England World Cup Blog 2010

Ferdinand blow for England

England World Cup Blog

Written by Dave Allan Friday, 04 June 2010 11:23

Reports emerging from South Africa suggest Rio Ferdinad could be a real doubt for England's opening game against the USA after being sent to hospital for a scan on an injured knee.

Read more: Ferdinand blow for England

USA World Cup Squad Preview

England World Cup Blog

Written by Tony Concannon Friday, 04 June 2010 08:46

The United States are fast becoming regulars at the World Cup, and this will be the sixth consecutive time the squad have qualified. They had to work hard to seal their place in South Africa but eventually topped their qualifying group ahead of rivals Mexico, Honduras and Costa Rica. Expectations are high after reaching the Confederations Cup final in 2009, beating European champions Spain along the way, before giving eventual winners Brazil a fright in the final. However, I think too much has been made of their run to the final in the Confederations Cup, and finishing losing finalists flattered the US a little. It was only a friendly competition after all. When the real action starts, I can't see them getting into the final 16, and they may even face a fight to get out of their group.

Read more: USA World Cup Squad Preview

Where can I watch England in the World Cup in Berlin?

England World Cup Blog

Written by Dave Allan Thursday, 03 June 2010 17:26

From Charlottenburg to Mitte, from Prenzlauer Berg to Wedding, it was the question everyone in Berlin was asking me.

As I don't speak German too well I just used to shrug and give my standard reply  "Geradeaus, mate, Geradeaus."

Read more: Where can I watch England in the World Cup in Berlin?

John Barnes England legend and his Wikipedia entry

England World Cup Blog

Written by Dave Allan Thursday, 03 June 2010 16:57

Anyone in their right mind knows that World In Motion featuring the John Barnes rap is the classiest World Cup tune of all time but Barnes brought us more joy recently after his Wikipedia page was vandalised.

Read more: John Barnes England legend and his Wikipedia entry

Why Heskey was always going to the World Cup

England World Cup Blog

Written by James Beckett Thursday, 03 June 2010 12:42

When Fabio Capello axed Theo Walcott from his World Cup, he sent out a huge message saying that nobody should take their place in the squad for granted. But while the Arsenal winger got caught by the Italian's axe, Emile Heskey managed to escape on the plane to South Africa.

Read more: Why Heskey was always going to the World Cup

England shirt numbers - Lennon in seven heaven

England World Cup Blog

Written by Dave Allan Thursday, 03 June 2010 10:13

Fabio Capello revealed the England shirt numbers on Thursday and has hinted at a starting place for Aaron Lennon after handing the Tottenham youngster the coverted number 7 shirt worn with distinction by David Beckham for many years.

David James will be wearing number 1 on his back while other interesting choices were to give Joe Cole number 11 and Peter Crouch the famous number 9 squad number.

Read more: England shirt numbers - Lennon in seven heaven

How to paint an England flag on your nails

England World Cup Blog

Written by Dave Allan Thursday, 03 June 2010 08:59

It's not all World Cup player profiles and squad previews on this site, we like to give you the opportunity to express yourself as England fans.

Read more: How to paint an England flag on your nails

Asamoah Gyan - Players to star in South Africa

England World Cup Blog

Written by Dave Allan Thursday, 03 June 2010 08:09

Asamoah Gyan was born in Accra on the 22nd November 1985 and has packed a lot into his career so far including spells in Italy and France.

Read more: Asamoah Gyan - Players to star in South Africa

Gonzalo Higuain - Players to watch in South Africa

England World Cup Blog

Written by Dave Allan Thursday, 03 June 2010 07:36

Gonzalo Gerardo Higuain was actually born in Brest, France on December 10th 1987 and although eligible to play for the country of his birth opted instead to play for Argentina. Higuain was actually offered a squad number with France and could have turned out for Les Bleus with the number 20 on his back.

Read more: Gonzalo Higuain - Players to watch in South Africa

Best Twitter for the World Cup

England World Cup Blog

Written by Dave Allan Wednesday, 02 June 2010 22:36

If you are a Twitter person or not I would seriously recommend the feed twitter.com/a2bworldcup. Be warned it is not your usual account pumping out self serving links to its own content but a pretty clever and surreal ongoing tale of a Scotsman trying to reach South Africa in a burger van.

Read more: Best Twitter for the World Cup

How to get a free bet on the World Cup

England World Cup Blog

Written by Dave Allan Wednesday, 02 June 2010 14:30

Getting a free bet on the World Cup is fairly straight forward but it is important to check out the bonus terms and conditions as some are not as free as they first appear.

Many will expect you to turn over a certain figure before releasing your money so below we have picked out some of the best free bet resources with little or no strings attached.

Read more: How to get a free bet on the World Cup

Why Capello won't regret taking Joe Cole to the World Cup

England World Cup Blog

Written by James Beckett Wednesday, 02 June 2010 12:14

Four years ago Joe Cole was a regular in the Sven Goran Eriksson's England side, yesterday he scraped through in to the England squad, but can the Chelsea man repay the faith that Fabio Capello has shown in him, and reach the same heights that he did in Germany?


Cole was one of the few men that can really say they performed in 2006, he stood out as one of the bright attacking sparks, in an otherwise dull England side, and topped his performances off with a stunning goal against Sweden. But since then, injuries have seen Cole almost disappear of the radar, and his appearance against Japan on Sunday was his first cap since 2008.


But Cole performance against Japan may have won Capello over. He produced the cross that lead to England's equaliser, and his all round display was very impressive, and England fans will be hoping that Cole may have recaptured the form that he had in 2006.


However whether Cole actually can reach that level of form again, remains to be seen. Cole showed brief glimpses of his quality during the second half of the season, but he was a peripheral member of the Chelsea squad that won the double, and couldn't persuade Carlo Ancelotti to pick him on a regular basis.

Read more: Why Capello won't regret taking Joe Cole to the World Cup

Brazil World Cup Squad Preview

World Cup Squad Previews

Written by Tony Concannon Wednesday, 02 June 2010 10:01

Brazil are the only country to have appeared in every World Cup since its inception in 1930, and they have lifted the trophy a record five times in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002. In every World Cup they are one of the favourites to win the tournament, and it is certainly no different this time. Only Spain are ranked above them in the world rankings, and there can be no argument that they are currently the best two teams in the world.

Read more: Brazil World Cup Squad Preview

Edinson Cavani - Players to watch in South Africa

England World Cup Blog

Written by Dave Allan Tuesday, 01 June 2010 23:14

Edinson Roberto Cavani Gomez or simply Edinson Cavani was born in Salto, Uruguay on February 14th 1987 and is a player who is sure to impress in the upcoming World Cup.

Read more: Edinson Cavani - Players to watch in South Africa

Capello and the contract

England World Cup Blog

Written by Dave Allan Tuesday, 01 June 2010 21:35

Football is a very fickle business at the best of times, but perhaps no where more so than in the interactions between owners/associations and managers. The cast iron deals of today become the broken promises of last week on a common enough basis that you often wonder why they even bother making contracts in the first place – yet in the case of the FA's dealing with Capello the contract negotiations may well prove a very important part of the World Cup Campaign.

Read more: Capello and the contract