Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka will withdraw from a two qualifying matches against Lithuania due to a toe injury. The move will greatly affect the French squad, whom are trying to solidify their position in the next World Cup.

France currently trails Serbia and Lithuania by five points. Their next few games will be crucial if they want to qualify for next year’s finals in South Africa.  

Anelka bruised his toe during their loss last Saturday against Tottenham. The match left Chelsea in third place, four points behind Manchester United and three points behind Liverpool.

Reports confirm that Anelka could be out for up to three weeks, which means he will be unable to play against Newcastle on April 4. He can also miss Chelsea’s game against Liverpool.

He is expected to return at Stamford Bridge on April 14 where Chelsea battles Arsenal in the FA Cup semis.



 

Australia has now joined the pool of countries that are racing to host the World Cup in either 2019 or 2022.

Last Monday, Australia submitted their bid before the deadline set by FIFA, the world’s football regulating body. All candidates staked their claims for both tournaments.

If successful, it’d be the first time that Australia will host the World Cup and speculators say 2022 is the country’s best chance.

The next two tournaments will be hosted by South Africa (2010) and Brazil (2014), which indicate that the northern hemisphere will be the next setting of the 2018 World Cup.

“Australia is part of the fastest growing region in world football and I think that is very important to FIFA,” commented Bonita Mersiades, FFA spokesperson. “It's very important to us and it's very important to the Asian Football Federation. Whether that is an advantage or a disadvantage, it is too soon to say one way or the other. But I think the great thing about opening it up to any country and going beyond the rotation system is that it gives a number of countries the opportunity to put their hands up.”

The 2018 host race includes England, Belgium, the Netherlands, China, Japan, Mexico, Indonesia, Portugal, Spain, Qatar, the United States, and Russia. 

The host for 2018 will be announced by FIFA on December 2010.
 

David Beckham is bracing himself for an adverse reaction from LA Galaxy fans when he makes his return to California after his extended stay at AC Milan.

The “Captain of England” says that true-blue football enthusiasts will understand why he agreed to the timeshare deal.

Beckham joined Milan for a two-month playing contract, but his desire to play for England in the 2010 World Cup finals made him extend his stay.

“I’m sure there will be a certain amount of criticism because people won’t understand why I want to stay here, but we will have to see,” said the midfielder in a related interview. Beckham reportedly invested £3 million to make his World Cup aspirations come true.

“The multi-million dollar deal compensates the LA Galaxy for the extended loan of Beckham at the start of the new MLS season and has been funded jointly by Milan and the player himself,” confirmed LA Galaxy.

Under the timeshare agreement, Beckham will remain in Italy until end of this season. He will return to US to play for LA from July to October.

“Real football people will say 'He's passionate about playing for his country and knows what he needs to do to have the chance of playing in the World Cup,” asserted Beckham.

He continued, “To make myself available for 2010 I know what I have to do. The manager (Fabio Capello) always said I need to play at the highest level and this is one of the highest in Europe. Nothing is guaranteed in life and we have a lot of young players coming through, but I need to make sure I've given myself the best chance to be involved in it.”
 

David Beckham has put himself firmly in the frame to play at his fourth World Cup finals after securing a unique 'timeshare' deal that will see him spend the bulk of the next 15 months with AC Milan.

Beckham's desire to stay at the Serie A club is such that he will fund the majority of the loan fee being paid to the Los Angeles Galaxy - thought to be £2million - out of his own pocket.

Under the agreement, Beckham will stay at Milan until the end of the season, return to the Galaxy from July to October and then rejoin the Serie A club for the rest of the campaign.

It means Beckham now has the opportunity to cement his position in Fabio Capello's England squad for the World Cup qualifiers and the finals in South Africa next year.

Capello was instrumental in Beckham going to Milan in the first place having made it clear he believed it was necessary for him to play at the highest level.

Beckham's former club manager Sir Alex Ferguson has no doubt he has done the right thing.

The Manchester United manager said: "It is good for him, there is no question about that because it is the right type of football."

Sources have confirmed that all parties are in agreement but Milan general manager Adriano Galliani said it may be Monday before the deal is officially signed off.

Galliani said: "The Galaxy and us are going back and forward with corrections to the documents but we should be there although it's not official yet.

"The crucial day for the signing could be tomorrow (Saturday) or Monday. But the important thing is that Beckham is here with us and that he is playing for Milan."