Durban opening turns into damp squib but officials still delighted
November 29 – Durban’s new 70,000-seater World Cup stadium opened today, but rain kept the crowd down to around 15,000.
World Cup
Brazilian President backs England bid as Triesman calls for unity
By Duncan Mackay in Johannesburg
November 29 – England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup received another morale-boosting endorsement today when Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (pictured) said that England deserved to host the tournament for the first time in more than half-a-century.
Exclusive: Belgian and Dutch bid singing in harmony on World Cup says D’Hooghe
By David Owen
November 29 – Belgium and Holland can set an example for smaller countries by showing that they too can become candidates to host a World Cup, according to Michel D’Hooghe (pictured), the Bruges-based doctor who is chairman of FIFA’s Medical Committee.
Lineker insists he is not England 2018’s Lord Coe
By Duncan Mackay
November 28 – Gary Lineker (pictured), the man many are trying to persuade to take over from Lord Triesman as the leader of England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup, tonight insisted that his commitments with the BBC would rule him out from playing a more prominent role.
Spectacular Durban World Cup stadium set to open
By Duncan Mackay
November 28 – The first official match to be staged at Durban’s new R3.1 billion (£254 million) World Cup venue, the Moses Mabhida Stadium, a South African Premier League match between AmaZulu and Maritzburg United tomorrow, has sold out.
Qatar first to arrive in South Africa for Soccerex
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By Duncan Mackay in Johannesburg
November 28 – Qatar were the first of the countries bidding for the 2018 or 2022 World Cup to arrive here today to attend Soccerex, the global football conference.
Warner meets British and Australian Prime Ministers to discuss World Cup bids
By Duncan Mackay
November 27 – Jack Warner, the FIFA vice-president, has met the British and Australian Prime Ministers Gordon Brown (pictured) and Kevin Rudd to discuss the countries respective bids to host the World Cup in 2018 or 2022.
Saudi legend joins Qatar 2022 World Cup bid
By Duncan Mackay
November 28 – Sami Al Jaber (pictured), who played for Saudi Arabia in four consecutive World Cup finals, has joined Qatar’s bid to host the 2022 World Cup as an ambassador, it has been announced.
Chile cleared for 2010 World Cup after club drop court action
November 27 – Chilean club Rangers has dropped a court case that threatened the national team’s participation at next year’s World Cup.
South Africa 2010 confident of World Cup ticket rush
By Duncan Mackay in Johannesburg
November 27 – There will be a rush for tickets to watch the 2010 World Cup in South Africa after the draw has been made in Cape Town next week, the head of the local organising committee, predicted here today.
Gazza backs Newcastle and Sunderland 2018 World Cup bids
November 27 – Paul Gascoigne (pictured) today claimed that the North-East should have two venues involved in staging matches if England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup is successful.
We need to get campaign back on track admits Anson
By Andrew Warshaw at Wembley
November 26 – England’s World Cup bid owes it to the competing cities for 2018 to put an end to all the squabbling and backbiting that has marred the campaign in recent weeks, according to bid chief executive Andy Anson (pictured third right).
Liverpool will be involved in 2018 World Cup promise England officials
By Andrew Warshaw
November 26 - England 2018 World Cup bid officials have ruled out the possibility of Liverpool being denied a hosting slot despite increasing problems over a new stadium in the city.
MLS row could jeopardise US World Cup bid claims union
November 26 – A row between Major League Soccer (MLS) and the MLS Players Union could threaten the United States’ bid to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup and the participation of the American team at the tournament in South Africa next year, it has been claimed.
Cities present proposals to England 2018 World Cup bid
By Duncan Mackay
November 26 – England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup will today switch temporarily from the boardroom politics that are threatening to undermine the campaign when 15 cities from across the country will travel to Wembley Stadium to submit their cases to be included as part of the plans.