The Official 2010 FIFA World Cup

[thejuice]

I probably wont be watching it but I'll still be cheering for:

1. Spain - My girlfriend is from there

2. England - hopefully means getting time off work to go to the pub.

3. North Korea - They know how to party

[ross4life]

Well the Squad news we have all been waiting for

North Korea, Just three players ply their trade outside North Korea Yong-Hak and Jong Tae-Se, who play in Japan for Omiya Ardija and Kawasaki Frontale respectively, and Hong Yong-Jo, who plays for FK Rostov in Russia & there manager has targeted the last 8

Squad: Kim Myong-gil, Kim Myong-won (both Amrokgang), Ri Myong-guk (Pyongyang City); An Chol-hyok (Rimyongsu), An Yong-hak (Omiya Ardija), Cha Jong-hyok (Amrokgang), Choe Kum-chol (April 25), Hong Yong-jo (FK Rostov), Ji Yun-nam (April 25), Jong Tae-se (Kawasaki Frontale), Kim Hum-il (April 25), Kim Kyong-il (Rimyongsu), Kim Yong-jun (Pyongyang City), Mun In-guk, Nam Song-chol (both April 25), Pak Chol-jin (Amrokgang), Pak Nam-chol (April 25), Pak Nam-chol (Amrokgang), Pak Sung-hyok (Sobaeksu), Ri Chol-myong (Pyongyang City), Ri Jun-il (Sobaeksu), Ri Kwang-chon (April 25), Ri Kwang-hyok (Kyonggongop).

April 25 interesting name for a team

[ross4life]

Good players not added in World cup Squads, care to add some more?

Ronldinho
Benzema
Cambiasso
Zanetti
Pato
Nasri
Totti
Vieira
Moutinho
Ruud Van Nistelrooy
Banega
Perotti
Mexes
Thomas Hitzlsperger
Canales
Luca Toni
Aquaman
Roger Milla

[A Quinn Martin Production]

Good players not added in World cup Squads, care to add some more?

Ronldinho
Benzema
Cambiasso
Zanetti
Pato
Nasri
Totti
Vieira
Moutinho
Ruud Van Nistelrooy
Banega
Perotti
Mexes
Thomas Hitzlsperger
Canales
Luca Toni
Aquaman
Roger Milla

I notice that as well as overloooking Zanetti and Cambiasso, Maradona has included Martin Palermo who is 36 and over the past 11 years has played a massive 13 times for Argentina and is perhaps is best known for missing three pens in an international match...he'll probably end up top scorer

[Norf Tyrone]

Good players not added in World cup Squads, care to add some more?

Ronldinho
Benzema
Cambiasso
Zanetti
Pato
Nasri
Totti
Vieira
Moutinho
Ruud Van Nistelrooy
Banega
Perotti
Mexes
Thomas Hitzlsperger
Canales
Luca Toni
Aquaman
Roger Milla

Brazil must have some good defenders. Alex not included.

[ross4life]

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

i think Alex was called up as one of the seven backup players to the 23 man squad? 

[batman]

France for world cup!!

[Minder]

Alex is twice the player that Luisao bucko is.

[ross4life]

 Wayne Rooney is worn out, says Landon Donovan

United States captain Landon Donovan believes a long season is catching up with "worn out" England striker Wayne Rooney ahead of their World Cup clash.

The Manchester United player has been troubled by ankle and groin injuries in recent weeks having endured a 49-game campaign.

Donovan believes Rooney will be short of his best when England face the USA on 12 June.

"Rooney is a top player — one of the best in the world right now," said the midfielder. "But the other part of it is that he has played a lot of games and he is tired. He is probably worn out. Injuries are a part of that. Things happen when players are tired."

Donovan believes all the pressure will be on Fabio Capello's side when they meet in Rustenburg.

"If we don't do well in the World Cup, people care a little bit," said the LA Galaxy man. "But if England don't do well, it is absolutely devastating to their country, their families and their people."

[Capt Pat]

Good players not added in World cup Squads, care to add some more?

Ronldinho
Benzema
Cambiasso
Zanetti
Pato
Nasri
Totti
Vieira
Moutinho
Ruud Van Nistelrooy
Banega
Perotti
Mexes
Thomas Hitzlsperger
Canales
Luca Toni
Aquaman
Roger Milla

Is Luca Toni a good player?

Aquaman? You forgot to add Spiderman.

[A Quinn Martin Production]

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

i think Alex was called up as one of the seven backup players to the 23 man squad?

Alex is in the 30 names submitted to FIFA as a provisional squad.  In Brazil he's known as Alex Costa.  However Dunga has named his preferred 23.  So it's looks like Alex will only make it due to injury/withdrawal.  A pity as he's been playing really well and has been known to hit the odd free kick now and again.

[ross4life]

Recap of all the Squads

[paco]

Not really surprised at Sergio Canales being left out of the Spain squad, Racing Santander have been terrible since they confrirmed his sale to Real Madrid, they may get relegated this weekend it's that bad. Anyone else find it very strange Nasri not being in the France squad? Re: Maradona, man's a looney, fell out with Riquelme at the start of the qualifying campaign and, despite the quite ridiculous omissions from the squad, I can't help but hope he does well. What did anyone make of De Gea in nets for Atletico on Wednesday night?

[The Worker]

Any1 care setting up a fantasy world cup tournament on Sky and set up a private league for gaaboarders?

[A Quinn Martin Production]

France cut squad to 24...unfortunately the delightfully named Rod Fanni has not made it...

France's provisional 24-man squad:

Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Olympique Lyon), Steve Mandanda (Olympique Marseille), Cedric Carrasso (Girondins Bordeaux)

Defenders: Bacary Sagna (Arsenal), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), William Gallas (Arsenal), Eric Abidal (Barcelona), Sebastien Squillaci (Sevilla), Marc Planus (Girondins Bordeaux), Gaël Clichy (Arsenal), Anthony Reveillere (Olympique Lyon)

Midfielders: Lassana Diarra (Real Madrid), Alou Diarra (Girondins Bordeaux), Jeremy Toulalan (Olympique Lyon), Florent Malouda (Chelsea), Yoann Gourcuff (Girondins Bordeaux), Abou Diaby (Arsenal)

Forwards: Thierry Henry (Barcelona), Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea), Andre-Pierre Gignac (Toulouse), Franck Ribéry (Bayern Munich), Sidney Govou (Olympique Lyon), Djibril Cisse (Panathinaikos), Mathieu Valbuena (Olympique Marseille)