Group A
Key Mexican defender Rafael Marquez should be fit for the World Cup opener against South Africa after returning to training following a leg injury. Striker Guillermo Franco is also on track after a muscle complaint.
Uruguay, who face France, look mostly fit and captain Diego Lugano said: “We will arrive to the game against France in our best form. We have done everything possible to arrive to this game in the best possible condition.” Striker Diego Forlan will be fit despite an injury scare after a training collision.
France will be without Lassana Diarra who was ruled out of the World Cup due to an intestinal problem.
Group B
Argentina boss Diego Maradona has swept away any concerns about superstar Lionel Messi’s fitness ahead of their opener against Nigeria. Maradona said: “Everything is good with Messi. There are no problems.”
Nigeria have been dealt a major blow with midfielder John Obi Mikel out of the World Cup will a knee injury.
Korea’s key man Park Ji-Sung will be fine for their opener against Greece after sitting out their final warm-up game. Korea boss Huh Jung-Moo said: “Park Ji-sung is fine. He felt a slight soreness on his hamstring so we didn’t let him play in the friendly against Spain so as not to aggravate it.”
Greek defender Vangelis Moras won’t be fit for their opener against Korea. Moras has a thigh injury and needs to minor miracle to make the match. A Greek spokesperson said: “He is very unlikely to play against South Korea unless there is a last-minute medical wonder.”
Group C
England skipper Rio Ferdinand is out of the World Cup due to a knee injury, but Michael Dawson has been rushed into replace him in the squad. Gareth Barry will miss their opener against the USA with injury.
USA striker Jozy Altidore has shaken off an ankle problem and will be available to face England on Saturday. US coach Bob Bradley said: “The injury cost him a couple of days (training) but, from the start, we knew it was very minor. The fact he is back in regular training means he is available for whatever role we choose on Saturday.”
Group D
Australian pair Harry Kewell (groin) and Tim Cahill (neck) face a race against time to be fit for their World Cup opener against Germany. Brett Emerton (calf) is also battling to be fit.
Serbian boss Radomir Antic is hopeful key defender Nemanja Vidic can shake off a bug which kept him out of the recent friendly with Poland. Antic said: “Vidic has not trained since he had a rash, but he is getting better.”
Group E
Dutch team physio Dick van Toorn says Arjen Robben is fit enough to play in their opener against Denmark after a thigh problem. “I think that he can play,” van Toorn said. “If they do not play him for tactical reasons, okay, but you cannot say he would not be fit.” He added he and Dutch boss Bert van Marwijk differed on his availability. “He thinks that a player should not play in pain, because he has missed a few training sessions. But I say ‘fit is fit’, if Arjen feels no more pain, then he is fit. And then he must play.’’
Danish goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen’s elbow problem shouldn’t prevent him from playing at the World Cup. Sorensen said: “I’ve been 100% ready for a while now. I had a talk with Morten Olsen the other day and he explained to me why he didn’t play me against South Africa.” Nicklas Bendtner and Simon Kjaer look to have overcome injuries too.
Japan’s Makoto Hasebe was taken to hospital with a back injury after aggravating a back injury in training and is in doubt for The Blue Samurai’s opener. Yasuyuki Konno has a knee problem, but should be fit for their opener against Cameroon.
Group F
Italian star midfielder Andrea Pirlo is hopeful of playing the final group match against Slovakia after sustaining a calf injury in a friendly last week. Pirlo said: “Over the last few days I have been recovering and I feel less pain. “The situation is encouraging as the lesion has started to heal. I have faith, even though the return will be defined step by step.”
Paraguay’s Oscar Cardozo is battling to be fit for their opening game against Italy due to an ankle injury. An insider said: “Cardozo cannot kick a football. The injury is much more serious than was previously thought and it’s a worry.”
Slovakian defender Martin Skrtel is expected to be fit for their opener against New Zealand. Skrtel has overcome an ankle problem.
All Whites midfielder Tim Brown looks to be progressing well after fracturing his shoulder. NZ coach Ricki Herbert said: “We’re thankful for the surgeon Stu Walsh and the medical staff that looked after him for doing a tremendous job. He has apparently come through everything so well.”
Group G
Key Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba could remarkably be fit to face Portugal in their opener after undergoing surgery on a fractured arm in Switzerland. An Ivory Coast spokesman said: “His recovery has been very encouraging. It is suggested that, at this point, all signs are good and there are many hopes.”
Portugal’s Nani is out of the World Cup due to a collar bone injury. He’ll be replaced in the squad by Benfica’s Ruben Amorim.
Brazil boss Dunga is confident goalkeeper Julio Cesar will be fit for their opener against Korea DPR. Dunga said: “Julio Cesar will recover for our first game. He is undergoing treatment and he is expected to train with the team this week.” The stopper is Brazil’s main injury concern after hurting his back in a friendly against Zimbabwe.
Group H
Spanish star Andres Iniesta said “I’m OK” after MRI scans on his injured right thigh revealed he can compete in the 2010 World Cup. Iniesta sustained the problem in the friendly against Poland and an MRI scan revealed it was swelling and not a tear.
Star Swiss striker Alexander Frei’s availability is in doubt after he limped out of the team’s final training session in Zurich. Swiss boss Ottmar Hitzfeld said: “At the moment, I presume that he will be able to fly with us. You have always got to think positively. Although he had a lot of pain, we have got to hope that he can play in the tournament, even if he cannot play in the opening game.”
Key Chilean striker Humberto Suazo looks to have shaken off a hamstring worry and should be fit for their opener against Honduras. Teammate Pablo Contreras said: “It’s brilliant news for both the squad and Humberto. The truth is that we are surprised by the quick recovery.” It had been rumoured Suazo would miss the entire tournament.
Honduras midfielder Wilson Palacios should be fit too, despite rumours of a shin injury.