Wordcup results and scores: In similar news Hamburger Abendblatt has quoted Dennis Aogo (22 Karlsruhe) as turning down offers to represent Nigeria despite the new FIFA regulations. He has stated that a switch is out of the question for him considering his potential future with the DFB. The latest stop on the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour is the United States, where the gold statue was welcomed in a glitzy ceremony at the legendary Universal Studios in Los Angeles.

FIFA.com - USA goalscorer Clint Dempsey has described his side's shock upset of European champions Spain in the semi-finals of the FIFA Confederations Cup as a "huge" win for the country.

After Jozy Altidore had given the US a first-half lead, Dempsey wrapped up a 2-0 triumph with a second goal 16 minutes from time as Bob Bradley's side became the first team to beat Spain sine November 2006. That unbeaten run had seen Spain draw level with Brazil's world record of 35 successive matches without defeat, while Vicente del Bosque's side had also won their previous 15 games on the trot to establish a new record.

"This win is huge for American soccer because it's the first time for the men to be in a final in a major competition," said Dempsey. America's triumph last night in Bloemfontein is even more remarkable considering they looked on their way out of the tournament after losing their opening two matches against Italy (3-1) and Brazil (3-0).

It was a homecoming of sorts for the Trophy on Sunday, since it was in the same state of California that Brazil celebrated their fourth FIFA World Cup™ success, beating Italy on penalties in front of some 95,000 fans at the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles in 1994.

That was a historic victory, not only because Brazil became the first team to win the Trophy four times (and they subsequently made it five in 2002) but also because it was the first time a FIFA World Cup Final had been decided on penalties, following the Brazilians' goalless draw with Italy.

Read about the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour

FIFA Vice-President and CONCACAF General Secretary Chuck Blazer was there to see the unveiling of the trophy and he said: "The last time the Trophy was here in the USA in 1994, here in LA in fact, we had to give it back. Now it's here again, but we're going to have to return it once more. But this time, we don't just want to look at it. We think it's about time we kept it here..."

In the view of the CONCACAF General Secretary, the chances of a team from the North, Central American and Caribbean region winning the FIFA World Cup are getting stronger all the time. The CONCACAF big guns, namely Mexico and USA, are currently riding high in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, sitting level with Spain in joint-sixth spot. Moreover, four CONCACAF teams will be heading to Germany this summer - with Costa Rica and, for the first time, Trinidad and Tobago joining Mexico and USA at the world showpiece.

Two of Sunday's guests had particular smiles on their faces as the curtain was raised and the Trophy presented to loud applause. Jorge Campos and Paul Caligiuri, who both played at USA 94 had come to LA to see the Cup again. "This Trophy is one of the world's most famous symbols," said former US international Caligiuri. "Football brings the whole world together."

Erstwhile rivals on the pitch, Caligiuri and former Mexico goalkeeper Campos exchanged a warm hug when they met again. Both took part in two FIFA World Cups and both still maintain a keen interest in the game despite having hung up their boots. Caligiuri is on the board of directors of the US Soccer Federation and also coaches junior teams, while Campos is an assistant coach of the Mexico national team.

The 39-year-old Campos, once famous for his bright goalkeeper's jerseys, represented his country at the 1994 and 1998 finals and is very positive about Mexico's chances this year. "We have been drawn in a reasonable group and the round of 16 is very much within our grasp," said Campos looking at a first-round group that pits the Mexicans against Iran, Angola and Portugal. "We have a number of experienced players in our team as well as some younger ones, and (Ricardo) La Volpe is an excellent coach," he added. "This team can go far."

Caligiuri was similarly upbeat about his country's prospects. "We currently have a squad which is both very well balanced and also known for its team spirit. No team at the World Cup will be fitter, quicker or better organised than the USA, at least in our group (where they face Czech Republic, Italy and Ghana), but maybe also among the whole 32 teams."

The 41-year-old discussed the progress the US have made since 1989 when he scored the goal that gave the Americans a 1-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago to send them to the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 40 years. Even now, this goal is still known by US football fans as 'the shot heard around the world'.

"When you think back to where we were in 1990 and look at where we are now, the USA have made incredible progress over recent years. When I played in Germany, we weren't considered as a footballing nation, and now we're in the top ten in the world rankings – no-one would have thought that possible back then," he said.

Chuck Blazer also holds out hope that the Trophy will get to make a longer stay in the region at some point in the near future. "We are getting closer and closer and one day, we hope to bring this treasure back home," he said.

More information about the Japanese Wordcup team please visit Tune-In-Tokyo

 

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