Football World Cup Blog

Following the World Cup draw last Friday, here is the full list of fixtures in chronological order – there are plenty of matches to look forward to next summer.

Friday, 11 June 2010
South Africa v Mexico, Group A, 15:00
Uruguay v France, Group A, 19:30

Saturday, 12 June 2010
South Korea v Greece, Group B, 12:30
Argentina v Nigeria, Group B, 15:00
England v USA, Group C, 19:30

Sunday, 13 June 2010
Algeria v Slovenia, Group C, 12:30
Serbia v Ghana, Group D, 15:00
Germany v Australia, Group D, 19:30

Monday, 14 June 2010
Netherlands v Denmark, Group E, 12:30
Japan v Cameroon, Group E, 15:00
Italy v Paraguay, Group F, 19:30

Tuesday, 15 June 2010
New Zealand v Slovakia, Group F, 12:30
Ivory Coast v Portugal, Group G, 15:00
Brazil v North Korea, Group G, 19:30

Wednesday, 16 June 2010
Honduras v Chile, Group H, 12:30
Spain v Switzerland, Group H, 15:00
South Africa v Uruguay, Group A, 19:30

Thursday, 17 June 2010
Argentina v South Korea, Group B, 12:30
Greece v Nigeria, Group B, 15:00
France v Mexico, Group A, 19:30

Friday, 18 June 2010
Germany v Serbia, Group D, 12:30
Slovenia v USA, Group C, 15:00
England v Algeria, Group C, 19:30

Saturday, 19 June 2010
Netherlands v Japan, Group E, 12:30
Ghana v Australia, Group D, 15:00
Cameroon v Denmark, Group E, 19:30

Sunday, 20 June 2010
Slovakia v Paraguay, Group F, 12:30
Italy v New Zealand, Group F, 15:00
Brazil v Ivory Coast, Group G, 19:30

Monday, 21 June 2010
Portugal v North Korea, Group G, 12:30
Chile v Switzerland, Group H, 15:00
Spain v Honduras, Group H, 19:30

Tuesday, 22 June 2010
France v South Africa, Group A, 15:00
Mexico v Uruguay, Group A, 15:00
Greece v Argentina, Group B, 19:30
Nigeria v South Korea, Group B, 19:30

Wednesday, 23 June 2010
Slovenia v England, Group C, 15:00
USA v Algeria, Group C, 15:00
Australia v Serbia, Group D, 19:30
Ghana v Germany, Group D, 19:30

Thursday, 24 June 2010
Paraguay v New Zealand, Group F, 15:00
Slovakia v Italy, Group F, 15:00
Cameroon v Netherlands, Group E, 19:30
Denmark v Japan, Group E, 19:30

Friday, 25 June 2010
North Korea v Ivory Coast, Group G, 15:00
Portugal v Brazil, Group G, 15:00
Chile v Spain, Group H, 19:30
Switzerland v Honduras, Group H, 19:30

Saturday, 26 June 2010
Winner Group A v Runner-up Group B, 15:00
Winner Group C v Runner-up Group D, 19:30

Sunday, 27 June 2010
Winner Group D v Runner-up Group C, 15:00
Winner Group B v Runner-up Group A, 19:30

Monday, 28 June 2010
Winner Group E v Runner-up Group F, 15:00
Winner Group G v Runner-up Group H, 19:30

Tuesday, 29 June 2010
Winner Group F v Runner-up Group E, 15:00
Winner Group H v Runner-up Group G, 19:30

Friday, 2 July 2010
Winner Group E/R-Up Gp F v Winner Group G/R-Up Group H, QF, 15:00
Winner Group A/R-Up Gp B v Winner Group C/R-Up Group D, QF, 19:30

Saturday, 3 July 2010
Winner Group B/R-Up Group A v Winner Group D/R-Up Group C, QF, 15:00
Winner Group F/R-Up Group E v Winner Group H/R-Up Group G, QF, 19:30

Tuesday, 6 July 2010
Winner Q/F 1 v Winner Q/F 3, SF, 19:30

Wednesday, 7 July 2010
Winner Q/F 2 v Winner Q/F 4, SF, 19:30

Saturday, 10 July 2010
Loser SF1 v Loser SF2, 19:30

Sunday, 11 July 2010
Winners SF1 v Winners SF2, F, 19:30

The draw for the 2010 World Cup has just been made, and here it is in full.

England were lucky enough to be seeded amongst the top eight teams, which has been a favourite topic of debate in itself, and the draw appears to be favourable.

Group A
South Africa
Mexico
Uruguay
France

Group B
Argentina
Nigeria
Korean Republic
Greece

Group C
England
USA
Algeria
Slovenia

Group D
Germany
Australia
Serbia
Ghana

Group E
Netherlands
Denmark
Japan
Cameroon

Group F
Italy
Paraguay
New Zealand
Slovakia

Group G
Brazil
North Korea
Ivory Coast
Portugal

Group H
Spain
Switzerland
Honduras
Chile

Former AC Milan legend George Weah seems to think so. His remarks come after Ghana won the first ever Under 20’s World Cup last month – and I agree with him – but not this time around. Maybe in 2018…

Some will say that this is an African country’s best chance, only Brazil have won the World Cup outside their own continent.

Advantage of population size is certainly in Africa’s favour – an article by the UN has just revealed that over a billion people live on the continent – that’s 200 million more than Europe. And there is certainly no lack of passion for football – it is played all over the continent. But obviously, Africa is riddled with poverty, war and countless other problems and its sports facilities don’t even bear recognition to the ones here in Europe. Most kids have never even played on grass.

That is mainly why, when an African country produces a world-class footballer, they head straight for Europe. There have been many brilliant African players; Drogba, Eto’o, Roger Milla,  Jay-Jay Okocha, Adiba Pele and of course Weah himself to name but a few – all of them are playing or have played, for European teams. Who can blame them? Europe hosts the best club football in the world.

However, with a few exceptions, most of these players who make it big on the world stage stay in Europe and never go back to Africa to help the progression of the sport, or offer advice to up-and-coming talent. Perhaps that is why there has been a gulf in the difference of class between African teams and other top national sides.

But I think that is all about to change. With South Africa playing host to the World Cup and Angola staging the Africa Cup of Nations, there will be millions of young children who’ll benefit from getting the opportunity to use world class facilities.

But the huge appeal will be getting to watch the World Cup in their own back-yard. Africa will see a massive influx of children being drawn to play the sport and adults wanting to get involved in the football communities that start to flourish. Many other doors could open up for the development of African football if the World Cup is a resounding success.

I agree with George Weah that the current African teams are dangerous and could go far in the competition this June. Africa has produced some of the best athletes in the world. They have pace, agility and stamina – all key attributes for a footballer. Teams like Ghana and Ivory Coast have these qualities in abundance. But their ability to keep level headed and close out a game is what will cost them at this World Cup.

However, I would hope that the aftermath of a really good and enjoyable World Cup in South Africa could see some of those African legends return to the continent and coach such attributes. After all, it’s at grassroots level where sport is won or lost.

Africa’s problems will not disappear this June, but the positives that this World Cup will bring to the development of African football could be endless.

Harry Hesp

Following England’s 5-1 hammering of Croatia last night, the dream of playing in a World Cup will become a reality for twenty-three men of Fabio Capello’s choosing come June. Every player in the frame will be looking to impress over the next nine months, but who will be boarding the plane as part of the England squad?

Let us not forget, before the World Cup comes around there is a long and competitive domestic season to be played in which fluctuating form and injuries will play their part in deciding who goes to South Africa. However, if the tournament was tomorrow, here is The Football Blog’s verdict on who should be going based on current form:

Goalkeepers
David James
Robert Green
Ben Foster

Defenders
John Terry (captain)
Rio Ferdinand
Matthew Upson
Wes Brown
Glen Johnson
Ashley Cole
Wayne Bridge

Midfielders
Frank Lampard
Steven Gerrard
Gareth Barry
Aaron Lennon
Shaun Wright-Phillips
James Milner
Ashley Young
Michael Carrick

Forwards
Wayne Rooney
Peter Crouch
Jermain Defoe
Emile Heskey
Darren Bent

Whilst not totally radical, their are some absentees which may raise a few eyebrows. In picking only seven defenders on the basis that Wes Brown can cover both centre-back and right-back positions, there is no place for Joleon Lescott. Matthew Upson is preferred as central defensive cover as he starts to look increasingly assured at international level.

In midfield, David Beckham and Theo Walcott don’t make the cut. Whilst a strong season from Walcott would probably see him oust Shaun Wright-Phillips, his current form isn’t good enough to merit a position in the squad. Beckham has it all to prove when/if he returns to AC Milan. He has made some crucial contributions to the England cause in the past, but he can not trade on past glories and needs to prove he can still be influential at this level.

Up front, in a choice of five allowed for by only taking seven defenders, Carlton Cole makes way for Darren Bent. If Capello takes both Crouch and Heskey, the need for another large centre forward is eliminated. Bent was extremely unlucky to miss out on the last World Cup and a good season with Sunderland should see him make it this time round.

Capello has the benefit of using the remaining qualifying games, on top of the pre-arranged friendlies, as trial games to try out those players on the fringe. There is a lot to think about in getting the balance of the squad right, and the Italian’s meticulous nature means that he is likely to leave no stone unturned. For many players, there is a lot more riding on this season than usual.

Do you agree with our squad? As is stand, who would you take and who would you leave at home? As ever, let us know your thoughts.