Royal Bafokeng Stadium - Rustenburg

The Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace is one of the stadiums for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. The stadium is named after the Bafokeng people who live in the area.

In 1999, the Bafokeng won a legal battle, which entitled them to 20% on the platinum which is mined on their historical land. Hence, they have shares in platinum mining in the area. Upon completion, the stadium will seat 44,530.

The South African national team played a FIFA World Cup qualifying game against Bakino Faso in 2001, and won 2-1. It has been host to many Premier Soccer League games despite Rustenburg not having its own team.

The stadium is only a 25 minute drive to Sun City and 30 minutes to the Pilansberg. It is 12 kilometers from the Rustenburg city centre.

Peter Mokaba Stadium - Polokwane

Named after one of the renowned sons of the struggle and emancipation of South Africa against the apartheid regime, the Peter Mokaba Stadium holds much historical significance in South Africa. Peter Mokaba was born and bred in Polokwane and was renowned for his fighting spirit and for his inpirational leadership.

The design of the largely concrete structure is inspired by the locally iconic Baobab tree, with the steel structure supporting the roof plane gathered together at each corner of the stadium and supported by giant ‘trunk' structures which accommodate vertical circulation ramps and service cores.

The stadium was built next to the old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane in the Limpopo Province. The newly-built Peter Mokaba stadium is situated approximately 5km from the city centre, with a total seating capacity of 45,000.

Former African player of the Year, Didier Drogba remains one of the biggest stars to play at this venue when he played for Côte d'Ivoire in a memorable and decisive CAF African Cup of Nations qualifier against South Africa at the old Peter Mokaba Stadium, with the home side prevailing 2-1.

Mbombela Stadium - Nelspruit

The Mbombela Stadium is one of the newly-built stadia for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ and it takes its name from the local municipality which incorporates the city of Nelspruit. Mbombela is siSwati (one of the 11 official languages in South Africa) and literally means 'many people together in a small space.'

The stadium, with a capacity of 46,000, is located in the city of Nelspruit in Mpumalanga Province. It is situated approximately seven kilometers from the city centre and 12 kilometers from the nearby Kruger-Mpumalanga Airport. The ground also enjoys a close proximity to various game parks, giving spectators the opportunity to see the wildlife during rest days.

The Mbombela comes as a welcome addition to football life in Nelspruit, and will leave a legacy of the beautiful game for all the people of Mpumalanga. Before the Stadium's construction, Nelspruit had no top football venue to host international matches.

Port Elizabeth Stadium - Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth

The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, set on the shores of the North End Lake is the first football dedicated stadium in the city or surrounding areas. The stadium, one of the newly-built stadiums for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, was completed a year prior to the commencement of the world's greatest show on earth - a major milestone for the city.

The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium will host the match for third place , and a quarter-final amid a total of eight matches during the FIFA World Cup. The stadium has an eye-catching, unique roof-structure and a spectacular view, overlooking the North End Lake.

Before the construction of this multi-purpose venue, all international football matches were played at the Eastern Province rugby stadium, the EPRU Stadium. The playing field is going to be of natural grass with the outer /surrounding area to be artificial turf. One of its first major test events was the coveted Soweto Derby between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs - a game that attracts capacity crowds in South Africa.

Free State Stadium - Mangaung / Bloemfontein

Home to some of the country's most fanatical group of supporters, the Free State Stadium is likely to be the centre of attention during the FIFA World Cup™. The stadium was given a plush new look for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup . It hosted the memorable semi-final match between Spain and USA where the latter secured one of the biggest surprises of the tournament by sending the European champions packing in front of a capacity crowd.

The Free State Stadium was upgraded from a capacity of 38,000 to 45,000 during the refurbishments. The stadium has hosted numerous major football and rugby union matches, and Bloemfontein's natives are renowned for their passion for sport. While the former played second fiddle to the latter for decades, football's popularity explosion - aided by the emergence of Bloemfontein Celtic - is changing this. The Celtic fans are known as Siwelele, a Sotho term.

Soccer City Stadium - Johannesburg

One of the most artistic and awe-inspiring football venues on the African continent, the newly-reconstructed Soccer City Stadium will host the first and final matches of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.

The ground's design is inspired by the iconic African pot known as the calabash, and its aesthetic appeal will be heightened when the stadium is lit at night. Soccer City is located in Johannesburg's southwest and is only a short distance from one of the country's football-crazy townships, Soweto. About 40 per cent of Johannesburg's population live in Soweto and this proximity is bound to make the stadium a hub of activity throughout the 2010 finals.

The stadium is widely regarded as the heart of football in South Africa as it has hosted many important matches through history. In the mid 1980s, officials came together to build the first international football stadium in the country and the construction was funded from the football fraternity's coffers. Soccer City hosted the first mass rally of Nelson Mandela after his release from prison in 1990. Thousands of mourners lamented Chris Hani's assassination at the stadium in 1993. It was also the venue for the 1996 CAF African Cup of Nations final, with South Africa eventually triumphing 2-0 over Tunisia.

The original stadium, which was known as the FNB Stadium, had a capacity of 80,000. Upgrades involved extending the upper tier to increase the capacity to 94,700; adding 99 more suites to bring the number to 184; constructing an encircling roof; adding new changing room facilities and installing new floodlighting.

Durban Stadium - Durban

The newly-built Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban will host one of the semi-finals of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. The ground epitomises the architectural innovation on display in South Africa and takes its design inspiration from the South African flag, with its grand arch representing the unity of this sport-loving nation. The two legs of the arch on the southern side of the stadium come together to form a single footing on the northern side, symbolising the new unity of a once-divided country.

The 70,000-seater has been specifically designed as a multi-purpose venue and an amphitheatre complete with a cable car which ascends to a viewing platform at the top of the expansive 350m arch, a staggering 106m above the pitch. From this vantage point, visitors can experience spectacular panoramic views of the nearby shoreline and the city. The roof is attached to the arch by 95mm-diameter steel cables. Each seat of the stadium is spacious and comfortable, providing a clear line of sight to the pitch.

It is a world-class and multifunctional arena located in the heart of the Kings Park Sporting Precinct. Durban's Moses Mabhida Stadium will be the jewel in the crown of the Kings Park Sporting precinct. The entire area will feature additional sporting arenas and facilities as well as restaurants, shops, play areas for children and a pedestrian walkway linking the stadium complex to the beach.

The stadium was built on the site of the old Kings Park Stadium. Moses Mabhida, the ground's namesake, was born in Thornville near Pietermaritzburg on 14 October 1923 into a poor family who were later forced off their land. In 1963, Mabhida was asked by Oliver Tambo while working in Prague rallying support from the World Federation of Trade Unions, to come back to Africa to develop the ANC's armed wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK). He underwent military training and became the chief political instructor of new military recruits. He later served as the commander of MK.

Green Point Stadium - Cape Town

One of the most artistic football venues in South Africa, the newly-built Green Point Stadium is situated in one of the much sought-after areas in the city of Cape Town. Green Point Stadium is one of the two semi-final venues for the FIFA World Cup™.

This multi-purpose venue is also going to be used to stage major events and concerts. Fans will be a stone's throw from the ocean and the mountains of Cape Town will also provide the backdrop for matches. The location is ideal as it is a short walk from the transportation hub of the city. The new stadium has been partly built on land that was previously used as a golf course.

The stadium, which has an exterior that is covered with noise-reducing cladding has a capacity of 70,000 and is scheduled for completion in December 2009. The Green Point Common, on which the new 2010 stadium is being built, was originally much larger than what now remains, and included most of the land between the sea and Signal Hill, stretching from the city centre towards Sea Point.

Cape Town has another world-standard stadium, Newlands, but this is primarily used as a rugby union venue. Post FIFA World Cup, the Green Point Stadium is likely to be used by some of the Cape Town-based professional football outfits that include Ajax Cape Town and Santos.

Hospitality Experience

For those who wish to watch the matches in style, MATCH Hospitality will meet your every need with creative, flexible and tailor-made hospitality offerings.

MATCH Hospitality is FIFA's worldwide exclusive rights holder of the Official Hospitality Programme for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South AfricaTM.
Group Sales
The only guaranteed way for you to experience the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa as a group from the best seats. All games, all dates are available.
Hospitality Packages
We offer hospitality packages to corporate customers or individuals(minimum purchase per match or Series of 4), comprising:

* A 2010 FIFA World CupTM premium match ticket
* Match-day hospitality benefits at the stadium such as:
o High-end catering
o Bar-service
o Dedicated parking
o Entertainment
o Gifts
o Access to travel packages
(flight/bus transfers to matches and accommodation)


For more details please consult MATCH Hospitality or the appointed sales agent in your country. via FIFA.com

2010 Ticket unveiled

The official 2010 FIFA World Cup™ ticket was unveiled today (9 April 2010) by FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke and Organising Committee CEO Danny Jordaan at Maponya Mall in Soweto. The tickets will be made available to the general public in a week’s time, on 15 April 2010, when the fifth and final ticketing sales phase kicks off. This will coincide with the opening of the FIFA World Cup ticketing centres in all nine Host Cities and the start of the over-the-counter sales.

“For this last phase, we have made a big effort to assist football fans by introducing various additional means to purchase a ticket,” emphasised Jérôme Valcke. “We are commited to facilitating the process for all fans and giving them this last chance to attend the matches and experience the excitement of this first World Cup in Africa.”

In all, 500,000 tickets for 63 matches (including all Host Cities and all knock-out matches except the final) will be made available.

Five different sales channels will be operating during this fifth and final sales phase, which will run from next Thursday (15 April 2010) to the last day of the tournament (11 July 2010):

* 11 ticketing centres across the Host Cities (exact addresses and details can be found attached and on FIFA.com), open seven days a week from 9.00 until 18.00 local time;
* Approx. 600 FNB branches nationwide, open five days a week from 9.00 on 15 April; the process is new: you can order tickets, make payment and get ticket confirmation immediately; the actual tickets need to be collected at the FIFA ticketing centres or Shoprite/Checkers sales points;
* The official tournament website www.FIFA.com, starting from 18.00 on 15 April;
* The call centre hotline (tel. (within South Africa): 083 123 2010; tel. (international): 0041445832010), starting from 18.00 on 15 April and open seven days a week from 8.00 until 22.00;
* 18 Shoprite/Checkers sales points (addresses attached and on FIFA.com), starting from 9.00 on 19 April and open seven days a week;

“We are excited about these new initiatives, which make the process much easier for everyone. We have always said that it is important that we make this World Cup more accessible to the people and with the over-the-counter sales, we believe this measure is consistent with the needs of the fans,” said Danny Jordaan.

Fans applying at the ticketing centres will be required to display ID and pay by credit card or cash.

A total of 240,000 tickets were sold in the fourth phase, 85% of which went to South African residents. Overall, 2.2 million tickets have been sold for the tournament.
via FIFA.com

South Africa - Profile

There is an air of cautious optimism in South Africa as the Rainbow Nation prepares to write what is undoubtedly the most significant chapter of its short football history. A mammoth task lies ahead.

Recent years have brought ample disappointments, but Bafana Bafana have also shown, albeit in patches, that - given motivation and purpose - they can be a potent threat. And there can be no greater motivation than representing their country in a FIFA World Cup™ on home soil.

In 1996, four years after their readmission to international football, South Africa shot to prominence and stunned the African continent by claiming their maiden CAF Africa Cup of Nations trophy against Tunisia at Soccer City in Johannesburg. How ironic that, 16 years later, South Africa will return to the venue where they achieved this first major success, aiming to rewrite the script on an even bigger stage.

Their gallant performance at the FIFA Confederations Cup last June, when they lost narrowly to Brazil in the semi-finals and to Spain in the third place play-off, should certainly serve as a chilling reminder to their detractors that this team, when stretched to its potential, cannot be underestimated. That tournament witnessed several impressive performances strung together by the hosts, and ultimately it was only their inability to convert cleverly-tailored moves into goals that led to their demise.

The road to South Africa
South Africa, by virtue of their role as hosts, gained automatic qualification.

The star players
Talented midfield maestro Steven Pienaar is South Africa's prize assert. In the absence of the country's most successful striker, Benni McCarthy, who remains out of favour, Pienaar brings much-needed innovation and imagination to the side.

Since his arrival at Everton, Pienaar has reinvented himself and matured as an all-round player. While he continues to polarise opinion in his native country, no-one in South Africa disputes the confidence he exudes on the field and his ability to inject inspiration into the team's play. His performances during the FIFA Confederations Cup were yet another reminder that he will be key to any South African success in 2010.

Yet arguably just as vital to the Bafana Bafana cause are two players who have laboured tirelessly and effectively with little recognition: wingbacks Siboniso Gaxa and the enterprising Tsepho Masilela.

The coach
Now in his second stint as a South Africa coach, Carlos Alberto Parreira's return was greeted with mixed feelings in South Africa, although the Brazilian's many supporters are adamant that he is the man to lead this side to the ‘Promised Land' in 2010. Parreira certainly has the pedigree, having led his native country to the beautiful game's ultimate prize at the 1994 FIFA World Cup USA. The extensively-travelled coach also brings a wealth of experience, which should prove vital in revitalising a South African side struggling with some significant pre-tournament problems. However, Parreira will be hoping to avoid the difficulties he endured during an inauspicious first spell as head coach, which witnessed him fail to lead South Africa beyond the first round at the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations.

Previous FIFA World Cups
South Africa have failed to make it beyond the group stages in either of their two previous FIFA World Cup appearances. Clearly, this is a situation they will be desperate to remedy. Their first appearance was in France 1998, six years after they had been readmitted to the global football family. Despite a 3-0 drubbing to France in their opening game, they went on to put a decent show against Denmark and Saudi Arabia, drawing against both. Korea/Japan 2002 was expected to be an opportunity for Bafana Bafana to step up to the next level but, ultimately, they flattered to deceive, crashing out after the group stage despite beating Slovenia 1-0 for their first-ever FIFA World Cup win.

Record
* This is South Africa's third appearance at the FIFA World Cup. Their first participation was at France 1998 and they also qualified for Korea/Japan 2002.

* Benni McCarthy scored the country's first goal at the FIFA World Cup in a 1-1 draw against Denmark on 18 June 1998.

* South Africa's incumbent captain, Aaron Mokoena remains the country's most capped player.

* South Africa hosted and won the CAF Africa Cup of Nations in 1996 at their first attempt, beating Tunisia 2-0 in Johannesburg's Soccer City. They went on to finish as runners-up at the following edition in 1998, losing to Egypt 2-0 in the final.

What they said
"We are all aware that it is a huge honour to play in a World Cup on home soil; not many players have had such a privilege. We are also aware of the task that lies ahead. For us, the World Cup is our priority, it's our biggest goal. We need to represent our country with pride," Aaron Mokoena, South Africa captain.
via FIFA.com

Preliminary squads announced

Competing at a FIFA World Cup is invariably the highlight of any footballer’s career, and this week we discovered which players have moved a step closer to realising that dream. The final 23-man squads will not be known until 1 June, but this week coaches from each of the participating nations named the 30 players from which that ultimate decision will be made.

To view the provisional squads selected by all 32 finalists, just click on the pdf document linked at the bottom of the right-hand menu.

As always with these preliminary squad announcements, surprise inclusions and notable, often controversial, omissions dominated the headlines, even if plenty of coaches remained faithful to the tried and tested stars who had excelled during qualifying. Sadly, injuries forced the hands of many, with Charlie Davies failing to recover in time to take his place in a USA squad that instead included the comparatively inexperienced striking duo of Edson Buddle and Herculez Gomez.

There were even more surprises for fans of the Americans’ opening match opponents, England, for whom Jamie Carragher and Ledley King – neither of whom have played under Fabio Capello – both received call-ups. The Three Lions’ Italian coach, who failed to convince Paul Scholes to join Carragher in coming out of retirement, also included two as yet uncapped players: King’s central defensive partner, Michael Dawson, and the exciting Manchester City winger, Adam Johnson. Elsewhere in Group C, there was a place for Groningen’s in-form young striker Tim Matavz in Matjaz Kek’s Slovenia selection, while Algeria coach Rabah Sadaane sprung few surprises in a squad dominated by a strong Europe-based contingent.

The task of choosing from Brazil’s embarrassment of riches fell to Dunga, who resisted a public clamour by staying true to the players who topped their qualifying group and won last year’s FIFA Confederations Cup. The inclusion of Wolfsburg striker Grafite raised a few eyebrows, however, while Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes was rewarded for his fine form in the Londoners’ outstanding Premier League campaign with the third goalkeeping slot. Group F rivals Portugal, meanwhile, have gambled on the fitness of Real Madrid centre-half Pepe, sidelined since December, while shock inclusions were conspicuous by their absence in Sven-Goran Eriksson’s star-studded Côte d’Ivoire squad.

Inevitably, Diego Maradona’s selection proved less predictable, with the Argentina coach picking the largely unknown trio of Ariel Garce, Sebastian Blanco and Juan Manuel Insaurralde among a nine-strong contingent of home-based players that also includes 36-year-old Martin Palermo. Another veteran striker who could be lining up against Maradona’s side in their South Africa 2010 opener is Kanu. The Portsmouth striker, who turns 34 in August, was named alongside club colleague John Utaka in Nigeria coach Lars Lagerback’s 30-man list.

The holders, meanwhile, will rely on the players who led them back to the world stage, with Marcello Lippi resisting the temptation to recall Francesco Totti in an Italy squad that has Giuseppe Rossi as its only foreign-based player. Spain, many observers’ favourites for the title, have named the injured trio of Andreas Iniesta, Fernando Torres and Cesc Fabregas along with outsiders such as Barcelona winger Pedro Rodriguez, Osasuna defender Cesar Azpilicueta and Athletic Bilbao midfielder Javi Martinez.

In the closely-matched Group D, Germany surprised many by including Hamburg defender Dennis Aogo and Bayern Munich youngster Holger Badstuber, while Radomir Antic named seven England-based players in a formidable looking Serbia squad. Australia and Ghana, meanwhile, have backed two of their key players to recover from injury in time, with Harry Kewell and Michael Essien both included.

A quartet of Arsenal players and a trio of Ligue 1-winning Marseille players were named in France coach’s Raymond Domenech’s 30, while Mexico have named just five recognised midfielders in a squad that will be without the talents of the injured Miguel Sabah. Finally, hosts South Africa sprung few surprises in their announcement, with prodigal son Benni McCarthy, as expected, completing his return from the international wilderness by making Carlos Alberto Parreira’s provisional list.

via FIFA.com

Fantasy opens its doors

This week, coaches formally handed in their provisional squads for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, a move that sent many fans into a fever as they agonised over squad inclusions and exclusions.

For fantasy managers, the announcement means that it’s time to register your fantasy teams and prepare for the launch of the McDonald’s 2010 FIFA World Cup Fantasy game on 4 June. The game launch takes place shortly after the announcement of the final 23-man squads for all participating 2010 FIFA World Cup teams. To register your fantasy team now, click on the 'Register for Fantasy' link to the right of this article.

The Grand Prize for the overall winner of McDonald’s 2010 FIFA World Cup Fantasy is a Kia car. There will also be tons of prizes up for grabs up in each of the sevens rounds.

Why should I play McDonald’s FIFA World Cup Fantasy?
It’s competitive, it’s free to play, it’s packed with prizes and it makes watching FIFA World Cup matches even more exciting.

When can I start playing?
Fantasy managers will be able to step into the market and start selecting their 23-man squad from 4 June. Until then, fantasy managers will have to content themselves with registering, picking team names, setting up private leagues and familiarizing themselves with the game format and rules.

New fantasy format
McDonald’s 2010 FIFA World Cup Fantasy is significantly different from its predecessor - McDonald’s 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Fantasy. Be sure to use this time before the game launches to read up on all the game rules and FAQs. There will also be a fantasy feed running throughout the tournament; the feed will provide fantasy managers with the latest news, tips, announcements and game information.

McDonald’s 2010 FIFA World Cup Fantasy is just one of the many games, competitions and features available to FIFA.com Club members. If you have not already, join the Club and enjoy exclusive access to 2010 FIFA World Cup content and competitions.

2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa - GROUPS

Brazil v Argentina: 2010 South American World Cup Qualifiers

Sorensen upbeat about injury recovery

Denmark goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen is confident of being fit for the FIFA World Cup™ despite dislocating his elbow last month.

The 33-year-old missed Stoke's final three matches of the Premier League season having been carried off in the 7-0 defeat at Chelsea on 25 April.

However, the Dane is optimistic he will be ready for his country's opening match in South Africa against Holland on 14 June.

"I've had a second scan and it's progressing really well," he said. Obviously, there is still a fair bit of bruising and muscle loss around the elbow, but it is healing really well and the capsule has sealed itself and the ligaments are intact which is hugely important for me.

"I am now starting to build it all up again and I had a first feel of the ball yesterday which was good, but again there is still a way to go. Hopefully, within a couple of weeks, with a lot of hard work in between, I will be back and close to resuming full training.

"The key is not pushing it too much because it is easy to do that when you feel good and you then run the risk of doing too much which in the end could backfire and put you in a worse situation than you were in originally," he said.
Hopefully, within a couple of weeks, with a lot of hard work in between, I will be back and close to resuming full training.
Thomas Sorensen, Denmark goalkeeper.

"I just have to keep ticking on slowly and be sensible, which I will be. There are still five weeks to go until the first game and at the moment I am very optimistic." Sorensen admitted he feared the worst when he sustained the injury but now, having had the elbow assessed, is in a much more positive frame of mind.

"I was devastated (when it happened) and I was crying as I was taken off the pitch because I thought that was it, I really thought my chances of going were gone," he told Stoke City Player. "Obviously though I am feeling a lot better now because it wasn't as bad as it could have been, and I suppose luck was on my side and the omens are looking good for me."

via FIFA.com

Spector backs Green for England

United States defender Jonathan Spector believes West Ham team-mate Robert Green should be England's first-choice goalkeeper at next month's FIFA World Cup™.

With doubts over David James' fitness and Joe Hart's lack of experience Green could face his Hammers colleague when their two countries meet in their opening Group C match in Rustenburg on 12 June.

And Spector would not be surprised to see the 30-year-old between the posts for that fixture and the whole tournament.

"I always personally felt confident having him behind me, that if something goes wrong, he'll be there," said the American.

"I think he's the most consistent as well, compared to the other England keepers. That's something Fabio Capello or any manager would value in a World Cup, especially when there's a lot more pressure, the kind of pressure the England team will be facing going into it."

However, Spector's greater concern when the two teams meet is combating the threat of striker Wayne Rooney, who despite currently recovering from a groin problem is destined to lead England's attack.

The Manchester United forward and player of the year has been in impressive form this season and the USA international admits keeping him quiet will be tough.

"Rooney was in unbelievable form before his injury. It didn't seem like you could stop him or take him out of the game," Spector told whufc.com.

"I think we need to limit his contribution as much as possible. He has so many great attributes and scored many goals and scored so many headers, which we haven't seen in the past.

"It's not a job of one person to defend against him, but the team in general. He's very clever. Sometimes he drops off in the midfield to find space and pick up the ball and run at you.

"It's pretty well-known England are going to be more direct and I think we'll need to defend well as a group in that respect."

via FIFA.com

Uruguay's classy enforcer

Garra charrúa is the term Uruguayans use for that quality of gritty determination that any self-respecting Uruguay side, especially one preparing for the FIFA World Cup™ finals, must have in their DNA.

The key ingredients are hard work, intensity and some tough tackling, with shielding and sacrifice coveted ahead of touch and technique. In the Uruguay team it falls to the central midfielder more than anyone to match this sterotype, or at least it did before Walter Gargano came on to the scene.

Speaking exclusively to FIFA.com from Italy, the Napoli midfielder laughs when asked if he is a worthy inheritor of the famed Uruguayan fighting spirit. "It's true that I’m perhaps a more technical player than the classical Uruguayan central midfielder. I like to read the play and then help my team-mates get on to the ball, and open up the play," he explains, before adding the rejoinder: "But don't worry, if I have to get stuck in, I'm not shy."

Gargano takes as his role models Xavi Hernandez and Juan Veron – two players whom he could conceivably end up facing in South Africa. "Xavi because he does not lose a single ball and always ends up giving it straight to a team-mate. And Veron because the bigger the occasion, the more he enjoys playing and the easier he makes it look.

"Among Uruguayan players, I always looked up to Pablo Garcia – he was also a technical player but if he had to put a foot in, he would do," adds Gargano, who turns 26 in July, shortly after the FIFA World Cup's conclusion.

Working under the maestro
Although he is not the tallest player at 1.68m, his style is not down to size alone. “I came out of the Danubio [FC] academy,which has always produced footballers with a good touch. So I'm not afraid to have the ball further up the pitch. In fact, that's what I do for Napoli," says Gargano, who won two Uruguayan titles with the Montevideo-based Danubio before departing for Naples in June 2007.
If we got to the quarter-finals, this would be a great World Cup for us and I'd go home happy. But like every footballer who is going to South Africa, I'm dreaming of the final.
Uruguay's Walter Gargano

With his national team, Gargano fills a more defensive role. "El Maestro [coach Oscar Tabarez] wants me to play as a holding midfielder so I do that job first and from there try to bring my own game into it. It's about being a complete player, being able to adapt to the needs of the team. For Uruguay I'd even play at full-back if that's what was needed."

If anyone knows that, it is Tabarez, who handed him his debut in May 2006 in a 2-1 friendly win over Libya in Tunis. Gargano does not hide his admiration for his coach and praises his tactical intelligence. "During qualifying he started out with a 3-4-3 but struggled to make it work. He was able to change it to find the best system for the players he has. That says a lot about him," says the midfielder, who missed seven of Uruguay's 18 qualifiers through injury.

The coach has also been working to ensure the right amound of grit in the Uruguayan blend. "He wants us to be tough but fair. There were several qualifying games where we finished with ten men, and that extra man is a big advantage in football today, especially in a World Cup."

Anticipation building
Uruguay's opening fixture against France on 11 June may be drawing ever closer but Gargano's thoughts are currently focused elsewhere – following the recent arrival of his first child, Matias. "It's amazing," he says. "I've not got back into a proper sleeping pattern yet, but it gives you an incredible energy." He can joke that "it's still harder to mark Brazil's central midfielders than to change a nappy", but he knows the mood will become more serious once back in Uruguay. "It's not every day you play a World Cup," he adds

When it comes to assessing Uruguay’s Group A rivals, Gargano gets straight to the point. "It's good that we start against France – that will be key to seeing where we stand. If you win, you're almost halfway through, and if you draw you take confidence from holding the 2006 runners-up. With South Africa, we'll have to try and play on the pressure they face as the home nation – this was something teams used against us in the qualifiers. Mexico have got experienced players, they've been preparing for a while and have grown together. I hope we can go through with them."

On the tournament overall, he adds: "I like the look of Spain, Brazil and Argentina, although England and Holland also have individuals who can hurt any team." And Uruguay? "If we got to the quarter-finals, this would be a great World Cup for us and I'd go home happy. But like every footballer who is going to South Africa, I'm dreaming of the final. The key will be the group stage – if that goes well, we can go far."

via FIFA.com

27 days to go

England qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2010 with a points total of 27 from a possible 30, with a defeat to Ukraine the only blot on the copybook.

Nine wins from ten games ensured Fabio Capello's men progressed to South Africa in emphatic fashion as a 1-0 defeat against Ukraine represented the only blot on England's copybook.

Wayne Rooney's haul of nine goals paved the way for the Three Lions to top Group 6, six points clear of Ukraine.

Frank Lampard and Peter Crouch also netted four goals apiece as the likes of Andorra, Belarus, Croatia and Kazakhstan were all ruthlessly put to the sword.

via FIFA.com