World Cup Digest

The latest stories as the build-up intensifies ahead of the World Cup.

Zambrotta to miss opener

ITALY: Gianluca Zambrotta will probably miss the World Cup opener against Ghana on June 12th with a muscle strain. The Juventus player suffered the strain in his left thigh during Sunday's training.

Zambrotta will remain at Italy's headquarters in Coverciano this week while his team-mates take on Switzerland tomorrow and Ukraine on Friday as part of their tournament preparation.

CZECH REPUBLIC: Tomas Rosicky will miss the Czech Republic's World Cup warm-up against Costa Rica today because of a thigh injury. Rosicky, who last week signed for Arsenal for £8 million, could not train with his team-mates on Sunday after picking up the injury in the friendly against Saudi Arabia on Friday.

ARGENTINA: Gabriel Heinze should be a certainty for Argentina in their World Cup warm-up against Angola in Salerno today. Heinze will be making his first proper outing since he damaged knee ligaments last September. Lionel Messi came on as a substitute and scored for Argentina as they beat youth side Halles 5-0 in Rome.

Ronaldo sees the light side

BRAZIL: Ronaldo says that continued speculation about his weight is created by lack of knowledge and by the media having nothing better to talk about. "After all, what is fat?" said Ronaldo, looking in the direction of a group of radio reporters amid laughter.

Ronaldo's hotel room topped that of Ronaldinho's in an online auction, €647 for a one-night stay in the room of Brazil's leading striker after the team's stay at the Park Hotel in Weggis, Switzerland.

FRANCE: Thierry Henry has became the latest member of the France squad to criticise the Stade de France boo-boys in the wake of Saturday's 1-0 win over Mexico in a World Cup warm-up match.

"In Paris, the closest the crowd came to celebrating was when Fabien Barthez was shown a yellow card," said Henry.

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: Coach Leo Beenhakker has voiced concern over the fitness of defender Marvin Andrews.

SERBIA & MONTENEGRO: Coach Ilija Petkovic does not believe the political situation in the country will hurt the team on the field at the World Cup.

Ballack may face Japan

GERMANY: Michael Ballack could yet play a part in Germany's penultimate World Cup warm-up against Japan today after making a pain-free return to training. Ballack suffered an ankle strain in a practice game in Geneva last Thursday.

USA: Coach Bruce Arena was happy with his side's 1-0 friendly win over Latvia on Sunday. Brian McBride's first-half header gave the US victory.

GHANA: "We are getting better each game and by the time of the World Cup we will be ready to beat any team," said Serb coach Ratomir Dujkovic yesterday, after Ghana beat Jamaica 4-1. They got off to a perfect start when Sulley Muntari pounced on a loose ball on five minutes after Jamaican keeper Donovan Ricketts could only parry a shot from distance. Stehen Appiah's volley was diverted into his own net by Damien Stewart. Appiah and Matthew Amoah completed the scoring, with Jason Euell scoring for Jamaica.

REFEREE: Jamaican referee Peter Prendergast has pulled out of the World Cup finals after injuring a knee.