Ballack backs Klinsmann over Worns exclusion
Germany captain Michael Ballack on Monday defended a decision by coach Jurgen Klinsmann to exclude outspoken defender Christian Worns from the host nation’s FIFA World Cup plans…

FIFA Cup Showcase Comes to Korea (donga.com)
Korea national soccer team s manager Dick Advocaat talks about his resolution facing the 2006 Germany World Cup at a FIFA Cup showcasing event held at the Seoul Grand Hyatt Hotel yesterday. The trophy made of 18-karat gold stands 36cm tall and weighs 4.97kg.

Soccer: FC Porto’s Pedro Emanuel Agrees to Play for Angola in World Cup (AllAfrica.com)
The central defender and skipper of Portugal’s FC Porto, Pedro Emanuel, expressed his availability to play for the National soccer team in the Germany 2006 World Cup, to be disputed from 09 June to July 09.

FIFA Cup Showcase Comes to Korea (donga.com)
Korea national soccer team s manager Dick Advocaat talks about his resolution facing the 2006 Germany World Cup at a FIFA Cup showcasing event held at the Seoul Grand Hyatt Hotel yesterday. The trophy made of 18-karat gold stands 36cm tall and weighs 4.97kg.

Soccer: FC Porto’s Pedro Emanuel Agrees to Play for Angola in World Cup (AllAfrica.com)
The central defender and skipper of Portugal’s FC Porto, Pedro Emanuel, expressed his availability to play for the National soccer team in the Germany 2006 World Cup, to be disputed from 09 June to July 09.

Samsung Raises 2006 Sales Target to 65 Tln Won (Update1) (Bloomberg.com)
Feb. 28 (Bloomberg) — Samsung Electronics Co., Asia’s biggest maker of cell phones and liquid-crystal displays, raised its forecast for sales this year as sporting events such as soccer’s World Cup boost demand for its products.

2010 World Cup set to benefit all Africans (Independent Online)
A government-backed programme to ensure that the hosting of the 2010 World Cup does not benefit only South Africans, but the entire continent, is to be launched, Danny Jordaan, CEO of the Local Organising Committee, has announced.

Brazil most likely to win World Cup: Maradona (Hindustan Times)
Diego Maradona said on Sunday that Brazil have the greatest chances to win the World Cup in Germany. “Brazil is the most prepared team … it has a top coach and its players are already used to winning,” the former Argentine star said in an interview with the local TV Record.

T&T adventure icing on the cake for Yorke
When Dwight Yorke leads Trinidad and Tobago out for their first game at the FIFA World Cup finals in June, the former Manchester United striker will regard it as his finest moment…

World Cup 20006 On Goal.com: The Finals URUGUAY 1930 (Goal.com)
As part of its build-up to this Summer s World Cup Finals in Germany, Goal.com is featuring the heritage of the world s greatest sporting event with an-depth review of each of the 17 previous tournaments.

World Cup 20006 On Goal.com: The Finals URUGUAY 1930 (Goal.com)
As part of its build-up to this Summer s World Cup Finals in Germany, Goal.com is featuring the heritage of the world s greatest sporting event with an-depth review of each of the 17 previous tournaments.

FIFA Faces Legal Action Over World Cup Image Rights (Deutsche Welle)
The world’s media is threatening to take legal action against FIFA unless soccer s governing body lifts the restrictions it has imposed on coverage at this year’s World Cup.

2006 World Cup team profile: Italy (Sports Illustrated)
Through late April, SI.com will profile two World Cup teams a week. We continue with Italy. Click here for the full archive.

Torres back in towering form
Fernando Torres has hit a rich vein of form just as the Spain team are starting their preparations for Germany 2006. The young striker sat down with FIFAworldcup.com to look ahead to his first FIFA World Cup finals…

Programme set to help all Africans benefit from the 2010 World Cup (The Star)
A government-backed programme to ensure that the hosting of the 2010 World Cup does not benefit only South Africans, but the entire continent, is to be launched.

2006 World Cup team profile: Italy (Sports Illustrated)
Through late April, SI.com will profile two World Cup teams a week. We continue with Italy. Click here for the full archive.

Viana added to Portugal squad
Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has added Valencia midfielder Hugo Viana to his squad for their friendly against Saudi Arabia on Wednesday in Germany, the Portuguese Football Federation said on Monday…

Programme set to help all Africans benefit from the 2010 World Cup (The Star)
A government-backed programme to ensure that the hosting of the 2010 World Cup does not benefit only South Africans, but the entire continent, is to be launched.

Torres back in towering form
With an appearance at his first FIFA World Cup within reach, one of Spain’s hottest young strikers has hit a rich vein of form just as the national team are about to begin preparations for 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany…