Paul the octopus, Taiyo the otter and the World Cup’s other psychic animals
From parakeets and monkeys to cats and koalas, our furry and feathered friends taunt us with their meerkat foresights
August 2020
Anelka: Misunderstood review – subtle portrait of an enigmatic talent
From a quenelle salute to World Cup controversy, the brilliant short-fuse striker comes with baggage, and this film does a fair job with some fraught material
April 2020
Joe Cole criticises 'disrespectful' Fabio Capello over David James jibe
Fabio Capello: 'I asked the players – Joe Hart or Calamity James?'
March 2020
My favourite game
My favourite game: Uruguay v Ghana, World Cup 2010 quarter-final
I was in the stadium to see Luis Suárez break Ghanaian hearts with his handball. It was cheating, but also an understandable act of self-sacrifice
July 2018
Which is the best World Cup ever? Rating contenders from 1954 to 2014
Before things kicked off in Russia we asked you to reminisce about your favourite World Cups. You did not disappoint
June 2018
‘On the pitch there was a divide’: tales behind England’s World Cup failures
World Cup all-time XIs
Philippe Albert picks his all-time Belgium XI
May 2018
World Cup stunning moments
World Cup stunning moments: France implode in South Africa
In open rebellion against their manager, France’s 2010 squad self-destructed as Thierry Henry watched impassively
August 2017
Tevez, Verón and Kuyt named as using TUEs at 2010 World Cup
The Football Association and Fifa have condemned the latest hack by the Fancy Bears group after details of failed drug tests and therapeutic use exemptions (TUEs) among footballers were made public
December 2015
Chelsea's Ramires shares the secret of his goal celebration dance – video
Chelsea’s Ramires talks to Joel, a keen football fan and pupil at the Archbishop Lanfranc academy in London, about his dance, his teams and the World Cup
September 2015
Paperback writer
Andreas Campomar: how football reflects my continent's soul
For Latin Americans, the game provides a rare chance to stand tall against richer nations – writing its history in ¡Golazo! became a personal odyssey
June 2015
Guardian Africa network
'By letting Omar al-Bashir escape, South Africa has sided with tyrants'
Justice Malala in Johannesburg
Courting leaders who defy the ICC and letting the Sudanese president fly out in a private jet reveals a disturbing indifference to international law, writes Justice Malala
Jack Warner wanted $7m bribe to vote for us as World Cup hosts, says Egypt
An Egyptian sports official said the country refused to pay a $7m bribe to Jack Warner when it bid for the 2010 World Cup
South Africa World Cup organiser under growing pressure over $10m payment in Fifa scandal
Fifa paid Irish FA to avoid legal case over Thierry Henry handball, says FAI chief - video
South Africa minister says Fifa payment of $10m was not World Cup bribe
May 2015
South Africa's sports minister denies paying bribes to host 2010 World Cup – video
Fikile Mbalula makes a statement regarding a US indictment against Fifa officials, saying South Africa was given a clean bill of health following an audit of its financial dealings
September 2014
South Africa spent £2.4bn to host the 2010 World Cup. What happened next?
Quinton Fortune: South Africa spent £2.4bn to host the 2010 World Cup. But judging by crowds at league games and Bafana Bafana’s results, the four years since have been disappointing
June 2014
Sportblog
Patrice Evra: from public enemy No1 to France’s understated leader
Stuart James:Castigated after France’s players boycotted training at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Patrice Evra has rebuilt his reputation under Didier Deschamps and is sure to start against Nigeria
