The clock is clicking down to the start of the tournament on Friday, when South Africa test their growing confidence against Mexico at Soccer City.

In the mean time, I'll send some links and pictures

Analysis: Calmer Maradona winning over critics bit.ly

Centre back Abidal misses France training bit.ly

England journey across savannah, defeat local team bit.ly

Robinho and Kaka on target in Brazil rout bit.ly

Germany train to sound of vuvuzela blasts bit.ly

Join us here every day of the World Cup for live updates on all the matches and off-the-field news as soon as it happens.

Check out our first podcast from South Africa for a breezy look through the main candidates at this World Cup, and the teams likely to cause a surprise. Kevin Fylan is joined by Reuters sports editor Paul Radford, soccer editor Mike Collet, the master in all things Brazilian Brian Homewood and the voice of African soccer Mark Gleeson for the first of many World Cup chats.

Portugal's Nani out of World Cup

Portugal's Nani is out of the World Cup - reuters

June 8 (Reuters) - Portugal winger Nani was ruled out of the World Cup on Tuesday with a left shoulder injury, the federation said.

Absolutely. And the thing is, he had said on the flight over that he didn't think his World Cup was in danger. Bad, bad news.

So, the course of the World Cup strikes again, and this time it's Portugal's Nani forced to miss the tournament in South Africa.

"After tests we conclude he is unfit to participate in the World Cup," Portugal's FA said in a statement that will make painful reading for the country's fans.

Nani suffered the injury in training on Friday in Lisbon before flying out with the team to South Africa. He enjoys a long list of absentees (see here for a previous blog from Mark Meadows)

As my colleague Shrikesh Laxmidas describes it, he fell while attempting an acrobatic shot and hurt his shoulder in the process.

Nani was quiet in the first half of the season for Manchester United but finished very strongly and this injury puts a lot more pressure on Cristiano Ronaldo to lead the time in South Africa, where they face Ivory Coast, Brazil and North Korea in Group G.

Nani is not the only story in town, of course. Here are a few of may favourites from today...

And here is excellent news for fans of the United States ... football.uk.reuters.com

Italy landing in Joburg tomorrow. . .

William Gallas is refusing to speak to the press for the entire World Cup. . . The French media have suggested Gallas was upset about the fact that the new team captain was fellow defender Patrice Evra, and not himself.