Scotland play down interest in Petrescu

SFA has cancelled a meeting with the former Chelsea player and says there is not a shortlist yet for the national job

Chelsea’s Essien out until February

Ghana midfield player may miss African Cup of Nations after tearing right hamstring in Champions League draw with Apoel

Owen keeps alive chance of World Cup role

Hopes of going to fourth World Cup finals could rest on the fate of Theo Walcott, his successor as nation’s favourite boy wonder

Capello on the spot over English disease

Nerveless Italian has much work to do ahead of World Cup to instil same belief in taking penalties as he had as a player

Ibrahimovic refuses to 'sacrifice' himself for Sweden

Barcelona striker says he will no longer play in international friendly matches in order to concentrate on his club career

England fans set to enjoy box seats

Fifa do not expect the full allocation of 308,000 seats reserved for corporate hospitality guests at World Cup to be taken up

US hoping to catch Rooney napping

England striker slept through World Cup draw, but the contingent of Americans playing in England are eyeing World Cup shock

Best & Worst: Tony Daley

The former England star talks about beating Manchester United to the League Cup and working with Graham Taylor

How England will win Group C

Fabio Capello’s side will begin as strong favourites to win their group – but they must not be complacent

England worthy favourites but beware of Argentina

Despite Diego Maradona, the South American giants have enough talented players to be serious contenders for the trophy

England's rivals in Group C: Slovenia

Matjaz Kek's men are seasoned giantkillers, and have already come close to dismaying England in a friendly at Wembley

Wenger on collision course with Cruyff

Holland legend looks to pick Cesc Fabregas this month as coach for full-strength Catalonia side against Argentina

Dunne looking towards the future

Aston Villa defender wants to move on from Ireland’s exit and scotches rumours of a players’ revolt before the France game

England's rivals in Group C: Algeria

Rabah Saadane's men have risen from outside the top 100 in the Fifa rankings last year to 28th place

The Sunday Times guide: Group H

Will Switzerland, Honduras or Chile be able to stop the top-ranked European Champions, Spain, from progressing?

Socceroos eye the old enemy

The Australians have a simple plan: qualify ahead of Serbia and Ghana as runners-up to Germany, then embarrass the Poms

The Sunday Times guide: Group A

France, unpopular after their qualification at the expense of Ireland , take on hosts South Africa plus Mexico and Uruguay