Had qualification for the World Cup been decided by population, Spain would only just have made it for the past seven tournaments. Ranked 31st by that metric, they lag behind Myanmar, Sudan and Colomb

Africa Cup of Nations: a “ludicrous finale” to ...

Simon Kuper World Cup Fever A footballing journey in nine tournaments 352pp. Profile. £20. Jonathan Wilson The Power and the Glory A new history of the World Cup 608pp. Abacus. £25. In 1994, a column

Currently ranked third in the world, the England squad stands a great chance of winning the forthcoming Guinness Six Nations thanks to a host of inspiring young players, predicts Owain Jones

The holders advance to the knockout phase, but defending their European crown will be tricky

Jamie Evans picks out the sides that will be on World Soccer’ s radar for the rest of the season