The 2014 FIFA World Cup will take place between 12 June-13 July, 2014 in Brazil. It is the 19th edition of Soccer's most prestigious tournament. The host country Brazil qualifies automatically for the tournament whereas the other 31 nations went through a rigorous qualification phase to book their ticket to South America.
Brazil, having already won five titles, are very strong favorites to win the tournament. There are only seven other nations that have also won the World Cup: Argentina, England, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Uruguay. The current World Cup champion Spain is also a strong favorite to win the tournament as is three-time champion Germany and two-time champion Argentina.
When: Thursday, June 26, at 5 p.m. BST (12 p.m. ET)
Where: Brasilia, Brazil
TV: BBC HD (UK only); ESPN (US only)
Live Stream: BBC iPlayer (UK only); ESPN Player (US only)
Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal look to save their World Cup participation as they face Ghana in the final match of Group G on Thursday.
The European nation will hope that Germany or USA can inflict a heavy defeat on each other, opening the door for a goalscoring victory to edge Ronaldo and company into the knockout round.
However, if USA v Germany finishes in a draw, they will both qualify from the group regardless of what happens between Portugal and Ghana.
Brazil, having already won five titles, are very strong favorites to win the tournament. There are only seven other nations that have also won the World Cup: Argentina, England, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Uruguay. The current World Cup champion Spain is also a strong favorite to win the tournament as is three-time champion Germany and two-time champion Argentina.
When: Thursday, June 26, at 5 p.m. BST (12 p.m. ET)
Where: Brasilia, Brazil
TV: BBC HD (UK only); ESPN (US only)
Live Stream: BBC iPlayer (UK only); ESPN Player (US only)
Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal look to save their World Cup participation as they face Ghana in the final match of Group G on Thursday.
The European nation will hope that Germany or USA can inflict a heavy defeat on each other, opening the door for a goalscoring victory to edge Ronaldo and company into the knockout round.
However, if USA v Germany finishes in a draw, they will both qualify from the group regardless of what happens between Portugal and Ghana.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal look to save their World Cup participation as they face Ghana in the final match of Group G on Thursday.
The European nation will hope that Germany or USA can inflict a heavy defeat on each other, opening the door for a goalscoring victory to edge Ronaldo and company into the knockout round.
However, if USA v Germany finishes in a draw, they will both qualify from the group regardless of what happens between Portugal and Ghana.
current generation's greatest footballer? But so far, at the Brazilian World Cup, Lionel Messi is winning the boxing match with Cristiano Ronaldo by a margin.
The Argentina wizard has dragged his nation to two group victories with two prized goals oozing with drama and breathtaking class.
However, Ronaldo has also now got in on the act with a world-class cross, deep into injury-time, leading to the goal that saved Portugal's tournament, against USA.
The late individual piece of genius from Ronaldo led the Mail Online's Adam Crafton to recognise the arrival of CR7 at the tournament.
The reporter tweeted:
The Real Madrid attacker has clearly not been fit for some time as he struggles to find form after a knee injury that nearly ruined the end of his campaign for his club.
But Portugal have shown they are half a team without him—so a half-fit Ronaldo is better than a fully fit replacement.
Portugal know that the gloves must now come off in their final match and only a convincing victory against a tough Ghana side will see them stand a chance of progressing.
The pressure on Ronaldo is immense but this is not something that usually fazes him. He enjoys the spotlight and the attention but on one leg he is restricted, both physically and mentally
The USA will play Portugal in a massive World Cup 2014 Group G on Sunday. Portugal suffered a blowout loss to Germany in their opening game, and will look to resurrect their challenge for the World Cup by winning against the United States today. However, the USA finally defeated Ghana at the third time of asking, having been knocked out by them in the previous two World Cups. They know if they can just secure a draw today it would give them a fantastic chance of going through to the Last 16.
Today's big game between the USA and Portugal will kick off at 6 p.m. ET and can be watched on TV on the ESPN network. The game can also be watched online through free live stream (details below).
Big news for the United States ahead of the game is that even though match winner Clint Dempsey broke his nose in the win over Ghana, he has been passed fit and will start today's crunch match with Portugal.
Defender Matt Besler will also be available, although USA manager Jurgen Klinsmann will likely be forced to start Aaron Johannsson to replace the injured Jozy Altidore.
For Portugal there have been big doubts around the fitness of star player Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of today's game. He has a serious injury to his left knee and has been seen training with it taped up all week. However, the pre-match reports claim that he has been passed fit and will line-up against the United States today in a must-win game for Portugal.
Many are wondering how Portugal will react today after their 0-4 humbling to Germany in their opening match. That is their heaviest ever loss at a World Cup Finals, and it will either have knocked the confidence from the team, or it will have given them greater resolve to react today.
Klinsmann has said of Portugal ahead of the game: "Now (Portugal) are going to come into Manaus pretty angry and I don't know how Ronaldo is going to perform when he is angry."
