from the LA Times:

England can win the World Cup in South Africa next year, Galaxy midfielder David Beckham said Wednesday. Of course, so can Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and possibly a dark horse or two, but confidence is riding particularly high on England’s national soccer team.

“You have to go into a competition believing that you can go all the way,” Beckham said before the Galaxy’s morning training session. (more…)

I’m sure you all know that the USA is trying to win the rights to host the World Cup again in either 2018 or 2022. Competition to host the World Cup comes from countries such as Australia, England, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Netherlands/Belgium and Portugal/Spain to host the FIFA World Cup in 2018 or 2022. FIFA is expected to select host countries for the events in December 2010.

The short list of potential cities / stadiums has been announced. FIFA requires 12 to 18 capable stadiums that can hold at least 40,000 fans. That is obviously nooooo problemo for stadiums here in the States. Hit the jump to see who made the shortlist.

[LABizJournal]

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Pretty amazing setting in South Africa (go to the beach before the game?) for a nearly completed 70,000 seat stadium for World Cup 2010.  Never too early to start thinking about heading over..

I know a lot of you remember this scene above. A packed Rose Bowl hosted the 1994 World Cup final after an incredibly successful tournament in the US.  And now, as you all know, the US is trying to win another bid to host the World Cup. You can help too. Go to GoUSABID and sign the petition, spread the word and get involved.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter, Jack Warner and Sunil Gulati visit New Meadowlands Stadium, currently under construction in New Jersey.

“US President Barack Obama has urged FIFA to let his country host the World Cup either in 2018 or 2022″.

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JOHANNESBURG — Construction workers have agreed to end a weeklong strike that threatened to derail the completion of already tightly-scheduled projects for the World Cup, union officials and employers said Wednesday. (more…)