The AP World Cup Digest at 10 a.m. EDT (1400 GMT). The supervisor of the World Cup desk in Rio de Janeiro is Simon Haydon. The desk can be reached at 0055 21 348 264 84.
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WCUP-SWITZERLAND-ECUADOR
BRASILIA, Brazil — A turn-off for fans of attacking football at the last two World Cups, a new-look Switzerland should be more entertaining with its crop of talented youngsters in the team's opening Group E match against Ecuador in Brasilia. By Steve Douglas. UPCOMING: 650 words, photos, expected by 2 p.m. EDT/1800 GMT.
WCUP-FRANCE-HONDURAS
PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil — France tries to put the painful memories of its last World Cup behind it when it takes on Group E underdog Honduras. By Chris Brummitt. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos, expected by 5 p.m. EDT/2100 GMT.
WCUP-ARGENTINA-BOSNIA
RIO DE JANEIRO — Two-time world champion Argentina opens its World Cup campaign in Rio de Janeiro's famous Maracana stadium against Bosnia-Herzegovina, a newcomer on football's premier stage. By Karl Ritter. UPCOMING: 650 words, photos, by 8 p.m. EDT/ 0000 GMT.
NEW/DEVELOPING
WCUP-US-GHANA
NATAL, Brazil — Once, it can happen. Twice, a pattern is starting to emerge. The United States hopes to avoid three straight losses to Ghana when the Americans play the Black Stars in the World Cup opener on Monday night. By Ronald Blum. UPCOMING: Developing from U.S. news conference at 2:15 p.m. EDT/1815 GMT.
WCUP-BRAZIL-MEXICO
TERESOPOLIS, Brazil — Brazil plays its second match of the World Cup against old rival Mexico on Tuesday, hoping another victory will be enough to secure a spot in the second round of the home tournament. After a difficult 3-1 win against Croatia in Thursday's opener, Brazil has a chance to advance to the round of 16 by beating the Mexicans in the northeastern city of Fortaleza. Mexico also started with a victory, beating Cameroon 1-0, and will similarly be looking to advance from Group A. By Tales Azzoni. SENT: 544 words, photos.
WCUP-BRAZIL-HULK
TERESOPOLIS, Brazil — Brazil starting striker Hulk has left the team's training session with an apparent muscle injury in his left leg. Hulk practiced for less than 15 minutes on Sunday when he felt something in his leg and left the field. SENT: 126 words.
WCUP-RUSSIA-SOUTH KOREA
CUIABA, Brazil — In his fourth and final World Cup as a player, Hong Myung-bo led South Korea on that famous run to the semifinals in 2002. Twelve years on, and now national team coach, it'll be some achievement if he gets the side beyond the group stage. By Steve Douglas. SENT: 506 words, photos.
WCUP-IRAN-NIGERIA
CURITIBA, Brazil — Iran and Nigeria have something in common ahead of their World Cup clash on Monday, and it's something both teams want to shake off. When they meet at the Arena da Baixada, Iran and Nigeria will be bidding for a first win in a World Cup match since France 1998. With Argentina the clear favorite in Group F, Iran and Nigeria are expected to compete with tournament newcomer Bosnia-Herzegovina for second spot. By Pan Pylas. SENT: 696 words.
WCUP-SPAIN-CHANGING OF THE GUARD
CURITIBA, Brazil — The Netherlands crushing defeat of Spain has precipitated a question that was likely to be asked after the World Cup — when will the Spanish veterans give way to the talented youngsters? That transition may come as soon as the crucial Group B match against Chile on Wednesday. By Paul Logothetis. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos. By 1 p.m. EST/1700 GMT.
WCUP-NATAL-THE AMERICANS
NATAL, Brazil — Long before the U.S. soccer team came to this breezy coastal city for the World Cup, another group of uniformed Americans came through. They brought a sliver of World War II, big band music, jobs and a population boom to an isolated part of Northeast Brazil, which just happened to a strategic key to fighting the Nazis. By Jim Vertuno. UPCOMING: 650 words by 4 p.m. EDT/2000 GMT.
WCUP--JAPAN'S CHALLENGE
ITU, Brazil — After a wrenching defeat against Ivory Coast, Japan's Blue Samurai try to regroup and find a Plan B to make it into the knockout stages by defeating Greece and Colombia in their remaining group matches. By Joji Sakurai. UPCOMING: 400 words by 6 p.m. EDT/2200 GMT.
WCUP-NETHERLANDS BLIND
RIO DE JANEIRO — Daley Blind gave his dad an early Father's Day present this week — two pin-point accurate passes to set up the first two goals in the Netherlands 5-1 demolition of Spain. By Mike Corder. UPCOMING 500 words, photos, by 6 p.m. EDT/2200 GMT.
WCUP-ROUNDUP
England knew surviving a group with two other former World Cup champions would be tough, but the team never expected to be trailing Costa Rica after the opening games. The small Central American nation with a minor World Cup pedigree came from behind to shock 2010 semifinalist Uruguay 3-1. Then Mario Balotelli — who else? — scored the decider for Italy in a 2-1 win over England. By Raf Casert. SENT. 702 words, photos.
WCUP-ENGLAND-ITALY
MANAUS, Brazil — With one nod of his head, Mario Balotelli gave Italy a 2-1 win over England and put the four-time champions in position to go far at the World Cup. The often volatile and often brilliant Italy striker was left unmarked at the far post, giving him plenty of space to head a cross from Antonio Candreva past goalkeeper Joe Hart for the winning goal. By Chris Lehourites. SENT: 794 words, photos.
WCUP-URUGUAY-COSTA RICA
FORTALEZA, Brazil — Watching from the bench, Luis Suarez saw just how much his teammates miss him. Uruguay was overrun 3-1 Saturday by Group D underdog Costa Rica at the World Cup, a stunning result for the team that reached the semifinals four years ago and had every reason to think it could repeat that in Brazil. By Derek Gatopoulos. SENT
WCUP-COLOMBIA-GREECE
BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil — Colombia started its first World Cup campaign in 16 years in dazzling fashion, beating Greece 3-0 to open Group C on Saturday in front of a big, loud pro-Colombian crowd. By Frank Griffiths. SENT
WCUP-IVORY COAST-JAPAN
RECIFE, Brazil — Didier Drogba came off the bench to inspire Ivory Coast to a 2-1 comeback victory over Japan in a World Cup Group C match on Saturday. Drogba, who had been carrying an injury, came on in the 62nd minute when his team was losing 1-0. By Brett Martel. SENT.
WCUP-ENGLAND-OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN
RIO DE JANEIRO — When Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's right knee buckled under the weight of a tackle, the England midfielder left the pitch fearing he might miss the World Cup. "With the timing of the injury, I did worry and fear the worst," he said, discussing the incident for the first time. "But from the scan results, and from everything the medical team have said, I got away quite lucky really." By Rob Harris. SENT: 414 words, photos.
WCUP-ITALY'S WEAPONS
MANAUS, Brazil — Pure class and pure power. Skill and strength. Creative vision and clinical finishing. Andrea Pirlo and Mario Balotelli are a study in contrasts on the football pitch. And off it. By Andrew Dampf. SENT: 628 words, photos.
WCUP-COSTA RICA-RAMPANT CAMPBELL
FORTALEZA, Brazil — Joel Campbell hasn't played a game for Arsenal since he signed with the Premier League club three years ago. If he keeps performing like this at the World Cup, he might soon get his chance. By Derek Gatopoulos. SENT: 372 words, photos.
WCUP-WHAT TO WATCH
RIO DE JANEIRO — France is preparing for its first World Cup match since leaving South Africa in disgrace four years ago following a player strike and a group-stage exit. Didier Deschamps' inexperienced squad needs to perform on the sport's biggest stage to win back supporters and is expected to beat Honduras on Sunday, which only compounds the pressure. By John Pye. SENT: 712 words, photos.
WCUP-ENGLAND-PHYSIO
MANAUS, Brazil — England's physiotherapist required treatment himself after being injured while celebrating a goal during Saturday's World Cup game against Italy. Gary Lewin dislocated an ankle after Daniel Sturridge equalized for England during the first half in Manaus as the England backroom staff celebrated on the bench. SENT. 111 words, photos.
ASLO:
RECIFE, Brazil — WCUP-BRAZIL BEAT. SENT. 900 words.
UNDATED — WCUP-ON THIS DAY-JUNE 15
News Topics: Sports, 2014 FIFA World Cup, International soccer, FIFA World Cup, Athlete injuries, Men's soccer, Soccer, Professional soccer, Events, Athlete health, Men's sportsPeople, Places and Companies: Hulk, Joe Hart, Luis Suarez, Didier Drogba, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Andrea Pirlo, Joel Campbell, Brazil, Italy, Rio de Janeiro, France, Spain, Recife, Nigeria, Japan, Ivory Coast, United States, Ghana, West Africa, Greece, Costa Rica, Colombia, Honduras, Uruguay, Iran, Argentina, South America, Latin America and Caribbean, Western Europe, Europe, Africa, East Asia, Asia, North America, Central America, Middle East, England, Netherlands, United Kingdom
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