About the Soccer World Cup Blog
The world of professional soccer does not make headlines solely on the field–headlines are made off the field as well. Of course, when players are injured, teams are eliminated, or titles are won, it’s news. In professional soccer, what happens on the field doesn’t stay on the field, especially when it has potential to impact the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.

Professional soccer is creating more buzz than it ever has away from the field. Key players are moving—to new countries and new teams—with new sponsors chomping at the bit. Big companies are doing everything they can, including buying small companies, to ensure their dominance of the global soccer scene at the World Cup. Everyday, team nicknames are being debated, captains are being named, and rivalries are being ignited. All the while, the anticipation of the next World Cup continues, bringing with it all the drama that unfolds as the world waits to see the 32 competing teams take center stage.

Fans of professional soccer want a look inside. They want to know the ins and outs of the teams and players on the pitch and behind the scenes. There’s no better place to find it all than here on this Soccer Blog. For many of us, it’s the best way to South Africa.

Nedved’s Knee Knocked
Anyone who watched the Czechs dominate Euro 2004 right up until the moment their freakishly-talented midfielder Pavel Nedved had to be taken...

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Where to Watch in New York
Even upscale venues in Tribeca are preparing for the World Cup. (Photo: Rob Mackey) People are wondering about where to watch the World Cup...

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Group E: There’s a Soccer Born Every Minute
By now it seems pretty clear that Bruce Arena is playing it very mysterioso to confuse the Czechs, Italians and Ghanians — a closed-door...

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Mr. Referee
FIFA has released the list of refereeing assignments for the first 16 games of the World Cup. The complete list is at fifaworldcup.com. For...

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Czech Republic Travails
Our colleague Jere Longman reports today from Prague on the travails of the aging Czech Republic team, a topic that many visitors to this blog...

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The Americans’ Foes: Are They Self-Destructing?
The Americans may be in a “group of death,” and they may not have looked terribly impressive lately, but it’s also true that...

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