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.

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• Moblogging allowed us to post images and video on this site of fans in New York watching the matches in Germany. Click on the word “more…” to see a slide-show collection of those images. Comments Off

• For Duncan Irving’s updates of the third-place playoff between Portugal and Germany in Stuttgart this afternoon, click on the word “more” the next time you see it. Comments Off

• A camera from the cult video blog Rocketboom.com was following us around as we put together our live blog coverage of the France-Portugal semi-final. Comments Off

• Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari suggests he will stay in charge of the team after the World Cup Comments Off

• Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari says there will be a lot of respect between his side and Germany in the third-place game. Comments Off

• All the action from the second semifinal as recounted by Victor Mather. Comments Off

• Come back here for Victor Mather’s play-by-play call of the apocalyptic France-Portugal semifinal. Kickoff is at 3 p.m. New York time. Until then, calm yourselves by reading up on what to look for in today’s match. PRE-MATCH BILD-UP Two of the three all-sports dailies in Portugal spent Tuesday whipping up fervor and enthusing over the idea that […] Comments Off

• Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari refutes criticism from the French press of his players ahead of Wednesday’s semi-final. Comments Off