World Cup News - February 24

Oliver Kahn (pictured) has been ruled out of next Wednesday's match against Italy due to thigh injury. Kahn was hurt during last weekend's draw with Hanover 96. Kahn should be back in time to face the US on March 22nd. Arsenal's Jens Lehmann will watch the net against Italy.

German coach Juergen Klinsmann has ruled center back Christian Woerns out of his World Cup squad. This is a result of Woerns' statements to the press concerning his absence from the roster for next month's friendlies.

If you watched last night's LA Galaxy match, you know that Todd Dunivant was not on the pitch due to a strained left hip flexor. Sadly, this injury will also keep him away from Germany for the US's March 1 game against Poland. Unlike Pat Noonan, who was hurt during Wednesday's match, Dunivant will not be replaced. Just for the record, Chris Klein replaced Noonan.

After suffering another injury (hamstring strain), Newcastle United midfielder Kieron Dyer has come to realize that his hopes of making this year's English squad are all but over. His club's manager still hopes he can make it back for the end of the season, but even that seems a little doubtful.

Mexican defenders Salvador Carmona and Aaron Galindo have been banned from the World Cup due to steroid use. The Mexican Football Federation ruled against their appeal yesterday.

But enough about people who will not be making it to matches, Central Coast Mariners defender Michael Beauchamp has impressed Australian's coaching staff that he might just be making the trip to Germany.

England's coach till July (unless they crap out) Sven-Goran Eriksson says he "couldn't care less" about what happens to the team after Germany because he is fully focused on winning. He also insists that the shuffle to find a new national coach will not hamper the team's effort during preparations.

Budweiser is set to launch their marking campaign in England. From now until May drinkers can win tickets to World Cup games by texting or emailing the passport number found on the reverse of Bud bottles and cans in both the on and off-trade. Brand owners Anheuser-Busch says a pair of tickets will be given away every 48 hours until May. There do not seem to be similar plans in the US.

FIFA's attempt to control the media during the World Cup seem to be heading to court after negotiations broke down regarding image rights. FIFA will be imposing a blanket ban on the use of World Cup photos on the Internet, including on thousands of newspaper Web sites, during matches. FIFA also plans to severely limit the number of photos that can be used regardless of time limits, and to impose editorial restrictions on the way photos are used in print publications.

FIFA says it needs the delay to protect its commercial rights holders but critics suspect the real reason may be that the organization is hoping for additional traffic to its own Web site, where there would be no restriction on photographs.