I think France are a 2nd seed but I'm not sure. Are they below England in the World rankings? If os, then they are a 2nd seed as I believe we hold the last #1 spot.

hmm, would winning the WC in 98 and finalists in 2006 make a difference in our seeding? Now that I think of it, we should be first, no?

Govt end Amauri's Azzurri dream?

Monday 16 November, 2009

Amauri’s World Cup dream could be over, as he cannot become a citizen before March 5, so he’ll miss the last friendly before the tournament.

The Brazilian is in the process of gaining his Italian passport so he can represent the Azzurri in South Africa 2010.

He can only become a citizen because his wife, also Brazilian, achieved her passport in March. However, new laws state a husband must wait a full year before he can gain citizenship through marriage.

Today the government confirmed it cannot swear Amauri in until March 5, 2010 – two days after the final Italy friendly test.

It means Marcello Lippi would have to add the Juventus striker to his World Cup squad without playing a single game first.

This suggests 29-year-old Amauri’s dream of representing Italy in this tournament is all but over.

FIGC sets Lippi future deadline

Monday 16 November, 2009

FIGC President Giancarlo Abete concedes they “must reach South Africa with a clear idea” on who will replace Marcello Lippi.

The Italy Coach has hinted he will step down after the 2010 tournament, regardless of the result, therefore ending his second stint on the bench.

“There are many months to go yet and we were concentrated on qualification,” he told Radio GR Parlamento.

“We must reach South Africa with a clear idea, but without letting this issue become the only problem.”

Lippi caused shockwaves when he resigned days after lifting the 2006 trophy in Berlin, but this time around the departure is more signposted.

Candidates to take over include Fiorentina boss Cesare Prandelli, former Inter Coach Roberto Mancini, ex-Roma tactician Luciano Spalletti and Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti.

When Roberto Donadoni’s contract was up during the Euro 2008 competition, question marks over his future dogged the team.

“The Federation is responsible for planning. In a calm way, without proclamations, we will avoid a similar situation to what happened in Euro 2008,” added Abete.

The FIGC has also been under pressure over the issue of Oriundi – nationalised foreign players – as Giampaolo Pazzini complained about Amauri joining the Azzurri.

“Today the only parameter is citizenship. If a player is an Italian citizen, then he has every right to be called up for the Nazionale.

“There is a policy that the Federation is eager not to spread the presence of non-native players too widely. Lippi has also said many times it is something to be limited to a few players.

“We do not want to lose our identity, but neither do we wish to discriminate.”

This is what prompted Lazio striker Mauro Zarate’s agent to suggest the FIGC had asked him to leave Argentina for the Azzurri.

“No director from the Italian Federation has spoken to Zarate,” assured Abete. “I think the player’s agent is trying to send messages to either us or the Argentine Federation.”

He's probably outside celebrating right now but congrats to dst and his country for making it to the World Cup.

Now if only France, Portugal and Uruguay qualify. it'll be one hell of a World Cup!

He's probably outside celebrating right now but congrats to dst and his country for making it to the World Cup.

Now if only France, Portugal and Uruguay qualify. it'll be one hell of a World Cup!

Second time in our history! (first was at the USA)


All that matters is that we're in it... that's what makes it special...

they played like shitttt, ireland completely outplayed them in reg time and should have won by 3 or 4 goals.

they complain and biker like no other national team around, tbh the world cup would be better off without them despite their supposed quality.

How is Argentina still among the top 7?

He's probably outside celebrating right now but congrats to dst and his country for making it to the World Cup.

Now if only France, Portugal and Uruguay qualify. it'll be one hell of a World Cup!

Second time in our history! (first was at the USA)


All that matters is that we're in it... that's what makes it special...

Meh...tbh I wish Bosnia would have made it. Seeing Ronaldo cry on the stands would have been awesome

its not just henry, FIFA ALSO ARE CHEATS!

POT A - South Africa, Brazil, Italy, Germany, Spain, England, France, Argentina.

POT B - Portugal, Holland, Switzerland, Slovenia, Greece, Denmark, Serbia, Slovakia.

POT C - Uruguay, Chile, Paraguay, Ghana, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Algeria.

POT D - South Korea, North Korea, Australia, Japan, USA, Honouras, New Zealand, Mexico.

Mexico in pot D?!

Disagree. seeing him cry in the World Cup would be better!

It seems they aren't doing the seeding for the draw how I expected, they're using something to do with the previous 2 tournements as well as rankings to determine the seeds. In other words, fixing it how they want.



I don't think these pots are certain yet as they made decide to change around some teams in pots C and D.

ENGLAND
Slovakia
Algeria
New Zealand

plz.

Yes, yes they are. Let's hope no fixes go on this time at the actual tournement.

i just do not trust any draws these days, for instance this years ECL draw is just a sham, its so conveniently placed, they created all these seemingly co-incidental fixtures.
milan/madrid, kaka.
inter/ barca , eto'o, ibra
then as usual the english teams get an all too easy ride into the knock-out phase

I'm very happy for Greece to make it. Especially since one of my favorite players (Gekas) is Greek and one of my favorite coaches still at the helm.

I suppose it's good to see some big name countries qualify. There's always a few nobody countries like Greece that have to go and ruin it though.

By Andrew Southwick goal.com

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has leapt to the defence of Thierry Henry after his handball helped France qualify for the World Cup.

Henry's handball in the build up to the winning goal in Wednesday's play-off against the Republic of Ireland has brought condemnation from across the football world.

Ireland have called on FIFA to replay the match, something which Henry has also supported, though the French Football Federation have refuted the suggestion.

Wenger, Henry's former manager at Arsenal, admitted that he was 'embarrassed', but defended Henry.

"I believe it is embarrassing," he told Sky Sports News. "I support France and it's embarrassing to qualify the way we qualified.

"I feel Thierry will feel vindicated in a wrong way because anybody who has played football can understand these kind of reactions.

"He was the big loser in this story, because if he had come out and said 'it was a handball', half of France would say 'how crazy is he?' to cut off the road to the World Cup. And if he doesn't say it straight away then he is as well guilty.

"Thierry Henry has played here for 10 years basically and has always been super fair. Football and sport in general is full of heroes who have cheated 10 times more than Thierry.

"If someone has to do something for Thierry Henry it is French football and France as a country, and not leave him out there alone against the whole world."

When asked whether he expected Henry to own up immediately, he added: "It is feasible to think it, is it realistic? No.

"I think it's not right to put the responsibility on one side, on the player's shoulder, and say you have to win absolutely at any cost and you have to qualify us.

"And then when that happens the whole country turns against Thierry Henry, I think that's unfair.

"He has come out and said he has made a mistake and touched the ball with his hand, he is honest."

Wenger called for a replay in 1999 when Arsenal unfairly defeated Sheffield United in the FA Cup after Nwankwo Kanu failed to pass the ball back to the goalkeeper from a throw-in, and the Gunners boss believes in fairness.

"I like justice in sport and I believe that football has a big responsibility to show how you want international life to go on and be an example for people who watch the game," he added..

"That is part of the values football wants to defend.

"I believe that there are only two opportunities - One France can offer to replay, which I support personally, and the second situation is that FIFA has to make a decision on that issue. Can we make sure that that doesn't happen again.

"We want to beat Ireland properly and that didn't happen, simple as that. Let's make sure that it doesn't happen again."

Wenger also conceded that the referee was not to blame for allowing the goal, commenting: "What is terrible for the referee is he gave the goal knowing something was not regular, and yet no help.

"He knew that something was not right. Then he asked for some help from the linesman, who couldn't give him the help."

I partially blame Henry for the deliberate use of hand in assisting the goal, the main thing is that the system is flawed.

everything about that goal just oozes foul play, when the free-kick was taken 2 french guys were offside, 1french dude jumped and attempted to bring the ball down with his hand but missed then henry took his turn, seems to me they were instructed to do whatever it takes to get the goal and the ref will wave away all protests, i really do feel for the irish.

Well having the slimy Frenchies at the World Cup will be far more beneficial and lucrative for FIFA then having the Irish in the finals

The FAI have made a proposal to FIFA to make them the 33rd team in the World Cup. This is getting sad now, just get over it.

Blog: Totti? No thanks

Francesco Totti is considering a return to the Italian side ahead of the World Cup. Serafino Ingardia questions his national pride



When Francesco Totti retired from La Nazionale a large number of fans and pundits pleaded with Er Pupone to reconsider his position. Nevertheless, the Roma legend made it clear he’d had enough of the Azzurri and wanted to focus on his club.

He made no secret that the Giallorossi were his priority and underlined it even when there was no real need to do so. “To me, Roma counts much more than Italy. Winning the Scudetto was more important than the World Cup,” he confessed.

Nothing wrong with that really, if his heart lies at the Olimpico then that is where it should stay. Totti is indeed a fantastic player but he has already made his choice and can’t simply change his mind whenever he feels like it.

It is easy now with the World Cup quickly approaching to jump on the boat and travel to Africa. But where was Totti when the Azzurri had to visit the icy Georgia or face the Bulgarian side? He stayed at home, relaxing and minding his own business – impressive attitude eh?!

But of course he will want to play now that the far from appealing games are over. So if Marcello Lippi takes him to South Africa he may as well give him the captain’s armband for all I care.

Totti has shown no respect for the Nazionale and he should quietly stay at home like Alessandro Nesta will. Even the Milan defender was offered a place back in the team, but he rightly refused – he had made an ethical choice and will stick to it. Credit to the guy.

And one last thing, are Italy so desperate that they have to force a 33-year-old player away from retirement ahead of a big tournament? He would no doubt find space in this side but wouldn’t settle so easily for a place on the bench either.

There is plenty of talent around for Lippi to consider before him and Totti betrayed our national pride. There are so many players who would give their soul to play for the Azzurri even if it meant travelling around the world ahead of the needs of their respective clubs. Now it’s time for Lippi to show them some respect.