyes less than 10 months after succeeding Alex Ferguson.

Van der Wiel was the major casualty on Tuesday when coach Louis van Gaal sprung a few surprises in naming the Netherlands' preliminary squad of 30 for the finals in Brazil.