FIFA South Africa Worldcup 2010 Tickets

Low: First team football essential
(PA) Monday 4 January 2010


Germany coach Joachim Low has warned candidates for his FIFA World Cup™ squad they will have to be playing regular first team football if they are to be considered next summer.

Speaking to the Welt am Sonntag newspaper, Low explained how he had learnt from the mistake he made at UEFA EURO 2008 in nominating Real Madrid defender Christoph Metzelder despite the fact he had spent much of the latter stages of the season injured. The central defender never managed to reach his best form during the competition and Low will not make the same mistake again.

"I won't call up anybody who has not been playing regularly for their side in the months building up to the tournament," he said. "That is something I have learned from EURO 2008. This is going to be a World Cup which will be played at a very high pace."



However, fringe players may still be given the chance to sneak into the squad at the last minute as Low expects to use every single hour available to him before submitting his 23-man squad on 5 June. The Germany squad will get together in mid-May and spend over a fortnight in a training camp in Italy before flying out to South Africa on 6 June.

I won't call up anybody who has not been playing regularly for their side in the months building up to the tournament.Joachim Low
And Low is contemplating naming a larger squad for that training camp before discarding a few players just a day before departure. "It is imaginable that we will do that, but it depends on the situation," said Low, who left Marko Marin, Patrick Helmes and Jermaine Jones out of his EURO 2008 squad after a similar trial.

"We may have been criticised for this last time, but we were convinced that it was necessary. Maybe there are players we are not fully convinced about, or maybe we want to get to know them better and see their form once again."

One player Low appears to be totally convinced about is Werder Bremen's Mesut Ozil. The 21-year-old has already booked his place in the squad, as long as he can steer clear of injury. "He is already important for us and he is going to get even more important," said Low. "To have such a player at his age is a stroke of luck."



On the other hand, Low has ruled out a return for Kevin Kuranyi, despite a clamour for the Schalke striker to be restored to the squad. Kuranyi's international career was brought to an end after he walked out on the national team at half-time of their FIFA World Cup qualifier against Russia last year and, despite his excellent form in the Bundesliga, Low has confirmed there is no way back.

"Kevin took the decision to leave the team prematurely back then against Russia and he knew of the consequences," affirmed Low. "We have a clear line that I will not be budging from. Nevertheless, I am happy that things are going so well for him at Schalke right now."

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New blow for Ribery

PA) Monday 4 January 2010
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Bayern Munich and France star Franck Ribery has suffered another injury setback.

Ribery played a part in just six Bundesliga matches during the first half of the 2009/10 season, lasting the whole 90 minutes only once due to a string of injuries.

His knee and toe caused the most frequent problems and it is the latter which has forced him to miss the first session of Bayern's winter training camp in Dubai today.

Bayern coach Louis van Gaal told the club's official website: "It is practically incredible and very bitter for the coach and the team. But we cannot change it. We hope that the medical department works hard and he returns as quickly as possible."

Ribery had joined the rest of his team-mates for a jog around Munich yesterday before the flight to the United Arab Emirates, but upon arrival in Dubai both of his big toes were swollen.

Holes were drilled into the toenails to release an accumulation of blood and relieve the pain in a bid to get the 26-year-old back on his feet as soon as possible

Pandev returns to Inter Milan

Pandev returns to Inter Milan(AFP) Monday 4 January 2010



Goran Pandev is set to help fill the gap left at Inter Milan by Samuel Eto'o's departure for the CAF African Nations Cup, after the Serie A leaders said Monday that the Macedonia international has rejoined them on a four-and-a-half-year deal.

The inventive forward moves to Inter as a free agent, having succeeded in a legal challenge to liberate himself of his contract with Lazio last month because he had been frozen out at the Rome side for making a transfer request in the summer.

It is a return to the club he first signed for in 2001, although he never played for them in Serie A. He went to Lazio in 2004 as part of the deal to send Dejan Stankovic the other way after loan stints at Spezia and Ancona.

"FC Internazionale announces that Goran Pandev joined the club on a permanent deal this morning," the club said in a statement. "The Macedonian striker has signed a contract until 30 June 2014."

Italian media reported that Pandev has a good chance of making his league debut for Inter in Wednesday's game at Chievo Verona.

Eto'o's spell away with the Cameroon national team this month leaves Jose Mourinho with just two other forwards, Diego Milito and Mario Balotelli, as the club have loaned Honduran David Suazo to Genoa and Austrian Marko Arnautovic does not seem to figure in the Portuguese coach's thinking.

Pandev could be used on the wing in Verona though, as Mourinho is short of midfielders because of Dejan Stankovic's and Thiago Motta's suspensions.

Beckham dreaming of world return
(FIFA.com) Monday 4 January 2010



After starring and scoring for England at France 1998, Korea/Japan 2002 and Germany 2006, David Beckham has told FIFA.com that he is relishing the prospect of appearing in his fourth FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa in June and July.

The 34-year-old midfielder’s chances of being in the Three Lions’ 23-man squad were recently discussed by Fabio Capello, who said: "Of course he will be included, if he plays [for AC Milan] and is well physically,” he said. “I don't look at ages. I look at skill and Beckham has a lot. He's serious, a real professional and he's really dedicated to making the World Cup squad."

In FIFA.com’s first Interview of the Week of what promises to be a special year, one of world football’s highest-profile players speaks about the highs and lows he has experienced at FIFA World Cups, his thoughts on current FIFA World Player of the Year Lionel Messi and his hopes for Africa’s legacy post-2010.

You can watch a video of the interview by clicking on the link on the right hand side.



FIFA.com: David, you recently helped to launch adidas’s Jabulani, the Official Match Ball for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ in Cape Town. Have you had a chance to practice with it yet – and what do you think of it?
David Beckham: Yes, I had a chance to practise with it a few months ago. It’s always nice to see adidas’s ideas before everyone else does and I think it’s great. The movement, the accuracy, the feel, the look of the ball is perfect – it’s really for the World Cup.

With 115 caps for England over the past 13 years – what changes have you noticed in international football during that time?
There have been many changes over the years: the game has got faster, the technology has got better. You obviously see changes in the play in terms of tactics, the boots and balls, but football’s all about development and change.

Football changes lives. It changes people’s attitudes and I think this World Cup will bring exposure to certain things. To some extent it already has.David Beckham on South Africa's 2010 legacy.
What does playing in the FIFA World Cup mean to you?
It’s the biggest footballing competition in the world, so any player who is lucky enough to be part of a World Cup knows how special it really is. I’ve been lucky to have played in three and hopefully I’ll be luckier still to play in a fourth. It really is an incredible feeling.

What are your first recollections of watching the FIFA World Cup as a boy?
My first memories are of watching Bryan Robson score goals [against France at Spain 1982] and be as brave as he was on the pitch. He was my hero and everything he did in his career, I wanted to emulate – and I’ve been lucky enough to do that.

The World Cup also been a tournament which has given you some lows. If you take a moment to consider England’s exits to Argentina in 1998, Brazil in 2002 and Portugal four years ago, which one hurt the most?
Every one. You can’t describe the feeling when you get knocked out of a competition. The expectations are so high on us as a country and as a team, so when you do get knocked out it’s so disappointing. So, every single time hurts the same.

You’ve played and scored in three FIFA World Cup finals so far, but which match holds the best memories for you?
On a personal note I’d have to say the game against Argentina in 2002, where I scored the penalty. It’s always special to beat your rivals, but obviously four years earlier I got sent off against them and we were beaten on penalties. To score the winning goal against them four years later was extremely special.

He’s one of the best players I’ve played against and also one of the finest players I’ve ever seen. He’s the closest player to Maradona that you can get.Beckham on Messi.
Argentina now have a player in their ranks, Lionel Messi, who has recently been voted as the FIFA World Player of the Year. What are your thoughts about him?
Without doubt, he’s one of the best players I’ve played against and also one of the finest players I’ve ever seen. For a little player, he’s so talented. He’s the closest player to Maradona that you can get, and he even plays in a similar passionate way too. He’s successful and a really good person as well. I’m sure he’ll go on to be even more successful in the future.

Who do you think will be the key man for England this year, and why?
I think we’ve got many key players in our team: Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand – we’ve got players all the way through our team who are exceptional. We’re lucky to have such a talented group of players.

It will also be the first taste of a FIFA World Cup for Fabio Capello. After working with him both at Real Madrid and now England, how do you think he’ll enjoy the experience?
Fabio Capello is a special manager. He has so much experience. He knows how to win games and he knows how to win competitions.I’m sure he’ll relish the time when he walks out as England manager to take charge of the team for his first match at a World Cup. To sit on the sideline and watch his team, I’m sure will be a proud moment for him.

You’re involved with a number of charity campaigns such as UNICEF and Malaria No More, which have huge links with Africa. What do you hope this FIFA World Cup will bring to South Africa and the African continent?
Football changes lives. It changes people’s attitudes and I think this World Cup will bring exposure to certain things. To some extent it already has. In Cape Town I visited a hospital where I met women and children with HIV – and that really touched me. So I hope that the battle against diseases like that will be in the public eye. The World Cup will also bring a lot of money to South Africa, which may help to regenerate certain parts of this country.

2007 was the year Lionel Messi came of age. Adapting to his new-found status as a global star with ease, the diminutive Argentinian has made such an impact over the last twelve months that he has earned the recognition of the entire world, finishing behind Kaka and ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo as runner-up for the 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year Award.



Still downcast after his recent injury, Messi managed to summon up a smile for FIFA.com as he gave his impressions of the evening in a special video interview.

FIFA.com: How does it feel to be named a finalist for the FIFA World Player of the Year award?
Lionel Messi: It's lovely to be one of the three finalists and to be here at the Gala. I'm very happy about it.

What do you think about your rivals: Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo?
What else is there to say about them? They've shown all season long what great players they are. Cristiano Ronaldo's won the English championship and Kaka played a key part in AC Milan winning the Champions League. If they're here, it's for a very good reason.

It might not have been a vintage year for Barcelona, but on a personal level Lionel Messi has made the most of his considerable talent. What has been your high point of the year?
It's been a very fulfilling year for me personally. I've been able to carry on developing, which is what I'm always looking to do, as well as gaining experience and winning trophies, Let's hope some titles come our way next year.

Barcelona were looking good but missed out on all their objectives. What went wrong?
I don't know what happened to us, but it was a real shame to miss out on every trophy. You learn from your mistakes, though, and I hope it won't happen again.

What are your goals for 2008?
At a team level we want to win the lot. Barcelona always aim to win everything they can. We know it's difficult but not impossible and we've got a big enough squad to be able to do it. As for me personally, I just want to keep on improving.

How do you feel about the constant comparisons with Maradona?
Fine. I'm relaxed about it. As I've already said many times, it's an honour and a lovely thing to hear. There's only one Diego though.

You have made a wonderful start to the season, with people already saying you are the most talented member of Barcelona's so-called Fantastic Four. How does it feel to be in a dressing room with so much talent?
The fact is the atmosphere in the dressing room is great because everyone is very down to earth and we all get along really well.

Turning now to theAlbiceleste,you have already started on the road to South Africa 2010? How well equipped is the team for the challenge ahead?
I think it's very well equipped and it's going to get even stronger. We've got plenty of time to prepare and there will be a lot of matches for us to experiment in and improve our game. I've got no doubt that a lot more Argentinian players are going to emerge as well.

Germany 2006 proved to be something of a disappointment. What parts of that experience did you learn from?
Well, it was my first World Cup and I turned 19 there. On top of which I played and I scored a goal. It was all a great experience despite us not achieving what we wanted to.

Argentina have two FIFA World Cup titles but both were won before you were born. You'll be just the right age when South Africa 2010 comes around. Could you be the man to help put a third star on the Albiceleste shirt?
Of course one dreams of celebrating another World Cup win, as does the whole of Argentina. We always go so close but we've not been able to finish the job. Let's hope we can do it this time around.

Messi: Third time a charm


Over the years, a succession of Argentinian players have been hailed as 'the new Diego Maradona'. Very few, however, have been blessed with as many qualities as the latest heir to that sizable throne, one Lionel Messi.

Possessing superb vision, mesmerising close control and sublime technique, the left-footed Messi comes into his own in the tightly congested areas of midfield, finding and darting through seemingly impossible gaps with deceptive ease. With his explosive change of pace, breathtaking dribbling and unerring eye for goal, he poses a continual threat to opposing teams.

While the Barcelona star is always at pains to avoid comparisons with El Diego, his goal against Getafe in April 2007, a virtual carbon copy of the legendary No10's second against England in the quarter-finals of the 1986 FIFA World Cup Mexico™, served only to underline the similarities between the two. On one occasion Maradona himself was moved to say: "I've seen the player who will take my place in Argentinian football and his name is Lionel Messi." After that, no one was surprised when Maradona – now Argentina’s coach – handed Messi his old No10 jersey for the South Africa 2010 qualifying campaign.

Born on 24 June 1987 in Rosario, Santa Fe, Messi first served notice of his artistry in the youth ranks at Newell's Old Boys. At the age of 13, as the economic crisis ravaging Argentina reached its height, he moved with his family to Spain. After settling in Barcelona, the teenager was invited to the Nou Camp for a trial, where he was spotted by the then Blaugrana youth team coach Carles Rexach. "I saw him straightaway, and just to make sure I made him sign for the club on the back of a paper napkin," Rexach would later recall.

So slender was he for his age that he was quickly dubbed La Pulga (The Flea), with the club also arranging for special medical treatment to stimulate the young wizard's growth hormones. Suitably bulked up, Messi made his Spanish league debut at the end of 2004, but it was the following year that his inexorable rise to stardom began. His first goal in Barcelona colours came on 1 May against Albacete, making him the youngest scorer in the club's long history, a record only recently eclipsed by the precocious Bojan Krkic.

International star born
His love affair with the blue-and-white jersey of Argentina began just a few months later when he played a starring role in the side that won the FIFA U-20 World Cup Netherlands 2005, making off with the adidas Golden Shoe as the tournament's top scorer and the adidas Golden Ball as the best player just for good measure.

In August that year, Jose Nestor Pekerman gave Messi his first full international cap in a friendly against Hungary. It proved to be an unhappy beginning, however. Just 47 seconds after coming on the debutant was dismissed for lashing out after a foul.

Nevertheless, the youngster was back less than two months later to make his first start for the Albiceleste in a Germany 2006 qualifying match against Peru in Buenos Aires. His first goal for his country followed on 1 March 2006 in a friendly against Croatia and by the time he arrived in Germany he was being widely tipped as one of the tournament's star performers. To the surprise of many, however, Messi played only a supporting role for his side and looked on from the bench as his team-mates lost out to the hosts in the quarter-finals.

In 2007, Messi put in a strong performance at the Copa America in Venezuela, where his team finished second, losing to Brazil in the final. La Pulga pulled off some suitably magic moments in that competition, such as the memorable goal he scored against Mexico in the semi-finals. One year later he was again the star of the team that retained the Gold Medal at the Olympic Football Tournament in Beijing. His output was such that the he went on to finish second behind Cristiano Ronaldo at the FIFA Player of the Year Gala.

Glittering career
Playing for Barcelona, Messi has already won three national league titles, one Copa del Rey, one European SuperCup, three Spanish SuperCups, two UEFA Champions League titles and the FIFA Club World Cup. Messi played an integral role as Barcelona won their first FIFA Club World Cup, scoring the winning goal in the final against Estudiantes and being named winner of the adidas Golden Ball as the best player in the competition. Add that to his two-time runner-up finishes in the voting for FIFA World Player of the Year, and Messi looks like one of the finest players in the game’s recent history.

During the 2008/2009 season, the player’s potential was confirmed beyond all doubt. Already owner of the historical No10 worn by Maradona, Romario, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho, La Pulga helped Barcelona to the coveted Triple Crown of La Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League titles. As if that were not enough, he was top scorer in the Champions League with nine goals, including one in the final against Manchester United. In the Copa del Rey he scored six times, and he even managed to score 23 times in the league.

Qualified now for the FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010, Messi is looking to prove that he can match his amazing club form with Argentina on the world stage. Runner-up at the Copa America and in the last two FIFA Player of the Year Galas, Messi has now taken the biggest step of his career by being crowned king of football for 2009. The first-ever Argentinian to be named FIFA World Player of the Year, the Barcelona star proved a popular and modest winner and, at 22, is sure to be a contender for such honours for years to come.

Get the FIFA players awards details here

Available events for ' World Cup 2010 Hospitality Match Specific '. Click on for information and to order

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Buy Event Description Place / Venue Date / Time More Info


1. South Africa vs Mexico Soccer City, Johannesburg, South Africa 11/06/2010 / 16:00 on sale


2. Uruguay vs France Green Point, Cape Town, South Africa 11/06/2010 / 20:30 on sale


3. Argentina vs Nigeria Ellis Park, Johannesburg, South Africa 12/06/2010 / 13:30 on sale


4. Korea Republic vs Greece Port Elisabeth, Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa 12/06/2010 / 16:00 on sale


5. England vs USA Royal Bofokeng, Rustenburg, South Africa 12/06/2010 / 20:30 on sale


6. Algeria vs Slovenia Peter Mokaba, Polokwane, South Africa 13/06/2010 / 13:30 on sale


7. Germany vs Australia Durban, Durban, South Africa 13/06/2010 / 16:00 on sale


8. Serbia vs Ghana Loftus Versfeld, Tshwane/Pretoria, South Africa 13/06/2010 / 20:30 on sale


9. Netherlands vs Denmark Soccer City, Johannesburg, South Africa 14/06/2010 / 13:30 on sale


10. Japan vs Cameroon Free State, Manguang/Bloemfontein, South Africa 14/06/2010 / 16:00 on sale


11. Italy vs Paraguay Green Point, Cape Town, South Africa 14/06/2010 / 20:30 on sale



12. New Zealand vs Slovakia Royal Bafokeng, Rustenburg, South Africa 15/06/2010 / 13:30 on sale


13. Cote dIvoire vs Portugal Port Elisabeth, Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa 15/06/2010 / 16:00 on sale


14. Brazil vs Korea DPR Ellis Park, Johannesburg, South Africa 15/06/2010 / 20:30 on sale


15. Honduras vs Chile Mbombela, Nelspruit, South Africa 16/06/2010 / 13:30 on sale


16. Spain vs Switzerland Durban, Durban, South Africa 16/06/2010 / 16:00 on sale


17. South Africa vs Uruguay Loftus Versfeld, Tshwane/Pretoria, South Africa 16/06/2010 / 20:30 on sale


18. France cvs Mexico Peter Mokaba, Polokwane, South Africa 17/06/2010 / 13:30 on sale


19. Greece vs Nigeria Free State, Manguang/Bloemfontein, South Africa 17/06/2010 / 16:00 on sale


20. Argentina vs Korea Republic Soccer City, Johannesburg, South Africa 17/06/2010 / 20:30 on sale


21. Germany vs Serbia Port Elisabeth, Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa 18/06/2010 / 13:30 on sale


22. Slovenia vs USA Ellis Park, Johannesburg, South Africa 18/06/2010 / 16:00 on sale


23. England vs Algeria Green Point, Cape Town, South Africa 18/06/2010 / 20:30 on sale


24. Ghana vs Australia Royal Bofokeng, Rustenburg, South Africa 19/06/2010 / 13:30 on sale


25. Netherlands vs Japan Durban, Durban, South Africa 19/06/2010 / 16:00 on sale


26. Cameroon vs Denmark Loftus Versfield, Pretoria, South Africa 19/06/2010 / 20:30 on sale


27. Slovakia vs Paraguay Free State, Manguang/Bloemfontein, South Africa 20/06/2010 / 13:30 on sale


28. Italy vs New Zealand Mbombela, Nelspruit, South Africa 20/06/2010 / 16:00 on sale


29. Brazil vs Cote dIvoire Soccer City, Johannesburg, South Africa 20/06/2010 / 20:30 on sale


30. Portugal vs Korea DPR Green Point, Cape Town, South Africa 21/06/2010 / 13:30 on sale


31. Chile vs Switzerland Port Elisabeth, Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa 21/06/2010 / 16:00 on sale


32. Spain vs Honduras Ellis Park, Johannesburg, South Africa 21/06/2010 / 20:30 on sale


33. Mexico vs Uruguay Royal Bofokeng, Rustenburg, South Africa 22/06/2010 / 16:00 on sale


34. France vs South Africa Free State, Manguang/Bloemfontein, South Africa 22/06/2010 / 16:00 on sale


35. Nigeria vs Korea Republic Durban, Durban, South Africa 22/06/2010 / 20:30 on sale


36. Greece vs Argentina Peter Mokaba, Polokwane, South Africa 22/06/2010 / 20:30 on sale


37. Slovenia vs England Port Elisabeth, Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa 23/06/2010 / 16:00 on sale


38. USA vs Algeria Loftus Versfeld, Tshwane/Pretoria, South Africa 23/06/2010 / 16:00 on sale


39. Ghana vs Germany Soccer City, Johannesburg, South Africa 23/06/2010 / 20:30 on sale


40. Australia vs Serbia Mbombela, Nelspruit, South Africa 23/06/2010 / 20:30 on sale


41. Slovakia vs Italy Ellis Park, Johannesburg, South Africa 24/06/2010 / 16:00 on sale


42. Paraguay vs New Zealand Peter Mokaba, Polokwane, South Africa 24/06/2010 / 16:00 on sale


43. Denmark vs Japan Royal Bofokeng, Rustenburg, South Africa 24/06/2010 / 20:30 on sale


44. Cameroon vs Netherlands Green Point, Cape Town, South Africa 24/06/2010 / 20:30 on sale


45. Portugal vs Brazil Durban, Durban, South Africa 25/06/2010 / 16:00 on sale


46. Korea DPR vs Cote dIvoire Mbombela, Nelspruit, South Africa 25/06/2010 / 16:00 on sale


47. Chile vs Spain Loftus Versfeld, Tshwane/Pretoria, South Africa 25/06/2010 / 20:30 on sale


48. Switzerland vs Honduras Free State, Manguang/Bloemfontein, South Africa 25/06/2010 / 20:30 on sale


Round of 16 1A vs 2B Port Elisabeth, Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa 26/06/2010 / 16:00 on sale


Round of 16 1C vs 2D Royal Bofokeng, Rustenburg, South Africa 26/06/2010 / 20:30 on sale


Round of 16 1D vs 2C Free State, Manguang/Bloemfontein, South Africa 27/06/2010 / 16:00 on sale


Round of 16 1B vs 2A Soccer City, Johannesburg, South Africa 27/06/2010 / 20:30 on sale


Round of 16 1E vs 2F Durban, Durban, South Africa 28/06/2010 / 16:00 on sale


Round of 16 1G vs 2H Ellis Park, Johannesburg, South Africa 28/06/2010 / 20:30 on sale


Round of 16 1F vs 2E Loftus Versfeld, Tshwane/Pretoria, South Africa 29/06/2010 / 16:00 on sale


Round of 16 1H vs 2G Green Point, Cape Town, South Africa 29/06/2010 / 20:30 on sale


Quarter Finals 5 vs 7 Port Elisabeth, Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa 02/07/2010 / 16:00 on sale


Quarter Finals 1 vs 3 Soccer City, Johannesburg, South Africa 02/07/2010 / 20:30 on sale


Quarter Finals 2 vs 4 Green Point, Cape Town, South Africa 03/07/2010 / 16:00 on sale


Quarter Finals 6 vs 8 Ellis Park, Johannesburg, South Africa 03/07/2010 / 20:30 on sale


Semi Finals A vs C Green Point, Cape Town, South Africa 06/07/2010 / 20:30 on sale


Semi Finals B vs D Durban, Durban, South Africa 07/07/2010 / 20:30 on sale


Final Winner I vs Winner II Soccer City, Johannesburg, South Africa 11/07/2010 / 20:30 on sale

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