World Cup 2010 - Behind Enemy Lines: Algeria thumped by Ireland

UNITED STATES (June 12, Rustenburg)

May 29: USA coach Bob Bradley has an injury-plagued back line to contend with as his side face Turkey in their 'send-off' game before leaving for South Africa. Bradley's preparations have been hampered by injuries, of varying seriousness, with left-back Carlos Bocanegra having encountered problems with his hernia and Jay DeMerit's vision problems, but both are expected to be involved.

May 28: Despite getting a send-off from President Barack Obama at the White House, the USA squad may not be doing the American game as proud as it used to. In Bob Bradley's 23-man party bound for South Africa, there are only four players currently plying their trade in the MLS, compared to 11 in 2006, 12 in 2002 and 15 in 1998. That statistic has sparked debate as to whether it means the overall standard of the domestic league has declined, because fewer are making it to World Cups, or improved, because more European clubs are scouting MLS players.

May 27: Experienced striker Brian Ching was the most notable name to miss the cut as Bob Bradley selected his final 23-man squad. Ching, who was out of action throughout April with a hamstring injury, lost out to less experienced players like LA Galaxy's Edson Buddle, Real Salt Lake's Robbie Findley and Herculez Gomez, who plays for Mexican club Puebla. "Plain and simple, Edson and Herculez have had real good stretches, scored a lot of goals. Brian has been such an important player but it's tough when you have an injury at an inopportune time," Bradley said.

May 26: The United States suffered a pre-World Cup shake-up with a 4-2 defeat to the Czech Republic in their opening warm-up game. US coach Bob Bradley rested many of his likely starters but gave a run-out to key central defender Oguchi Onyewu, who has been sidelined since a knee operation in October and looked well short of match fitness. The US remain 14th in the FIFA world rankings.

May 25: Manager Bob Bradley is expected to cut his 30-man provisional squad down to 23 after his team's friendly against Czech Republic on Tuesday.

May 24: Defenders Oguchi Onyewu, Jay DeMerit and Carlos Bocanegra are all battling injury but the US are hopeful they will be ready for the finals.

May 23: All 30 players in the United States' preliminary squad took part in full training at their Princeton camp for the first time, with coach Bob Bradley revealing that captain Carlos Bocanegra underwent hernia surgery less than three weeks ago. Bradley said all players, including Bocanegra, are available for Tuesday's match against Czech Republic.

May 22: Striker Hercules Gomez could play in two friendlies next week - against Czech Republic and Turkey - as coach Bob Bradley explores options for replacing absentee Charlie Davies, who is recovering after a car crash.

ALGERIA (June 18, Cape Town)

May 29: Rabah Suadane was left disgusted with his side's dismal showing against Ireland as England's Group C rivals were comprehensively outclassed at the RDS in Dublin. Striker Robbie Keane netted a consummate brace, while Paul Green was also on the scoresheet as Algeria floundered horribly in their warm-up match. Suadane's side will have to improve markedly if they are to give a good account of themselves in South Africa.

May 28: Defender Madjid Bougherra trained with the rest of the squad ahead of their friendly match against the Republic of Ireland as he nears a full recovery from a calf injury that threatened to rule him out of the tournament. The Rangers centre-back has pledged he will be fit for the finals, although he is sitting out of the match at the RDS.

May 27: Following the withdrawal of Meghni through injury, it seems the toughest decision Rabah Saadane will have to face following the friendly against Ireland is who will be his third-choice goalkeeper - M'bolhi Rats or Mohamed Lamine Zemmamouche.

May 26: Players Antar Yahia, Carl Medjani, Madjid Bouguerra and Hacen Yebda will miss Friday's friendly against Ireland - but coach Rabah Saadane declared the team's training camp in Switzerland a success, with all players set to be fit by Monday and adapting well to the high altitude. Algeria move up one place in the FIFA rankings to 30th.

May 25: Medics have confirmed that Mourad Meghni will miss the tournament. The 26-year-old Lazio midfielder had been struggling with an injury to his left knee while he was part of Rabah Saadane's provisional squad, but it has now been decided he will need surgery on it.

May 24: Algeria's medical chief confirmed that Hassan Yebda, Madjid Bougherra, Carl Medjani and Ryad Boudebouz should all be able to take their places on the plane to South Africa.

May 22: Rangers' defender Madjid Bougherra, who has been hampered by injury problems this season, is sweating on his fitness ahead of the tournament. He has been told by coach Rabah Saadane to rest for 10 days to ensure peak fitness, meaning he will miss out on next week's friendly against Republic of Ireland in Dublin.

SLOVENIA (June 23, Port Elizabeth)

May 29: Three players missed training as the squad continued their preparations at their hotel in the Italian resort of Brunico. Goalkeepers Samir and Jasmin Handanovic were both unable to train after sustaining knocks, while defender Matej Mavric was also confined to the sidelines.

May 27 - Slovenian Ego TV has voted their national team's kit the worst at the World Cup, behind South Korea's and Uruguay's. Ivory Coast's jersey topped the poll.

May 26: Slovenia drop two places in the FIFA rankings to 25th.

May 25: Star striker Milivoje Novakovic is finding ways to continue training despite suffering from a diaphragm problem: "It's much better for my training that I am on the field with my team-mates. I am experienced enough to I know how the best way to prepare myself."

May 24: Defender Bosjan Cesar claims Slovenia will not be overawed by the finals in South Africa. "We are neither nervous nor afraid of the challenge because Slovenia have performed on the big stage already. We are probably not fully aware of what awaits in South Africa but we are confident because we have enough experience as players to compete in an event like this."

May 23: After naming a 25-man squad, coach Matjez Kek said: "On behalf of the team, thanks for all the positive energy. We do not promise anything, but rely on us."