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.
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.
Blatter claims Henry did nothing he would not have done
November 29 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter (pictured) revealed today that he has telephoned France captain Thierry Henry to offer him support over his controversial handball in the World Cup play-off win over Ireland.
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.
India hope to use Commonwealth Games to bid for World Cup
November 28 – India plans to use next year’s Commonwealth Games as the launchpad for a bid to host the FIFA World Cup, they announced today.
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.
Hoeness replaces Beckenbauer as President of Bayern Munich
November 27 – Uli Hoeness (pictured) has replaced Franz Beckenbauer as president of Bayern Munich, taking the top job after 30 years as general manager it was announced today.
UEFA back under-21 plan for Olympics
November 27 – UEFA have unanimously backed a proposal to limit participation in future Olympic Games to players under the age of 21 which, if adopted, would keep players like Wayne Rooney and Lionel Messi (pictured) out of the London 2012 Games.
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.