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The England striker has been questioned after a series of below-par performances for the Three Lions but his coach has defended the 28-year-old ahead of the World Cup
England trainer Roy Hodgson has described the nation's "obsession" with striker Wayne Rooney as "sad."
Rooney, 28, has been questioned as England head into the World Cup, with his form and ability to perform on the biggest stage coming under the spotlight.
But Hodgson is bemused by the speculation, and insists the Manchester United star remains a "very important member of the squad" as the Three Lions prepare to tackle a tough Group D, where they will face Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica.
"It is a bit sad that the country is so Wayne Rooney-obsessed," he told reporters.
"I don't think Wayne sets himself up to be anything other than a very important member of the squad, someone who does his best and tries his best at all times.
"Talk about combinations doesn’t interest me. All I want is for Wayne Rooney to play well and Daniel Sturridge to play well.
"We don’t share this obsession with Wayne, we also think that people like Danny Welbeck, Sturridge, Raheem Sterling, Ross Barkley and Adam Lallana are in there to play well and help us score goals, too.
"That's what a squad is about."
Another of Hodgson's strikers, Rickie Lambert, appears close to finalising a move from Southampton to Liverpool and the former Reds boss has congratulated the 32-year-old.
"I congratulate him. And I congratulate Liverpool [for] signing a good player," Hodgson said.
"When he plays you will see a fella running around with all the joy that his heart can muster because he is very happy to be with England and he's very happy that the move to Liverpool has gone through."
Diego Costa 'buzzing' and ready to return for Spain
By Peter McVitie
Jun 1, 2014 12:31:00 PM
The Brazil-born Spain international is delighted to have made Vicente Del Bosque's squad for the World Cup and is confident he will be fit in time for the big kick off
Diego Costa says he can't wait to represent Spain at the World Cup in Brazil.
The Atletico Madrid forward was a major injury concern for coach Vicente Del Bosque after picking up a hamstring injury that saw him limp out of the Champions League final.
But the Brazil-born international is confident his injury problems are behind him and that he will be ready to play a big part in Spain's quest to retain the World Cup.
"I'm very happy," he told AS. "I am buzzing to with Spain to play in the World Cup in Brazil. I'm delighted."
"I was working these days with the physios and rehabilitation coaches and I feel great. Starting tomorrow, I will start and work with the team under the command of Vicente del Bosque.
"I hope to have a few minutes in the game next week against El Salvador in Washington.
"We will fight for the World Cup."
Last month the Brazil-born striker's Atleti side were just seconds away from a first ever Champions League crown before Sergio Ramos's last-minute header forced the tie into extra time.
Real Madrid went on to beat their city rivals 4-1 and Diego Costa says Carlo Ancelotti's men were lucky to win La Decima.
The coach believes his side will be major contenders in Brazil but also says he is looking forward to facing predecessor Jurgen Klinsmann and the USA
Germany coach Joachim Low believes his side can win the World Cup.
Low's team have been drawn in Group G with Portugal, Ghana and USA, and will be looking to improve on the third-place finishes they have achieved in each of the previous two tournaments.
And the coach believes his side have what it takes to claim their nation's fourth title.
"Germany are always title contenders," Low told Times of India. "So, it is not at all surprising that we are considered one of the favourites.
"Germany are capable of winning the cup this time. It's a pretty strong squad with a perfect blend of experience and youth and we have the best footballers in almost all positions. I am hopeful.
"But we are not the sole contenders... Portugal, our opponents in the group, then Italy, Netherlands and above all, the defending world champions, Spain.
"In South America, how can you leave Brazil and Argentina behind? Brazil are the hosts while Argentina have Lionel Messi. Uruguay were fourth in the last edition in South Africa.
"This is going to be an open World Cup with no clear favourites."
In their first game of the tournament in Brazil, Germany face Portugal in Salvador and he insists their victory over them in Euro 2012 is irrelevant now.
"They are a great threat to any team with Cristiano Ronaldo in such brilliant form. We did play them in the Euros and won, but that means nothing now.
In coming up against USA, Low will be head-to-head with his predecessor at the Germany team Jurgen Klinsmann, to whom he was assistant coach before the former striker left to coach Bayern Munich in 2008.
"That match will be the last of the group and should be intense. We can talk even the night before, but not during those 90 minutes.
"Both of us will be keen to beat each other and that's what makes this game the best. We shall shake hands after the match and everything will be back to normal again."
'Supernatural Messi will have an amazing World Cup'
By Chris Myson
Jun 1, 2014 2:58:00 PM
Ossie Ardiles, who won the competition with Argentina in 1978, believes his country's captain is ready to make a decisive mark on the tournament
Argentina star Lionel Messi is ready to deliver an amazing performance at the World Cup, according to Ossie Ardiles.
Ardiles, who won the World Cup with the Albiceleste in 1978 as part of a 52-cap international career, feels the Barcelona forward has been getting closer to rediscovering his best form after an injury-interrupted 2013-14 campaign.
This summer's competition in Brazil, meanwhile, represents the perfect opportunity for Messi to make his mark at a major tournament, after a disappointing showing in South Africa during the last World Cup.
“This time, Lionel Messi will give the performance we expect of him – I am sure of that,” Ardiles told Fifa’s official website.
“I reckon he is determined to have an amazing tournament, both on an individual and team level.
“He has got supernatural skill, a tactical awareness ahead of his time and can make the impossible look easy.
“He played excellently in the qualifiers and shouldered his responsibilities brilliantly - he was our main goalscorer and one of the most decisive players on the pitch.
“Until midway through this past season he was carrying an injury that he picked up at the end of the previous campaign, but I can see he is gradually getting back to his best.”
Ardiles was reluctant to compare Messi’s ability to that of his former team-mate, Diego Maradona, but was certain that the national team’s captain has already done enough to be considered an all-time great.
The 61-year-old former Tottenham star continued: “Messi should never be compared with any other player - that is a no-no.
“Every player has their own approach and style and, in my eyes, he is truly incomparable.
“I believe Messi is already one of the five best players in the history of the game. There is no doubt about that and he doesn’t have to win a World Cup to prove it.”
Argentina have two warm-up matches against Trinidad & Tobago and Slovenia to play before they begin their World Cup campaign against Bosnia-Herzegovina on June 15.
The playmaker says he and his team-mates are focused on grabbing their opportunity in Brazil and that he will play the tournament as if it is his last
Japan international Keisuke Honda says his side are ready to shock the world this summer in Brazil.
The AC Milan star is currently with his team-mates in Florida preparing for their World Cup campaign.
Japan will take on Costa Rica on June 2 looking for a fourth consecutive victory, before their final warm-up game, against Zambia on June 7.
“I think we are all ready to shock the world,” the 27-year-old told newspaper Kyodo.
“We just have to believe in our style and play like we normally do. Right now, we are focused on going as far as possible.
"The World Cup only comes around once every four years and there is no guarantee that I’m going to be around in four years’ time. So I want to play this tournament as if it will be my last.”
Japan begin their tournament against Cote d'Ivoire on June 15, before taking on Greece and Colombia in their remaining group stage matches.
We're open to a re-vote on Qatar 2022, says Fifa vice-president
By Matthew Scott
Jun 1, 2014 12:03:00 PM
Reports have shone a light on Mohammed bin Hammam, who is believed to have bribed officials to vote in favour of Qatar's bid and Fifa are open to changing the decision
Fifa vice-president Jim Boyce has left the door open for the 2022 World Cup host to be switched if corruption by Qatar can be proven.
Reports in the British media on Sunday claimed that former Asian Football Confederation (AFC) chief Mohammed bin Hammam paid up to €3.7 million to football officials in order to gain support for Qatar's bid.
Bin Hammam was formerly a member of Fifa's Executive Committee until being banned from all football activity for life in July 2013 amid allegations of bribery.
Qatar were awarded the tournament in December 2010, beating off competition from the United States, South Korea, Japan and Australia.
However, the bid has since been shrouded in controversy with doubts over players' ability to play in the Qatari summer heat expected to see the event moved to the winter months between November and January, while the human rights record has come under immense scrutiny too.
Several figures in world football's governing body, including president Sepp Blatter, have admitted fault in overlooking the climate in Qatar as a potential problem.
And Boyce has welcomed an investigation into the latest claims, putting faith in Fifa's chairman of the investigatory chamber of the Ethics Committee, former United States Attorney, Michael Garcia.
Boyce told BBC Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek: "As a member currently of the Fifa executive committee, we feel that any evidence whatsoever that people involved were bribed to do a certain vote, all that evidence should go to Michael Garcia, whom Fifa have given full authority to, and let's await the report that comes back from Garcia.
"If Garcia's report comes up and his recommendations are that wrongdoing happened for that vote for the 2022 World Cup, I certainly as a member of the executive co would have absolutely no problem whatsoever if the recommendation was for a re-vote.
"If Garcia comes up with concrete evidence and concrete evidence is given to the executive committee and to Fifa then it has to be looked at very seriously at that time, there's no doubt about that."
The Leon midfielder was withdrawn against Ecuador after scoring at the weekend, and the news of his injury is as grave as first feared
The Mexican Football Federation (FEMEXFUT) has confirmed midfielder Luis Montes will miss the World Cup with a broken leg.
The Leon midfielder, who won the Apertura and Clausura titles in the 2013-14 Liga MX campaign, netted a stunning goal in Mexico's 3-1 win over Ecuador on Saturday just past the half-hour mark but was carried off the field before half-time.
The 28-year-old, named in Mexico's 23-man squad in early May, lunged into a challenge with Segundo Castillo and both were hurt as their shins collided, with Montes needing several minutes of treatment before he was taken off on a stretcher in clear distress.
A FEMEXFUT statement later confirmed that Montes suffered a broken tibia and fibula as a result of the challenge.
Villarreal midfielder Javier Aquino has been called up in his place, having made 31 La Liga appearances last season.
FEMEXFUT passed on their condolences: "The general director of national teams advises that unfortunately, Luis Montes suffered a broken tibia and fibula in the Mexico match against Ecuador, in Dallas, Texas.
"After the game, players, coaching staff and executives of the Mexican team visited the player at the hospital, providing support and solidarity to Luis, who thanked them for their dedication to the Tricolor, and the wishes of a speedy recovery."
Castillo also faces a race against time to make the finals, having sustained a knee injury in the clash.
The Ecuadorean Football Federation (FEF) confirmed after the game that the Al-Hilal player had suffered a hyperextension in his right knee and he walking with the aid of crutches as a result.
Further tests will be undertaken on Monday, after which his availability for Brazil is likely to be discovered.
The 27-year-old Fiorentina forward will not be travelling to Brazil after coach Cesare Prandelli named his final squad for the tournament
Giuseppe Rossi has been left out of Italy's final 23-man squad for the World Cup in Brazil despite playing in their warm-up match against the Republic of Ireland.
Rossi damaged the anterior cruciate ligament in his right leg in January, but recovered to earn a place in Cesare Prandelli's provisional party.
However, the striker has now suffered heartbreak for the second successive World Cup, having also been cut from an initial squad chosen by Marcello Lippi in 2010.
After choosing to overlook Rossi and Roma forward Mattia Destro, Prandelli has five attackers at his disposal.
Torino duo Ciro Immobile and Alessio Cerci have been retained, together with Milan's Mario Balotelli, Lorenzo Insigne of Napoli and experienced Parma forward Antonio Cassano.
Milan midfielder Riccardo Montolivo had already been ruled out of the World Cup after suffering a fractured tibia in Saturday's 0-0 draw with the Republic of Ireland.
The other players to have been purged from Italy's provisional 30-man selection are Christian Maggio, Manuel Pasqual, Romulo and Andrea Ranocchia.
However, Inter defender Ranocchia is set to remain with the squad as injury cover.
Italy play Luxembourg on Wednesday before flying out to Brazil, where they will face England, Uruguay and Costa Rica in Group D.
Defenders: Ignazio Abate (Milan), Andrea Barzagli (Juventus), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Matteo Darmian (Torino), Mattia De Sciglio (Milan), Gabriel Paletta (Parma)
Midfielders: Alberto Aquilani (Fiorentina), Antonio Candreva (Lazio), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Marco Parolo (Parma), Andrea Pirlo (Juventus), Thiago Motta (Paris Saint-Germain), Marco Verratti (Paris Saint-Germain)
Forwards: Mario Balotelli (Milan), Antonio Cassano (Parma), Alessio Cerci (Torino), Ciro Immobile (Torino), Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli)
Vidal has made astounding recovery, says Chile coach
SANTIAGO Mon Jun 2, 2014 9:47pm BST
Juventus' Arturo Vidal reacts during their Europa League semi-final second leg soccer match against Benfica at the Juventus stadium in Turin May 1, 2014. REUTERS/Giorgio Perottino
(Reuters) - Chile World Cup midfielder Arturo Vidal's recovery from a knee cartilage operation less than a month ago has been remarkable, coach Jorge Sampaoli said on Monday.
The Juventus player, included at the weekend in Chile's squad for the Brazil finals, had meniscus surgery on his right knee on May 7.
"Arturo's recovery is astounding," Argentine Sampaoli told a news conference. "He's already kicking a ball, he's running at high intensity.
"You're looking at a player with a higher than average physical and mental potential, that's why he is regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world."
Vidal, who helped Juve win Serie A last month, is a key player for Chile's World Cup ambitions in a tough Group B with holders Spain, 2010 runners-up Netherlands and Australia.
The South Americans, who reached the second round in South Africa four years ago, open their campaign against Australia in Cuiaba on June 13.
(Reporting by Felipe Iturrieta, writing by Rex Gowar, editing by Tony Jimenez)
For disabled fans and others, World Cup rehearsal eases fears
By Brian Winter
SAO PAULO Mon Jun 2, 2014 9:00pm BST
Congresswoman Mara Gabrilli, a quadriplegic and an international activist on disability issues, receives help to get into a vehicle on her way to Arena de Sao Paulo stadium in Sao Paulo June 1, 2014. REUTERS-Chico Ferreira
(Reuters) - Brazil's rush to complete work on World Cup stadiums has been especially stressful for wheelchair-bound fans, who fear they will struggle with still-unfinished ramps, bleachers and sidewalks.
But a rehearsal game on Sunday in Sao Paulo was a pleasant surprise, disabled fans said, especially in a country where infrastructure is often deficient even for those with no impediments. They credited the army of support staff that may hold the key to Brazil's broader chances for a glitch-free tournament beginning on June 12.
Congresswoman Mara Gabrilli, a quadriplegic and an international activist on disability issues, attended Sunday’s “test match” between two local club teams after receiving complaints about accessibility in many of Brazil’s 12 host cities.
It took Gabrilli two hours, three subway trains, nine elevators and a wheelchair-accessible van provided by the city government to get from central Sao Paulo to Arena Corinthians, some 12 miles (20 km) to the east.
Once she arrived, though, she was impressed. Hundreds of police, stadium staff and volunteers were on hand to provide directions, push wheelchairs over cracks and otherwise help atone for incomplete construction.
“It’s very organized,” said Gabrilli, a member of Brazil’s main opposition party. “So many people here to help! I’m surprised.”
Brazil’s World Cup preparations have been plagued by construction delays and canceled plans for trains and other public transportation projects. Fans are likely to face severe traffic and other bottlenecks.
FIFA, football's governing body, has said that at least 1 percent of the Cup's 3 million tickets would be available to disabled fans. Its media office did not respond to a request for an updated number.
FIFA and local laws mandate that stadiums be wheelchair-accessible. But in Brazil, as in many developing countries, disabled fans will face accessibility challenges at hotels, restaurants and other facilities.
Disabled fans' concerns were magnified last week after Rio de Janeiro’s municipal tourism secretary, Antonio Pedro Figueira de Mello, said in a radio interview that organizers “haven’t given all the necessary attention” to disabled fans.
“Those people don’t tend to come to World Cups that much (anyway),” he added. His office later apologised, saying he misspoke.
HARDER THAN IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN
At an April 30 game in Natal, a host city in Brazil’s northeast, radio reporter Edeilson Felix said that while accessibility at the stadium was “top-notch," he struggled to get inside because the area remains a construction site.
Felix said a colleague had to maneuver his wheelchair through puddles and over curbs. “It was a lot harder than it should have been,” he said.
Brazil’s plan for dealing with this issue, and many others, seems to be: Throw people at it.
That’s a time-honoured strategy in a country where logistics and planning often fall short but where labour is relatively cheap and people are famously friendly and helpful.
It seemed to work Sunday.
Reuters spoke to 11 fans in wheelchairs. They, and many others, expressed satisfaction, even though some areas of Arena Corinthians are still missing chairs or are blocked off by partitions.
As the game ended, 12 city vans waited to take Gabrilli and other wheelchair-bound fans back to the train stop. Similar vans will be running during the tournament.
Gabrilli said Sao Paulo, Brazil’s biggest and wealthiest city, has “by far” the best wheelchair infrastructure – so events in other cities might not run as smoothly.
“We’ll be watching closely for any problems,” she said on Sunday. “But today was a good sign."
(Additional reporting by Paulo Prada in Natal, Brazil; Editing by Douglas Royalty)
FIFA investigation into Qatar 2022 to report within weeks
By Fatma Alarimi and Stephen Eisenhammer
MUSCAT/RIO DE JANEIRO Mon Jun 2, 2014 6:40pm BST
FIFA President Sepp Blatter announces Qatar as the host nation for the FIFA World Cup 2022, in Zurich December 2, 2010. REUTERS-Christian Hartmann
(Reuters) - The fate of the 2022 football World Cup could be decided within weeks after the man leading the internal investigation into how Qatar won the right to host it announced on Monday he would complete his probe next week and report back in July.
Former U.S. prosecutor Michael Garcia appears to hold the future of Qatar's multi-billion dollar World Cup bid in his hands, after new allegations of bribery brought loud calls for the tournament to be moved if corruption is proved.
In a statement, he set out a timetable that would see him file a report just after this year's World Cup ends in Brazil.
Garcia, who heads an investigative committee for world football's governing body FIFA, was in the Middle East, where he was expected to meet Qatar football officials as part of the probe. Speaking to Reuters in Muscat, capital of nearby Oman, he declined further comment on the inquiry, noting that he was "restrained by ethics".
Qatar has strongly denied reports in Britain's Sunday Times newspaper that bribes were paid to officials to bring the sporting world's biggest global event to the tiny Gulf emirate, where temperatures during the summer when the tournament is played can soar above 50 degrees Celsius (120 Fahrenheit).
The allegations of corruption at the heart of football's governing body threaten to overshadow the run-up to the four-yearly World Cup, which begins in 10 days in Brazil.
“After months of interviewing witnesses and gathering materials, we intend to complete that phase of our investigation by June 9, 2014, and to submit a report to the Adjudicatory Chamber approximately six weeks thereafter," Garcia said in a statement released by FIFA and referring to a FIFA panel.
"The report will consider all evidence potentially related to the bidding process, including evidence collected from prior investigations.”
Six weeks from June 9 is July 21, a week after this year's tournament ends with a final in Rio de Janeiro.
As a former U.S. attorney, Garcia tried some of the highest profile anti-terrorism cases in the United States. He also investigated the prostitution case that brought down a governor of New York.
Peter Goldsmith, a member of FIFA's Independent Governance Committee, became the latest international football official to say that the decision to hold the event in Qatar must be revoked if corruption is proved.
"I believe that if these allegations are shown to be true, then the hosting decision for Qatar has to be rerun," Goldsmith, a former British attorney-general, told BBC radio.
FIFA's leadership, meanwhile, were in Brazil preparing for the kick-off of this year's tournament. FIFA President Sepp Blatter, who has called the decision to award the 2022 tournament to Qatar a mistake due to the summer heat, was due to meet Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff later on Monday.
FIFA's secretary-general, Jerome Valcke, declined to comment when approached by reporters at an event in Rio de Janeiro.
Losing the hosting rights would be a blow to Qatar's efforts to raise its global profile, though its oil and gas wealth would allow it to absorb substantial financial losses. Any rerun of the bidding could favour the losers in the FIFA vote held in 2010 - Australia, the United States, Japan and South Korea.
SPORT ROCKED
The sport was rocked when the Sunday Times reported on Sunday that it had evidence that around $5 million was paid to officials in return for votes for Qatar's successful bid, allegations organisers have "vehemently" denied.
The former official at the centre of the allegations, a Qatari who was the head of football in Asia at the time of the decision to award the cup to his native country, has yet to comment publicly on the allegations.
The former official, Mohamed Bin Hammam, was barred from football for life in a separate case in 2011 for attempting to bribe officials while mounting a bid to replace Blatter as FIFA head. That ban was overturned but replaced with a new lifetime ban for conflicts of interest.
The Sunday Times published what it said were leaked emails and account records showing Bin Hammam had overseen payments to officials from national football associations in return for their support for Qatar's bid to host the 2022 tournament.
Qatar says Bin Hammam was not a member of its bid team, and that its bid won the day on the merits. It is spending billions to hold the event, including building giant air-cooled stadiums which it says will make it possible to play in one of the hottest parts of the world in the heat of summer.
The world players’ union FIFPro, said the scandal showed that players should have a greater say in running the game.
"Presently, players and players’ interests are too often neglected or ignored in the decision-making process," said the Dutch-based union in a statement.
"It is unacceptable that administration of the game continues to be plagued by scandal after scandal."
The Sunday Times story said Bin Hammam made the payments and took football officials on expensive junkets while running the Asian Football Confederation, based in Kuala Lumpur.
(Additional reporting by Julian Linden in New York, Narae Kim in Seoul, Elaine Lies in Tokyo, Pedro Fonseca in Rio de Janeiro and Keith Weir in London; Writing by Brian Homewood in Berne and Peter Graff in London; Editing by Alastair Macdonald)
Suarez resumes World Cup preparations after surgery
MONTEVIDEO Mon Jun 2, 2014 6:26pm BST
Liverpool's Luis Suarez controls the ball during their English Premier League soccer match against Newcastle United at Anfield in Liverpool, northern England May 11, 2014. REUTERS/Phil Noble
(Reuters) - Luis Suarez rejoined Uruguay’s World Cup preparations on Monday, 11 days after knee cartilage surgery threatened to dash the striker's hopes of playing at the Brazil finals.
Suarez, injured in Liverpool’s last match of his and their brilliant season in the Premier League, had keyhole surgery on damage to the outer meniscus in his left knee but was included in Uruguay’s tournament squad at the weekend.
"He’s doing muscle work and treadmill, he’s walking without pain,” team doctor Alberto Pan told a news conference.
Suarez remains doubtful for Uruguay’s opening Group D match against Costa Rica in Fortaleza on June 14 but they hope he will be fit to face England in Sao Paulo on June 19 and Italy in Natal on June 24.
(Reporting by Malena Castaldi; Writing by Rex Gowar; editing by Justin Palmer)
The Bayern Munich winger has been suffering with a back injury in recent weeks but Deschamps has chosen to include him in the squad that will travel to Brazil
Concerns over Franck Ribery's fitness ahead of the World Cup have been partially allayed by the news that he has been included in Didier Deschamps' final 23-man squad.
The Bayern Munich player has been a doubt because of a persistent back injury, which kept him out of Les Bleus friendly against Paraguay on Sunday, and has plagued his preparation for the summer showpiece.
However, Deschamps has chosen to include him in his final squad for the summer showpiece in Brazil as France prepare to face Switzerland, Ecuador and Honduras in Group E.
While the winger is still not 100 per cent fit, he can be replaced at any time up to a day before their first match against Honduras on June 15.
As well as mainstays such as Ribery, Karim Benzema, Olivier Giroud, Hugo Lloris and Laurent Koscielny, Deschamps has included youngsters Lucas Digne, Raphael Varane, Lucas Digne, Antoine Griezmann and Clement Grenier.
The full squad:
Goalkeepers: Mickael Landreau, Hugo Lloris, Stephane Ruffier;
Schmelzer dropped from Germany's final World Cup squad
By Joe Wright
Jun 2, 2014 12:18:00 PM
The Dortmund defender, who has been struggling to shake off injury concerns, is the only surprise exclusion from Joachim Low's final 23-man party for Brazil
Joachim Low has named his final 23-man Germany squad for the World Cup, with Marcel Schmelzer the notable man to be excluded from the list.
The Borussia Dortmund defender had been struggling with groin and knee problems and was left out of the 2-2 friendly draw with Cameroon on Sunday.
Schmelzer has been unable to convince Low of his fitness prior to Germany's campaign, which begins at the end of next week, and he has therefore been omitted from the final squad, along with striker Kevin Volland and fellow defender Shkodran Mustafi.
Miroslav Klose, who has himself been battling to prove his fitness, is the only recognised out-and-out striker in Low's plans, while midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger - another who has been blighted by injury problems - is also included.
Low revealed he was proud of the efforts of all his players during the training camp and admitted the decision to leave three out of his plans was "extremely difficult".
"I was amazed at how all the player presented themselves in Tyrol," he said. "Each individual worked excellently.
"The players did what I hoped for and made the decision incredibly difficult. Shkodran, Kevin and Marcel are very disappointed.
"Hans Flick and I told the players in a personal interview. All three players have the chance to play in some big tournaments in their careers.
"I am 100 per cent convinced of all the players, we have the right mix of young and talented footballers and players with tournament experience. With this squad, we fly to Brazil with confidence, where he have big goals."
SQUAD IN FULL:
Goalkeepers : Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Roman Weidenfeller (Borussia Dortmund), Ron-Robert Zieler (Hannover)
Defenders: Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Erik Durm, Kevin Grosskreutz (Borussia Dortmund), Benedikt Hoewedes (Schalke 04), Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Per Mertesacker (Arsenal)
Midfielders: Julian Draxler (Schalke 04), Matthias Ginter (Freiburg), Mario Gotze (Bayern Munich), Christoph Kramer (Borussia Monchengladbach), Sami Khedira (Real Madrid), Toni Kroos (Bayern Munich), Mesut Ozil (Arsenal), Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund), Andre Schurrle (Chelsea), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich)
Forwards: Miroslav Klose (Lazio), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Lukas Podolski (Arsenal)
The Brazil defender feels his side will benefit from the Bayern striker's ban in their World Cup opener and reveals he was offered the chance to play for Belgium in 2009
Bayern Munich defender Dante believes Croatia will struggle to replace his club team-mate Mario Mandzukic for their curtain-raising World Cup clash in just 11 days' time.
The 28-year-old was sent off in the play-off clash with Iceland in November and will subsequently be banned from the meeting with the hosts as the finals in Brazil kick off next week.
But Dante has warned his Selecao colleagues that Croatia will still pose a threat even if they are missing their suspended star striker.
"I think Croatia will miss Mandzukic a lot," Dante explained at a press conference. "It's hard to replace a player like him, he's a fighter. But we have to be careful, even if he’s not playing."
He added: "We started to talk a little about Croatia. Marcelo always mentions [Luka] Modric, who likes to switch sides and play high tempo.
"We exchange some information to get to know them better, as Felipao [Luiz Felipe Scolari] said once, to 'mentalise' our opponents. It's important that this kind of talk takes place. We know their qualities and weaknesses. This will make a difference when the time comes."
The 30-year-old centre-back went on to describe a 'tense' Sunday practice with his Brazil team-mates which left head coach Scolari less than impressed.
"It's important to communicate well, to correct the wrong plays and try not to repeat that on a match. I'm glad players are acting like this," he said.
"If the boss said he’s not happy with our [practice] performance, I don't think it's for me to comment."
Dante may be a fixture at the heart of the Bayern defence, but he knows his place in Brazil’s World Cup set-up is as an able deputy to Paris Saint-Germain captain Thiago Silva and his soon-to-be team-mate David Luiz.
"We have to leave our personal goals behind," he said. "Everyone should focus on winning the title for the Brazilian people. We aren’t here to prove something to anyone. We have to focus on the Selecao.
"As for the competition for places, their [Thiago Silva and David Luiz] market value means less than the quality they have. They are amongst the three or four best defenders around.
"They proved they deserve to be in the line-up. My job is to train well. David and I are always talking, trying to improve our positioning. David is right-footed, I'm a lefty, it makes things easier. It's a great responsibility to replace Thiago like this, but that's why I'm here.
"I have been trying to make the most of experience, to enjoy every second, every practice, every team meeting, (saying) 'go on, this will be your last opportunity'. But the job is not over yet, we have goals to achieve.
"I'm happy I have won a lot of titles, but it's one thing to do that for the club, [and] another with the national team. It would be the icing on the cake, not only for Dante, but for Brazil."
Dante also revealed he could have been a first-choice at this World Cup, playing alongside Manchester City skipper Vincent Kompany, if he had accepted an offer made to him by Belgium five years ago.
"Back in 2009, I got an invitation from Belgium, to play for their national team, but the truth is, I never wanted to play for another country. My heart spoke louder, it would be better to chase my dream (of representing Brazil) than ending it prematurely," he added.
"This Belgium generation is very strong. I played with [Marouane] Fellaini before, they have great players. They are candidates to surprise at the World Cup. I'm sure they’ll make it difficult for a lot of teams."
The Arsenal playmaker will come good in Brazil, Germany's coach has promised, while lamenting a disappointing display on Sunday evening
Germany coach Joachim Low believes that Mesut Ozil will be primed to perform to his top level at the World Cup.
The Arsenal man disappointed in Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Cameroon, but the coach says that patience is required for him to come back to his best.
"Mesut Ozil has not had his best day," Low stated.
"He needs two more weeks, then we'll see a strong Mesut at the World Cup."
The coach lamented the errors his side made in Germany’s penultimate friendly before the competition.
Low named a strong side for the clash at Borussia Park but saw Cameroon take the lead through Samuel Eto'o shortly after the hour mark.
Thomas Muller and Andre Schurrle swiftly responded to put Germany in front, but Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting fired an equaliser late on to leave Low and his men with work to do ahead of a meeting with Armenia on Friday - their final friendly before the World Cup.
Low felt his side lacked a spark and were let down by poor passing - something they will look to address ahead of a Group G opener against Portugal on June 16.
"With us, one has noticed that the freshness is missing," he said.
"Our passing game was not good and we made many, many mistakes. If we had taken the lead, it would have helped the team.
"It pervades through the last few years that we need many opportunities [to score]."
The Netherlands coach has revealed his team face an anxious wait to see how serious the 26-year-old’s injury is
Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal will wait on the fitness of Jonathan de Guzman after the midfielder injured his hamstring in training.
De Guzman was included in Netherlands' final 23-man World Cup squad, confirmed on Saturday, but his place now looks less assured after it emerged on Monday he had pulled up with an injury in training.
The finals in Brazil would be the 26-year-old's first World Cup, and Van Gaal is hopeful that the injury is not too serious.
"He felt something in his hamstrings and therefore I stopped the training session as we were playing 11 v 11," he told reporters.
"Now we have to wait and see in the coming days whether it is bad or not so bad.
"Hopefully it's a light injury. We will wait a couple of days and then we will be able to say what it is.
"De Guzman has earned his position in the team.
"He had a rather good game against Ghana on Saturday. I liked him. I said it to him. So now I have to adapt and play another player in his position which is always not so good."
The Netherlands have been drawn in Group B alongside current world and European champions Spain, Chile and Australia.
Their first game will be against Spain in Salvador on June 13, before they face Australia in Porto Alegre on June 18 and Chile in Sao Paulo on June 23.
The Brazil coach has admitted that he scheduled in an extra training session in order to improve his team's performance ahead of the World Cup
Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari says his team have to improve their defending ahead of the World Cup.
The 65-year-old was left fuming after a training session on Sunday, which had been planned as a day off for his squad.
He was unwilling to divulge details after the session, but did so a day later – pointing out “poor defending” and the openness in his team's play as areas to improve.
Scolari said it was the worst he had seen Brazil since their 2-1 loss to England at Wembley in February last year.
"We have planned for this first week for a long time and have achieved everything we set out to achieve in the first week. We strictly followed our schedule in all departments," he told reporters.
"I wasn't expecting a training day on Sunday but we managed to fit in a session - but it wasn't our best work.
"It was poor defending and there were far too many spaces all over the pitch. We haven't played that badly since England defeated us last year.
"We have to keep improving because we must not forget we are only one week away from the start of the World Cup."
As much as he would like another week to work with the team, Scolari is eagerly awaiting Brazil's tournament opener against Croatia on June 12.
"As a coach, I also want another training week to prepare the players, but I think honestly speaking, deep inside I want the 12 June to come around as quickly as possible," he said.
"I want to play the opening match against Croatia today, it feels like it is time already.
"We can't stop thinking about what is wrong and what is right with our team. We have to give it our all and do the best we can, that's what I am thinking now."
Rossi would have been too much of a risk, says Prandelli
Tue Jun 3, 2014 7:45pm BST
Italy's national soccer team player Giuseppe Rossi runs during a training session at Coverciano training centre near Florence May 28, 2014 file photo. REUTERS/Giampiero Sposito
(Reuters) - Giuseppe Rossi was left out of Italy's World Cup squad because taking him to Brazil so shortly after an injury would have been too risky, coach Cesare Prandelli said Tuesday.
Prandelli said he was surprised by the amount of controversy the decision had generated and insisted that the U.S. born Fiorentina forward knew from the start that he was unlikely to make the final 23.
"I didn't expect such a big controversy, it has caused some difficulties and I would like to clear up what has happened," Prandelli told reporters ahead of Wednesday's warm-up friendly against Luxemburg.
"I feel a great responsibility towards my squad, to the supporters, to Fiorentina, and taking him to Brazil was a risk that did not make sense to me, although it would have been easier to have picked him.
"I told him that he had not completed the healing process."
Rossi, who only returned to action in early May after suffering his latest knee injury in January, was included in Italy's provisional 30-man squad and played for more than one hour against Ireland in Saturday's friendly.
"I met Rossi at Covericano (Italy's training camp) before announcing the (provisional) list of 30. I came to talk to him, to warn him that he had only played a few minutes since he had recovered from his injury.
"I intended to tell him he wasn't among the 30, but I thought he could give an example to everyone else, a beautiful story to tell. At that moment, I told him he wasn't among the 23, I repeated it twice."
Prandelli added: "Before the last game, I called him and told him that from a physical point of view, some of the test results were good and others less good.
“I told him I wanted to see a striker who played as a striker, and I wanted to see that something extra, but I didn't see what I wanted to see."
Rossi's unlucky run began when just missed out on being selected for the 2010 World Cup by coach Marcello Lippi.
The following year, he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury while playing for Villarreal in a Spanish league match against Real Madrid in 2011.
He fought desperately to be fit again in time Euro 2012 only to re-injure the knee in training the following April, causing him to miss the tournament.
He made an excellent comeback with Fiorentina this season, scoring 14 goals by early January to make him Serie A's leading scorer.
However, he then suffered a less serious injury, a second degree sprain to the medial collateral ligament, in the same knee which sidelined him until the start of last month.
(Reporting by Brian Homewood; editing by Justin Palmer)
The 27-year-old believes that the coach’s influence has led to the team’s recent success, while he also thinks Uruguay and Belgium are the sides to look out for at the World Cup
Brazil international Hulk has praised coach Luiz Felipe Scolari for his influence in creating a united team.
The Zenit St Petersburg forward believes Brazil’s Confederations Cup success was largely down to the fact that the squad are a "tight-knit group", which he believes has stemmed from Scolari’s positive leadership.
"This group of lads is brilliant," he told Fifa’s official website. "The Selecao squad have always been a great bunch, ever since I was first called up.
"We needed to go through a decisive period, really show our strength and, by doing that, form a closed, tight-knit group – which was what happened at the Confederations Cup.
"And Scolari has been able to keep things that way. There haven’t been many changes made since then and we all still get on really well: there’s never any trouble.
"It’s not so much about what he says, I thinks it’s more down to the way he is. He welcomes the players in such a way that it makes everybody feel right at home and know what’s expected of them, be they experienced players or new arrivals.
"For example, he asks us all to come down for lunch and dinner at the same time, and that we all stay until everyone’s finished. That ends up becoming a habit and it does a lot of good.
"They’re just day-to-day things, but they’re vital in helping everyone bond within the squad. Felipao, better than anyone else, knows how to strengthen that sense of unity."
The 27-year-old also gave his thoughts on which teams will be successful at this summer’s World Cup, with Uruguay and Belgium being his surprise picks to do well at the tournament.
"At a World Cup it’s hard to look much further than the traditional big-name teams: history backs that up," he added.
"Therefore, of course, you have Brazil, Spain, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Argentina…all of whom are great teams and usually do well.
"Aside from the usual suspects, I think that Uruguay and Belgium are both capable of springing a surprise."
