All 32 teams in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa had played their first match by Wednesday, with the last one a showdown between Spain and Switzerland in Group H. The first stage saw a relative scarcity of goals, traditional powerhouses struggling, and better-than-expected performance by Asian teams

Capsules for Wednesday's matches at the World Cup (FIFA rankings in parentheses):

JOHANNESBURG (AP) – The first World Cup ever held in Africa opened Friday in a dazzling burst of joy, color and noise—and just a tinge of sadness. Most of the fans were in the yellow jerseys of Bafana Bafana—the host country's team—which was playing Mexico following the pageantry.

6.10.10 – Johannesburg – The World Cup doesn't start until Friday, but one thing has already been firmly established here in South Africa: the United States delegation is considerably pleased with itself.

MAGALIESBURG, South Africa – A Portuguese photographer was held up at gunpoint early Wednesday and two other journalists also were robbed at the same World Cup hotel.

6.7.10 – JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – When the World Cup kicks off on June 11, South African soccer will have completed an incredible journey: from international pariah to host of the world’s greatest football tournament.

6.6.10 – TEMBISA, South Africa (AP) – Thousands of soccer fans stampeded outside a stadium Sunday before an exhibition game between Nigeria and North Korea, leaving 15 people injured, including one police officer who was seriously hurt.

6.6.10 – The North Korean national football team, which made it to the World Cup for the first time in 44 years, currently trains in the slum township of Tembisa in the East Rand region of Gauteng province of South Africa, about 30 minutes by car from Johannesburg

6.3.10 – We reveal: why English, Dutch, Spanish and Mexican fans are consumed by a volatile mixture of hope and dread; why Argentines could turn on their greatest soccer hero; why Ivory Coast may be the great African hope; why the American team may feel less pressure than any; and why North Koreans may be the only fans unable to watch their team.

6.1.10 – SAAS-FEE, Switzerland, June 1 (AP) – (Kyodo)—Japan goalkeeper Seigo Narazaki and central defender Marcus Tulio Tanaka have joined a growing number of players putting the boot in on the new World Cup ball.

5.31.10 – JOHANNESBURG—Several players are going all out against the new World Cup ball, with more than one comparing it to those bought on a supermarket.

5.30.10 – Johannesburg — Bafana Bafana head coach, Carlos Alberto Parreira, is adamant that his team is not going to be an easy target in the upcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup.

5.30.10 – Pretoria — Five times World Cup champions Brazil became the second team to arrive at the OR Tambo International Airport this morning for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

5.24.10 – ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi rejected opposition complaints of fraud in Sunday's national election and said he expected to win on the strength of his economic record.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — Irene Mokwatu, 53, wears a plastic garbage bag wrapped around her waist to protect her dress from the dust she is sweeping off the street.

Rwanda achieves impressive economic growth and aims for more.