US team arrives for World Cup

Bob Bradley's WC squad jetted into South Africa amidst tight security, the Americans who became the surprise package at the 2009 FIFA Confederations will be hoping to do even better this time around.

The squad is sitting in Group C alongside England, Algeria and Slovenia. They'll face England in their opening encounter in Rustenburg.

And to ensure security around the teams and match is sound, the US and UK authorities are sending security experts to conduct an assessment of arrangements on the ground.

May 30 International friendlies results

Mexico 5 - 1 Gambia

Paraguay 2 - 2 Ivory Coast

Nigeria 0 - 0 Colombia

Chile 1 - 0 N. Ireland

Japan 1 - 2 England

Tunisia 1 - 1 France

May 29 International friendlies results

Hungary 0 - 3 Germany

Spain 3 - 2 Saudi Arabia

New Zealand 1 - 0 Serbia

Sweden 4 - 2 Bosnia-Herzegovina

United States 2 - 1 Turkey

Venezuela 1 - 1 Canada

Iceland 4 - 0 Andorra

Ukraine 3 - 2 Romania

Slovakia 1 - 1 Cameroon

Norway 2 - 1 Montenegro

Poland 0 - 0 Finland

UAE 3 - 2 Moldova

Argentina and Denmark arrive in South Africa

The Danish national team and Maradona's Argentina have joined Australia and Brazil as the early birds to land at the O.R. Tambo Airport in Johannesburg.

The Danish will face Cameroon, Japan and Netherlands in Group E. While their South American counterparts face Korea Republic, Nigeria and Greece.

Ticket centres resume sales

FIFA announced ticket centres are back online, and they'll close very late to cater for the fans inconvenienced by the delays - so far up to 25,000 tickets have been sold.

FIFA Ticketing system crashes nationwide

As people throng ticketing centres around South Africa to buy the last 150 000 World Cup tickets available, the computer system has once again crumbled under immense pressure.

This is despite assurances by FIFA officials that problems experienced at the onset of over-the-counter ticket sales were ironed out.

The final mad rush for World Cup tickets, has also seen a substantial number of people from countries such as Botswana joining queues in SA.

South Africa beat Colombia

The 2010 hosts, SA are certainly showing signs of improvement since the World Cup winning Brazilian coach, Carlos Parreira (above) rejoined the side in November.

The 83rd ranked team have recently notched victories against Jamaica, Thailand and now more significantly against 35th ranked Colombia 2-1.

Bafana Bafana will also play Guatemala and Denmark before facing Mexico in their WC opening encounter.

Brazil arrive in South Africa

The Samba Kings landed at the O.R Tambo Airport, hot on the heels of the Australian national team who jetted in yesterday.

The arrivals signal the beginning of an extraordinary event on African soil.

Brazil are set to play Zimbabwe and Tanzania as part of their preparations. The five time winners of the FIFA World Cup will go on to lock horns against Portugal, North Korea and Ivory Coast in Group G.

May 26 International friendlies results

France 2 - 1 Costa Rica

Uruguay 4 - 1 Israel

Netherlands 2 - 1 Mexico
Chile 3 - 0 Zambia

Turkey 2 - 0 N. Ireland

Azerbaijan 1 - 1 Moldova

Estonia 0 - 0 Croatia

Socceroos first team to arrive for SWC

The Australian national team has landed in South Africa ahead of thirty other participating teams, the squad is set to lock horns against European giants Germany in their opening match of the FIFA World Cup.

The Aussies who're fresh from a victory in a friendly against New Zealand, will be hoping to do better than the second round they managed in Germany 2006.

May 25 International friendlies results

Armenia 3 - 1 Uzbekistan

Ukraine 4 - 0 Lithuania

Georgia 0 - 0 Cameroon

Nigeria 0 - 0 Saudi Arabia
Montenegro 0 - 1 Albania

Ireland 2 - 1 Paraguay

Greece 2 - 2 North Korea

USA 2 - 4 Czech Republic

May 24 International friendlies results

In a match played at Wembley England subdued a resilient Mexico national team 3 - 1, while Portugal failed to score a single goal against minnows Cape Verde. And the rest of friendlies turned out as follows -

Australia 2 - 1 N. Zealand

Japan 0 - 2 South Korea

Argentina 5 - 0 Canada

South Africa 1 - 1 Bulgaria

France's Lassana Diarra out of WC

Le Bleus' defensive midfielder Diarra was part of coach Raymond Domenech's plans for the soccer spectacle, but now the mentor has to pick a replacement due to the player's stomach problems which require a lengthy lay off.

Arsenal's Abou Diaby will most likely take over, as the French national team look forward to their opening encounter against Uruguay in South Africa.

Mexico face England at Wembley

World Cup bound Mexico are in England, to play the hosts as part of their preparations for the crunch tie against 90th ranked South Africa on the 11th of June.

Tonight El Tri have their work cut out in the 'Three Lions' favorite hunting ground. Mexico's coach Aguirre has assembled a full strength squad for the encounter.

The South Americans will also lock horns against Netherlands (26 May), Gambia (30 May) and Italy (3 June).

Meanwhile, their Group A opponents South Africa have a date against Bulgaria. The 2010 hosts are fresh from a draw against North Korea, and two wins against Jamaica and Thailand.

Greece national team 2010

Goalkeepers: Michalis Sifakis (Aris), Alexandros Tzorvas (Panathinaikos), Costas Chalkias (PAOK Thessaloniki)

Defenders: Sotiris Kyrgiakos (Liverpool), Vangelis Moras (Bologna), Sokratis Papastathopoulos (Genoa), Giourkas Seitaridis (Panathinaikos), Loukas Vintra (Panathinaikos), Nikos Spiropoulos (Panathinaikos), Stergos Marinos (Panathinaikos), Avraam Papadopoulos (Olympiakos), Giorgos Galitsios (Olympiakos), Vassilis Torosidis (Olympiakos), Costas Manolas (AEK Athens), Stelios Malezas (PAOK), Giorgos Tzavelas (Panionios)

Midfielders: Alexandros Tziolis (Siena), Christos Patsatzoglou (Omonia), Costas Katsouranis (Panathinaikos), Giorgos Karagounis (Panathinaikos), Sotiris Ninis (Panathinaikos), Lazaros Christodoulopoulos (Panathinaikos), Grigoris Makos (AEK Athens), Thanassis Prittas (Aris)

Strikers: Georgios Samaras (Celtic), Angelos Charisteas (FC Nuremberg), Pantelis Kapetanos (Steaua Bucharest), Fanis Gekas (Hertha Berlin), Dimitris Salpingidis (Panathinaikos), Costas Mitroglou (Olympiakos)

Cape Town Stadium - A gem on mountain side

With a few weeks left before the start of the FIFA World Cup, the Cape Town Stadium (Greenpoint), stands out as one of the most magnificent stadiums set to host this year's soccer spectacle.

The facility was completed well ahead schedule, built at a cost of R4.4 billion ($600 000 million), construction began on the 26th of March 2007. GMP Architects of Germany handled the project in conjunction with two local firms. The stadium resembles a rose colored bowl on a base under night lights, its roof is made of glass panels designed to protect spectators from the city's particularly strong winds and rain.

During the 2010 tournament it will play host to eight matches and comes with strong safety features that enables evacuation of its 68 000 capacity crowd in 15 minutes.

The shape of an African World Cup

Situated in Johannesburg, Soccer City Stadium (the Calabash) embodies a truly African symbol.

And manages to capture the essence of the spirit of Africa, making the facilility truly representative of the 52 nations honoured by the staging of the event here for the first time.

Soccer City is the biggest stadium on the continent, and comes with some of the best amenities.

Its shape resembles a traditional brewing accessory used in many parts of Africa. Soccer City will host the opening and closing ceremony of the 2010 WC.

Brazil World Cup squad 2010

Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Gomes (Tottenham), Doni (AS Roma)

Defenders: Maicon (Inter Milan), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Michel Bastos (Lyon), Gilberto (Cruzeiro), Lucio (Inter Milan), Juan (AS Roma), Luisao (Benfica), Thiago Silva (AC Milan)

Midfielders: Elano (Galatasaray), Kaka (Real Madrid), Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos), Josue (Wolfsburg), Ramires (Benfica), Felipe Melo (Juventus), Kleberson (Flamengo), Julio Baptista (AS Roma)

Forwards: Luis Fabiano (Sevilla), Nilmar (Villarreal), Robinho (Santos), Grafite (Wolfsburg)

Germany 2010 World Cup squad

Goalkeepers: Joerg Butt (Bayern Munich), Manuel Neuer (Schalke), Tim Wiese (Werder Bremen)

Defenders: Dennis Aogo (Hamburger SV), Holger Badstuber (Bayern Munich), Andreas Beck (Hoffenheim), Jerome Boateng (Hamburger SV), Arne Friedrich (Hertha Berlin), Marcell Jansen (Hamburger SV), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Per Mertesacker (Werder Bremen), Serdar Tasci (Stuttgart), Heiko Westermann (Schalke)

Midfielders: Michael Ballack (Chelsea), Sami Khedira (Stuttgart), Toni Kroos (Bayer Leverkusen), Marko Marin (Werder Bremen), Mesut Oezil (Werder Bremen), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich), Christian Traesch (Stuttgart), Piotr Trochowski (Hamburger SV)

Forwards: Cacau (Stuttgart), Mario Gomez (Bayern Munich), Stefan Kiessling (Bayer Leverkusen), Miroslav Klose (Bayern Munich), Thomas Mueller (Bayern Munich), Lukas Podolski (FC Cologne)

France World Cup squad

Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Lyon), Steve Mandanda (Marseille), Cedric Carrasso (Bordeaux), Mickael Landreau (Lille)

Defenders: Bacary Sagna (Arsenal), Eric Abidal (Barcelona), William Gallas (Arsenal), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), Rod Fanni (Rennes), Adil Rami (Lille), Sebastien Squillaci (Sevilla), Gael Clichy (Arsenal), Marc Planus (Bordeaux), Anthony Reveillere (Lyon)

Midfielders: Jeremy Toulalan (Lyon), Lassana Diarra (Real Madrid), Alou Diarra (Bordeaux), Yoann Gourcuff (Bordeaux), Abou Diaby (Arsenal), Yann M’Vila (Rennes), Florent Malouda (Chelsea)

Forwards: Sidney Govou (Lyon), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich), Thierry Henry (Barcelona), Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea), Djibril Cisse (Panathinaikos), Andre-Pierre Gignac (Toulouse), Mathieu Valbuena (Marseille), Hatem Ben Arfa (Marseille), Jimmy Briand (Rennes)

Shakira does Waka Waka for an African World Cup

Dance and songstress Shakira shakes it once more, this time to celebrate Africa's first World Cup in a song called 'This Time for Africa'.

To add an African flavor to the album Shakira teamed up with South Africa's very own Freshly Ground.

The song will debut on the 10th of June in Soweto, at the World Cup bash to be graced by other big stars such as John Legend and the group Black Eyed Peas among others.

England World Cup squad 2010

Goalkeepers: David James (Portsmouth), Robert Green (West Ham), Joe Hart (Manchester City)

Defenders: Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), John Terry (Chelsea), Leighton Baines (Everton), Matthew Upson (West Ham), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Ledley King (Tottenham), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa), Michael Dawson (Tottenham)

Midfielders: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City), James Milner (Aston Villa), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Tom Huddlestone (Tottenham), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham), Adam Johnson (Manchester City), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Scott Parker (West Ham), Gareth Barry (Manchester City)

Forwards: Peter Crouch (Tottenham), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham), Darren Bent (Sunderland)

Netherlands 2010 World Cup team

Goalkeepers: Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax), Sander Boschker (FC Twente), Michel Vorm (FC Utrecht)

Defenders: Andre Ooijer (PSV Eindhoven), Vurnon Anita (Ajax), Khalid Boulahrouz (Stuttgart), Edson Braafheid (Celtic), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Feyenoord), John Heitinga (Everton), Joris Mathijsen (Hamburger SV), Ron Vlaar (Feyenoord), Gregory van der Wiel (Ajax)

Midfielders: Wesley Sneijder (Inter Milan), Otman Bakkal (PSV Eindhoven), Mark van Bommel (Bayern Munich), Wout Brama (FC Twente), Orlando Engelaar (PSV Eindhoven), Ibrahim Afellay (PSV Eindhoven), Nigel de Jong (Manchester City), Stijn Schaars (AZ Alkmaar), David Mendes da Silva (AZ Alkmaar), Rafael van der Vaart (Real Madrid), Demy de Zeeuw (Ajax)

Forwards: Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich), Ryan Babel (Liverpool), Eljero Elia (Hamburger SV), Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool), Jeremain Lens (AZ Alkmaar), Robin van Persie (Arsenal), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (AC Milan)

Mexico World Cup team 2010

Goalkeepers: Guillermo Ochoa (America), Luis Michel (Chivas), Oscar Perez (Jaguares)

Defenders: Rafael Marquez (Barcelona), Carlos Salcido (PSV Eindhoven), Francisco Rodriguez (PSV Eindhoven), Hector Moreno (AZ Alkmaar), Ricardo Osorio (Stuttgart), Efrain Juarez (Pumas), Paul Aguilar (Pachuca), Jonny Magallon (Chivas), Juan Carlos Valenzuela (America), Jorge Torres (Atlas)

Midfielders: Andres Guardado (Deportivo La Coruna), Jonathan Dos Santos (Barcelona), Gerardo Torrado (Cruz Azul), Israel Castro (Pumas), Pablo Barrera (Pumas), Adrian Aldrete (Morelia)

Forwards: Carlos Vela (Arsenal), Giovani Dos Santos (Galatasaray), Guillermo Franco (West Ham), Alberto Medina (Chivas), Adolfo Bautista (Chivas), Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Veracruz), Javier Hernandez (Chivas)

Argentina 2010 World Cup team

Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar), Mariano Andujar (Catania), Diego Pozo (Colon)

Defenders: Nicolas Otamendi (Velez Sarsfield), Martin Demichelis (Bayern Munich), Walter Samuel (Inter Milan), Gabriel Heinze (Marseille), Nicolas Burdisso (AS Roma), Fabricio Coloccini (Newcastle), Ariel Garce (Colon), Juan Insaurralde (Newell’s Old Boys), Clemente Rodriguez (Estudiantes)

Midfielders: Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle), Juan Sebastian Veron (Estudiantes), Jose Sosa (Estudiantes), Javier Mascherano (Liverpool), Angel Di Maria (Benfica), Javier Pastore (Palermo), Sebastian Blanco (Lanus), Maxi Rodriguez (Liverpool), Juan Mercier (Argentinos), Jesus Datolo (Olimpiakos), Mario Bolatti (Fiorentina)

Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid), Carlos Tevez (Manchester City), Diego Milito (Inter Milan), Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid), Martin Palermo (Boca Juniors, Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli)

World Cup Provisional squads - Group H

GROUP H
Spain

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), David De Gea (Atletico Madrid), Diego Lopez (Villarreal), Pepe Reina (Liverpool), Victor Valdes (Barcelona)

Defenders: Raul Albiol (Real Madrid), Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid), Cesar Azpilicueta (Osasuna), Joan Capdevila (Villarreal), Carlos Marchena (Valencia), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Carles Puyol (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)

Midfielders: Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Javier Martinez (Athletic Bilbao), Marcos Senna (Villarreal), David Silva (Valencia), Xavi Hernandez (Barcelona)

Forwards: Santi Cazorla (Villarreal), Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Juan Mata (Valencia), Pedro Rodriguez (Barcelona), Dani Guiza (Fenerbache), Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao), Alvaro Negredo (Sevilla), Fernando Torres (Liverpool), David Villa (Valencia)
Switzerland

Goalkeepers: Diego Benaglio (Wolfsburg), Johnny Leoni (Zurich), Marco Woelfli (Young Boys)

Defenders: Stephan Lichtsteiner (Lazio), Stephane Grichting (Auxerre), Steve Von Bergen (Hertha Berlin), Philippe Senderos (Arsenal), Mario Eggimann (Hannover), Christoph Spycher (Eintracht Frankfurt), Reto Ziegler (Sampdoria)

Midfielders: Valon Behrami (West Ham), Gokhan Inler (Udinese), Benjamin Huggel (FC Basel), Gelson Fernandes (Saint-Etienne), Xherdan Shaqiri (FC Basel), Pirmin Schwegler (Eintracht Frankfurt), Tranquillo Barnetta (Bayer Leverkusen), Marco Padalino (Sampdoria)

Forwards: Alex Frei (FC Basel), Blaise Nkufo (FC Twente), Eren Derdiyok (Bayer Leverkusen), Hakan Yakin (Lucerne), Marco Streller (FC Basel)
Honduras

Goalkeepers: Ricardo Canales (Motagua), Noel Valladares (Olimpia), Donis Escober (Olimpia)

Defenders: Victor Bernardez (Anderlecht), Maynor Figueroa (Wigan), Oscar Garcia (Olimpia), Sergio Mendoza (Motagua), Emilio Izaguirre (Motagua), Johnny Palacios (Olimpia), Mauricio Sabillon (Hangzhou Lucheng), Osman Chavez (Platense)

Midfielders: Edgard Alvarez (Bari), Julio Cesar de Leon (Torino), Roger Espinoza (Kansas City Wizards), Amado Guevara (Motagua), Ramon Nunez (Olimpia), Wilson Palacios (Tottenham), Hendry Thomas (Wigan), Danilo Turcios (Olimpia)

Forwards: David Suazo (Genoa), Georgie Welcome (Motagua), Carlos Pavon (Real Espana), Walter Martinez (Marathon)
Chile

Goalkeepers: Claudio Bravo (Real Sociedad), Miguel Pinto (Universidad de Chile), Luis Marin (Union Espanola)

Defenders: Waldo Ponce (Universidad Catolica), Gary Medel (Boca Juniors), Artur Vidal (Bayer Leverkusen ), Ismael Fuentes (Universidad Catolica), Pablo Contreras (PAOK), Gonzalo Jara (West Bromwich Albion), Osvaldo Gonzalez (Toluca).

Midfielders: Roberto Cereceda (Colo Colo), Carlos Carmona (Reggina), Rodrigo Millar (Flamengo), Mauricio Isla (Udinese), Marco Estrada (Universidad de Chile), Manuel Iturra (Universidad de Chile), Jaime Valdes (Atalanta), Charles Aranguiz (Colo Colo), Rodriguez Tello (Besiktas), Matias Fernandez (Sporting), Jorge Valdivia (Al Ain), Claudio Maldonado (Flamengo)

Forwards: Humberto Suazo (Zaragoza), Jean Beausejour (America), Hector Mancilla (Toluca), Esteban Paredes (Colo Colo), Gonzalo Fierro (Flamengo), Fabian Orellana (Xerez), Alexi Sanchez (Udinese), Mark Gonzalez (CSKA Moscow)

Group G - WC Provisional squads

GROUP G
Brazil

Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Gomes (Tottenham), Doni (AS Roma)

Defenders: Maicon (Inter Milan), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Michel Bastos (Lyon), Gilberto (Cruzeiro), Lucio (Inter Milan), Juan (AS Roma), Luisao (Benfica), Thiago Silva (AC Milan)

Midfielders: Elano (Galatasaray), Kaka (Real Madrid), Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos), Josue (Wolfsburg), Ramires (Benfica), Felipe Melo (Juventus), Kleberson (Flamengo), Julio Baptista (AS Roma)

Forwards: Luis Fabiano (Sevilla), Nilmar (Villarreal), Robinho (Santos), Grafite (Wolfsburg)
North Korea

Unavailable.
Ivory Coast

Goalkeepers: Boubacar Barry (KSC Lokeren), Vincent Angban (ASEC Mimosas) Daniel Yeboah (ASEC Mimosas), Aristide Zogbo (Maccabi Netanya)

Defenders: Souleman Bamba (Hibernian), Arthur Boka (Stuttgart), Emmanuel Eboue (Arsenal), Abdoulaye Meite (West Bromwich Albion), Siaka Tiene (Valenciennes), Kolo Toure (Manchester City), Guy Demel (Hamburger SV), Steve Gohouri (Wigan), Benjamin Angoua (Valenciennes)

Midfielders: Emerse Fae (Nice), Koffi Romaric N’Dri (Sevilla), Cheick Tiote (FC Twente), Yaya Toure (Barcelona), Gilles Yapi Yapo (Young Boys), Didier Zokora (Sevilla), Kanga Akale (Lens), Emmanuel Kone (Cluj)

Forwards: Aruna Dindane (Portsmouth), Seydou Doumbia (CSKA Moscow), Didier Drogba (Chelsea), Salomon Kalou (Chelsea), Abdul Keita (Galatasaray), Bakari Kone (Marseille), Gervinho (Lille), Jean-Jacques Gosso Gosso (Monaco), Lacina Traore (Cluj)
Portugal

Goalkeepers: Eduardo (FC Braga), Beto (FC Porto), Daniel Fernandes (Iraklis)

Defenders: Duda (Malaga), Bruno Alves (FC Porto), Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea), Miguel Brito (Valencia), Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea), Rolando (FC Porto), Fabio Coentrao (Benfica), Pepe (Real Madrid), Ze Castro (Deportivo La Coruna), Ricardo Costa (Lille)

Midfielders: Deco (Chelsea), Tiago (Atletico Madrid), Raul Meireles (FC Porto), Pedro Mendes (Sporting Lisbon), Miguel Veloso (Sporting Lisbon)

Forwards: Nani (Manchester United), Simao Sabrosa (Atletico Madrid), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Hugo Almeida (Werder Bremen), Danny (Zenit St. Petersburg), Liedson (Sporting Lisbon)

___

World Cup Provisional squads - Group F

GROUP F
Italy

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Morgan De Sanctis (Napoli), Federico Marchetti (Cagliari), Salvatore Sirigu (Palermo)

Defenders: Salvatore Bocchetti (Genoa), Leonardo Bonucci (Bari), Fabio Cannavaro (Juventus), Mattia Cassani (Palermo), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Domenico Criscito (Genoa), Fabio Grosso (Juventus), Christian Maggio (Napoli), Gianluca Zambrotta (AC Milan)

Midfielders: Mauro Camoranesi (Juventus), Antonio Candreva (Juventus), Andrea Cossu (Cagliari), Daniele De Rossi (AS Roma), Gennaro Gattuso (AC Milan), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina), Angelo Palombo (Sampdoria), Simone Pepe (Udinese), Andrea Pirlo (AC Milan)

Forwards: Marco Borriello (AC Milan), Antonio Di Natale (Udinese), Alberto Gilardino (Fiorentina), Vincenzo Iaquinta (Juventus), Giampaolo Pazzini (Sampdoria), Fabio Quagliarella (Napoli), Giuseppe Rossi (Villarreal)
Paraguay

Goalkeepers: Justo Villar (Valladolid), Aldo Bobadilla (Independiente Medellin), Diego Barreto (Cerro Porteno)

Defenders: Denis Caniza (Leon), Dario Veron (Pumas), Julio Cesar Caceres (Atletico Mineiro), Paulo Da Silva (Sunderland), Antolin Alcaraz (FC Brugge), Claudio Morel (Boca Juniors), Carlos Bonet (Olimpia), Julio Manzur (Olimpia), Aureliano Torres (San Lorenzo)

Midfielders: Enrique Vera (Liga de Quito), Cristian Riveros (Cruz Azul), Jonathan Santana (Wolfsburg), Nestor Ortigoza (Argentinos Juniors), Victor Caceres (Libertad), Edgar Barreto (Atalanta), Marcelo Estigarribia (Newell’s Old Boys), Eduardo Ledesma (Lanus), Sergio Aquino (Libertad), Marcos Caceres (Racing Club)

Forwards: Oscar Cardozo (Benfica), Nelson Haedo Valdez (Borussia Dortmund), Lucas Barrios (Borussia Dortmund), Osvaldo Martinez (Monterrey), Edgar Benitez (Pachuca), Jorge Achucarro (Newell’s Old Boys), Rodolfo Gamarra (Libertad), Roque Santa Cruz (Manchester City)
New Zealand

Goalkeepers: Mark Paston (Wellington Phoenix), Glen Moss (Melbourne Victory), James Bannatyne (Team Wellington)

Defenders: Ryan Nelsen (Blackburn), Ivan Vicelich (Auckland City), Ben Sigmund (Wellington Phoenix), Winston Reid (FC Midtjylland), Tommy Smith (Ipswich), Tony Lochhead (Wellington Phoenix), Andy Boyens (New York Red Bulls)

Midfielders: Simon Elliott (No Team), Tim Brown (Wellington Phoenix), Leo Bertos (Wellington Phoenix), Michael McGlinchey (Motherwell), Aaron Clapham (Canterbury United), David Mulligan (No Team), Jeremy Brockie (Newcastle Jets), Andy Barron (Team Wellington), Jeremy Christie (FC Tampa Bay)

Forwards: Chris Killen (Middlesbrough), Shane Smeltz (Gold Coast United), Chris Wood (West Bromwich Albion), Rory Fallon (Plymouth)
Slovakia

Goalkeepers: Jan Mucha (Legia Warsaw), Dusan Kuciak (Vaslui), Lubos Kamenar (Nantes), Dusan Pernis (Dundee United)

Defenders: Peter Pekarik (Wolfsburg), Martin Petras (Cesena), Martin Skrtel (Liverpool), Lubomir Michalik (Leeds), Jan Durica (Hannover), Radoslav Zabavnik (Mainz), Marek Cech (West Bromwich Albion), Tomas Lubocan (Zenit St. Petersburg), Kornel Salate (Slovan Bratislava)

Midfielders: Kamil Kopunek (Spartak Trnava), Jan Kozak (Timisoara), Juraj Kucka (Sparta Prague), Miroslav Karhan (Mainz), Marek Sapara (Ankaragucu), Mario Pecalka (Zilina), Stanislav Sestak (Bochum), Marek Hamsik (Neapol), Vladimir Weiss (Manchester City), Miroslav Stoch (Chelsea), Dusan Svento (Salzburg), Zdeno Strba (Xanthi)

Forwards: Erik Jendrisek (Schalke), Robert Vittek (Ankaragucu), Martin Jakubko (FC Moscow), Filip Holosko (Besiktas)

Group E - WC Provisional squads

GROUP E
Netherlands

Goalkeepers: Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax), Sander Boschker (FC Twente), Michel Vorm (FC Utrecht)

Defenders: Andre Ooijer (PSV Eindhoven), Vurnon Anita (Ajax), Khalid Boulahrouz (Stuttgart), Edson Braafheid (Celtic), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Feyenoord), John Heitinga (Everton), Joris Mathijsen (Hamburger SV), Ron Vlaar (Feyenoord), Gregory van der Wiel (Ajax)

Midfielders: Wesley Sneijder (Inter Milan), Otman Bakkal (PSV Eindhoven), Mark van Bommel (Bayern Munich), Wout Brama (FC Twente), Orlando Engelaar (PSV Eindhoven), Ibrahim Afellay (PSV Eindhoven), Nigel de Jong (Manchester City), Stijn Schaars (AZ Alkmaar), David Mendes da Silva (AZ Alkmaar), Rafael van der Vaart (Real Madrid), Demy de Zeeuw (Ajax)

Forwards: Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich), Ryan Babel (Liverpool), Eljero Elia (Hamburger SV), Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool), Jeremain Lens (AZ Alkmaar), Robin van Persie (Arsenal), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (AC Milan)
Denmark

Goalkeepers: Thomas Sorensen (Stoke), Jesper Christiansen (FC Copenhagen), Kim Christensen (IFK Goteborg), Stephan Andersen (Brondby)

Defenders: Daniel Agger (Liverpool), Lars Jacobsen (Blackburn), Patrick Mtiliga (Malaga), Per Kroldrup (Fiorentina), Simon Busk Poulsen (AZ Alkmaar), Simon Kjaer (Palermo), William Kvist Jorgensen (FC Copenhagen)

Midfielders: Christian Poulsen (Juventus), Christian D. Eriksen (Ajax), Daniel Jensen (Werder Bremen), Jakob Poulsen (Aarhus), Michael Silberbauer (FC Utrecht), Mikkel Beckmann (Randers), Thomas Enevoldsen (FC Groningen), Thomas Kahlenberg (Wolfsburg), Dennis Rommedahl (Ajax), Jesper Gronkjaer (FC Copenhagen), Martin Jorgensen (Aarhus), Michael Krohn-Dehli (Brondby)

Forwards: Jon Dahl Tomasson (Feyenoord), Nicklas Bendtner (Arsenal), Soren Larsen (Duisburg)
Japan

Goalkeepers: Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi (Jubilo Iwata), Seigo Narazaki (Nagoya Grampus), Eiji Kawashima (Kawasaki Frontale)

Defenders: Marcus Tulio Tanaka (Nagoya Grampus), Yuichi Komano (Jubilo Iwata), Daiki Iwamasa (Kashima Antlers), Yasuyuki Konno (FC Tokyo), Yuto Nagatomo (FC Tokyo), Atsuto Uchida (Kashima Antlers)

Midfielders: Shunsuke Nakamura (Yokohama F Marinos), Junichi Inamoto (Kawasaki Frontale), Yasuhito Endo (Gamba Osaka), Kengo Nakamura (Kawasaki Frontale), Daisuke Matsui (Grenoble), Yuki Abe (Urawa Reds), Makoto Hasebe (VfL Wolfsburg), Keisuke Honda (CSKA Moscow)

Forwards: Keiji Tamada (Nagoya Grampus), Yoshito Okubo (Vissel Kobe), Kishi Yano (Albirex Niigata), Shinji Okazaki (Shimizu S-Pulse), Takayuki Morimoto (Catania)
Cameroon

Goalkeepers: Hamidou Souleymanou (Kayserispor), Carlos Kameni (Espanyol), Guy Roland Ndy Assembe (Valenciennes), Amour Patrick Tignyemb (Bloemfontein Celtic)

Defenders: Jean Patrick Abouna Ndzana (Astres de Douala), Benoit Assou-Ekotto (Tottenham), Sebastien Bassong (Tottenham), Gaetan Bong (Valenciennes), Aurelien Chedjou (Lille), Geremi Njitap (Ankaragucu), Stephane Mbia (Marseille), Makadji Boukar (Al Nahdha), Nicolas Nkoulou (Monaco), Rigobert Song (Trabzonspur)

Midfielders: Marcel Ndjeng (Augsburg), Enoh Eyong Tarkang (Ajax), Jean II Makoun (Lyon), Georges Mandjeck (Kaiserslautern), Joel Matip (Schalke), Patrick Mevoungou (Canon Sportif de Yaounde), Landry Nguemo (Celtic), Alexandre Song (Arsenal)

Forwards: Vincent Aboubakar (Coton Sport), Eric Choupo-Moting (FC Nuremberg), Achille Emana (Betis), Samuel Eto’o (Inter Milan), Mohamadou Idrissou (Freiburg), Rostand Dorge Kouemaha (FC Brugge), Achille Webo (Mallorca), Jacques Zoua (FC Basel)

SWC Provisional squads - Group D

GROUP D
Germany

Goalkeepers: Joerg Butt (Bayern Munich), Manuel Neuer (Schalke), Tim Wiese (Werder Bremen)

Defenders: Dennis Aogo (Hamburger SV), Holger Badstuber (Bayern Munich), Andreas Beck (Hoffenheim), Jerome Boateng (Hamburger SV), Arne Friedrich (Hertha Berlin), Marcell Jansen (Hamburger SV), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Per Mertesacker (Werder Bremen), Serdar Tasci (Stuttgart), Heiko Westermann (Schalke)

Midfielders: Michael Ballack (Chelsea), Sami Khedira (Stuttgart), Toni Kroos (Bayer Leverkusen), Marko Marin (Werder Bremen), Mesut Oezil (Werder Bremen), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich), Christian Traesch (Stuttgart), Piotr Trochowski (Hamburger SV)

Forwards: Cacau (Stuttgart), Mario Gomez (Bayern Munich), Stefan Kiessling (Bayer Leverkusen), Miroslav Klose (Bayern Munich), Thomas Mueller (Bayern Munich), Lukas Podolski (FC Cologne)
Australia

Goalkeepers: Mark Schwarzer (Fulham), Brad Jones (Middlesbrough), Adam Federici (Reading)

Defenders: Craig Moore (No Team), Lucas Neill (Galatasaray), Luke Wilkshire (Dynamo Moscow), Scott Chipperfield (FC Basel), David Carney (FC Twente), Mark Milligan (JEF United), Jade North (Tromso), Michael Beauchamp (Al-Jazira), Shane Lowry (Aston Villa), Rhys Williams (Middlesbrough)

Midfielders: Jason Culina (Gold Coast), Tim Cahill (Everton), Brett Emerton (Blackburn), Mark Bresciano (Palermo), Vince Grella (Blackburn), Brett Holman (AZ Alkmaar), Carl Valeri (Sassuolo), Mile Jedinak (Antalyaspor), Richard Garcia (Hull), Nicky Carle (Crystal Palace), Tommy Oar (FC Utrecht), James Holland (AZ Alkmaar)

Forwards: Harry Kewell (Galatasaray), Josh Kennedy (Nagoya Grampus), Scott McDonald (Middlesbrough), Dario Vidosic (FC Nuremberg), Nikita Rukavytsya (FC Twente)
Serbia

Goalkeepers: Vladimir Stojkovic (Wigan), Zeljko Brkic (Vojvodina), Bojan Isailovic (Cukaricki Belgrade), Andjelko Djuricic (Leiria)

Defenders: Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea), Antonio Rukavina (1860 Munich), Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United), Neven Subotic (Borussia Dortmund), Aleksandar Lukovic (Udinese), Ivan Obradovic (Zaragoza), Aleksandar Kolarov (Lazio)

Midfielders: Dejan Stankovic (Inter Milan), Nenad Milijas (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Miloss Krasic (CSKA Moscow), Milan Jovanovic (Standard Liege), Milos Ninkovic (Dynamo Kiev), Zdravko Kuzmanovic (Stuttgart), Zoran Tosic (FC Cologne), Miralem Sulejmani (Ajax), Gojko Kacar (Hertha Berlin), Nemanja Matic (Chelsea), Radosav Petrovic (Partizan Belgrade)

Forwards: Nikola Zigic (Valencia), Marko Pantelic (Ajax), Danko Lazovic (Zenit St. Petersburg), Dragan Mrdja (Vojvodina), Dejan Lekic (Red Star Belgrade)
Ghana

Goalkeepers: Richard Kingson (Wigan), Daniel Agyei (Liberty Professional), Stephen Aholu (Heart of Lions), Stephen Adams (Aduana Stars)

Defenders: Samuel Inkoom (FC Basel), Hans Adu Sarpei (Bayer Leverkusen), Lee Addy (Bechem Chelsea), John Mensah (Sunderland), Rahim Ayew (Zamalek), Isaac Vorsah (Hoffenheim), John Pantsil (Fulham), Jonathan Mensah (Granada), Eric Addo (Roda JC)

Midfielders: Dede Ayew (Arles-Avignon), Michael Essien (Chelsea), Kwadwo Asamoah (Udinese), Agyemang Badu (Udinese), Stephen Appiah (Bologna), Anthony Annan (Rosenborg), Haminu Draman (Lokomotiv Moscow), Sulley Muntari (Inter Milan), Quincy Owusu Abeyie (Al Sadd), Derek Boateng (Getafe), Bernard Kumordzie (Panionios), Laryea Kingston (Hearts), Kevin-Prince Boateng (Portsmouth)

Forwards: Prince Tagoe (Hoffenheim), Asamoah Gyan (Rennes), Dominic Adiyiah (AC Milan), Matthew Amoah (NAC Breda)

Group C - SWC Provisional squads

GROUP C
England

Goalkeepers: David James (Portsmouth), Robert Green (West Ham), Joe Hart (Manchester City)

Defenders: Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), John Terry (Chelsea), Leighton Baines (Everton), Matthew Upson (West Ham), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Ledley King (Tottenham), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa), Michael Dawson (Tottenham)

Midfielders: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City), James Milner (Aston Villa), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Tom Huddlestone (Tottenham), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham), Adam Johnson (Manchester City), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Scott Parker (West Ham), Gareth Barry (Manchester City)

Forwards: Peter Crouch (Tottenham), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham), Darren Bent (Sunderland)
United States

Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton Wanderers)

Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover), Jay DeMerit (Watford), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Chad Marshall (Columbus), Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan), Heath Pearce (FC Dallas), Jonathan Spector (West Ham)

Midfielders: DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers), Alejandro Bedoya (Orebro), Michael Bradley (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Ricardo Clark (Eintracht Frankfurt), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Benny Feilhaber (Aarhus), Stuart Holden (Bolton), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Robbie Rogers (Columbus), Jose Torres (Pachuca)

Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Hull), Edson Buddle (Los Angeles), Brian Ching (Houston), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Herculez Gomez (Puebla), Eddie Johnson (Aris)
Algeria

Goalkeepers: Lounes Gaouaoui (ASO Chlef), Fawzi Chaouchi (ES Setif), Mohamed Liamine Zemamouche (MC Alger), M’bohi Rais Ouhed (Slava Sofia)

Defenders: Abdelkader Laifaoui (ES Setif), Madjid Bougherra (Rangers), Carl Medjani (Ajaccio), Rafik Halliche (Nacional), Anther Yahia (Bochum), Habib Belaid (Boulogne), Nadir Belhadj (Portsmouth), Djamel Mesbah (Lecce)

Midfielders: Hassen Yebda (Portsmouth), Medhi Lacen (Racing Santander), Yazid Mansouri (Lorient), Adlane Guedioura (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Riad Boudebouz (Sochaux), Djamel Abdoun (Nantes), Fouad Kadir (Valenciennes), Mourad Meghni (Lazio), Karim Ziani (Wolfsburg), Karim Matmour (Borussia Moenchengladbach)

Forwards: Abdelkader Ghezzal (Siena), Rafik Djebbour (AEK Athens), Rafik Saifi (Istres)

Slovenia

Goalkeepers: Samir Handanovic (Udinese), Jasmin Handanovic (Mantova), Aleksander Seliga (Sparta Rotterdam), Jan Koprivec (Gallipoli)

Defenders: Bojan Jokic (Chievo), Marko Suler (Gent), Bostjan Cesar (Grenoble), Branko Ilic (Lokomotiv Moscow), Matej Mavric-Rozic (Koblenz), Dejan Kelhar (Cercle Brugge), Elvedin Dzinic (Maribor), Miso Brecko (FC Cologne), Aleksandar Rajcevic (Koper), Suad Filekovic (Maribor)

Midfielders: Andraz Kirm (Wisla Krakow), Andrej Komac (Maccabi Tel Aviv), Rene Krhin (Inter Milan), Mirnes Sisic (Giannina), Darjan Matic (Rapid Bucharest), Dare Vrsic (Koper), Dalibor Stevanovic (Vitesse Arnhem), Robert Koren (West Bromwich Albion), Aleksander Radosavljevic (Larissa), Valter Birsa (Auxerre)

Forwards: Milivoje Novakovic (FC Cologne), Zlatko Dedic (Bochum), Zlatan Ljubijankic (Gent), Nejc Pecnik (Nacional), Miran Burgic (AIK Stockholm), Tim Matavz (FC Groningen)

World Cup Provisional squads - Group B

GROUP B
Argentina

Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar), Mariano Andujar (Catania), Diego Pozo (Colon)

Defenders: Nicolas Otamendi (Velez Sarsfield), Martin Demichelis (Bayern Munich), Walter Samuel (Inter Milan), Gabriel Heinze (Marseille), Nicolas Burdisso (AS Roma), Fabricio Coloccini (Newcastle), Ariel Garce (Colon), Juan Insaurralde (Newell’s Old Boys), Clemente Rodriguez (Estudiantes)

Midfielders: Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle), Juan Sebastian Veron (Estudiantes), Jose Sosa (Estudiantes), Javier Mascherano (Liverpool), Angel Di Maria (Benfica), Javier Pastore (Palermo), Sebastian Blanco (Lanus), Maxi Rodriguez (Liverpool), Juan Mercier (Argentinos), Jesus Datolo (Olimpiakos), Mario Bolatti (Fiorentina)

Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid), Carlos Tevez (Manchester City), Diego Milito (Inter Milan), Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid), Martin Palermo (Boca Juniors, Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli)

Nigeria

Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Hapoel Tel Aviv), Dele Ayenugba (Beni Yehuda FC), Bassey Akpan (Bayelsa United), Austine Ejide (Hapoel Petah Tikva)

Defenders: Taye Taiwo (Marseille), Elderson Echiejile (Rennes), Chidi Odiah (CSKA Moscow), Onyekachi Apam (Nice), Joseph Yobo (Everton), Daniel Shittu (Bolton), Ayodele Adeleye (Sparta Rotterdam), Rabiu Afolabi (Salzburg), Peter Suswan (Lobi Stars)

Midfielders: Kalu Uche (Almeria), Dickson Etuhu (Fulham), John Obi Mikel (Chelsea), Sani Kaita (Alaniya), Lukman Haruna (Monaco), Ayila Yussuf (Dynamo Kiev), Peter Osaze (Lokomotiv Moscow)

Forwards: Yakubu Ayegbeni (Everton), Victor Anichebe (Everton), Chinedu Obasi (Hoffenheim), Nwankwo Kanu (Portsmouth), Obafemi Martins (Wolfsburg), Ideye Brown (Sochaux), Ikechukwu Uche (Zaragoza), John Utaka (Portsmouth) Peter Utaka (OB Odense), Victor Obinna (Malaga)

South Korea

Goalkeepers: Lee Woon-jae (Suwon), Kim Young-kwang (Ulsan), Jung Sung-ryong (Seongnam)

Defenders: Kang Min-soo (Suwon), Kwak Tae-hwi (Kyoto), Kim Dong-jin (Ulsan), Kim Hyung-il (Pohang), Oh Beom-seok (Ulsan), Lee Young-pyo (Al Hilal), Lee Jung-soo (Kashima Antlers), Hwang Jae-won (Pohang), Cho Won-hee (Wigan), Cha Doo-ri (Freiburg), Cho Yong-hyung (Jeju)

Midfielders: Koo Ja-cheol (Jeju), Ki Sung-yong (Celtic), Kim Bo-kyung (Oita), Kim Nam-il (Tom Tomsk), Shin Hung-min (Pohang), Kim Jae-sung (Pohang), Kim Jung-woo (Gwangju), Lee Chung-yong (Bolton), Kim Chi-woo (Seoul), Park Ji-sung (Manchester United)

Forwards: Park Ju-young (Monaco), Ahn Jung-hwan (Dalian Shide), Lee Seung-ryul (Seoul), Yeom Ki-hun (Suwon), Lee Keun-ho (Jubilo Iwata), Lee Dong-guk (Jeonbuk)

Greece

Goalkeepers: Michalis Sifakis (Aris), Alexandros Tzorvas (Panathinaikos), Costas Chalkias (PAOK Thessaloniki)

Defenders: Sotiris Kyrgiakos (Liverpool), Vangelis Moras (Bologna), Sokratis Papastathopoulos (Genoa), Giourkas Seitaridis (Panathinaikos), Loukas Vintra (Panathinaikos), Nikos Spiropoulos (Panathinaikos), Stergos Marinos (Panathinaikos), Avraam Papadopoulos (Olympiakos), Giorgos Galitsios (Olympiakos), Vassilis Torosidis (Olympiakos), Costas Manolas (AEK Athens), Stelios Malezas (PAOK), Giorgos Tzavelas (Panionios)

Midfielders: Alexandros Tziolis (Siena), Christos Patsatzoglou (Omonia), Costas Katsouranis (Panathinaikos), Giorgos Karagounis (Panathinaikos), Sotiris Ninis (Panathinaikos), Lazaros Christodoulopoulos (Panathinaikos), Grigoris Makos (AEK Athens), Thanassis Prittas (Aris)

Strikers: Georgios Samaras (Celtic), Angelos Charisteas (FC Nuremberg), Pantelis Kapetanos (Steaua Bucharest), Fanis Gekas (Hertha Berlin), Dimitris Salpingidis (Panathinaikos), Costas Mitroglou (Olympiakos)

World Cup Provisional squads - Group A

GROUP A
South Africa

Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Shu-Aib Walters (Maritzburg United), Rowen Fernandez (Arminia Bielefeld), Moeneeb Josephs (Orlando Pirates)

Defenders: Matthew Booth (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siboniso Gaxa (Mamelodi Sundowns), Innocent Mdledle (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bongani Khumalo (Supersport United), Tsepo Masilela (Maccabi Haifa), Aaron Mokoena (Portsmouth), Bryce Moon (PAOK Thessaloniki), Anele Ngcongca (Racing Genk), Siyabonga Sangweni (Golden Arrows), Lucas Thwala (Orlando Pirates)

Midfielders: Surprise Moriri (Mamelodi Sundowns), Franklin Cale (Mamelodi Sundowns), Lance Davids (Ajax Cape Town), Kagisho Dikgacoi (Fulham), Andile Jali (Orlando Pirates), Teko Modise (Orlando Pirates), Reneilwe Letsholonyane (Kaizer Chiefs), Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs), Thanduyise Khuboni (Golden Arrows), Steven Pienaar (Everton), Macbeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan)

Forwards: Benni McCarthy (West Ham), Katlego Mphela (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siyabonga Nomvete (Moroka Swallows), Bernard Parker (FC Twente)

Mexico

Goalkeepers: Guillermo Ochoa (America), Luis Michel (Chivas), Oscar Perez (Jaguares)

Defenders: Rafael Marquez (Barcelona), Carlos Salcido (PSV Eindhoven), Francisco Rodriguez (PSV Eindhoven), Hector Moreno (AZ Alkmaar), Ricardo Osorio (Stuttgart), Efrain Juarez (Pumas), Paul Aguilar (Pachuca), Jonny Magallon (Chivas), Juan Carlos Valenzuela (America), Jorge Torres (Atlas)

Midfielders: Andres Guardado (Deportivo La Coruna), Jonathan Dos Santos (Barcelona), Gerardo Torrado (Cruz Azul), Israel Castro (Pumas), Pablo Barrera (Pumas), Adrian Aldrete (Morelia)

Forwards: Carlos Vela (Arsenal), Giovani Dos Santos (Galatasaray), Guillermo Franco (West Ham), Alberto Medina (Chivas), Adolfo Bautista (Chivas), Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Veracruz), Javier Hernandez (Chivas)

Uruguay

Goalkeepers: Fernando Muslera (Lazio), Juan Castillo (Deportivo Cali), Martin Silva (Defensor Sporting)

Defenders: Diego Lugano (Fenerbahce), Diego Godin (Villarreal), Andres Scotti (Colo Colo), Jorge Fucile (FC Porto), Martin Caceres (Juventus), Mauricio Victorino (Universidad de Chile), Maximiliano Pereira (Benfica)

Midfielders: Walter Gargano (Napoli), Egidio Arevalo Rios (Penarol), Sebastian Eguren (AIK Stockholm), Diego Perez (Monaco), Alvaro Pereira (FC Porto), Alvaro Fernandez (Universidad de Chile), Jorge Rodriguez (River Plate), Alvaro Gonzalez (Nacional), Ignacio Gonzalez (Valencia), Nicolas Lodeiro (Ajax)

Forwards: Luis Suarez (Ajax), Diego Forlan (Atletico Madrid), Sebastian Abreu (Botafogo), Edinson Cavani (Palermo), Jorge Martinez (Catania), Sebastian Fernandez (Banfield)

France

Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Lyon), Steve Mandanda (Marseille), Cedric Carrasso (Bordeaux), Mickael Landreau (Lille)

Defenders: Bacary Sagna (Arsenal), Eric Abidal (Barcelona), William Gallas (Arsenal), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), Rod Fanni (Rennes), Adil Rami (Lille), Sebastien Squillaci (Sevilla), Gael Clichy (Arsenal), Marc Planus (Bordeaux), Anthony Reveillere (Lyon)

Midfielders: Jeremy Toulalan (Lyon), Lassana Diarra (Real Madrid), Alou Diarra (Bordeaux), Yoann Gourcuff (Bordeaux), Abou Diaby (Arsenal), Yann M’Vila (Rennes), Florent Malouda (Chelsea)

Forwards: Sidney Govou (Lyon), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich), Thierry Henry (Barcelona), Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea), Djibril Cisse (Panathinaikos), Andre-Pierre Gignac (Toulouse), Mathieu Valbuena (Marseille), Hatem Ben Arfa (Marseille), Jimmy Briand (Rennes)

___

SWC fever rises with only 30 days to go!!

June 11 is exactly a month away, and magic is in the air from Beunos Aires, Tokyo, London, Accra, Mexico City, Harare, Sydney, Los Angeles, Dubai to Cape Town, soccer fans are feeling it!!

Paraguay national team profile

The 2004 Olympic Games silver medalists, Paraguay qualified for this year's World Cup in a stunning fashion. The CONMEBOL outfit made it by becoming the second team to pull through.

They booked their place in South Africa ahead of the Argentina national team, Colombia, and Chile.

Following their participation at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, the squad witnessed the retirement of a number of players such as the former World Goalkeeper of the Year, Jose Luis Chilavert and Carlos Gamarra among others.

And its rebuilding process involves players such as Julio dos Santos, Oscar Cardozo, Nelson Valdez, Justo Villar, Claudio Morel, Paulo Da Silva, Julio C. Caceres, Edgar Barreto, Jonathan Santana, Enrique Vera, Christian Riveros and veteran star Rogue Santa Cruz.

Paraguay will lock horns against the likes of Italy, New Zealand and Slovakia in Group F.

Meet the World Cup boss, Danny Jordan

Born on September 3, 1951, Danny Jordaan (seen here with Maradona) has extensively been involved with FIFA in various capacities which include being a match commissioner. He also served on the 2006 FIFA WC Organising Committee and the FIFA marketing and television board.

Jordaan holds a BA degree from the University of the Western Cape and an honours degree from the University of South Africa.

FIFA has expressed confidence in his administration for the 2010 event, amidst many challenges, they particularly applauded him for his level headedness and a continental and global approach.

Under his leadership infrastructure development has progressed according to plan, with many stadiums and other projects completed well ahead of schedule. And despite a slow start to ticket sales, they have since picked up with many games already sold out.

Sensationalism dogging SWC

Negative perceptions of South Africa being spun in the press are scuppering efforts to sell the event, as the total expected inflow of foreign fans has been revised halfway from about 450,000.

As it stands, the bulk of overseas fans coming to SA comprise Americans and British fans, while the remaining tickets are in the region of 300,000. FIFA is confident that at least 95% will be sold.

Sensational reports such as the one above are not the only culprits, as global financial pressures and the high tourists costs associated with the long haul trip down south have been cited by some German fans as deterrents.

Nevertheless, the show will go on minus the alleged bloodbaths or major incidence..

Celebrating football through art

The creative appeal of football action has mesmerised and captured the imagination of millions of people. It is through its dynamic mixture of collaborative motion and individual artistic ingenuity which fascinates its legion of fans, earning itself 'the beautiful game' status in the process.

The sport manages to inspire not only as an art form but as a universal language capable of promoting togetherness, thus forming a practical link with other less physical but visual forms of art. And to celebrate Africa's first football World Cup in South Africa, FIFA teamed up with the 2010 Fine Art project to highlight a wide selection of popular and upcoming artists drawn from various regions across the globe.

The project launched in Cape Town, South Africa will help in underlining the role of football in promoting social cohesion, while potraying Africa's changing face - it is for the very first time that a project of this nature has been licensed under the FIFA Master Licensee to produce and distribute fine art related to the 2010 FIFA World Cup (TM).

Essentially, this an opportunity for all involved to express the passion and appreciation of Africans towards football and the historic 2010 tournament, at the same time showcasing diverse national identities through sculptures, paintings and etchings among others. Some of the artists featured include Ian van Zyl of South Africa, Kofi Argosor of Ghana and Peter Phillips of England, and each of the collection under the 2010 Fine Art banner will be reproduced 210 times to symbolise the year 2010.

Former World Cup greats profiles - Jose Chilavert, Paraguay

Jose Luis Chilavert made a name for himself as a charismatic goalkeeper, he made his debut at age 15 - the Paraguayan earned his first national cap in 1989 and went onto to play for Real Zaragoza in Spain.

The firebrand goalkeeper was rewarded for his outstanding talents on the field in 1995 and 1997 by being crowned the World Goalkeeper of the Year, but his record is not without blemish as he often rubbed other players the wrong way - in 2002 he suffered a two match suspension for spitting on Roberto Carlos of Brazil in a World Cup qualifier.

However, many people fondly remember his legendary saves which other goalies consider impossible, his reflexes were powered by a fiercely aggressive approach, the former player believed no ball was beyond him.

Chilavert baffled many a strikers by routinely intercepting their goal bound shots from point blank range, thus it came as no surprise when he was announced as the world best goalie twice, and to top it up the star had a knack for taking free kicks and penalties so much that in-field players relied on him each time.

In retirement Chilavert feels that there is a dearth in forceful characters in today's crop of players and that football misses him - in 1998 he lit up the World Cup in France with his unbelievable interceptions.

Italy national soccer team profile

SWC player profiles - Didier Drogba

Born on March 11, 1978, Didier Drogba is the current BBC African Player of the Year. The Chelsea and Ivory Coast forward holds eight major winners' medals comprising the English Premier League, FA Cup, FA Community Shield, and the Football League Cup.

The prolific striker began his career with Le Mans in France where he grew up, in 2002 he joined Guingamp followed by Marseille and Chelsea.

Drogba earned his first international honours with his native Ivory Coast, in a match against South Africa, and went onto assist the team qualify for the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

Uruguay targets South Africa to advance to 2nd round

Oscar Tabarez, the coach of Uruguay national team announced that his squad's second match in Group A against the 90th ranked World Cup hosts, will be decisive in their quest for qualification to the round of 16.

Tabarez also stressed that depending on what happens in Uruguay's match against France, his team will embark on the SA encounter either as a match of confirmation or return.

In the meantime, Group A contenders Mexico are busy preparing at a training camp in Mexico City before embarking on a trip to the U.S, where they'll play their counterparts as part of a series of practice matches with less than 40 days to go.

54 000 free WC tickets for construction workers

In recognition of the role played by construction workers of World Cup stadia, the Local Organising Committee (LOC)announced it would keep its promise, by affording the workmen and women a chance to witness the planet's greatest soccer showcase.

The workers contributed immensely to ensuring the organizers achieved the set targets as required by FIFA. Today almost all stadiums are 100% complete, with a few final touches left for the rest of them.

The beautiful facilities such as the one above situated in Port Elizabeth, whose images form part of the 2010 Fine Art project exhibitions, are set to provide a magnificent stage for Africa's first World Cup.