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The 63-year-old has selected 20 players for a pre-World Cup training camp ahead of deciding his final selection for the tournament
Louis van Gaal has announced a provisional 20-man squad for Netherlands' pre-World Cup training camp.
The Oranje will undergo a 10-day training stage in Hoenderloo before facing Ecuador in a friendly at the Amsterdam Arena on May 17.
Only players plying their trade in the Eredivisie have been selected as the rest of the squad complete their respective league seasons, with the remaining internationals set to join up at the end of the month.
Van Gaal will announce a 30-man pre-World Cup selection on May 30 ahead of flying to Portugal where Netherlands will complete their preparations for the tournament. That selection will then be reduced to a final list of 23 names.
Oranje face Ghana on May 31 and Wales five days later.
Netherlands squad: Daley Blind (Ajax), Jean-Paul Boëtius (Feyenoord), Luc Castaignos (FC Twente), Jasper Cillessen (Ajax), Jordy Clasie (Feyenoord), Memphis Depay (PSV), Daryl Janmaat (Feyenoord), Davy Klaassen (Ajax), Terence Kongolo (Feyenoord), Jürgen Locadia (PSV), Bruno Martins Indi (Feyenoord), Luciano Narsingh (PSV), Quincy Promes (FC Twente), Karim Rekik (PSV), Tonny Trindade de Vilhena (Feyenoord), Joël Veltman (Ajax), Kenneth Vermeer (Ajax), Stefan de Vrij (Feyenoord), Georginio Wijnaldum (PSV) and Jeroen Zoet (PSV).
The African champions have announced a team of 30 players for next month's tournament in Brazil with the exclusion of Villareal’s Ikechukwu Uche
Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has named 30 players in his provisional squad for next month's World Cup.
The reigning African champions will be making their fifth appearance at world football's major showpiece and have been drawn in the same group with Argentina, Iran and Bosnia.
Usual suspects Vincent Enyeama, Mikel Obi, Efe Ambrose, Godfrey Oboabona, Ahmed Musa and Victor Moses have been included, as well as dark horses Ramon Azeez, Michael Babatunde and Azubuike Egwuekwe while midfield ace Joel Obi and Peter Odemwingie return after several months in the international wilderness.
Top scorer of the 29th Africa Cup of Nations, Emmanuel Emenike, back from injury, returns to the fold.
However, injured Nosa Igiebor and Reuben Gabriel are the surprise inclusion in the squad while the Keshi snubbed Ikechukwu Uche, Dynamo Kiev's Brown Ideye, Hull City’s Sone Aluko and Fegor Ogude who have had enjoyed productive seasons.
There are four goalkeepers, eight defenders, eight midfielders and ten strikers.
Full Squad
Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama, Austin Ejide, Chigozie Agbim, Daniel Akpeyi.
Bundesliga quartet in South Korea´s World Cup squad
8 May 2014
Four of South Korea's five Germany-based players have made Hong Myung-bo's FIFA World Cup squad with Park Joo-ho left out through injury.
Park lost a race against time to prove his fitness following foot surgery at the start of April and was, as expected, left out of South Korea's 23-man squad for Brazil 2014 - a bitter blow for the left-back, who played 27 matches in the Bundesliga for Mainz this season.
But there was good news for Son Heung-min (Bayer Leverkusen), Ji Dong-won (Augsburg), Koo Ja-cheol (Mainz) and Hong Jeong-ho (Augsburg), who were all picked by Hong.
Outside of the local K-League, the Bundesliga provided the most players in Hong's squad alongside the Japan's J.League.
Kim Jin-su (Albirex Niigata), Hwang Seok-ho (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Kim Chang-soo and Han Kook-young (Kashiwa Reysol) are the J.League-based contingent, while there are five players from the top-two tiers of English football - Ki Sung-yueng (Sunderland), Kim Bo-kyung (Cardiff), Park Chu-young (Watford, on loan from Arsenal), Yoon Suk-young (QPR) and Lee Chung-yong (Bolton).
Hong, who led South Korea's Under 23 team to a bronze medal at the London Olympics two years ago, has shown faith in a large group from that side with his squad having an average age of just 25.
South Korea have been pooled with Belgium, Algeria and Russia in Group H of this year's World Cup finals and will start their campaign on June 17 in Cuiaba against the Russians.
That game will be followed by a clash with Algeria in Porto Alegre on June 22 before they take on Belgium in Sao Paulo four days later.
Squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Jung Sung-ryong (Suwon Bluewings), Kim Seung-gyu (Ulsan), Lee Bum-young (Busan IPark)
Defenders: Kim Jin-su (Albirex Niigata), Kim Young-gwon (Guangzhou Evergrande), Yoon Suk-young (QPR), Hwang Seok-ho (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Hong Jeong-ho (Augsburg) Kwak Tae-hwi (Al Hilal), Lee Yong (Ulsan), Kim Chang-su (Kashiwa Reysol)
Midfielders: Ki Sung-yueng (Sunderland), Ha Dae-sung (Beijing Guoan), Han Kook-young (Kashiwa Reysol), Park Jong-woo (Guangzhou R&F), Kim Bo-kyung (Cardiff City), Lee Chung-yong (Bolton Wanderers), Ji Dong-won (Augsburg), Son Heung-min (Bayer Leverkusen)
Forwards: Koo Ja-cheol (Mainz), Lee Keun-ho (Sangju Sangmu), Park Chu-young (Watford), Kim Shin-wook (Ulsan)
Hernandez and Dos Santos lead Mexico's World Cup squad
By Tom Marshall23
May 9, 2014 6:58:00 PM
The Villarreal attacker has been included in Ander Herrera's 23-man list, along with the Manchester United striker and Bayer Leverkusen's Andres Guardado
Mexico coach Miguel Herrera has named Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez and Villarreal's Giovani dos Santos in his 23-player squad for the World Cup.
Also included were Porto duo Hector Herrera and Diego Reyes, as well as Ajaccio goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, but Villarreal's Javier Aquino missed out, despite having a good debut season in La Liga.
Versatile veteran Carlos Salcido was a surprise inclusion and returns to the set-up having not previously been picked by Herrera, while Bayer Leverkusen's Andres Guardado is included despite some doubts over his fitness. Former Barcelona and Monaco defender Rafael Marquez has also earned a spot.
Herrera opted to pick five center-forwards, including 2012 London Olympic gold medal hero Oribe Peralta and youngsters Alan Pulido and Raul Jimenez, as well as Hernandez and Dos Santos.
Sixteen of the 23 players ply their trade in the Liga MX.
Defenders: Paul Aguilar, Miguel Layun (both America), Diego Reyes (Porto), Rafael Marquez (Club Leon), Francisco Rodriguez (America), Hector Moreno (Espanyol), Carlos Salcido (Tigres), Andres Guardado (Bayer Leverkusen)
Midfielders: Juan Carlos Medina (America), Jose Juan Vazquez (Leon), Isaac Brizuela (Toluca), Luis Montes, Carlos Pena (both Club Leon), Marco Fabian (Cruz Azul, on loan from Guadalajara), Hector Herrera (Porto)
Forwards: Raul Jimenez, Alan Pulido, Javier Hernandez (Manchester United), Giovani dos Santos (Villarreal), Oribe Peralta (Santos Laguna)
The Milan and Manchester United stars will be at the forefront of Alberto Zaccheroni's squad, who will hope to spring a surprise at this summer's tournament
Keisuke Honda and Shinji Kagawa headlined Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni 's selections as he named his World Cup squad on Monday.
Zaccheroni, coach of Japan since August 2010, selected 12 players based in Europe and 11 from the J League as the Italian prepares to lead Asia's top-ranked nation to Brazil.
Milan's Honda and Manchester United's Kagawa will be critical to Japan's hopes of progressing from Group C, where they will face Cote d'Ivoire, Greece and Colombia.
Japan traditionally struggle to produce top-line strikers and Zaccheroni will most likely rely on Honda and Kagawa to both create and score most of the team's goals at the World Cup.
Underlining Japan's struggles up front was the one surprise selection in Zaccheroni's squad with Yoshito Okubo of Kawasaki Frontale named despite having only been picked once before during the Italian's tenure.
Okubo was the leading goal-scorer in the 2013 J.League season, as he helped Kawasaki to a third-placed finish.
With 54 caps and five international goals to his name, the 31-year-old Okubo will challenge the likes of Mainz striker Shinji Okazaki and 1860 Munich's Yuya Osako for a spot up front.
Japan will start their World Cup campaign against Ivory Coast on June 14 in Recife, before taking on Greece in Natal five days later and Colombia in Cuiaba on June 24.
Josip Simunic has had his appeal against a 10-match ban imposed by FIFA rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has dismissed Josip Simunic's appeal against a 10-match ban for discriminatory behaviour, meaning the Croatia international will sit out this summer's World Cup.
The 36-year-old was hit with the suspension after using a slogan associated with the Ustase, the pro-Nazi Croatian regime that ruled the state during World War II, while addressing his compatriots after his country's play-off victory over Iceland in Zagreb in November.
Fifa found Simunic guilty of offending the dignity of a group of persons by using discriminatory words but he challenged the ruling.
However, the CAS has now upheld the decision to ban the Dinamo Zagreb defender for 10 games and fine him 30,000 Swiss francs.
A CAS statement read: "The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has rejected the appeal filed by the Croatian football player Josip Simunic against the decision of the Fifa Appeal Committee issued on February 21, 2014.
"The CAS confirmed the sanction imposed by Fifa against the player, who remains suspended for 10 official matches, the first of which has to be served during the final competition of the 2014 Fifa World Cup, banned from entering the confines of the stadiums for those 10 matches and also fined CHF 30,000 (€24,500).
"On April 9, 2014, Josip Simunic filed an appeal with the CAS and requested that the sanctions be cancelled or, alternatively, be stayed for a probation period of one year.
"The player stated that he did not have the intention to offend or discriminate anyone but that he wanted to share his patriotic emotions with the fans after such an important success.
"The parties were heard at a hearing which took place at the CAS offices on May 8, 2014.
"The CAS arbitrators in charge of this matter unanimously rejected the arguments of the player and dismissed his appeal.
"They confirmed that the expression used by Simunic was a clear and unequivocal reference to the call used by the Ustase and that such expression has to be sanctioned in accordance with Article 58 para. 1 of the Fifa Disciplinary Code. Accordingly, the CAS Panel confirmed the Fifa decision which was appealed against."
'Brazil can make up for 1950 World Cup final loss this summer,' insists Pele
By Andrew Wychrij
May 11, 2014 12:22:00 PM
The legendary attacker believes that the Selecao have the ideal opportunity to exorcise the demons of their 2-1 loss at the Maracana 64 years ago
Pele has called on Brazil to regain the World Cup on home soil this summer and thus make up for their infamous loss to Uruguay in the 1950 final in Rio.
The 2-1 defeat at the Maracana 64 years ago remains one of the most painful memories in the country's long and proud sporting history, even though the Selecao have since lifted the trophy a record five times.
Speaking alongside several members of Luis Felipe Scolari's current squad, Pele admitted that he is desperate to see his beloved Brazil exorcise some demons this summer.
"There is no doubt," the 73-year-old told Telefoot. "Brazil can avenge the 1950 World Cup with a win at home."
Coach Luis Felipe Scolari announced his 23-man World Cup squad last week and did not spring any surprise selections, though experienced internationals Robinho, Ronaldinho and Kaka all missed out on a place.
David Luiz is in no doubt that Brazil have both the drive and the talent to propel themselves to World Cup glory.
"We want to show the world that we are a great country on every domain," the defender declared.
"The Brazilian culture is to give people love and happiness whenever they come to our country. We can and we will do it. I believe in my team-mates, in my coach and in this extraordinary team."
Chelsea's Oscar admitted that the Selecao's primary concern is coping with the pressure of bringing joy to an entire nation.
"The main threat against Brazil is Brazil," the attacking midfielder mused. "The Brazilian people are helping us.
"We all want to win the World Cup. We only think of winning. If we do, Brazil will stop, there will be a two-year non-stop party."
The Man City midfielder has starred under Manuel Pellegrini this season, producing a man-of-the-match display on Sunday, but feel Didier Deschamps has made his selection
Samir Nasri does not expect to represent France at the World Cup after claiming he would watch the tournament on television.
Nasri has returned to form for Manchester City this season, starring under manager Manuel Pellegrini as the club claimed their second Premier League title in three years on Sunday.
However, Nasri does not believe he will receive a call from coach Didier Deschamps for the upcoming World Cup in Brazil, despite his man-of-the-match performance against West Ham on the final day of the season.
The 44-cap midfielder told French channel Canal Plus: "I think the dye is cast. I respect [Didier Deschamps's] choice.
"I'll watch the World Cup on TV.
"If starting games in a club like Manchester City and winning two titles isn't enough, too bad, I won't regret anything."
Nasri featured in France's two-legged World Cup play-off against Ukraine last year before his uninspiring performance saw him dropped ahead of the nation's friendly against the Netherlands in March.
His axing came on the back of a three-match suspension handed down by the French Football Federation following an expletive tirade directed at journalists during Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine.
"I don't have much to reproach myself with," Nasri said. "I had one bad game in Ukraine like most of my team-mates. Everything else, it's just pretences, false excusations.
"I've played in several clubs and I've never had any problem off the pitch or in the dressing room.
"Now, you can't be friends with 23 guys in a squad. That's the way it is."
France will come up against Switzerland, Ecuador and Honduras in Group E.
Rooney must shine at the World Cup to reach Ronaldo & Messi level, says Shearer
By Sacha Pisani
May 10, 2014 6:40:00 PM
The Manchester United talisman has often flattered to deceive in a Three Lions shirt and the former Newcastle captain believes he has to step up this summer
Alan Shearer believes Wayne Rooney needs a good World Cup campaign if he can be compared to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as one of the best players in the world.
Rooney heads to Brazil with the weight of a nation on his shoulders once again but question marks remain on whether the Manchester United striker can produce the goods on the international stage, with him yet to score a World Cup goal in two previous appearances.
And while he has entered previous World Cups under an injury cloud, former England striker Shearer says it is time the 28-year-old finally delivers at football's showpiece event, where Roy Hodgson's men will come up against Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica in Group D.
"It's a gap in the story of his career which he would like to fill," Shearer told reporters. "But he probably hasn't yet gone to a World Cup in the best of fitness and you can't argue with his record at international level overall.
"But he needs to go out and have a big tournament. If he does that, he will be the key to us having a successful World Cup. When Rooney plays well, England play well.
"I'm a Rooney fan. He ticks all the boxes as a player, but for him to be put in the same bracket as Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, he needs to have a great tournament in Brazil.
"Having said that, Messi has yet to set the place on fire at a World Cup as well."
The Newcastle great, however, has backed Rooney to surpass Sir Bobby Charlton as England's all-time leading goalscorer.
"Rooney has scored 38 goals for England," he said. "He's only 11 short of Bobby Charlton's record and I think he will go on to break it."
Prandelli: No English players would get into my Italy squad
By Sacha Pisani
May 10, 2014 8:06:00 PM
The former Fiorentina boss says the Three Lions have some "very interesting players" but says he would not swap any of them for those he will pick in his World Cup squad
Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has stoked the flames ahead of the World Cup by saying no England players would get into his squad.
Prandelli's men have been placed alongside England, Uruguay and Costa Rica in Group D at the showpiece event in Brazil.
The 56-year-old, however, has wasted little time initiating mind games ahead of the pair's opening game in Manaus on June 14.
Speaking to Fox Sports, Prandelli, who is set to name his 30-man squad, said Roy Hodgson's players would be overlooked for his Italy team.
"Hodgson has found some very interesting players," he said. "In particular when you consider them from a physical perspective. They are very technical and resistant.
"They are a very, very strong team.
"They have some interesting young players. Until around a year ago no-one thought they would be able to make an impression in the Premier League.
"But I wouldn't take anyone to have instead of my own players. We are a good team too."
Despite his comments, Prandelli has not ruled out the possibility of working in the Premier League once his time in charge of Italy comes to an end.
"Going abroad fascinates everyone," he added. "Every time I talk to one of my colleagues who is working abroad, they have a smile on their face that I have forgotten about a little bit.
"Maybe in Italy there is too much pressure. I also one day dream of having such an experience.
"The English league is very competitive and full of enthusiasm. It is watched by a lot of people and transmits a lot of emotions."
Hodgson: Dropping Cole one of the hardest decisions of my career
By Sam Lee
May 11, 2014 11:46:00 PM
The Chelsea full-back has retired from international football after failing to make the England squad for the World Cup, and Hodgson has admitted to agonising over the decision
England manager Roy Hodgson has admitted that omitting Ashley Cole from his World Cup squad was "one of the hardest decisions" of his career.
Cole announced his retirement from international football on Twitter after learning that he would not be included in Hodgson's squad for the finals in Brazil.
And the former West Brom boss has revealed the extent to which he agonised over the decision to take Luke Shaw and Leighton Baines to South America in Cole's stead.
"Among many difficult decisions I've had to make for my squad, not selecting Ashley was one of the hardest," Hodgson told TheFA.com.
"He's been an incredible competitor for England, to amass over a century of caps is a truly staggering achievement and he deserves enormous credit for the desire and brilliance which has shone through over the years he has represented his country.
"There are few players who can be considered among the very best in the world, but Ashley in his prime was the best left back without question."
The news of Cole's omission was broken late on Sunday evening, and Hodgson said it was important to speak to the player before his squad his officially announced on Monday afternoon.
He added: "The most important factor was speaking to Ashley prior to the announcement on Monday, he deserved to hear it directly from me and he took the news with huge grace.
"In two years working with him he has shown nothing but relentless professionalism, and a great hunger to play for England. He is someone I have the utmost respect for and I wished him all the best, he in turn wished the team well this summer.
"Of course I must respect his decision to retire, he has been one of England's finest players, but I want to look to the future.
"It has been one of the hardest decisions of my career."
Goal understands that Hodgson will also leave out Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick and Tottenham right-back Kyle Walker.
No surprises in Ghana's provisional World Cup squad
By Edmund Okai Gyimah
May 12, 2014 3:16:00 PM
Asamoah Gyan, Michael Essien and Sulley Muntari all feature in the Black Stars' 26-strong panel, which will be reduced to 23 after the May 31 meeting with Netherlands
Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah has named his provisional squad for this summer's World Cup campaign in Brazil.
There are no big surprises in the 26-strong panel, as old guards Asamoah Gyan, Michael Essien and Sulley Muntari all made the cut, while Stephen Adams is the only home-based player included.
However, German-born Ghanaian Jeffrey Schlupp of Leicester City and Helsingborg striker David Accam have both been afforded opportunties to impress Appiah before he whittles his squad down to 23 after the May 31 friendly against Netherlands.
The Black Stars have been paired in the same group with USA, Germany and Portugal.
Ghana's 26-man provisional World Cup squad:
Goalkeepers:Adam Kwarasey, Fatau Dauda, Stephen Adams.
Defenders: Samuel Inkoom, Daniel Opare, Harrison Afful, Jeffrey Schulp, John Boye, Jonathan Mensah, Jerry Akaminko, Rashid Sumaila.
Midfielders: Michael Essien, Rabiu Mohammed, Agyemang Badu, Kwadwo Asamoah, Sulley Muntari, Albert Adomah, Wakaso Mubarak, Christian Atsu, David Accam, Andre Ayew, Afriyie Acquah.
Strikers: Asamoah Gyan, Kevin Prince Boateng, Abdul Majeed Waris, Jordan Ayew.
Reading's Pavel Pogrebnyak celebrates after scoring against Tottenham Hotspur during their English Premier League soccer match at White Hart Lane in London January 1, 2013. REUTERS-Stefan Wermuth
(Reuters) - Russia coach Fabio Capello sprung a surprise on Monday by naming 30-year-old Pavel Pogrebnyak in his provisional 30-man squad for next month's World Cup in Brazil.
The striker, who plays for England second-tier club Reading, has yet to appear for his country under Italian Capello and his international career appeared to be over.
Pogrebnyak's last appearance for Russia came against Greece in June 2012.
The former Fulham forward, who scored 13 goals in 39 Championship appearances this season, is the only player in the squad who plays his club football outside Russia.
As expected there was no room for Andrey Arshavin, Roman Pavlyuchenko or Dinyar Bilyaletdinov.
Arshavin and Pavlyuchenko have struggled to get much first team action with Zenit St Petersburg and Lokomotiv Moscow respectively this season.
Bilyaletdinov has just suffered relegation from the top flight with Anzhi Makhachkala after joining them on loan from Spartak Moscow.
Artem Dzyuba was included by Capello. The Spartak striker has spent this season on loan with Rostov and has scored 17 goals, the second highest in the Russian Premier League.
Fedor Smolov was omitted despite being a regular in Capello's previous squads.
He spent the second half of the season on loan at Anzhi but only scored twice in 10 matches.
The Italian has to cut his squad to 23 players by June 2.
The squad start their preparations with a friendly against Slovakia in St Petersburg on May 26.
Russia also have pre-World Cup friendlies against Norway and Morocco before leaving for Brazil.
Capello's team have been drawn in Group H along with South Korea, Belgium and Algeria as they make their first appearance at the finals in 12 years.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Igor Akinfeev (CSKA Moscow), Yury Lodygin (Zenit St Petersburg), Sergey Ryzhikov (Rubin Kazan)
Midfielders: Vladimir Bystrov (Anzhi Makhachkala), Yury Gazinskiy (Krasnodar), Denis Glushakov (Spartak Moscow), Igor Denisov (Dynamo Moscow), Alan Dzagoev (CSKA Moscow), Yury Zhirkov (Dynamo Moscow), Alexey Ionov (Dynamo Moscow), Pavel Mogilevets (Rubin Kazan), Alexander Samedov (Lokomotiv Moscow), Victor Faizulin (Zenit St Petersburg), Oleg Shatov (Zenit St Petersburg), Roman Shirokov (Krasnodar)
Forwards: Artem Dzyuba (Rostov), Maxim Kanunnikov (Amkar Perm), Alexander Kerzhakov (Zenit St Petersburg), Alexander Kokorin (Dynamo Moscow), Pavel Pogrebnyak (Reading)
State of the nations a month before World Cup kick off
By Mitch Phillips
LONDON Mon May 12, 2014 1:07pm BST
Brazilian soccer fans react while watching the FIFA World Cup soccer match between Brazil and Chile during the FIFA Fan Fest on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro June 28, 2010. REUTERS/Sergio Moraes
(Reuters) - With one month to go until the start of the 2014 football World Cup in Brazil on June 12, we take a look at how things are shaping up on the playing side for 10 of the leading nations.
BRAZIL
Brazil remain the hot favourites to win on home soil, having lifted the Confederations Cup last year in convincing style and won seven of their eight games since, but individually many of the players likely to feature are struggling.
Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari chose a largely predictable squad last week and, for the first time in years, there was little criticism from fans who expect nothing less than a record sixth World Cup triumph.
The relative calm is helped by the fact that both the manager and the fans know the starting line-up that Scolari has carefully honed over 18 months in charge and he will stick by them even though several have struggled over the last half of the season.
Goalkeeper Julio Cesar is now plying his trade in Canada, Neymar has not yet produced the scintillating form that won him a big money transfer to Barcelona, Paulinho and Oscar have struggled to get playing tine at Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea while striker Fred has suffered from a worrying amount of injuries.
But the defence is solid, and players such as Neymar, Hulk, and Oscar appear more comfortable in an international shirt than a club one and are more than capable of moments of game-changing brilliance. "We have an obligation to win the World Cup," Scolari said.
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ARGENTINA
Coach Alejandro Sabella will be relieved to have seen Sergio Aguero and Pablo Zabaleta come through unscathed from Manchester City’s Premier League title clinching 2-0 victory over West Ham United at the weekend.
Aguero, a member of the "Fab Four" attacking quartet on whom Sabella is pinning the country's World Cup chances, had only just come back from a recurrent leg problem with his usually brilliant form dipping in recent weeks, though capable of still finding the net.
Lionel Messi appears to have put his 2013 injury woes behind him and is getting back towards his best form personally, even if Barcelona have faltered somewhat.
Angel Di Maria has one more club commitment, playing in the Champions League final for Real Madrid and, having suffered a leg strain in midweek, was rested for Sunday’s defeat at Celta Vigo.
Goalkeeper Sergio Romero publicly thanked Sabella last week for keeping faith with him despite seeing limited action as second choice at Monaco, while central defender Ezequiel Garay is in good form having helped Benfica reach the Europa League final.
Centre back Federico Fernandez, along with striker Gonzalo Higuain, has been part of Napoli’s Italy Cup success and third place in Serie A but Inter Milan’s Hugo Campagnaro will hope "freshness" counts for more than regular match practice heading for Brazil.
On the home front winger Maxi Rodriguez, set to go to his third finals, came back from a month-long knee injury absence to score the fourth goal for Newell’s Old Boys in Saturday’s 4-2 home win over All Boys with a trademark low volley.
In Sabella's favour as he seeks to gel his tired troops, is Argentina's straightforward-looking group as Nigeria, Iran and tournament debutants Bosnia look unlikely to cause them too many early problems.
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SPAIN
Spain coach Vicente del Bosque will be hoping a gruelling season that has seen the majority of his players involved in a three-way scrap for La Liga and the latter stages of European competition will not have taken a toll on the holders.
Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid, who between them will provide perhaps seven members of the final squad, meet in the Champions League final on May 24, a mere three weeks before the holders' opening Group B match against Netherlands in the re-run of the 2010 final.
Atletico are also locked into a last-day tussle with Barcelona for the La Liga title and seven Spain internationals from the Catalan club, including most of the first-choice midfield, are likely to be on the plane to Brazil.
Thankfully for Del Bosque, injuries that would rule any of them out of the finals have been avoided, although Atletico's Brazil-born forward Diego Costa has been suffering with a number of minor muscle problems in recent weeks.
It remains to be seen whether the effort required to maintain domestic and European campaigns down to the wire will leave Spain's internationals with enough energy to perform at their best for their country.
When the Iberian nation secured their debut World Cup triumph in South Africa four years ago, Barca were knocked out in the Champions League semi-finals and Real in the round of 16, while La Liga ended in mid-May.
The players had longer to prepare together and were much fresher going into the tournament than they will be for the latest edition.
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BELGIUM
Belgium remain many people's tip to gatecrash the top table but though they have rich depths of talent at the back and in midfield the go into their first World Cup for 12 years worryingly short of firepower.
Marc Wilmots, who recently signed a four-year extension as coach, is set to select Belgium’s newest recruit, uncapped teenager Adnan Januzaj, one of the bright spots of Manchester United's poor season.
Januzaj opted to play for Belgium last month after being courted by a number of countries and his attacking versatility is a timely boost for Wilmots.
Christian Benteke’s ruptured Achilles tendon leaves Romelu Lukaku, who turns 21 on Tuesday, as the only obvious striker. He had an impressive season at Everton, on loan from Chelsea, and still has scope to develop, although he destroyed Croatia’s defence in a 2-0 victory in Zagreb that secured Belgium’s ticket to Brazil.
Since then a 2-0 friendly loss to Colombia in November and a 2-2 draw with Ivory Coast in March have exposed Belgium's struggle to turn stylish possession into goals.
Vincent Kompany, captain of newly-crowned English champions Manchester City, will anchor their defence in front of Thibaut Courtois, the keeper of La Liga leaders and Champions League finalists Atletico Madrid.
Even if Marouane Fellaini appears to have lost his touch after moving from Everton to Manchester United, Belgium still have an embarrassment of riches in midfield, with combative Axel Witsel and Kevin De Bruyne, Belgium’s top scorer in qualifying and now at VfL Wolfsburg. backing the prodigious creative talent of Chelsea's Eden Hazard.
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GERMANY
Germany are rightly named among the favourites in Brazil with coach Joachim Loew possessing what is arguably the most talented group of German players in decades, but he still has work to do if they are to end their 18-year major title drought.
With an attacking midfield featuring the likes of Thomas Mueller, Toni Kroos, Mario Goetze and Marco Reus, the Germans have few concerns about how to get the ball up the pitch.
What is a worry for Loew, however, is his defence as he still struggles to find a consistent central partnership as well as his options for full backs.
With captain Philipp Lahm moved into midfield, Loew, in charge for his second World Cup after a third-place finish in 2010, will need to find a replacement at right back with the opposite position equally troubling as Marcel Schmelzer and Marcell Jansen only just back from injury.
A recent slump in form for some other players, especially Bayern Munich's Bastian Schweinsteiger and Kroos, as well as Ozil's rollercoaster season at Arsenal, has caused Loew more headaches.
There was some good news last week, however, with holding midfielder Sami Khedira making a comeback for Real Madrid after a six-month absence following a cruciate ligament tear as he races to be fit in time for the tournament.
Loew also named a number of youngsters in his 30-man provisional squad, including Borussia Dortmund defender Erik Durm and Schalke 04 teenagers Max Meyer and Leon Goretzka, in his attempt to find the right mix of experience and youthful spark.
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FRANCE
After their implosion four years ago France travel to Brazil
looking a much happier camp under Didier Deschamps - despite their having fight through the playoffs to qualify.
France no doubt have the talent in their squad to go a long way, if they can play as a team.
Deschamps has made it clear he will not put up with any repeat of the off-field problems of the 2010 tournament and as a result is likely to omit Samir Nasri, despite his sparkling season with Manchester City, as the midfielder has a reputation for making trouble.
"I think it's a done deal. I will go on holidays and will be watching the World Cup on TV," Nasri told Canal Plus on Sunday after helping City to the Premier League title
France will heavily rely on the speedy Franck Ribery, who will need to rediscover his touch after a painful end to the season with Bayern Munich.
Striker Karim Benzema has also been enjoying one of the best seasons in his career with Real Madrid, scoring freely and creating chances for his team mates.
Deschamps' major selection issue is probably at centre back as Real Madrid's Raphael Varane, who would be a starter, has been struggling with injuries all season.
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ITALY
Mario Balotelli is set to lead the Italy attack in Brazil but the maverick striker's unpredictability has left many wondering whether he can handle the responsibility, and a fit Guiseppe Rossi would make an interesting alternative.
Fiorentina striker Rossi has made an immediate impact on his return from his latest knee injury, giving Italy coach Cesare Prandelli a timely boost and adding to his wealth of attacking riches.
The 27-year-old United States-born forward was Serie A's leading scorer with 14 goals by January, when he was sidelined with an injury to leave his World Cup chances in doubt.
Rossi had previously lost nearly two years of his career to an anterior cruciate ligament injury to the same right knee but this time it turned out to be less serious and he returned to action earlier this month.
Rossi quickly found his scoring touch as he hit the target on his Serie A return against Sassuolo, then laid on the winner for Juan Cuadrado at Livorno on Sunday.
Mattia Destro, Luca Toni, Alberto Gilardino, Domenico Berardi, Alessio Cerci and Ciro Immobile, Serie A's leading scorer with 22 this season, have all been scoring regularly, giving Prandelli plenty of options.
With most of his players based at home, the coach may also have been relieved to see Juventus settle the domestic title race with two games to spare and Italian clubs fall by the wayside in European competitions.
Juventus were the only Italian side to reach a European semi-final so there should be no repeat of Euro 2012 where Prandelli was baffled by the poor physical condition of his players.
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NETHERLANDS
The Dutch have been quick out of the starting blocks with their preparations after the early conclusion of the season allowed coach Louis van Gaal to begin the first of several planned training camps, albeit with home-based players only.
Van Gaal’s flirtation with the Manchester United job overshadowed last week’s proceedings but it should be back to normal for Saturday’s friendly against Ecuador in Amsterdam.
Captain Robin van Persie’s return to fitness after missing a large chunk of the season at Manchester United, plus Bayern Munich’s failure to reach the Champions League final means the Dutch will have a full squad from next week after Arjen Robben plays in the German Cup final against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, who spent much of the season sidelined with a knee injury, is also expected back to try and add to his 34 goals in 60 international appearances having last played for his country in August.
The major negative for the Dutch is the long-term knee injury suffered by midfield colossus Kevin Strootman in March - with back-up Stijn Schaars of PSV Eindhoven also ruled out with a knee problem. But it does mean Nigel De Jong, in the international wilderness a year ago, is likely to be back in the starting line-up for when they open their campaign against Spain in Salvador on June 13.
The Dutch, always under self-imposed pressure to emphasis their attacking ways and technical ability, have slipped down to 15th in the latest FIFA rankings. "In reality we’ve dropped down from the top to the second category," said relentless critic Johan Cruyff in his weekly De Telegraaf newspaper column on Monday. "The question is therefore how much emphasis must be put on playing attractive football or just getting results. We were second in South Africa four years ago in similar circumstances but our football did not impress."
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URUGUAY
Luis Suarez joins his international team mates having won both of England’s individual player awards - voted by his fellow professionals and the football writers - and finishing as the Premier League’s top scorer with 31 goals.
However, the sparkling front man carries the disappointment of Liverpool’s failure to negotiate the run-in to the Premier League allowing Manchester City to snatch the title out from under their noses.
Uruguay fans will not worry about that though and will focus on his remarkable contribution to what has otherwise been a brilliant season for Liverpool and hope he can help them improve on their surprise fourth place at the 2010 World Cup.
Strike partner Edinson Cavani is also in good form having helped Paris St Germain win a second successive Ligue 1 crown but question marks remain over the many veterans making up Uruguay’s defence.
Captain Diego Lugano has not been able to hold down a regular place for West Bromwich Albion although central defensive partner Diego Godin has been part of Atletico Madrid’s brilliant season.
Uruguay look set to rely again on over-30s Egidio Arevao Rios and Diego Perez, plus Walter Gargano, in holding midfielder roles while midfield creativity lies with irregular Atletico performer Cristian Rodriguez and Nicolas Lodeiro.
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ENGLAND
England might be at their longest-ever World Cup odds but they will travel to Brazil with a trickle of returning confidence after a late-season surge in form from some bright, attacking talents that might give coach Roy Hodgson some interesting options.
Although Hodgson has been deprived of the services of Theo Walcott and Andros Townsend, Raheem Sterling’s effervescent displays for Liverpool, and his combination with striker Daniel Sturridge, ensure a ready-made replacement on the wing.
Similarly Ross Barkley’s growing maturity at Everton and Jordan Henderson's thrusting performances to drive Liverpool towards a second-place Premier League finish will give Hodgson food for thought in midfield.
The England manager, not known as a risk taker, will have to decide whether to throw these daring young talents into the fray or hedge his bets with established stalwarts such as James Milner and Frank Lampard, assuming Steven Gerrard anchors the midfield.
Having said he would not wait on injured players, the England boss also finds himself hoping Arsenal pair Jack Wilshere and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will recover from issues that ended their domestic seasons prematurely.
Wayne Rooney is almost certain to be partnered with Sturridge in attack, but probable back-ups, Danny Welbeck and Rickie Lambert, look short of international stardust.
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(Additonal reporting by: Rex Gowar, Andrew Downie, Iain Rodgers, MArk Gleeson, Phil Blenkinsop, Julien Pretot, Brian Homewood, Karolos Grohmann, Toby Davis, editing by: Mitch Phillips)
'Don't scream when you're being robbed', Brazil police tell World Cup fans
PUBLISHED : Monday, 12 May, 2014, 3:12am
UPDATED : Monday, 12 May, 2014, 3:44pm
Bloomberg in Sao Paulo
People attend a test event for the opening game of FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014, at Arena de Sao Paulo stadium. Photo: Xinhua
Brazilian police will distribute pamphlets to World Cup visitors advising them not to argue or scream when being robbed.
The campaign was designed by the head of the committee created by police in Brazil's biggest city to prepare for soccer's marquee event and aimed at avoiding the increasing rate of robberies that end with homicide.
Police officer Mario Leite told the Estado de S.Paulo newspaper that the tips were included in pamphlets that embassies and consulates from the United States to Europe would distribute to visitors boarding planes to the South American nation.
To be published in English, Spanish and French, the brochures advise against showing off possessions and walking alone at night, and recommend that tourists make sure they are not being followed.
"Don't react, scream or argue" with robbers, the pamphlets would say, Leite said. "Tourists coming from Europe or the US don't come frequently and aren't used to seeing these types of crimes. Since they're not used to it, they will react to an assault. With the pamphlets, they know not to flaunt certain objects, to be careful at night and to only walk around if accompanied."
While the number of murders in Sao Paulo state fell last year, robberies that end in murder, rose 9 per cent to a nine-year high of 385.
Brazil expects to welcome more than 600,000 foreign tourists for the massive sporting event, and is anticipating the internal displacement of more than three million residents.
Authorities have begun activating 30,000 troops to secure its borders. The operation involving the army, navy and air force will extend over the 16,900km frontier separating the South American giant from its 10 neighbours.
Ruiz and Campbell named in provisional Costa Rica squad
By Dejan Kalinic
May 13, 2014 12:46:07 AM
Everton defender Bryan Oviedo misses out as expected after failing to recover from a broken leg but there are few other surprises Jorge Luis Pinto's selection
Bryan Ruiz and Joel Campbell are among 11-Europe based players selected in Costa Rica's provisional World Cup squad.
Ruiz, on loan at PSV from Fulham, and Campbell are likely to play key roles in Jorge Luis Pinto's team in a Group D featuring Uruguay, Italy and England.
Arsenal-owned forward Campbell, who scored a famous goal against Manchester United while on loan at Olympiakos this season, is a 31-time international with nine goals to his name.
Everton's Bryan Oviedo is missing as expected, failing to recover in time from a broken leg suffered in January.
Pinto added Hansell Arauz, Esteban Alvarado, Ariel Rodriguez and Jairo Arrieta to make up his 30, but they are reserves and will not take part in the training camp.
MLS quartet Giancarlo Gonzalez and Waylon Francis (Columbus Crew), Roy Miller (New York Red Bulls) and Alvaro Saborio (Real Salt Lake) are also in the squad.
Costa Rica have friendlies against Japan and the Republic of Ireland in the United States before their World Cup begins with a clash against Uruguay on June 14.
Squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Daniel Cambronero (Herediano), Keylor Navas (Levante), Patrick Pemberton (Alajuelense)
Defenders: Johnny Acosta (Alajuelense), Junior Diaz (Mainz), Oscar Duarte (Club Brugge), Waylon Francis (Columbus Crew), Christian Gamboa (Rosenborg), Giancarlo Gonzalez (Columbus Crew), Roy Miller (New York Red Bulls), Heiner Mora (Deportivo Saprissa), Michael Umana (Deportivo Saprissa), Kendall Waston (Deportivo Saprissa)
Midfielders: Michael Barrantes (Aalesund), Christian Bolanos (Copenhagen), Diego Calvo (Valerenga), Jose Miguel Cubero (Herediano), Esteban Granados (Herediano), Carlos Hernandez (Wellington Phoenix), Yeltsin Tejeda (Deportivo Saprissa)
Forwards: Celso Borges (AIK), Randall Brenes (Cartagines), Joel Campbell (Arsenal), Bryan Ruiz (Fulham), Alvaro Saborio (Real Salt Lake), Marco Urena (Kuban Krasnodar).
Dempsey & Donovan named in USA provisional World Cup squad
May 12, 2014 8:55:00 PM
Eddie Johnson is the most notable omission from the 30-man party which will be reduced to 23 on June 2, with Bayern's Julian Green earning a place
USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann named stars Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan in his 30-man provisional World Cup squad on Monday.
Premier League goalkeeping duo Tim Howard and Brad Guzan are also included, along with Stoke's Geoff Cameron, Julian Green of Bayern Munich and former Roma man Michael Bradely, now of Toronto.
The most notable omission is D.C. United forward Eddie Johnson, who was a regular during the qualifying campaign but saw a dip in form and the emergence of Green end his World Cup dream. Bolton's Tim Ream and Puebla's Michael Orozco were also cited by Klinsmann as near-misses.
Tijuana midfeidler Joe Corona also earned an eyebrow-raising recall after playing only four minutes of the final round of World Cup qualifying, though he did play a role in the 2013 Gold Cup title.
The squad will report to Palo Alto, California, where it will train at Stanford University before the final squad is confirmed June 2.
The full squad:
Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
Defenders: DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Timmy Chandler (Nürnberg), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Clarence Goodson (San Jose Earthquakes), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Michael Parkhurst (Columbus Crew), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders)
Midfielders: Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg), Maurice Edu (Philadelphia Union), Julian Green (Bayern Munich), Jermaine Jones (Besiktas), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Sunderland), Terrence Boyd (Rapid Vienna), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Aron Johannsson (AZ Alkmaar), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)
Feghouli and Taider headline Algeria preliminary World Cup squad
By James Willoughby
May 12, 2014 7:44:51 PM
Tottenham youngster Nabil Bentaleb has earned a place in the initial 30-man party while Napoli's Faouzi Ghoulam is also included, but Ishak Belfodil misses out
Algeria stars Sofiane Feghouli and Saphir Taider headlined the nation's preliminary 30-man World Cup squad.
Coach Vahid Halilhodzic named his provisional squad for the eagerly-awaited tournament on Monday, with Feghouli and Taider the star quality in a squad that contains five players based in England and the same number in France.
Highly-rated Tottenham midfielder Nabil Bentaleb is included after forcing his way into the Premier League's club first team this season, despite the 19-year-old having played just twice for Algeria.
Napoli's Faouzi Ghoulam and Porto attacker Nabil Ghilas are also included, but Ishak Belfodil misses out on a place.
Captain Madjid Bougherra said last week that the nation were "promising" supporters a spot in the second round.
His bold pledge may set Algeria up for a fall, given that Group H in Brazil also features Belgium, South Korea and Russia.
Halilhodzic's side reached the World Cup finals after winning five of their six matches in African qualifying, with Sporting Lisbon striker Islam Slimani netting five times.
Algeria open their 2014 World Cup campaign against Belgium on May 17.
Squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Izzedine Doukha (USM El-Harrach), Rais M'bolhi (CSKA Sofia), Cedric Si Mohamed (CS Constantine), Mohamed Lamine Zemmamouche (USM Alger)
