Spain are crowned champions
The first world cup to be held in Africa has been a roaring success (and that's not just the noise of the vuvuzelas). After some tentative performances in the early group matches the tournament really came alive, and the knockout phase was as exciting as ever. While special mentions must go to Ghana for carrying the African flag into the quarter-finals, Uruguay for rekindling memories of 1930 and 1950 and going farther than any other American side and also to the Netherlands for not having an almighty team bust-up this time around, Spain are worthy winners and have become the first team to win the World Cup after losing their first match.
See you in 2014 in Rio!
Coverage
All of the BBC's allocated matches were shown on BBC1. The channels showing the matches allocated to ITV were decided as the tournament progressed and were shown on either ITV1 or ITV4.
All matches had radio commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live or 5 Live Sports Extra.
Latest News From FIFA
FIFA.com - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ - News
- From the construction site to the classroom
After their daily toil, construction workers at the Brazil 2014 stadiums are putting down their hard hats and picking up pencils and paper. Overtime pay and a basket of household items go to those who attend every class. - Dempsey, Fulham's American hero
FIFA.com takes a closer look at USA standout and Fulham marksman Clint Dempsey’s keen eye for goal, positional versatility and overall passion. - Tufegdzic: Nothing is impossible
Goran Tufegdzic speaks to FIFA.com about his Kuwait team’s final third-round qualifier in Korea Republic, which they need to win to keep their Brazil 2014 hopes alive, and their preparations for the make-or-break clash. - FIFA Fan Fest™ concept takes shape in the Host Cities
Representatives of FIFA, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and the 12 Brazilian Host Cities participated in a workshop in Recife on 25 and 26 January to discuss the official public viewing areas for the matches of the 2014 FIFA World Cup™. - Taylor: Bahrain have a mountain to climb
Bahrain have been one step away from reaching the last two FIFA World Cups™ but while their coach Peter Taylor tells FIFA.com the chances of reaching Brazil 2014 are slim, the Englishman says the Gulf nation has a bright future. - Invitation to Tender for “FIFA Food & Beverage Concessionaire Programme”
FIFA announces the opening of the tendering process and wishes to invite parties to submit tenders for the operation of the FIFA food and beverage operations for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ and the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013. - Park rules out Korean u-turn
Park Ji-sung today made it clear he will not be coming out of international retirement to help Korea Republic qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup™.
- Zico: Iraq can beat anyone
Brazil legend Zico, now in charge of Iraq's national team, tells FIFA.com how his side overcame early doubts to qualify for the final round of Asian Zone qualifiers - and why they can take the next step by qualifying for Brazil 2014. - Lebanon trio out to make history
Following a 3-1 win in the UAE last September, the club careers of Yousef Mohamed, Hassan Maatouk and Abbas Atwi changed for the better. Now the three are hoping to make history for their country. - Brazil 2014: The stadiums presented
FIFA.com gives you the lowdown on the 12 stadiums that will host the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil's 64 matches, with interesting facts and figures on these glittering arenas. - Rebelo: 2014 Bill will get vote in March
Following a Board meeting of the LOC for the 2014 FIFA World Cup™, Sports Minister Aldo Rebelo, FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke and Ronaldo answered questions at a media briefing in Rio. - Harnik: Austria should follow Swiss model
He may have been born and raised in Germany, but Martin Harnik's international allegiance is all Austria. FIFA.com spoke exclusively to the Stuttgart striker. - Ricketts: We have to be ambitious
Jamaica goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts claims that glory in the Caribbean Cup and an impressive showing at the CONCACAF Gold Cup will count for nothing if the team fail to qualify for Brazil 2014. - Valcke, Ronaldo begin venue tour
FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke and Brazilian icon Ronaldo, in his capacity as LOC Administration Board member, were both impressed with their first host city tour stops in Fortaleza and Salvador today. - Klinsmann: I’d love to play Mexico every day
The second half of FIFA.com’s two-part interview with USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann touches on his admiration from Mexico, player development, his hopes of finding a 'hidden Messi' and the road to Brazil 2014. - Valcke: Time for the baby to be born
FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke and Brazilian football icon Ronaldo successfully kicked-off the first leg of their 2012 roadshow today at the Ministry of Sports in Brasilia. - Klinsmann: USA need to be proactive
Jurgen Klinsmann chats to FIFA.com about his first six months as USA coach, desire to follow the blueprint of Spain and Barcelona and to see more Americans playing in the UEFA Champions League. - Choi banking on prolific Lee
Newly-appointed Korea Republic coach Choi Kang-Hee has outlined his aims for the national team ahead of their vital 2014 FIFA World Cup™ qualifier against Kuwait, with striker Lee Dong-Gook a major part of his plans. - Information on Volunteer Programme
FIFA.com answers some of the most Frequently Asked Questions relating to the Volunteer Programme for the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ Brazil, set to be launched in the coming months. - Toshack: A huge challenge
FYR Macedonia coach John Toshack speaks to FIFA.com about facing up to Wales in the Brazil 2014 qualifiers and about the scale of the task facing him in developing his team into a force to be reckoned with.
