Bloemfontein proved to be the graveyard for Switzerland’s FIFA World Cup™ hopes as their bid to reach the last 16 ended in a frustrating goalless draw with Honduras. While the Swiss would rue their impotence in front of goal, the Central Americans were guilty of missing a host of gilt-edged chances on the night, as the curtain came down on their South African experience.
World Cup 2010
The World Cup 2010, occasionally called the Football World Cup, but usually referred to simply as the World Cup, is an international football competition contested by the men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the sport's global governing body. The championship has been awarded every four years since the first tournament in 1930, except in 1942 and 1946, because of World War II.
The current format of the tournament involves 32 teams competing for the title at venues within the host nation(s) over a period of about a month – this phase is often called the World Cup Finals. A qualification phase, which currently takes place over the preceding three years, is used to determine which teams qualify for the tournament together with the host nation(s). The World Cup is the most widely-viewed sporting event in the world, with an estimated 715.1 million people watching the 2006 final.
Of the 18 tournaments held, seven nations have won the title. Brazil are the only team to have played in every tournament and have won the World Cup a record five times. Italy are the current champions and have won four titles, and Germany are next with three. The other former champions are Uruguay, winners of the inaugural tournament, and Argentina, with two titles each, and England and France, with one title each.
The most recent World Cup was held in Germany in 2006. The next World Cup will be held in South Africa, between 11 June and 11 July 2010, and the 2014 World Cup will be held in Brazil.
World Cup News
Blunt Switzerland bow out
June 26th, 2010
Honduras to battle for ‘honour’
June 25th, 2010
Central American minnows Honduras will battle for their “honour” and “dignity” despite an uphill task to stay in the FIFA World Cup™, coach Reinaldo Rueda said Thursday. Honduras, who play Switzerland in Bloemfontein on Friday, are rooted at the bottom of Group H after defeats against Chile and
Villa gets Spain back on track
June 22nd, 2010
Spain got their FIFA World Cup™ campaign back on track with a win against Honduras that was far more comprehensive than the 2-0 scoreline indicated. The Central Americans were the unlucky victims as the European champions returned to the kind of form which placed them among the pre-tournament favourites, David Villa claiming the Budweiser Man of the Match award for his two-goal haul.
Spain’s victory lifted them alongside Switzerland with a win apiece, though still three points off Group H pacesetters Chile, their final opponents on Friday. Honduras, meanwhile, now need to win their last match against Switzerland, and hope Chile do them a favour against Spain, to have any hope of progressing.
Better news for Honduras boss
June 7th, 2010
Honduras coach Reinaldo Rueda received some rare good news on Sunday with engouraging fitness reports on injured players Wilson Palacios and David Suazo.
Honduras struggle to find form
June 6th, 2010
Honduras’ dismal FIFA World Cup build-up continued with a heavy defeat to Romania in Austria.
Winless since January after defeats to Turkey and Venezuela and draws with Belarus and Azerbaijan, Reinaldo Rueda’s team were desperate for a boost ahead of their opening Group H game against Chile on June 16.
Suazo not worried by goal drought
June 4th, 2010
Honduras striker David Suazo insists his lack of goals in the build-up to the FIFA World Cup™ is not a cause for concern.
The 30-year-old Inter Milan player has not netted for Los Catrachos in their last five games, with the most recent of his 16 international goals coming against Peru in November.
Hondurans held by Azerbaijan
June 2nd, 2010
Honduras still appear to have plenty of work left to do in the final days before the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ as they were held to a goalless draw by 10-man Azerbaijan in Austria today.
Rueda names Honduras squad
May 13th, 2010
Honduras coach Reinaldo Rueda has named his 23-man FIFA World Cup™ squad and seven reserves in case of injuries.
Instead of naming a 30-man preliminary group, Rueda decided to reveal the 23 players to compete in South Africa next month, while seven more will be available if required.
Thomas learning his trade
April 10th, 2010
Make a list of the Honduran players currently plying their trade in Europe and the first names that spring to mind will be Wilson Palacios, David Suazo, Maynor Figueroa and Julio de Leon. Yet, there is one other Catracho export who is making a name for himself in one of the most competitive leagues in the world and is seemingly poised to join that select band.
Palacios happy at Spurs
March 26th, 2010
Tottenham midfielder Wilson Palacios has played down reports he wants to move to a bigger club, insisting he is happy at White Hart Lane.
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News World Cup 2010
Capello: I accept retirements
Fabio Capello sidestepped reports of a communication problem with his England squad after Paul Robinson and Wes Brown both retired from international football at the weekend. The Blackburn goalkeeper and Manchester United defender both made their decisions after being called up for Wednesday's friendly against Hungary at Wembley.... details
O'Neill resigns as Villa managerAston Villa have announced the shock resignation of manager Martin O'Neill with immediate effect. O'Neill was seemingly preparing for this weekend's Premier League opener at home to West Ham United, but a statement from Villa this afternoon announced his departure. No reason has been given.... details
Low relishing 2012 challengeGermany coach Joachim Low has said that he could not walk away from the challenge of transforming his young side from FIFA World Cup™ semi-finalists to European champions.... details
Berlusconi: Milan will never sell Ronaldinho Guardiola hopes for long-term stayBarcelona coach Pep Guardiola wants to remain at the Nou Camp for the long-term, despite insisting on only signing a one-year contract at the club. Guardiola, who has won seven trophies in his first two years as Barça coach, signed a new deal last week which runs until next June.... details
Mazzarri delighted to land CavaniNapoli coach Walter Mazzarri is delighted to have Edinson Cavani among his players. Cavani completed his move from Palermo on Saturday, with the Azzurri shelling out a fee in the region of €12million.... details
Mainz swoop for FuchsMainz have signed Christian Fuchs on a season loan from Bochum, with an option to make the deal permanent next summer. The agreement ensures the Austria midfielder will play Bundesliga football in the upcoming campaign after being relegated with Bochum last term.... details
Cole joins LiverpoolLiverpool have signed former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole on a free transfer. The 28-year-old England international left Stamford Bridge at the end of last season after failing to agree a new contract with the club and has agreed personal terms on a four-year deal at Anfield.... details
Non-stop action in South AmericaDespite the disappointment of not having any representatives in the Final of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, South America is already focusing on the future. Both Brazil and Colombia have already been in action at the FIFA Women’s U-20 World Cup Germany 2010 and the new FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking was published on Wednesday, with some encouraging progress being made by a clutch of CONMEBOL teams. Add to that the resumption of the 2010 Copa Libertadores de America and the fast-approaching return of the domestic league season, and there is more than enough to keep the continent’s football fans occupied.... details
Beckham: I don't want to manageHenry seals New York moveNew York Red Bulls have signed Thierry Henry from Barcelona on a "multi-year contract", the Major League Soccer club have confirmed. The 32-year-old former Arsenal captain moved to the Camp Nou in 2007 and had one year remaining on his Barça contract, but the club agreed last month that he could leave. "Red Bull New York announced today that it has signed star French forward Thierry Henry to a multi-year contract as its second designated player," the club said today in a statement on their website.... details
Udinese rule out Sanchez saleAlexis Sanchez will not leave Udinese this summer despite reported interest from Manchester United and Roma, according to the club's president. The winger has been linked to several leading European clubs this summer after a good performance for Chile at the FIFA World Cup™. However, Udinese have no intention of selling the 21-year-old star, who is currently on holiday.... details
Rajevac keen to stay onMilovan Rajevac wants to remain as Ghana coach, despite receiving several offers following a successful FIFA World Cup™. The Serbian has seen his stock rise over the past month after leading the Black Stars into the quarter-finals in South Africa, where they were beaten on penalties. The west Africans surpassed all expectations, even without star midfielder Michael Essien of Chelsea, and their coach said: "I am still under contract with the Ghana Football Association.... details
Iniesta: I never lost faithSpain hero Andres Iniesta claims he never lost faith in achieving FIFA World Cup™ success, despite a frustrating season with injuries and a bad start for Vicente del Bosque's side in South Africa. Iniesta, who scored the extra-time winner for Spain in the FIFA World Cup Final against Holland on Sunday, struggled for long periods last season with a thigh problem and only reappeared for Barcelona right at the end of the campaign. The midfielder then aggravated the injury in Spain's friendly win over Poland before the start of the FIFA World Cup and was forced off once more as Del Bosque's side went down 1-0 to Switzerland in their opening match in South Africa.... details
Defeated Dutch honoured at homeThousands of fans turned the canals of Amsterdam into a sea of orange Tuesday, honking vuvuzelas and throwing confetti at the Dutch football team after its nailbiting FIFA World Cup™ defeat to Spain. The team, casual in shorts and T-shirts, floated along the seven-kilometre (over four-mile) route on a river boat decorated with orange flowers, sipping beer and making toasts in the direction of the adoring crowds who waved flags, danced and chanted "Holland, Holland" to pumping music.... details