The 2014 World Cup begins on June 12, when Brazil plays Croatia in the opening match. Reporters and editors for The Times will count down to the start of the tournament each day with a short capsule of news and interesting tidbits.

Things have gone from bad to worse to potentially devastating for Jozy Altidore.

After a stellar goal-scoring splurge for the United States men’s national team, Altidore’s big-money move from AZ of the Netherlands to Sunderland of England’s Premier League is in tatters.

On Saturday, Altidore was again missing not only from Sunderland’s starting lineup, but he also was banished from the club’s 18-man game-day roster for the Black Cats’ match against visiting Everton.

And while the Toffees’ American goalkeeper Tim Howard is having a strong season and is certain to be the United States’ No. 1 in Brazil, Altidore’s World Cup prospects now appear far less sanguine. Jurgen Klinsmann, the coach of the United States, has been candid about favoring in-form players, and right now, Altidore is not only not in form, he is not even in the team in England.