All bidders have until February 11 to submit February 11 to submit their signed Hosting Agreements, together with their complete bid books to Fifa. The winning bids will be appointed by the Fifa Executive Committee and will be announced 2-3 March, 2011.

2013 Under 17 Fifa World Cup – Bidders: Ghana and United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Fifa are likely to give Ghana a shot a hosting a Fifa tournament after the successes of South Africa 2010. With the UAE likely to pick up the under 20 event, Ghana are the frontrunners to host the tournament. However if the UAE – home to the mega rich Manchester City owners – do not pick up the tournament, Ghana will probably find themselves out of luck.

2013 Under 20 Fifa World Cup – UAE, Turkey, Usbekistan

Uzbekistan and Turkey may be finding themselves watching this event from the comforts of their homes, with the UAE extremely strong favourites to host the spectacle. Fifa gave Qatar the 2022 World Cup and given that UAE capital Abu Dhabi is less than 30 minutes drive from the Qatar boarder, the home country of Arsenal sponsor Emirates will be confident of picking up the tournament have studied Qatar’s bid.

2015 Under 17 Fifa World Cup – Russia, Wales, Tunisia, Chile

Much depends on who hosts the Under 20 event in the same year. If Wales do not pick up the older age grade tournament in the same year, they will most likely pick up this one. However, Russia are very prominent and still a chance of upsetting the British nation if it comes down to the two facing off for the event, and will almost certainly host the Cup if Wales do pick up it’s big brother competition.

2015 Under 20 Fifa World Cup – New Zealand, Wales, Peru, Tunisia

Pretty much 50 – 50 between New Zealand and Wales. Both have strong things going for them, and New Zealand hosted a very successful Women’s under 17 World Cup in 2007. Fifa may also bring in to play the fact that the Kiwis are riding of a wave of football popularity after coming out of South Africa the only unbeaten team in the world’s greatest competition.

In a glowing assessment of the country’s chances of hosting the tournament, he told the club’s official magazine, Inside United: “England must have a great chance of winning it. The facilities for players and fans are magnificent, from training grounds to stadiums, and the passion of the English people for the game would ensure that everybody would be made to feel welcome.

“The transport links are very good here as well – it’s a very easy country to get around and all the major cities have good hotels. The stadiums are second to none here, maybe only those in Germany can equal what we have. It would be a great honour for Old Trafford to host some of the games – it’s one of the finest stadiums in the world.

Ferguson also identified a “positive nature” within the Premier League this season which he sees as responsible for the high number of goals scored. He said: “There have certainly been more goals than I can ever remember at the start of the season. Normally things are pretty tight and you get a lot of closely fought games with a few draws here and there. The high scoring could well continue – the pitches are good and there’s a positive nature about the league. I think it’s good for the game if there’s a real attacking emphasis in matches.”

Excerpt from Inside United, which goes on sale Wednesday 8th September (£3.85)

Shock Demand Kits

Before New Zealand had kicked a ball this summer the team’s shirts were already in huge demand, the All Whites first visit to a World Cup finals since 1982, had captivated Kiwis both at home and those on their overseas experience. Perhaps the number of Kiwis in the UK is one of the reasons why the Nike made kits were selling so well.

Following an unbeaten campaign at the finals, where the All Whites finished above Italy in their group, the team’s shirts are out of stock everywhere and are now a collectors item for those fans lucky enough to have got their hands on one. Subside Sports say they won’t be getting any more of the home or away shirts in.

Kiwi fans will be proud that whilst they ran out of stock there were Australian kits left over after their poor performance at the finals.

No Shirt Support

The French and Italian World Cup shirts have already been made available at 25% off, who would have thought that three weeks ago? Neither side managed to get a win at the 2010 World Cup, registering just three points in total (from draws) between the two at the tournament. England shirt sales have dried up completely since the loss to Germany, but fans in the UK haven’t resorted to buying German World Cup kits just yet.

Those still in demand, were those of the teams that have looked good in 2010; the World Cup shirt of Argentina Group B winner and conquerors of Mexico in the 2nd Round, Group E winners Holland‘s World Cup kit and Group G winners Brazil‘s shirts, Brazil and Holland are on course to meet in the Quarter Finals on July 2nd.

The introductions are now over and the knock-out phase of the tournament kicks off today. There are some mouth-watering fixtures to look forward to, the stand-out game being the Germany-England match-up. It gets harder to predict accurately as the competition progresses and the difference in quality of the teams narrows.

URUGUAY V SOUTH KOREA

Diego Forlan’s performance was vital to Uruguay’s demolition of South Africa and Mexico. His first goal against South Africa was a beauty, even though there was a big deflection off SA‘s captain Aaron Mokoena. He will be the key man against a South Korean side who are as fair as any team can get. Ji Sung Park will have to bring all his Manchester United heroics to the field today if South Korea are to avoid a flight to the Far East tomorrow.

I think Uruguay will edge this one, even though just.

ARGENTINA V MEXICO

A repeat of 2006 when a wonder goal from Maxi Rodriguez sealed a win for Argentina. Most of the big names have not yet risen to the occasion, not so Leo Messi. How he still doesn’t have a goal to his name, I don’t know. Were it not for Nigeria’s Vincent Enyeama, he could have had four or five in that game alone. This man is justifying his title of the world’s best footballer and he is doing it in fantastic style. Whether this is going to be Messi’s World Cup is yet to be seen, but Maradona is doing a great job of improving his reputation as a coach by garnering a maximum nine points in the group stages.

Javier Hernandez is just beginning his stardom and he will have to play like he did against France if Mexico are to have any chance. The key man for Mexico, I think, will be Rafael Marquez. I would like to see him in midfield again because against France, he terrorized the French with his tackles and inch perfect passing to the men in front.

I will go for an Argentina win, for one obvious reason: Lionel Messi.

GERMANY V ENGLAND

Wow, what a fixture! This should be a semifinal, not a second round match. Franz Beckenbauer has labeled England ‘stupid’ for not winning their group. Maybe this is the game that will awaken the likes of Wayne Rooney who is having a poor tournament.

Any sane person would go for a German win here. Mesut Ozil is having a cracker of a tournament so far, probably the best player as it stands. On the other hand, England had a terrible first two games and they only just managed to win against Slovenia to qualify for the second round.

Call me crazy, but I think England will be in the quarterfinals.

USA V GHANA

Barack Obama has given Team USA a motivational phone call ahead of this clash. They have had ridiculous refereeing decisions go against them but they have still managed to make it. The Americans have shown a lot of determination in their group games and they have Landon Donovan in their ranks. What a player this man is, his country’s top goal scorer of all time.

The Black Stars of Ghana are the only African team left in the competition. They are a very good side as they showed against Germany but they rely a lot on Asamoah Gyan. If he is marked out of the game, I think Ghana might struggle. The USA, on the other hand, have proven finishers in their midfield with the likes of Clint Dempsey. When they met in the 2006 edition, Ghana won. But the USA have improve a lot since then and almost won the Confederations Cup in South Africa last year.

This game could be decided on a penalty shoot-out. Which team will win? Yes We Can.

THE NETHERLANDS V SLOVAKIA

Slovakia provided one of the greatest upsets of all time by sending Italy’s ageing squad into early retirement. They played with class, flair and grit in what is, for me, the game of the tournament so far. But they come up now against a very talented Dutch team that has won all its group matches without playing at its best.

Slovakia’s defence is a shaky one as was shown against Italy. They might just have met their match in the Dutch. The Oranje will win here to set up a quarterfinal encounter against Brazil.

PARAGUAY V JAPAN

Paraguay are a very good side, make no mistake about that. They even managed to beat Brazil in the South American qualifiers and finished way ahead of Argentina in second place. Roque Santa Cruz is not scoring yet but he is creating a lot of opportunities for his teammates.

Keisuke Honda and Yasuhito Endo are responsible for two of the tournament’s best goals so far. They will need to be in full gear if Japan are to progress to the quarterfinals.

This tie is a really difficult one to predict. It has the makings of a game that will go into a shoot-out. Who will have the last laugh? I’ll go with Asia.

BRAZIL V CHILE

When the Samba boys are in town, everybody seems to go into a state of euphoria. But when they played yesterday without Elano, Kaka and Robinho against Portugal, they lacked that creativity normally associated with the boys in yellow and blue.

Chile’s supporters are the best at the tournament, no doubt about that. Their players also gave Spain a run for their money in the first twenty minutes before being broken down by Andres Iniesta. But I think they are a little unlucky to come against Brazil. Still, if Lucio has a bad day in defence, Chile could shock us all. He played superbly against Ronaldo and will be heavily relied upon again if the South American champions are to meet the Netherlands in the quarterfinals.

Yes, Brazil.

SPAIN V PORTUGAL

It’s time for these two neighbours to quarrel again. Spain are just beginning to step on the gas with David Villa scoring an outrageous goal against Chile. They have two problems: Fernando Torres and their defence.

Spain’s number 9 is still short of match fitness and has yet to recover that great finish in front of goal after undergoing knee surgery. He’ll need to improve if Spain are to make it to the World Cup Final. While Gerard Pique is very good going forward, Carlos Puyol doesn’t back him up sufficiently when the opposing team counterattacks.

Portugal will need to be at their very best if they are to progress, especially with a very average Ronaldo.

I’ll tip the European champions to sail through to the last eight.

POSSIBLE QUARTERFINAL MATCHES

Uruguay v England

Argentina v USA

The Netherlands v Brazil

Japan v Spain

Group B …….Pld W D L F A GD Pts
Argentina 2 2 0 0 5 1 +4 6

South Korea 2 1 0 1 3 4 -1 3

Greece 2 1 0 1 2 3 -1 3

Nigeria 2 0 0 2 1 3 -2 0

Argentina are in pole position going into the final games, knowing that even if they lose they may well finish top. Below them, it is all to play for, with South Korea knowing that if they match Greece’s result they will go through. Nigeria can only go through if they beat South Korea and Greece lose to Argentina.

Greece are definitely out if they lose, but could go through with a draw if Nigeria win. It would be an amazing achievement if the Nigerians went through after losing their first two games, but it is not beyond the realms of possibility. A victory for Argentina over Greece would mean that any Nigeria victory would be enough to take them through. All to play for here.

7:00pm: Argentina make seven changes, with Carlos Tevez, Javier Mascherano and Gonzalo Higuain and Angel di Maria among those rested. When Maradona can replace them with Diego Milito, Sergio Aguero, Maxi Rodriguez and Juan Veron, it gives an indication of the vast amount of quality in the Argentinian squad. Maradona also changes both of his full-backs, while Leo Messi captains the side in Mascherano’s absence.

Greece make two changes, with Samaras likely to play as a lone striker in a 4-5-1 formation, with Greece again favouring the defensive approach.

South Korea only make one change, with right-back Cha Du-Ri, so impressive in their opening game, returning to the side. Nigeria make several changes, with Yussuf Ayila, Rabiu Afolabi and Chinedu Obasi coming into the side, and Sani Keita suspended after his red card in the previous game.

7:30pm: Both games get underway and it’s all to play for in Group B.

7:32pm: South Korea nearly grab an early lead. Lee Chung-Yong was played in down the right and beat Nigerian ‘keeper Enyeama to the ball, but could only slide the ball into the side netting at the near post.

7:37pm: South Korea have started well and have just had another good chance as Ki Sung-Yeung hit a great strike from the edge of the box which flew narrowly over.

7:41pm: GOAL for NIGERIA! Kalu Uche, who scored for Nigeria in their last game, has another goal here. Odiah broke down Nigeria’s right and crossed for Uche, who nipped in front of his marker and fired home.

7:45pm: The first fifteen minutes from Greece can be summed up in two words; defensive and cynical. Not good to watch, they are clearly not interested in attacking.

7:48pm: Argentina’s best chance of the game so far, as Sergio Aguero beat his man and fired left footed from inside the box, forcing a good save from Tzorvas at his near post.

8:00pm: Argentina have dominated possession throughout this first half hour, without threatening the Greek goal. Greek are showing no attacking impetus whatsoever, although if the result in the other game stays as it is, a draw would be enough to qualify.

8:02pm: Milito fired across goal and Tzorvas spilled out across the box, where it was met by Aguero, with only a fine block from a Greek defender preventing a goal.

8:05pm: So close for Uche! The Nigerian winger finds himself in space and fires a superb drive from 25 yards that hit the post with ‘keeper Jung Sung-Ryong well beaten. A real let off for South Korea.

8:07pm: EQUALISER for SOUTH KOREA! A free-kick from Korea’s left evaded everybody in the box, until it reached defender Lee Jung-Soo at the far post, the defender heading home to give South Korea a vital equaliser. What a turnaround; Nigeria were very nearly 2-0 up, now they find themselves level.

8:15pm: Textbook Messi for Argentina. The magical winger cut in from the right and curled a curling effort from just outside the box, forcing Tzorvas to tip over at full stretch.

8:17pm: Both games are level at the break, with South Korea riding their luck against Nigeria but currently going through on goal difference.

The Group as it stands at half-time:
Group B ….Pld W D L F A GD Pts
Argentina 3 2 1 0 5 1 +4 7

South Korea 3 1 1 1 4 5 -1 4

Greece 3 1 1 1 2 3 -1 4

Nigeria 3 0 1 2 2 4 -2 1

8:33pm: The sides are back out in both games, but it remains to be seen whether Greece will continue with their attempts to squeeze the life out of the game. They currently need to win to finish above South Korea, while if the Koreans win then Greece need to win by two, which they are not going to do if they never cross the halfway line.

8:35pm: Best chance so far for Greece. Lone striker Samaras receives the ball up-field and side-foots his first effort against a defender, but the ball falls to him again and Samaras smashed a shot across the face of goal and just past the far post.

8:36pm: GOAL for SOUTH KOREA! A brilliant curling free-kick from Park Chu-Young gives the Koreans the lead. South Korea’s star striker placed the ball perfectly round the wall and past the outstretched Enyeama. South Korea now look strong favourites to qualify.

8:40pm: South Korea have really stepped things up since they went ahead, the pace of their attacking players causing real problems to the Nigerian defence.

8:42pm: I’m not sure if Otto Rehagel on the Greek bench is aware that South Korea are winning, but he needs to tell his team to show a little more ambition. They seem to have very little intention of crossing the halfway line. Maybe the 71 year old Rehagel has banned flashy modern devices like mobile phones and internet access and is unaware of what’s happening over in Durban.

8:43pm: Diego Milito nearly gives Argentina the lead as he so nearly heads in from Rodriguez’ left wing cross. That was Milito’s first chance of note but was so close to a goal.

8:48pm: Nigeria are showing glimpses of getting back into this, with Yakubu nearly getting in behind the Korean defence, but South Korea look dangerous on the counter.

8:50pm: A swift counter-attack from South Korea found Park Chu-Young at the far post, and the striker slid in to fire a shot goalwards which was well saved by Enyeama.

8:54pm: Yakubu has just produced quite possibly the worst miss in the history of the World Cup. Yussuf Ayila breaks down Nigeria’s left and crosses for Yakubu to side-foot home into the empty net. Except he didn’t, he placed the ball wide from inside the six-yard box with no one anywhere near him. Truly shocking, and a huge let-off for South Korea.

8:57pm: EQUALISER for NIGERIA! How quickly footballing fortunes can change. A terrible defensive error from substitute Kim Nam-Il, who lost the ball to Obasi in his own box and then hacked him down, gives Nigeria a penalty. Up steps Yakubu, and he shows no sign of nerves as he coolly slots home to erase memories of his horror miss. Well, at least until the clips reach Youtube.

8:58pm: Yakubu is substituted soon after his goal and is not happy at all. He will have to hope that his teammates can get a goal, or that will be his last involvement in this World Cup.

9:04pm: GOAL for ARGENTINA! Argentina finally have the breakthrough, and it’s come though brute force rather than intricate passing. Martin Demichelis met a right-wing corner with a firm header, but the ball hit his teammate Milito. Fortunately for Demichelis, it fell back at his feet and the big centre back smashed the ball home from close range. Will Greece finally come out of their defensive shell?

9:07pm: Another brilliant chance for Nigeria. How did Martins miss? The diminutive forward was put clean through down the left-hand side, beat ‘keeper Sung-Ryong to the ball and clipped a shot over him, only to see the ball bounce wide. A truly golden chance for Nigeria, who are surely aware that with Greece losing, any win would be enough to take them through. Can they score in the final ten minutes?

9:12pm: A real glimpse of Messi’s brilliance. The world’s best player receives the ball on the left and ghosts past two defenders before smashing a shot against the near post. How is Messi still without a goal at this World Cup? He’s been at the heart of everything good about Argentina in each of their three games.

9:16pm: GOAL for ARGENTINA! Argentina double their lead, and it’s veteran forward Martin Palermo with the goal. Messi dribbles infield and plays a clever one-two before curling a powerful effort from the edge of the box. Tzorvas could only parry Messi’s shot, but Palermo followed up with a clinical side-foot finish. No less than Argentina deserve.

9:17pm: So close for Nigeria! Subsitute Victor Obinna, slipping as he shot, fires narrowly wide from distance. The ball agonisingly hits the side-netting to the relief of South Korea and the anguish of Nigeria.

9:18pm: So close again. A carbon copy of Obinna’s chance only a minute previous. Same player, same position, same result; narrowly wide again. Nigeria will rue all these missed opportunities if they’re unable to find a third goal.

9:20pm: Full-time in Polokwane and Argentina have beaten Greece 2-0. Had Greece held on for a draw and Nigeria won, it may have been enough for the Greeks to qualify, but that didn’t happen and most neutrals will be delighted that the ultra-negative Greek side did not manage to get through playing like that.

9:22pm: Full-time in Durban and heartbreak for Nigeria, who only have themselves to blame for the game finishing 2-2. Had they scored one of their many late chances and won 3-2, they would have overtaken the South Koreans and qualified. That did not happen, and Nigeria go home having taken only one point from three games.

We now know our first two Second Round games; Argentina v Mexico and South Korea v Uruguay. Argentina still have defensive frailties, but their attacking talent is sensational and with Messi in the form that he is, they look like real contenders. South Korea scraped through by the narrowest of margins, and will be underdogs against Uruguay, but certainly have enough to beat the South Americans on their day.

The group finishes like this:

Group B …..Pld W D L F A GD Pts
Argentina 3 3 0 0 7 1 +6 7

South Korea 3 1 1 1 5 6 -4 4

Greece 3 1 0 2 2 5 -3 3

Nigeria 3 0 1 2 3 5 -2 1

Group A …..Pld W D L F A GD Pts
Uruguay 2 1 1 0 3 0 +3 4
Mexico 2 1 1 0 3 1 +2 4
France 2 0 1 1 0 2 – 2 1
South Africa 2 0 1 1 1 4 – 3 1

Going into the final Group A games, it looks a tall order for either France or South Africa to qualify. They have a significant goal swing to make up, and will both be hoping for a heavy win, as well as a winner in the Mexico – Uruguay game.

If the Mexicans and Uruguay draw their match then they are both through regardless of the other result, but with the runners-up likely to face Argentina, there is incentive for both sides to seek to win the group. Uruguay are in the driving seat as their superior goal difference means that a draw would guarantee them top spot.

2:30pm: The France team for today is much changed. The team are of course without axed striker Nicolas Anelka, who flew home on Sunday, but also drop captain Patrice Evra. Surely this is due to Evra’s part in the player revolt, with Evra leading the French decision to boycott training in protest at Anelka’s dismissal.

Joining Evra on the bench are previous starters Eric Abidal, Sidney Govou, Florent Malouda, while Jeremy Toulalan is suspended. Alou Diarra, who hadn’t played a minute in the previous two games, takes the captain’s armband, while also in for their first starts of the tournament are Sebastian Squillaci, Gael Clichy, Djibril Cisse and Pierre-Andre Gignac, while Yoann Gourcuff returns to the first XI.

This is Raymond Domenech’s final throw of the dice in quite probably his final game in charge, with France’s fate out of their hands knowing that a draw between Mexico and Uruguay would send them both through. All France can do is seek to win heavily and hope the other game does not end in a draw.

South Africa are in the same boat, albeit with a worse goal difference and less turmoil in their camp. Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has decided to ring the changes as well, with Moeneeb Josephs replacing the suspended Khune in goal, as well as four outfield changes.

The other game sees Mexico and Uruguay provide a less shocking pair of team sheets, with Uruguay making one change and Mexico a couple, the most significant being veteran forward Cauthemoc Blanco starting in place of Carlos Vela.

3:00pm: Anthems sung, pleasantries exchanged; now it’s kick-off time!

3:03pm: Gignac has the first chance of the game for France; after being played in by Gourcuff down the left hand side, he had time to open up his body to shoot, but produced a weak side-foot straight at ‘keeper Josephs.

3:06pm: Uruguay have a decent chance through forward Luis Suarez, who capitalised on a Mexican defensive slip but flashed a shot across goal when he should have hit the target.

3:10pm: With nothing happening in either game, I dash to the freezer to grab a couple of ice lollies. The sun is blazing, there’s a park down the road and I’m inside watching two matches simultaneously; the things I do for football!

3:15pm: Nothing much to report here. Mexico – Uruguay is lively without any clear cut chances, while France are shading it and have just had a penalty claim correctly turned down.

3:18pm: A dangerous free-kick from Diego Forlan is headed narrowly over by defender

3:19pm: GOAL for SOUTH AFRICA! The crowd are in rapture as a South African corner is completely misjudged by Hugo Lloris. The French ‘keeper comes to claim but gets nowhere near the ball and giant defender Bongani Khumalo towers above Abou Diaby to head home at the far post.

3:21pm: An astonishing long range effort from Andres Guardado cannons off the underside of the Uruguayan bar and away to safety. The sweet left-footed drive showcased exactly why Guardado had been brought into the starting XI.

3:24pm: Katlego Mphela is given time and space to run at the French defence, and lashes narrowly wide from the edge of the box. France’s defending is truly awful.

3:25pm: RED CARD! Things go from bad to worse for the French, as Yoann Gourcuff receives a straight red for an elbow in the South African box. Replays show the decision to be very harsh, as Gourcuff’s elbow simply glanced the face of his opponent as he made a genuine attempt to win the header. Surely France’s qualification hopes are finished?

3:29pm: Mexico, seemingly invigorated by Guardado’s effort, have been very good in the last few minutes, as they look for the victory that would allow them to leapfrog Uruguay.

3:36pm: SOUTH AFRICA SCORE AGAIN! Full-back Masilela gets into the box and squares for Mphela to bundle the ball home and double South Africa’s advantage. Goodbye France. South Africa need more goals in both games to achieve an unlikely qualification.

3:37pm: South Africa are running riot here. Bernard Parker slots home impressively, only to see his effort ruled out for offside.

3:39pm: A French free-kick causes havoc in the South African box, but is tipped over fantastically by Josephs. Great reaction save from the ‘keeper, who has been a spectator for much of the half.

3:43pm: URUGUAY GOAL! Now things get interesting for Mexico and South Africa! A pinpoint cross from Edison Cavani is headed home by Suarez at the far post. There is now only a two goal difference between the Mexicans and Bafana Bafana.

3:47pm: The half-time break comes in both games and the chance of a miraculous South African suddenly seems much more likely than it did when the games kicked off. The French are finished, while Mexico will be decidedly nervous about what might happen in the second half

The Group as it stands at half-time:

Group A …..Pld W D L F A GD Pts
Uruguay 3 2 1 0 4 0 +4 7
Mexico 3 1 1 1 3 2 +1 4
South Africa 3 1 1 1 3 4 – 1 4
France 3 0 1 2 0 4 – 4 1

Half-time also gives me the opportunity to grab five minutes of sunshine in the back garden with another ice lolly. At least the games have brightened up!

4:03pm: Both France and Mexico make a change at half-time of their respective games, with Florent Malouda on for the French. Here comes probably the most significant 45 minutes of football in South African football history.

4:08pm: What a chance for South Africa. Siphiwe Tshabalala slides a superb pass that splits the French defence and is met by Mphela, who curls the ball over Lloris, but the ball catches the upright and goes out of play. Could Bafana Bafana actually pull this off?

4:11pm: Another fine Forlan free-kick is met by a Uruguayan head, this time captain Diego Lugano. Mexican ‘keeper Oscar Perez makes a fine save and the follow-up attempt is blocked and eventually cleared to safety.

4:15pm: Mphela is on fire right now. His fierce strike from outside the box is beaten away by a fine save from Lloris. Twelve minutes into the half and it’s one-way traffic.

4:20pm: Mphela heads into the box down the right hand side and holds off a French defender, but sadly for South Africa, hits a disappointing shot into the side netting.

4:21pm: What a chance for Mexico. A cross from the right finds centre back Francisco Rodriguez all alone six yards from goal, but the defender glances his header horribly wide when it looked easier to score. Will Mexico come to regret that miss?

4:27pm: GOAL for FRANCE. A huge blow to South Africa, as Franck Ribery beats Joseph to a through ball and squares for Malouda to tap home into the empty net. Surely Bafana Bafana have too much to do now with only twenty minutes to go?

4:37pm: Both games have had very little to talk about in the last ten minutes. South Africa seem to have had the life sucked out of them by Malouda’s goal, while the Mexico – Uruguay game has descended into a scrappy affair. The lack of activity gives me time to dash for a third ice lolly; a mini milk to add to my two previous rocket lollies.

4:43pm: Five minutes of regulation time left in both games, and there is still nothing to report, other than a poor foul from Mexico’s Castro that earned him a booking.

4:48pm: Domenech’s face looks a picture on the touchline as his tenure as French manager draws to a close. Domenech has been rightly pilloried over the past four years, but it’s difficult not to feel a little bit sorry for a man who looks like Oscar the Grouch from Sesame Street.

4:50pm: Tshabalala goes close in injury time, but sees his near post shot smothered by Lloris.

4:51pm: Full-time at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium. Uruguay 1-0 Mexico. Uruguay top the group and Mexico will follow them into the Second Round.

4:52pm: It’s all over in Bloemfontein; South Africa 2-1 France. Both teams go out of the tournament, but the manner of their exits is vastly different; South Africa can hold their heads high while France have been an embarrassment from start to finish. Then again, that will be a familiar role for Domenech and his team; they’ve been that way for much of the past four years.

South Africa suffer the unwanted tag of becoming the first host nation in the tournament’s history not to make it out of the group stage. Then again, twelve months ago South Africa were nowhere, and after their performances over these three games, even this exit feels like a triumph of sorts. The group finishes like this:

Group A …..Pld W D L F A GD Pts
Uruguay 3 2 1 0 4 0 +4 7
Mexico 3 1 1 1 3 2 +1 4
South Africa 3 1 1 1 3 5 – 2 4
France 3 0 1 2 1 4 – 3 1

One final note. Domenech’s final act as France manager? His refusal to shake the hand of opposite number Parreira at full-time. Just when it seemed he couldn’t sink any lower in the estimation of football fans across the world, he manages it. Well done Raymond, well done.

The opening fixture of the World Cup which saw a spirited South Africa earn a credible draw with World Cup veterans Mexico, however the home nations hammering at the hands of Uruguay and a group decider against France may have left qualification into the last 16 improbable.

Algeria and Cameroon both showed little to suggest they may be a surprise force in the latter rounds of the tournament in their opening fixture defeats to Slovenia and Japan respectively. Nigeria having taken no points from their opening games look certain to be exiting the tournament. Perhaps their points tally has not been fully representative of their efforts in the tournament however; as they’ve shown glimpses of spirit and if not for bad finishing and decision making in the final-third of the pitch perhaps may have collected more points in their opening games.

However it is not all doom, gloom and disarray for the African nations in the motherland. Ivory Coast although having been placed in the media branded ‘group of death’ earned a credible draw against Portugal; who themselves are struggling to find form and get the best out of their own superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ivory Coast now face Brazil in their next fixture where avoiding defeat can keep their World Cup Finals aspirations going. It would seem Africa’s best hopes of a winner in the World Cup Finals is Ghana. Ghana displayed heart, spirit and passion in their opening game which was rewarding with a win.

Ghana next play Australia in game two and with Germany odds on favourites to top the group a Ghana win against Australia and a German victory over Serbia would set up a game three formality in group D with both teams only needing a point to securing last sixteen berth. Although the world cup has not had many highs for the African nations in terms of victories all is not however lost with Ghana and the Ivory Coast in positions to qualify and the remaining nations still having a small chance of qualification.

The 4-3-3 formation allows a three-pronged attack while also putting three in the middle of the park to support the forwards. This is the system I chose for this team of the very best, one that was used by Frank Rijkaard at Barcelona during the hugely-successful campaigns of 2005 and 2006.

Each of the following players is considered the best in their respective positions. I have allowed a bench of six substitutes and also picked a manger for this all-star team. After the World Cup, I will pick another team of the best players based on performances during the tournament. Rest assured, some (if not most) of this players will be replaced in the July list because not every country will have a great tournament.
So here we go with the selection of the team’s manager…

Manager: Vicente del Bosque (Spain)
I had to choose between Fabio Capello of England, Bert Van Marwijk of The Netherlands, Carlos Dunga of Brazil and Spain’s Vicente del Bosque. All four men have had a good measure of success with their respective national teams, especially Dunga who won the Copa America in 2007 and the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2009 with Brazil. Van Marwijk had arguably the best World Cup qualification run among the four.

However, I also considered Capello and del Bosque’s stints at managing top clubs in Europe. While Capello won the La Liga title with Real Madrid, del Bosque managed two Champions League titles and other trophies while at the same club in the early noughties. Spain had a good enough run in the qualification and thrashed France 0-2 in a friendly in Paris.

Goalkeeper: Julio Caesar (Brazil and Inter Milan)
Anyone who followed Caesar’s season with the European champions must have been impressed with his supremacy in goal. He was absolutely fantastic, a goalkeeper who had a fantastic relationship with his manager Jose Mourinho. His performance is epitomized by his match-winning save from Lionel Messi, a curled shot that was heading for the right bottom corner of the net in the first leg of the Inter-Barca Champions League semifinal.

Defenders: Patrice Evra (Manchester United and France), John Terry (Chelsea and England), Lucio (Inter Milan and Brazil), Maicon (Inter Milan and Brazil)
Evra lifted Manchester United’s only trophy this season at Wembley when he was picked by Ferguson to captain the side on that day. Take Rooney out and he was arguably the club’s best player last season.

John Terry captained Chelsea to a historic double and apart from the scandal that led to his sacking as England captain, he had another standout season with his club and country.

Lucio and Maicon had their best games against Chelsea and Barcelona this season during Inter Milan’s Champions League quest. I have watched football for quite sometime now, and I don’t think I have ever quite seen a team defend like Inter did against Barcelona during their semifinal.

Midfielders: Wesley Sneijder (Inter Milan and Holland), Xavi Hernandez (Barcelona and Spain), Arjen Robben( Bayern Munich and Holland)
Real Madrid must have been deeply hurt by the sight of two of their former players, who they sold last summer, playing in the Champions League final at the Santiago Bernabeu. Sneijder and Robben were deemed surplus to requirements by Real but they turned out to be masterpieces for their respective teams. Bayern won two titles in Germany and came second in Europe; Inter won the treble in a campaign starring Sneijder.

Xavi Hernandez. Do I need to say anything to justify this man’s inclusion? The pass master and Spain’s playmaker serves as the springboard for Messi to score goals. Watch out for this man when Spain take to the field in South Africa.

Strikers: Lionel Messi (Barcelona and Argentina), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid and Portugal), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United and England)
Cristiano Ronaldo has coped with life in Madrid and still produces top performances, though not at the same level he did for Manchester United. With the arrival of Jose Mourinho at the Bernabeu, I expect him to be back to his most lethal. Along with Rooney and Messi, he is one of the three best players in the world.

Wayne Rooney had his best ever season at Manchester United, scoring a total of 34 goals and notching up several awards, including Player of the Season in the English Premier League.

Leo Messi is undoubtedly the world’s best player at the moment. He scored a total of 46 goals for Barcelona last season including a memorable four against Arsenal in a Champions League quarterfinal. If Argentina are to have a great tournament, Messi will have to be at his very best.

Substitutes
Joe Hart (Manchester City and England), Ivanovic (Chelsea and Serbia), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal and Spain), Frank Lampard (Chelsea and England), Didier Drogba (Chelsea and Ivory Coast), Diego Milito (Inter Milan and Argentina).

That is my pre-tournament team of world beaters. This list will definitely change in July after the World Cup depending on players’ performances. Till then, let’s sit back and enjoy the world’s biggest sporting event.

The World Cup is here again, and it is even more special because Africa is the host for the first time since the tournament was started way back in 1932. The host cities of South Africa are ready, so is the rest of the footballing world.

There are 14 days to go, and only 16 teams from the initial 32 will progress from the group stage to the second round, and hosts South Africa would very much love to at least make the round of 16. Based on statistics and team performances during the qualifiers and in recent months, I have come up with following teams which I think will make it past the group stage. I have also worked out potential group winners and therefore, probable knock-out stage line-ups. So here we go…

GROUP A: South Africa, Mexico, France, Uruguay.

I might seem crazy to suggest this, but I really think Mexico will top this group by beating France and Uruguay and drawing with hosts South Africa. They showed a lot of grit against England in their friendly on Monday, and if they work out a few problems they have in the final third of the pitch, they will make this happen. France will finish second. This will mean the end for Uruguay and South Africa, and you don’t want the hosts to go out this early in any tournament. The good thing is: it hasn’t started yet!

1. Mexico
2. France
3. South Africa
4. Uruguay

For South Africa’s sake, I hope I am wrong on this one.

GROUP B: Argentina, Nigeria, South Korea, Greece.

This group is a bit difficult to predict because we have a mad man in there as well. I am referring to Diego Maradona, who left Inter Milan’s Champions League-winning duo of Javier Zanetti and Esteban Cambiasso out of his squad. While Jose Mourinho makes Zanetti and Cambiasso the centre piece of his plans, Maradona has decided that they should watch Argentina’s games on television. Astonishing? No, I’d rather call it Pandora-like. For all the talk of Lionel Messi being the best player in the world, I still think he won’t win the World Cup with Argentina precisely because Maradona is in charge.

I need to give an early warning to my Nigerian friends who will be following the tournament: if Mikel and co play like they did in January during the Cup of Nations, then Nigeria will be on the earliest available flight out of Johannesburg come June 22^nd when they play their last group game against South Korea.

South Korea have Manchester United’s Ji Sung Park and Bolton’s Li, who is a good winger. Greece are a good side but I think they stopped dreaming when they won Euro 2004.

So here’s how the group will look on June 22:

1. Argentina
2. South Korea
3. Nigeria
4. Greece

Don’t get me wrong, I love Nigeria, but I don’t think they have an Okocha or Oliseh to win important games these days.

GROUP C: USA, Algeria, England, Slovenia.

America, then only 13 states, won its war of independence against Britain in 1776. It has been more than 200 years since then, but some feelings have not gone away to this day. So Group C’s opening game, England v USA, will be a very fiery occasion. Wayne Rooney and London Donovan will be the key men for the two camps respectively.

Fabio Capello, it is said, is still figuring out who to play alongside Rooney as a second striker. Some say Gerrard should play in that position. I would say that he should stick with what worked out so effectively during the qualifiers: Rooney and Emile Heskey.

Algeria are too emotional in the big games as they showed against Egypt during the semifinals of the Africa Cup of Nations this year. Slovenia are good enough to have seen off Russia in the play-offs, but I think England and the USA will be too hot to handle. Whoever wins in England v USA will win the group, so this is what I think the group will look like in the end:

1. England
2. USA
3. Algeria
4. Slovenia

The third African team to leave will be Algeria. Sounds harsh, but this is football, you’ve got to be very good!

GROUP D: Germany, Australia, Serbia, Ghana

Kevin-Prince Boateng broke a metatarsal in Michael Ballack’s leg to deny the Germany skipper the chance to appear at a third World Cup. The German public was hurt more considering the fact Boateng chose to switch loyalties and play for Ghana. He played for Germany during the youth tournaments and his younger brother still plays for Germany and has been included in the squad.

Ghana and Germany meet in Johannesburg on June 23 in a match which I think will determine if Ghana go through to the second round. If they manage to beat or draw against Germany, they will be safe. Lose, and it will be very difficult for them to make it out.

Germany are most likely to finish top, but who will finish second?

1. Germany
2. Ghana
3. Serbia
4. Australia

So at least one African team in the round of 16.

GROUP E: The Netherlands, Denmark, Cameroon, Japan.

Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie and Wesley Sneijder: just some of the top names that helped Holland qualify first from Europe for SA 2010. They will top Group E by beating all the other three and garnering a maximum nine points, a simplicity that makes them one of the favourites to win the World Cup.

Denmark have Arsenal’s Nicklas Bendter. No need to say more. Japan qualified first from Asia, but that is as far as I think they will go. Cameroon, on the other hand, have some world class players in the form of Samuel Eto’o and Alex Song. Do they have the capacity to finish second behind Holland? I think they will just edge past Denmark and Japan.

1. The Netherlands
2. Cameroon
3. Japan
4. Denmark

That leaves Asia with only one representative in the second round, South Korea, and they will be hanging by a thread too.

GROUP F: New Zealand, Paraguay, Italy, Slovakia.

The current world champions do not have Francesco Totti in their squad anymore: he was the one who scored a 90^th minute penalty against Australia to take Italy into the quarterfinals in 2006. Will they miss him? Probably. Will they defend their title? Highly unlikely.

With all due respect to New Zealand, they will finish bottom of Group F. But which team between Slovakia and Paraguay will finish behind Italy in second place? Paraguay were very unconvincing against Ireland on Monday night and unless they change their mentality all together, they will play just three games at the World Cup.

1. Italy
2. Paraguay
3. Slovakia
4. New Zealand

GROUP G: North Korea, Brazil, Portugal, Ivory Coast.

If there is a country which is frequently in the news for all the wrong reasons, it has to be North Korea. Only Iraq can compete with them for that tag. North Korea now finds itself in the same pool as the South American champions: Brazil. If they scape through and finish second, they will meet Spain, the champions of Europe, in the round of 16. Now, who wants that? But I don’t think they will last long enough to see that day.

Brazil has the mighty Kaka, Maicon, Julio Caesar, Robinho, Fabiano, Lucio, Juan, Alves: in short, world class players in every position. Precisely why I think they will be one of the two teams playing in the World Cup Final on July 10 at the Soccer City stadium in Jo’burg.

The Ivory Coast is a team that has a lot of class in it: Drogba, Kalou, Keita, Barry and Eboue. But they lack a glue that should bind good teams, and that hasn’t been helped with the arrival of Sven-Goran Eriksson as coach. He was the manager of England in 2006 when they were knocked out at the quarterfinal stage. His record speaks for itself. Why on earth didn’t they try harder with Guus Hiddink? I think they will regret a lot about what will be Drogba’s last World Cup.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani have a lot to bear on their shoulders if Portugal are to have a good tournament. Nani’s just coming to life and Ronaldo has coped with life in Spain. They will finish second behind Brazil and meet Spain in the knock-out stage. Sounds tough? This football business doesn’t care one bit for weaklings!

1. Brazil
2. Portugal
3. Ivory Coast
4. North Korea

GROUP H: Spain, Honduras, Chile, Switzerland

Spain is the other team which I think will be playing in this year’s World Cup Final. Fernando Torres, David Villa (now a Barcelona player), Xavi, Silva, Alonso, Iniesta, Sergio Ramos, Puyol and Iker Casillas: the names of potential world champions.

Honduras and Chile have their work cut out: if Barnetta produces his best for Switzerland, they will finish behind Spain in second place and meet Brazil in the second round. Not too bad.

1. Spain
2. Switzerland
3. Chile
4. Honduras

PROBABLE ROUND OF 16 KNOCK-OUT MATCHES

Match 1 (June 26): Mexico v South Korea

Match 2 (June 27): Argentina v France

Match 3 (June 26): England v Ghana

Match 4 (June 27): Germany v USA

Match 5 (June 28): Netherlands v Paraguay

Match 6 (June 29): Italy v Cameroon

Match 7 (June 28): Brazil v Switzerland

Match 8 (June 29): Spain v Portugal

So that’s it guys. Of course, it’s all just a matter of opinion. I am sure some of you might have very different ideas about the group stages.

Vieira was left angry by Domenech’s decision

Holland coach Bert Van Marwijk decided to leave out Rudd Van Nistelrooy, as the former Manchester United striker admitted that his international career could well be over. Even though Van Marwijk has picked a very strong squad, leaving out a footballing Dutch legend like Van Nistelrooy could well prove to be costly. The coach has chosen seven strikers in his 30 man Preliminary squad including uncapped Az Alkmaar forward Jeremain Lens.

Meanwhile for the Germans players such as Andreas Hinkel of Celtic, Thomas Hitzlsperger of Lazio, Simon Rolfes of Bayer Leverkusen and striker Patrick Helmes were all left out of Joachim Low’ side. Low however did decide to opt on two uncapped players, Dennis Aogo and Holger Badstuber.

There was no place for former Villa man Thomas Hitzlsperger

 World Cup holders Italy decided not to call upon Roma legend Francesco Totti. The 33 year old was touted to be a surprise inclusion in Lippi’s side however that wasn’t the case. Luca Toni was also left out of the squad, while young defender Davide Santon and Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani were also overlooked. Lippi though did call up his experienced players such as Buffon, Cannavaro, Gattuso and Pirlo.

Brazil and there coach Dunga gave football fans a huge shock, as he decided to leave out Ronaldinho and Adriano. Even though Ronaldinho isn’t the player he was all those years ago, a World Cup without the Ac Milan star is pure madness. World class defenders such as Cris, Alex and Marcelo were also left out. Dunga decided to include Premier League rejects such as Julio Baptista and Kleberson in his final 23.

Ronaldinho wasn’t chosen by Dunga

Lastly the overwhelming pressure that Argentina coach Diego Maradona was under was just extraordinary. Two times World Cup winners Argentina were only a fraction away from not making the World Cup finals, however Maradona and his side were able to get over the line in the end. His squad selection’s soon came under disarray as he called upon a number of uncapped players for qualification and friendly games.

Maradona announced his 30 man provisional squad yesterday, and yet again he has included a number of inexperienced players. Diego Pozo, Ariel Garce, Juan Insaurralde, Sebastien Blanco, Juan Mercier and Javier Pastore were all surprise inclusions in the preliminary squad. Meanwhile there were a number of shocks as Daniel Diaz, Pablo Aimar, Fernando Gago and worst of all Javier Zanetti and Esteben Cambiasso were all left out of Maradona’s squad.

Will Maradona be celebrating like this at the World Cup?

All Final and Preliminary Squads can be found here… http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_FIFA_World_Cup_squads