World Cup 2010 News Update: Ghana ready for life without Essien

While Ghana's Black Stars are still in disbelief following the news that their skipper and talisman, Michael Essien, will not make the trip to the FIFA World Cup™, Ghana coach, Milovan Rajevac has assumed a more pragmatic approach to preparing his team for a life without the midfield maestro.

“It’s a big blow, not only to the team but to the country,” he told FIFA.com. “He is an instrumental player, he is important to this team. Michael is a winner, he is a big asset and we are all sad about the fact that we will go to South Africa without him. He is one of the most experienced players in my team and I have no doubt that he was going to have a positive contribution to our ambitions,” Rajevac added.

The Serb, however, has now turned his attention to building

World Cup 2010 News Update: USA arrived to World Cup 2010 and ready to get the Title

The 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa (OC) would like to welcome the national team of the United States of America, who arrived in the country for the tournament this afternoon (31 May) at OR Tambo International Airport.

“The USA won the hearts of many South Africans when they made it to the final of the FIFA Confederations Cup last year and we welcome them back to South Africa. With over 136,000 tickets already sold to their fans, the USA will be followed by many passionate fans in the coming weeks,” said Jordaan.

“Obviously for us it’s different to other teams. We have been here

World Cup 2010 News Update: Australia the first team to arrive in South Africa ahead of 2010 FIFA World Cup

The 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa (OC), represented by Chief Executive Officer Dr Danny Jordaan and SAFA President, Kirsten Nematandani, welcomed Australia’s Socceroos as the first participating team in the country for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.

Australia landed at 18h35 this evening (26 May) at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.

“We are pleased to welcome Australia as the first team to arrive in our country. We all know that the stadiums are all ready, everything is in place and now the teams are finally here. More importantly though, our people are ready. From now, we have to concentrate on the kickoff match in few days time,” said Jordaan.

SAFA President, Nematandani, was there to

World Cup 2010 Ticket: Last tickets released for public sale

 

From Friday, 28 May at 9.00am, there will be around 90,000 additional tickets for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ available for public sale across all 64 matches, including the Final, the Opening Game and the two Semi-Finals. In total there are about 160,000 tickets still available for the public via the current sales channels (FIFA.com, Call Centre, Ticketing Centres, FNB Branches and Shoprite/Checkers).

34,000 of these tickets are available in

World Cup 2010 News Update: Bafana Bafana extend unbeaten run. Beat Colombia 2-1

South Africa extended an unbeaten run to nine games since Carlos Alberto Parreira returned as coach last November with a 2-1 victory over Colombia on Thursday in a tense 2010 FIFA World Cup™ warm-up.

The host nation played better football when drawing with Bulgaria three days ago, but the sell-out 75,000 crowd at Soccer City did not care as they celebrated a winning Bafana Bafana (The Boys) debut at the rebuilt stadium. All the goals came from

World Cup 2010 News Update: Holland downs El Tri by Persie

A double from Robin van Persie was enough to see Holland step up their 2010 FIFA World Cup™ preparations with victory over Mexico at Badenova-Stadion in Freiburg.

The Arsenal striker opened the scoring after 17 minutes and then doubled the hosts' lead just before the half-time interval before Javier Hernandez, who will play for Manchester United next season, pulled one back for the visitors.

Stijn Schaars and Demy De Zeeuw were handed chances to impress in

World Cup 2010 News Update: Bojinov equaliser denies Bafana

South Africa continued their build-up to a FIFA World Cup™ they will host with a promising, yet ultimately disappointing, 1-1 draw with Bulgaria in Johannesburg. Thanduyise Khuboni gave Bafana Bafana the lead just before the midway point of a first half they dominated, but Valeri Bojinov's 31st-minute strike pegged the home side back.

Changes after the break by coach Carlos Alberto Parreira meant the shape of the team was altered, and they never looked the same in the second period.  "I am happy with the performance because Bulgaria provided the sort of high-level opposition we will face during the World Cup," said the South Africa coach. "We were on top

World Cup 2010 News Update: Cape Verdean minnows hold Portuguese

Portugal suffered a blow to their morale ahead of next month's 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ as they were held to a 0-0 draw at home in Covilha by minnows Cape Verde Islands, who are 117th on the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking.

Cristiano Ronaldo was a peripheral figure for the first hour of the match, leaving the creative play to Nani and Fabio Coentrao.

However, their invention was wasted as Liedson missed with two headers in the 17th and 26th minutes, while the Manchester United winger was also guilty of missing a golden opportunity when set up by a delightful back-heel by Deco.

Ronaldo, whose first season at Real Madrid ended in disappointment with no

World Cup 2010 News Update: Argentina cruise against Canada

Two-time FIFA World Cup™ winners Argentina eased to a 5-0 victory over Canada in Buenos Aires in a morale-boosting performance ahead of departing to South Africa on Friday.

Even without the side's superstar Lionel Messi, who was rested and sat watching from the stands, the Argentinians had little trouble from one of the game's minnows as they cruised to a fifth successive victory this year, albeit three have come against second tier opposition.

Nevertheless Argentina's unpredictable coach Diego Maradona was delighted with

World Cup 2010 News Update: England beat up Mexico at Wembley

A spectacular solo strike from Glen Johnson lit up an otherwise workmanlike performance from England as they recorded a 3-1 win over Mexico at Wembley.

Ledley King marked his first appearance in a Three Lions shirt since 2007 with the opening goal, and Peter Crouch made it 21 goals in 38 internationals as Fabio Capello's team recovered from a shaky start to take control of their final home friendly before they head to the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. Guillermo Franco responded for El Tri on the stroke of half-time, but Johnson's lovely, left-footed effort, just after the interval, ensured the encounter finished with a scoreline that was morale-boosting if a little flattering for the hosts.

Capello admitted Mexico had given his side problems but was happy with the evening's workout. "I'm happy with the result," he said. "I knew Mexico is

World Cup 2010 News Update: Lagerback opts for 'Premier' strikers

Lars Lagerback has included 33-year-old striker Kanu, while also recalling John Utaka and Everton's Victor Anichebe in his 30-man provisional squad for the FIFA World Cup.

Utaka had been overlooked by former boss Amodu Shaibu for the African Nations Cup earlier this year while Anichebe has only recently returned from injury.

"Individual skills and fitness levels were considered when picking the players," Lagerback said. "It does not matter if a player is 20 or 35 years old."

There were also call-ups for Anichebe's Everton team-mates Joseph Yobo and Ayegbeni Yakubu while injured Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel was also named.

Mikel missed the final three games of recently-crowned English

World Cup 2010 News Update: Injured trio make Spain squad

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has picked injured stars Andreas Iniesta, Fernando Torres and Cesc Fabregas in his provisional 30-man squad for this summer's 2010 FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa.

Iniesta and Barcelona team-mate Xavi have both been injured but the latter has recently been back in the Nou Camp club's side.

Fabregas missed the run-in to Arsenal's season and Torres has also been on the sidelines for Liverpool.

Del Bosque has included five

World Cup 2010 News Update: Lippi talks Totti, Nesta and Amauri

Fans will have to wait until next week to discover if Francesco Totti will return to the Italy squad, according to coach Marcello Lippi.

The Roma idol retired from international duty after winning the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™ and has repeatedly broken down with injuries in the four years since. But there is media speculation that Totti may return to the Azzurri set-up as they prepare to defend their title at South Africa 2010.

"Will Totti be the only surprise on my list?" Lippi said. "I will give the list of the provisional squad on May 11. Of that list of 30 players, I will then have to reduce it to 23."

Will Totti be the only surprise on my list? I will give the list of the provisional squad on May 11. Of that list of 30 players, I will then have to reduce it to 23. [Italy coach Marcello Lippi]

The Italy coach did announce that AC Milan defender Alessandro Nesta, who has turned down Lippi's advances