BB FANS

Cry God for Rooney, England and St George! Suddenly the nation's going cross-eyed with World Cup fever
Mail

Sorry, but I can't wait for England to get knocked out of the World Cup
By JULIE BURCHILL - Mail

He has the touch of an angel and the eye of an assassin... that's why our hopes rest on Wayne Rooney
By JAMIE REDKNAPP - Mail

World Cup Live: South Africa v Mexico
ITV1 London, Friday 11 June 2:30pm - 5:00pm

The World Cup is upon us at last, and the opening game, South Africa v Mexico (kick-off 3pm), is rather tasty. Steven Pienaar of Everton will flaunt his ambition to join Sir Alex Ferguson, but unless host nation South Africa enlist 1,000 Zulus from Rorke's Drift, they won't ruffle Mexico. The Mexicans outplayed England in their warm-up game, and certainly turned up the heat on Mr Capello's trousers. An offside goal, and another off Crouch's long arm, will not assuage the English doubts. Mexico are a slippery, silvery, saucy, scintillating set of sorcerers. They play proper football, possibly deriding Jose Mourinho - who's taken the game back to the Dark Ages - and look set for a place in the quarter-finals. Don your sombrero and shake your maracas.

Uruguay v France (kick-off 7:30pm) will unleash a flood of Guinness and a torrent of Irish bile. Remember the hand of Henry that put France in a trance? All the leprechauns are with Uruguay - the Black Spot of Blind Pew on les Bleus!


VIDEO Plus+: 447275

Subtitled, Widescreen, High definition
Radiotimes

World Cup 2010 fixtures list



World Cup fever is upon us and it's time to get in the beers - or stock up on teabags - aim the comfy chair at the TV and plan your viewing.

Whether you're a fanatic intent on absorbing every second of live football, a fan following the fortunes of your country, or a casual viewer looking to dip in and out of the tournament, see below for our comprehensive match list. We'll be adding links to where you can watch the games, and as results come in we'll update the fixtures.

Meanwhile, tell us how you're planning to enjoy the World Cup. Where will you be watching? At home? In the pub? At work? Which broadcaster gets your vote? BBC? ITV? Sky? And what are your essential preparations? Will you be painting your face? Wearing your lucky shirt, socks or pants? Or simply whispering a quick prayer? Post a comment below and let us know.

All the details below are for when kick-off starts. Read more about each game for the latest details of the TV coverage.

Group A

South Africa v Mexico - Friday 11 June 3:00pm (ITV)

Uruguay v France - Friday 11 June 7:30pm (BBC)

South Africa v Uruguay - Wednesday 16 June 7:30pm (BBC)

France v Mexico - Thursday 17 June 7:30pm (BBC)

Mexico v Uruguay - Tuesday 22 June 3:00pm (ITV)

France v South Africa - Tuesday 22 June 3:00pm (ITV)


Group B

Argentina v Nigeria - Saturday 12 June 3:00pm (BBC)

South Korea v Greece - Saturday 12 June 12:30pm (ITV)

Greece v Nigeria - Thursday 17 June 3:00pm (BBC)

Argentina v South Korea - Thursday 17 June 12:30pm (ITV)

Nigeria v South Korea - Tuesday 22 June 7:30pm (BBC)

Greece v Argentina - Tuesday 22 June 7:30pm (BBC)


Group C

England v USA - Saturday 12 June 7:30pm (ITV)

Algeria v Slovenia - Sunday 13 June 12:30pm (BBC)

Slovenia v USA - Friday 18 June 3:00pm (BBC)

England v Algeria - Friday 18 June 7:30pm (ITV)

Slovenia v England - Wednesday 23 June 3:00pm (BBC)

USA v Algeria - Wednesday 23 June 3:00pm (BBC red button)


Group D

Germany v Australia - Sunday 13 June 7:30pm (ITV)

Serbia v Ghana - Sunday 13 June 3:00pm (ITV)

Germany v Serbia - Friday 18 June 12:30pm (BBC)

Ghana v Australia - Saturday 19 June 3:00pm (BBC)

Ghana v Germany - Wednesday 23 June 7:30pm

Australia v Serbia - Wednesday 23 June 7:30pm (ITV)


Group E

Netherlands v Denmark - Monday 14 June 12:30pm (ITV)

Japan v Cameroon - Monday 14 June 3:00pm (BBC)

Netherlands v Japan - Saturday 19 June 12:30pm (ITV)

Cameroon v Denmark - Saturday 19 June 7:30pm (ITV)

Denmark v Japan - Thursday 24 June 7:30pm (BBC)

Cameroon v Netherlands - Thursday 24 June 7:30pm (BBC)


Group F

Italy v Paraguay - Monday 14 June 7:30pm (BBC)

New Zealand v Slovakia - Tuesday 15 June 12:30pm (BBC)

Slovakia v Paraguay - Sunday 20 June 12:30pm (BBC)

Italy v New Zealand - Sunday 20 June 3:00pm (ITV)

Slovakia v Italy - Thursday 24 June 3:00pm (ITV)

Paraguay v New Zealand - Thursday 24 June 3:00pm (ITV)


Group G

Ivory Coast v Portugal - Tuesday 15 June 3:00pm (ITV)

Brazil v North Korea - Tuesday 15 June 7:30pm (ITV)

Brazil v Ivory Coast - Sunday 20 June 7:30pm (BBC)

Portugal v North Korea - Monday 21 June 12:30pm (BBC)

Portugal v Brazil - Friday 25 June 3:00pm (BBC)

North Korea v Ivory Coast - Friday 25 June 3:00pm (BBC)


Group H

Honduras v Chile - Wednesday 16 June 12:30pm (ITV)

Spain v Switzerland - Wednesday 16 June 3:00pm (BBC)

Chile v Switzerland - Monday 21 June 3:00pm (BBC)

Spain v Honduras - Monday 21 June 7:30pm (ITV)

Chile v Spain - Friday 25 June 7:30pm (ITV)

Switzerland v Honduras - Friday 25 June 7:30pm (ITV)


Round of 16

1. Winner Group A v Runner-up Group B - Saturday 26 June 3:00pm

2. Winner Group C v Runner-up Group D - Saturday 26 June 7:30pm

3. Runner-up Group C v Winner Group D - Sunday 27 June 3:00pm

4. Winner Group B v Runner-up Group A - Sunday 27 June 7:30pm

5. Winner Group E v Runner-up Group F - Monday 28 June 3:00pm

6. Winner Group G v Runner-up Group H - Monday 28 June 7:30pm

7. Winner Group F v Runner-up Group E - Tuesday 29 June 3:00pm

8. Winner Group H v Runner-up Group G - Tuesday 29 June 7:30pm


Quarter-finals

9. Winner 5 v Winner 6 - Friday 2 July 3:00pm

10. Winner 1 v Winner 2 - Friday 2 July 7:30pm

11. Winner 4 v Winner 3 - Saturday 3 July 3:00pm

12. Winner 7 v Winner 8 - Saturday 3 July 7:30pm


Semi-finals

13. Winner 10 v Winner 9 - Tuesday 6 July 7:30pm

14. Winner 11 v Winner 12 - Wednesday 7 July 7:30pm


Match for third place

Loser 13 v Loser 14 - Saturday 10 July 7:30pm


2010 World Cup Final

Winner 13 v Winner 14 - Sunday 11 July 7:30pm
BBC

Africa Rising: A big day for football. A giant leap for a continent
With its vast resources and growing stability, Africa's moment may be about to come

By Paul Vallely - Independent

Fabio Capello's great love match: What matters most to him is his wife (just don't press him on his tax affairs)
By DAVID JONES - Mail

World Cup 2010: Diego Maradona – Argentina's prodigal son outshines stars
There are many stellar players here but only one box-office manager – and Argentina's icon basks in the attention
Guardian

World Cup diary: Those Hollywood Scientologists, they do like their soccerball
Tom Cruise and John Travolta demonstrate their love of soccer
Guardian

World Cup 2010: Saturday was the night Capello became an England manager
Injuries, goalkeeping howlers and Peter Crouch - this was the England World Cup experience in microcosm.
[url=World Cup 2010: Saturday was the night Capello became an England manager
Injuries, goalkeeping howlers and Peter Crouch - this was the England World Cup experience in microcosm Guardian

Controversial vuvuzela faces World Cup ban after players, fans and broadcasters complain about 'mosquitoes' noise
By CHRISTIAN GYSIN - Mail

Queen of the Australian WAGs Sheree Murphy cheers on the Socceroos... but their big day ends in embarrassing disaster
By JESSICA SATHERLEY - Mail