We know who's in, but just look at who's out!

With the squads for the 32 teams either confirmed as the final 23 or as in most countries cases, an expanded 30 man provisional squad (all squads of 23 players must be submitted to FIFA by 1st June), it's interesting to see some of the star names that have been omitted for various reasons. Looking through the groups, Group A and France have omitted a few names, perhaps the most surprising is Real Madrid's Karim Benzema (£35m he cost!!! making him the most expensive player to never make selection for the World Cup finals), despite playing 26 times times for them this season, France's manager Domenech has stated the player hasn't played enough to earn his place, if Real Madrid are looking to offload the striker in the summer as many suggest, his exclusion will of certainly sent the fee they can command down. Also left out are Manchester City's Patrick Viera and Arsenal's in form Samir Nasri, the provisional French (as a child, everytime my parents swore they'd say 'excuse my Frnech', i'll never forget the look on the teachers face on my first day at secondary school when i was asked if i knew any French) squad has 5 uncapped players so despite their stop and start qualifying campaign that saw them struggle (and cheat(but then the French putting their hands up has been a national pastime since 1940)) to get past the Irish, they are clearly looking to change things.
Mexico have left out Morella striker Miguel Sabah as he struggles to to recover from a tendon injury in his leg and have a squad which only contains potentially 5 midfield players (the Mexicans are really looking forward to the World Cup, they have no interest in the Olympics as anyone who can run, jump or swim has crossed the border).
Uruguay have left out Porto winger Cristian Rodriguez but with a two game ban to complete due to his sending off in the least qualifier against Argentina, it's obvious manager Taberez has decided not to gamble on using a squad place on a player missing the games against France and South Africa.
The hosts South Africa have only one real exception, central defender Morgan Gould of Supersport United wasn't able to overcome a leg injury picked up earlier this year.

Argentina have picked a few local based players after impressing in a friendly against Haiti last week which means no places for Inter Milan's Estaban Cambiasso (surprising given his fine form helping Inter to the Champions League final (though it is also good as everytime a commentator says his name, it sounds like a Scouser saying 'cant's be arsed though)) or Javier Zanetti along with Real Madrid's Fernando Gago and Barcelona's Gabriel Milito.
The only surprises from the Nigerian camp are the missing Sion defenders Yusuf Mohamed and Obinni Nwaneri, other than that the squad is as expected.
South Korea have omitted former Reading and Fulham striker Seol Ki-Hyeon who has struggled to overcome a knee injury (not to mention his recent form has gone to the dogs).
The only noticeable exception from the Greece squad is Christios Patsatzoglu, a player with persistent knee problems through the qualifying campaign.

For England see yesterdays post (though read one person was surprised David Bentley wasn't picked, no joke here, just made me smile with mild amusement at how anyone could think he deserved a space on the plane).
Charlie Davies has failed to make the 30 man World Cup squad of the United States seven months after he almost died in a car crash. Sochoux striker Davies, who was hurt in a crash in Virginia that left another passenger dead, had worked strenuously hard to come back from multiple injuries and head coach Bob Bradley decided the finals had come too soon for Davies, the only other exclusion is former teenage prodigy Freddy Adu, now at Greek side Aris Thessaloniki. Actually, when England play USA, Al Queda must be thinking it's too good an importunity to miss?
Algeria haven't picked Blackpool's Hameur Bouazza though the rest of the squad is as expected.
Slovenia have kept faith with the core of players that saw them qualify, Newcastle's 17 year old midfielder Haris Vuckic and ex-captain Klemen Lavric miss out despite speculation they would feature.

Germany have first choice goalkeeper Rene Adler missing through a rib injury and former Aston Villa star and Stuttgart captain Thomas Hitzelsperger also miss out (two free sunbeds at least).
Australia have selected the injured Galatasary winger Harry Kewell, hoping he'll be fit for the finals, they have no other real surprising omissions.
Serbia have omitted Sevilla defender Ivica Dragutinovic and Genoa midfielder Bosko Jankovic, both through injury but familiar faces like Manchester United's Nemanja Vidic and Inter Milan's Dejan Stankovic. Cologne's on loan winger from Manchester United Zoran Tosic has also been selected and will hope to carry his impressive form into the tournament to gain a move away from the club (how many Serbian pimps will be in force in Africa, not that they have a reputation).
For Ghana, there are no real surprise names missing though former Germany under21 star Kevin Prince-Boateng has been selected and hoping for approval from FIFA to make his debut.

The Dutch have excluded Ruud Van Nistelrooy (must have an even longer face this morning) after failing to prove his fitness to manager Bert Van Marwijk, worried about the 33 year old getting injured.
Denmark have no real surprise names missing though Thomas Sorenson has made the provisional squad, despite dislocating his elbow for Stoke against Chelsea on 26 April.
Japan aren't about who's missing but who's in, former Portsmouth goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi has recovered from a broken leg to be named third choice keeper and former Celtic star Shunsake Nakamura has been named in the 23 man squad which Japan have submitted to Fifa.
'Cameroon name provisional World Cup squad!', David has only been in the job a day and already got himself a team in the World Cup? Cameroon have surprisingly named former Liverpool and West Ham defender Rigobert Song in their squad and left out French champions Marseille's Stephane Mbia and Burnley's Andre Bikey.

Italy have left out three legendary strikers, Roma's Francesco Totti, Juventus' Alessandro Del Piero and Bayern Munich's Luca Toni and surprisingly included former Manchester United trainee Guiesspe Rossi meaning England are the only squad to have all their players based in their own domestic league as he plays for Spains Villareal.
Paraguay have left out top scorer in qualifying Salvador Cabanas after he was shot in the head in a bar in Mexico City last April, hope his omission doesn't blow his mind.
New Zealand have named their final 23, Blackburn's Ryan Nelson as captain and with a player from Plymouth Argyle and another player not even contracted to a club, don't expect too much from them. Main omission is Colombus Crew's defender Duncan Oughton.
Slovakia have picked the expected provisional squad with injured or out of form players given the chance to prove themselves

Brazil have left two time World Player Of The Year winner Ronaldinho (a man with more gum than Wrigleys) out of the team along with Adriano also having to hope injuries are picked up by others before 1st June in the faint hope of getting a call up.
North Korea, well, in this group they are making up numbers, odd news in that at home they may not get to watch the tournament due to an ongoing dispute with south Korean cable provider SBS, something to do with a South Korean ship being sank and North Korea being blamed, revenge is a dish best served cold?
Ivory coast have big expectations for the tournament and have no real surprises picking a squad trying to not rely too heavily on Chelseas Didier Drogba (if they get knocked out, will Drogba have that unprofessional rant at cameras and officials like he does when Chelsea get knocked out the Champions Legue every season?)
Portugal have left out Sporting Lisbon duo Joao Moutinho and Yannick Djalo. With Portugal's Ronaldo due to play against Drogba's Ivory Coast, expect to see some world class diving.

Spain are another side with injured players given the chance to prove themselves, Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas and Barcelona's Andres Iniesta will surely prove their fitness ahead of the finals.
Switzerland have surprisngly included 18 year old Basle winger Xherdan Shaqiri at the expense of Arsenal's Johan Djourou.
Honduras have been forced to leave out injured strikers Carlos Costly and Jerry Bengston, denting any real hopes of progression.
Flamengo midfielder Claudio Maldonado misses out for Chile


As you can tell, writing all this took time and if you got to the end then bless you, some big names missing for various reasons, from being shot in the head to serious car crashes but other than Brazil, no real surprises