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2010 FIFA World Cup Features

Waiting for Ghana in Soweto: Hundreds of South Africans took over Soweto on a cold Sunday afternoon, waiting for the Black Stars of Ghana to appear.
The diving instruction manual: While watching the World Cup, have you ever watched a player execute a perfect, ahem, "simulation" and wondered to yourself, "how in the world do they get so good at it?"
Iniesta sublime in Spanish win: The stylish but humble Andres Iniesta may just be the best midfielder in the game today, and he's become an indispensable player for semifinalist Spain.
Ghana loss puts African dream on hold: Africa's hope of seeing its own World Cup champion crowned on home soil ended with Ghana's 4-2 penalty shootout loss to Uruguay.
Remembering Canada's '86 World Cup team: It's hard to believe that 24 years have passed since the Canadian national team qualified for the World Cup for the first — and to this day the only — time in its history.
Racial reconciliation and the World Cup: Seeing South Africa's FIFA World Cup stadiums throb with fans of numerous nationalities makes it hard to imagine that sports in this country were once systematically divided along racial lines.
Have your say: Best goals of the World Cup: A lot of great goals were scored at the World Cup, but which one was the best? Check out our video montage and post your comments on the play that stands above the rest.
Vuvuzelas vs. the world (of noisemakers): It may turn into the lasting symbol of the 2010 World Cup, but how does the vuvuzela stack up to other soccer noisemakers?
Why does the World Cup matter?: Why will a cumulative viewing audience of 30 billion people around the world watch some part of the FIFA World Cup in South Africa? Simple: because soccer matters.
What the experts say: Groups G & H: CBC Sports commentators Nigel Reed and Jason de Vos, and CBCSports.ca soccer reporter John F. Molinaro offer their analysis and predictions for Groups G and H.
Ubuntu wheeling through streets of Soweto: A behind-the-scenes blog by the CBC News crew covering the 2010 World Cup
World Cup is big business: From a number of different fronts this year's World Cup tournament will be a commercial behemoth unparalleled in the history of the sport business industry.
A kaput car and surprise rescue: A behind-the-scenes blog about South Africa's 2010 World Cup by CBC's news crew
The Miracle on Grass: A full 30 years before the Miracle on Ice, the U.S. stunned mighty England 1-0 in a first-round game in Brazil in the greatest upset in World Cup history.
What the experts say: Groups C & D: CBC Sports commentators Nigel Reed and Jason de Vos, and CBCSports.ca soccer reporter John F. Molinaro offer their analysis and predictions for Groups C and D.
Musical kicks: 10 notable World Cup songs: When soccer's World Cup rolls around every four years, many singers decide to record a nationalistic tune that's suppose to inspire their country's squad to victory.
A number of risks: Group G: Every pundit's pick as the recognizable Group of Death of the 2010 World Cup, Group G, is difficult to forecast. Who will win it? Brazil? Portugal? Ivory Coast? North Korea?
FIFA fever: CBC crew blogs from South Africa about the 2010 World Cup
North American media all over the World Cup: The proliferation of media and technology are working in tandem to provide sports fans unprecedented coverage of this year's World Cup in South Africa.
What the experts say: Groups A & B: CBC Sports commentators Nigel Reed and Jason de Vos, and CBCSports.ca soccer reporter John F. Molinaro offer their analysis and predictions for Groups A and B.
A number of risks: The other Groups of Death: No nation enters FIFA's showpiece willing to capitulate on the biggest stage, but those countries in the proverbial Group of Death have the toughest road to overcome.
Satire: The ball bites back: CBCSports.ca writer and humorist Brandon Hicks pokes a little fun at all of the players who are complaining about the ball that will be used at the World Cup.
France needs a leader at World Cup: Raymond Domenech's snub for Patrick Vieira has left France with no obvious leader either on or off the pitch for its World Cup campaign in South Africa.
World Cup memories: Maradona's Goal of the Millennium, 1986: Esteemed soccer journalist Mark Gleeson recalls his favourite World Cup memory: Diego Maradona's Goal of the Millennium for Argentina in 1986 in Mexico.
Booth 'realistic' about South Africa's chances: Matthew Booth believes if South Africa can duplicate its Confederations Cup performance, his team will surprise a lot of people at the World Cup.
Stephen Hart weighs up CONCACAF's World Cup teams: Canadian national team coach Stephen Hart believes of the three CONCACAF nations set to compete at the World Cup, only two will advance to the second round.
Yugoslavia and the breakup of its soccer team: After a series of wars that brought death and devastation in the former Yugoslavia, seven countries exist where one once did, and seven soccer teams have replaced one.
U.S. soccer's 1st family: The Bradleys: Think Michael Bradley is only on the U.S World Cup roster because his father's the coach? Think again. He's one of the best American players in the world.
World Cup crime: Reality vs. hysteria: Media-fuelled hysteria about crime in South Africa is scaring some tourists off from attending the World Cup, and prompting others to take unusual measures to ensure their safety.
World Cup city profile: Bloemfontein: Bloemfontein, the judicial capital of South Africa, will host six first-round matches at the World Cup, including France vs. South Africa on June 22.
Do Groups of Death live up to their name?: Is the Group of Death really the tournament-killer that the media and fans have made it out to be, or is it actually beneficial for teams to have an early trial by fire?
In defence of Raymond Domenech: Given the negative reaction that Raymond Domenech inspires in his own country, it is a sobering thought that he has made history as France coach.
Cambiasso's goal pure magic: One hundred and forty-seven goals were scored at the 2006 World Cup, but none came close to matching the sheer beauty of Esteban Cambiasso's effort against Serbia and Montenegro.
Memories of Mexico and the World Cup: CBC Sports reporter Scott Morrison, a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, recalls his experiences covering the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.
Graham Poll philosophical about yellow card error: Graham Poll was one of the best refs of his generation, but the Englishman will always be remembered for his yellow card gaffe at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
History of the World Cup Trophy: It stands 36.8 centimetres high, weighs 6.1 kilograms, is made of solid, 18-carat gold — and it's one of the most sought-after prizes in all of sports.
U.S. midfielder Feilhaber hits his stride in Denmark: For American midfielder Benny Feilhaber, a stint with Danish club AGF Aarhus has revitalized his international career and given him a chance to play for the U.S. at the World Cup.
Nothing rotten in state of Denmark: Few people gave Denmark much of a chance of emerging from a qualifying group that included Portugal and Sweden. Benny Feilhaber was not one of the doubters.
Winning all that matters to Selecao: Regarded as spiritual guardians of the game, Brazil has been mythologized both from within and afar. But the truth is that winning is all that matters to the Selecao.
England's hopes rest on Rooney: If the World Cup is a music festival featuring the world's best rock bands then there can only be one headline act. Ladies and gentlemen, the English national team.
A tale of two Lionel Messis: Why hasn't Lionel Messi, the best player on the planet, been able to duplicate his outstanding club form with FC Barcelona for Argentina's national team?
Brazil more serious under Dunga: Since taking over the national team in the aftermath of the team's 2006 World Cup failure, Dunga has turned Brazil from under-achievers into world-beaters.
A counter-attacking World Cup?: If current trends are any indication, the 2010 World Cup could be all about the counter-attack, and soccer played at a breakneck pace.
The World Cup's 1st goal scorer: His name doesn't register with the majority of fans, but Frenchman Lucien Laurent enjoys a very special place in soccer folklore, having scored the very first goal at the World Cup.
All Hail Fabio Capello: If England wins the World Cup next year, Fabio Capello should be instantly knighted by the Queen, have gold statues of his likeness erected all across the country and the new Wembley Stadium renamed Stadio Capello in his honour.
Spain brimming with confidence ahead of World Cup: The 2010 World Cup hasn't even kicked off, but Spain is being touted as one of the tournament favourites – and for good reason.
Beware the perils of the World Cup qualifiers: A successful qualification campaign doesn't guarantee World Cup success.
South Africa to host 1st winter World Cup in 32 years: The weather is always a hot topic of discussion in the months leading up to the World Cup, as blistering temperatures have led to difficult playing conditions at past tournaments.