world cup provisional squads

[dimensionnw]

wow @ no Benzema

man has fallen off differently

[Bruno Di Gradi]

Italy's team looks f*ck*ng strong

their frontline is guaranteed goals imo.

LOL seriously LOL

pazzini to bang goals.

reach quarter - semi's

[Francis Coquelin]

reyes should have been called up

[Drift]

Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri has been overlooked, but his Emirates Stadium team-mates Gael Clichy, William Gallas, Abou Diaby and Bacary Sagna are all included.

pissed.

been playing within himself this season though.

[Francis Coquelin]

serves the little lesbian right

diaby isn't going to play a single minute

[Gunner]

IVORY COAST

Ivory Coast manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has thrown down the gauntlet to his World Cup stars after naming his 29-man preliminary squad for the finals.

Eriksson sprung no surprises after the announcement of his initial party, which includes Premier League stars Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou, Emmanuel Eboue and Kolo Toure.

Wigan's Steven Gohouri also received a call, as did on-loan Portsmouth front man Aruna Dindane, however Eriksson has told his players not to rest on their laurels.

The Ivorians were sent tumbling out of the African Cup of Nations in February after a shock defeat to Algeria led to the sacking of former coach Vahid Halilhodzic.

And the new boss wants his team to improve on their showing in Angola as they attempt to see off Group G opponents Brazil, Portugal and North Korea.

Quality not enough

"The players, they all agree they think they can do much better than they have done recently," Eriksson told reporters at a press conference.

"There are a lot of good football players in this country, a lot are top class in the world.

"From Monday's it's up to my players to try to make a team of it. The quality's there but quality's not enough."

The 62-year-old recognises the difficult task his team face to progress from what has been billed as the 'group of death'.

But the Swede was confident his highly-rated side could make steps towards the knock-out stages should they pull together.

He added: "I'm extremely proud to have this job, to take them to the World Cup, and I'm also very positive we can do well.

"We have to be ready when the World Cup starts because the games we have, they are difficult. We have to be more than ready.

"If we don't play as a team we can never win. So the main target is to play as a team...on and off the pitch."

Squad in full:

(Trimmed to 23 by 1st June):

Goalkeepers: Vincent Angban (ASEC Abidjan), Boubacar Barry (Lokeren), Aristides Zogbo (Maccabi Netanya), Daniel Yeboah (ASEC Abidjan).

Defenders: Souleymane Bamba (Hibernian), Arthur Boka (Stuttgart), Benjamin Brou Angoua (Valenciennes), Guy Demel (Hamburg), Emmanuel Eboue (Arsenal), Abdoulaye Meite (West Bromwich Albion), Steve Gohouri (Wigan Athletic), Siaka Tiene (Valenciennes), Kolo Toure (Manchester City).

Midfielders: Emerse Fae (Nantes), Jean-Jacques Gosso Gosso (Monaco), Abdelkader Keita (Galatasaray), Emmanuel Kone (International Curtea Arges), Gervais Yao Kouassi (Lille), Christian Koffi Ndri (Sevilla), Cheik Ismael Tiote (Twente Enschede), Yaya Toure (Barcelona), Gilles Yapi Yapo (Young Boys Berne), Didier Zokora (Sevilla).

Forwards: Kanga Akale (Lens), Aruna Dindane (Portsmouth), Seydou Doumbia (Young Boys Berne), Didier Drogba (Chelsea), Salomon Kalou (Chelsea), Bakary Kone (Marseille).

[Mame Biram Diouf]

no ronaldinho, adriano, pato,benzem, nasri, rvn, mata (didnt see him in squad list?)

who else?

looking forward to maradonas selection can see him leaving out a big name

[Gunner]

no ronaldinho, adriano, pato,benzem, nasri, rvn, mata (didnt see him in squad list?)

who else?

looking forward to maradonas selection can see him leaving out a big name

THINK MATA IS IN THE 30.

[RaiKkoNen]

These f*ck*ng managers are deading out the world cup ffs. Even though some of these players are fully past it or some are considered volatile, bring them ffs. Young stars like Pato, Nasri missing out as well. f*ck*ng idiots, this is the stage where players like them are meant to shine. Retarded managers now intent on carving some 'no nonsense' imagery. Like anyone will remember their names in 10 years, f*ck off nonces. Dunga especially, omitted Diego and Pato. Like Melo had a better season than Diego (Who wasn't that good tbf, but is CLASS). Guy's a retard.

[RaiKkoNen]

List of players I would consider good enough ATLEAST not going to the WC, courtesy OA

Keepers: Almunia <-- Lulz

Defenders: Roberto Carlos, Mickael Ciani, Boumsong, Aly Cissokho, Barzagli

Midfielders: Beckham, Scholes, Barry, Vieira, Nasri, Diego

Forwards: Benzema, Pato, Van Nistelrooy, Ronaldinho, Amauri, Cassano, Adriano, Totti

[Guest Portuguese]

Cambiasso

Zanetti

Bojan

Pedro

Neymar

[anelka]

These f*ck*ng spoiler managers

Cassano, Diego, Pato, Quaresma & Dinho not present = air

lol @ Nasri not going, told people he was no Zidane..

Swear ders a lack of playmakers at this ting..

[RaiKkoNen]

These f*ck*ng spoiler managers

Cassano, Diego, Pato, Quaresma & Dinho not present = air

lol @ Nasri not going, told people he was no Zidane..

Swear ders a lack of playmakers at this ting..

These managers seem to be on a Mourinho hype lately. All f*ck*ng strategy, no beauty. Just out to be solely effective. Cunts, I want a spectacle not a f*ck*ng bore job. Watch this WC flop with 0-0, 1-0 type games.

I stand by my comments, France must be build AROUND Samir Nasri.

[Lenny]

Argentina squad?

[jcee]

Diego Maradona has surprisingly omitted Esteban Cambiasso, Javier Zanetti and Fernando Gago from his preliminary 30-man Argentina World Cup squad.

Inter Milan midfielder Cambiasso has helped his club to the UEFA Champions League final and the brink of Serie A glory this season while his team-mate Zanetti possesses 136 caps and is a veteran of two World Cups.

Real Madrid's holding midfielder Gago was also a notable absentee along with Marseille's talented midfielder Lucho Gonzalez and Barcelona defender Gabriel Milito.

However, Liverpool's Maxi Rodriguez, whom Maradona appeared to have discarded altogether, is back along with Newcastle's Fabricio Coloccini.

Surprise

There are a number of surprise inclusions by Maradona, including Ariel Garce, Juan Manuel Insaurralde, Clemente Rodriguez and Colon keeper Diego Pozo, who all play their club football domestically.

Argentina fancy their chances of taking the world by storm this summer due to Lionel Messi's brilliance and Maradona wants to give the talent a free role in South Africa.

"I don't want him stationed on the (right touch) line...All the balls have to pass through him," Maradona told Fox Sports.

"I'm going to defend with four centre-backs, but I'm also going to have full-backs available in case we need to improve coming out of defence."

Argentina's preliminary 30-man squad:

Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar), Mariano Andujar (Catania), Diego Pozo (Colon)

Defenders: Nicolas Otamendi (Velez Sarsfield), Martin Demichelis (Bayern Munich), Walter Samuel (Inter Milan), Gabriel Heinze (Marseille), Nicolas Burdisso (Roma), Fabricio Coloccini (Newcastle), Ariel Garce (Colon), Juan Insaurralde (Newell's Old Boys), Clemente Rodriguez (Estudiantes)

Midfielders: Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle), Juan Sebastian Veron (Estudiantes), Jose Sosa (Estudiantes), Javier Mascherano (Liverpool), Angel Di Maria (Benfica), Javier Pastore (Palermo), Sebastian Blanco (Lanus), Maxi Rodriguez (Liverpool), Juan Mercier (Argentinos), Jesus Datolo (Olympiakos), Mario Bolatti (Fiorentina)

Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid), Carlos Tevez (Manchester City), Diego Milito (Inter Milan), Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid), Martin Palermo (Boca Juniors), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli).

lol @ no cambiasso and zanetti, smh

[Captain Planet]

Boy..

Long gone are the days of Staam, Davids, Seedorf, Da Boers, Kluivert, RVN etc

Team looks very weak nowadays

WHERES DENNIS YOU p*ssy

[TF S4DK]

serves the little lesbian right

diaby isn't going to play a single minute

Well there only gonna be 270 minutes for Frnce anyway.

[TF S4DK]

Should teach Nasri to up the levels, last four-five weeks he has played in his favourite position, and played like he knew he was going WC and didnt wanna get injured. Should've dropped Diaby too, cos he been on the same sh*t.

[BATTY BOY BUM BANDIT]

I knew Maradona was on drugs but wow.

How can you even consider taking Coloccini over Zanetti? No Cambiasso?

His forwards are gonna save him though. Bar Palermo I think those 6 would all get into most of the other squads.

[Guest Lens]

Saha had a better season then henry imo, still ( call me clueless ), would prefer him in that frontline.

is maradonna really takin the 2 1st division guys. and leaving behind leto? pablo aimar? Higuain and no Lisandro? Let's be serious now. Maxi Rodriguez hasn't earned it.

surprised to see no oddo or Abate, and @ the continued faith in Gattuso. Would love to see Borriello get some international goals tho, but he probably won't play. Gilardino for Golden Boot.

has van der sar retired from international or is he just not selected?

Italy to win world cup based on maradonna and dunga's stupid decisions.

[Michel Kane]

These f*ck*ng spoiler managers

Cassano, Diego, Pato, Quaresma & Dinho not present = air

lol @ Nasri not going, told people he was no Zidane..

Swear ders a lack of playmakers at this ting..

These managers seem to be on a Mourinho hype lately. All f*ck*ng strategy, no beauty. Just out to be solely effective. Cunts, I want a spectacle not a f*ck*ng bore job. Watch this WC flop with 0-0, 1-0 type games.

I stand by my comments, France must be build AROUND Samir Nasri.

[Gunner]

MEXICO

Mexico have selected a 26-man provisional squad for the World Cup finals in South Africa and have named only five recognised midfielders.

Tottenham's Giovani dos Santos, who is currently on loan at Galatasaray, is one of the midfielders, along with his brother Jonathan, Andres Guardado, Gerrardo Torrado and Israel Castro.

Coach Javier Aguirre does have players capable of filling in if necessary, with the likes of Rafael Marquez, Juan Carlos Valenzuela and Adrian Aldrete able to move up from defence.

Javier Hernandez, who will be joining Manchester United in the summer, is in the squad, along with Arsenal youngster Carlos Vela and West Ham United striker Guillermo Franco.

However, Miguel Sabah's absence was confirmed with the Morelia striker suffering with a tendon injury.

Mexico have been drawn in Group A alongside Uruguay, France and host nation South Africa, who they face in the opening match of the tournament on 11th June.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Oscar Perez (Chiapas), Guillermo Ochoa (America), Luis Ernesto Michel (Guadalajara);

Defenders: Rafael Marquez (Barcelona), Ricardo Osorio (Stuttgart), Francisco Rodriguez, Carlos Salcido (both PSV Eindhoven), Hector Moreno, Paul Aguilar (Pachuca), Efrain Juarez (Pumas UNAM), Jonny Magallon (Guadalajara), Juan Carlos Valenzuela (America), Jorge Torres Nilo (Atlas), Adrian Aldrete (Morelia);

Midfielders: Andres Guardado (Deportivo La Coruna), Jonathan dos Santos (Barcelona), Gerardo Torrado (Cruz Azul), Israel Castro (Pumas UNAM), Giovani dos Santos (Galatasaray, on loan from Tottenham);

Forwards: Pablo Barrera (Pumas UNAM), Adolfo Bautista, Alberto Medina (both Guadalajara), Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Veracruz), Carlos Vela (Arsenal), Javier Hernandez (Manchester United), Guillermo Franco (West Ham).

[Gunner]

CHILE

Atalanta midfielder Jaime Valdes was a surprise inclusion in Chile's 30-man provisional World Cup squad announced by Marcelo Bielsa.

Valdes has played in Italy for a decade but has never featured under Argentinian head coach Bielsa, who has been at the helm since 2007.

Luis Marin and Charles Aranguiz were also surprise inclusions. Union Espanola's Marin won the battle for the third goalkeeping spot over Universidad Catolica's Cristopher Toselli.

Flamengo midfielder Claudio Maldonado was left out having come back in March from a knee injury he suffered playing for Chile against Slovakia in November.

Universidad de Chile midfielder Marco Estrada was included despite not playing much for his club side having not fully recovered from a leg injury.

Estrada's club colleague Hans Martinez and Osvaldo Gonzalez, who reached the Mexican Bicentenario semi-finals with Toluca, also both miss out.

Bielsa, whose team meet Mexico in a friendly in Mexico City on Sunday, must trim his squad to 23 by 1st June for the finals starting on 11th June in South Africa where Chile face favourites Spain, Switzerland and Honduras in Group H.

Chile's preliminary World Cup squad:

Goalkeepers: Claudio Bravo (Real Sociedad), Miguel Pinto (Universidad de Chile), Luis Marin (Union Espanola)

Defenders: Waldo Ponce (Universidad Catolica), Gonzalo Jara (West Bromwich Albion), Gary Medel (Boca Juniors), Mauricio Isla (Udinese), Pablo Contreras (PAOK Salonika), Ismael Fuentes (Universidad Catolica)

Midfielders: Marco Estrada, Manuel Iturra (both Universidad de Chile), Roberto Cereceda, Rodrigo Millar, Jose Fuenzalida (all Colo Colo), Arturo Vidal (Bayer Leverkusen), Carlos

Carmona (Reggina), Jorge Valdivia (Al Ain), Matias Fernandez (Sporting Lisbon), Jean Beausejour (Club America), Pedro Morales (Dinamo Zagreb), Gonzalo Fierro (Flamengo), Charles Aranguiz (Colo Colo), Jaime Valdes (Atalanta), Rodrigo Tello (Besiktas)

Forwards: Humberto Suazo (Real Zaragoza), Esteban Paredes (Colo Colo), Hector Mancilla (Toluca), Alexis Sanchez (Udinese), Fabian Orellana (Xerez), Mark Gonzalez (CSKA Moscow)

[Guest TimeBomb]

serves nasri and benzema right, should of come back to their roots.

[Phil Brooks]

SMH