from the Sun:

David Beckham {and his beard} will miss Englands high profile clash with Brazil if the LA Galaxy win their MLS play off next week, and that would wreck his chance of breaking Peter Shilton’s 125-cap record in South Africa next year.

Fabio Capello’s England fly to Qatar for a World Cup warm-up with favourites Brazil in Doha on November 14. But Becks will be occupied with his American club if Galaxy beat Los Angeles rivals Chivas USA in their MLS Cup play-off. (more…)

Gilberto Madail, left, and Angel Maria Villar, presidents of the Portuguese and Spanish soccer federations, pose following a news conference to unveil the two countries joint bid to host the 2018 and 2022 soccer World Cups, Thursday, Oct. 29 2009, at the federation headquarters in Lisbon.

Portuguese politicians have reacted angrily to the news their country will play second fiddle to Spain in a joint Iberian bid to host the 2018 World Cup. Last week Portuguese Football Association (FPF) president Gilberto Madail revealed his country would be a junior partner in the bid to co-host the 2018 finals with Spain. (more…)

Brazil’s state development bank BNDES said it will provide up to 4.8 billion reais (US$2.77 billion) for work on the 12 stadia that will stage matches in the 2014 World Cup, despite a promise from organisers that public funds would only be needed for infrastructure. (more…)

The USA Bid Committee today released a study conducted by an independent consulting firm that estimates a conservative domestic economic impact of five billion dollars if the United States is chosen to host the FIFA World Cup™ in 2018 or 2022. The analysis also estimates that between 65,000 and 100,000 total new jobs would be created in the various host cities during the preparation and operation of the tournament in the year of the event.

(more…)

The Republic of Ireland will play 1998 champions France in the play-offs for the World Cup finals. The French will have the advantage of playing the second leg on home soil.

Portugal, meanwhile, will face Bosnia-Herzegovina and it is Greece-Ukraine and Russia-Slovenia. (more…)

Sir Alex Ferguson insists Michael Owen should not abandon all hope of featuring in his fourth World Cup finals next summer. Although Owen did take up an invite to attend England’s victory over Belarus at Wembley on Wednesday, his chances of making Fabio Capello’s 23-men squad for South Africa appear remote. (more…)

Always love hearing from the players post-game.

Still riding super high from this result. Absolutely amazing night to be an American soccer fan, knowing that we have officially qualified for the 2010 World Cup. Congrats again to the team, the fans and everyone that supports US Soccer!

Conor Casey might have just been elevated to a whole nother level level with US supporters. Dude smashed tonight. Big ups!

Thanks for the link MG