Brazil heads to World Cup in South Africa

RIO DE JANEIRO — Brazil's World Cup squad met with the country's president on Wednesday before leaving for South Africa to begin its quest for a sixth world title. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva received the squad with bear hugs in the capital Brasilia. Brazil, led by Real Madrid playmaker Kaka, starts against North Korea on June 15. The other teams in Group G are Portugal and Ivory Coast in what many are calling the toughest group of the finals. – AP