Here's what we are looking at already:
Salvador Cabanas, Paraguay - out, shot in the head in a bar in Mexico in late January. He was Paraguay's best player, and hoped to recover in time for the World Cup - a lofty goal for a player that has been known to score big goals - but now it would just be a great comeback for him to regain all motor function.
Michael Essien, Ghana - out, knee problem picked up at the African Cup of Nations in January.
Michael Ballack, Germany - out, ankle injury picked up in the FA Cup final with Chelsea.
Rio Ferdinand, England - out, knee injury picked up in training.
Didier Drogba, Ivory Coast - likely out for the entire tournament with a broken elbow. However, his coaches and training staff haven't ruled him out entirely, although they haven't said how quickly he can come back from the surgery he just had this past weekend in Switzerland.
Jozy Altidore, United States - unclear. Jozy injured his ankle in training on Wednesday and was diagnosed with a mild sprain. He did not play vs. Australia, and did not practice till Sunday. Let's hope for the U.S. sake he is fine because he is their best chance to score goals no matter how great Buddle and Gomez and Findley are playing.
Arjen Robben, the Netherlands - again unclear. Robben is notorious for being injury-plagued and apparently picked up some sort of hamstring blow in the Dutch's demolition of Hungary Saturday in which he scored 2 goals. The Dutch coach Van Marwijk said the injury is not as bad as originally thought but Robben won't join the team in South Africa until later in the week. His coach also said he will not replace him, but Robben will face an uphill climb to be fit for the first game on the 14th vs. Denmark, and perhaps for any game period in the group stage. Let's keep our fingers crossed, Robben is one of the true special talents goings in the world right now, and is coming off a sensational season with Bayern Munich.
Garreth Barry, England - likely out for the first match with an ankle issue. Thankfully for the U.S. it appears Barry won't be ready in time for the start of the cup as he is the key holding player in the midfield, but at least he looks ready to be match fit later in the group stages.
Diego Forlan, Uruguay - looks to be OK after taking a hard knock from teammate Walter Gargano in training that sent him to the ground writhing in pain. He was able to finish practice, and let's hope to see him there because Forlan is the type of player that can unleash a flurry of goals in a hurry. He helped Atletico Madrid win the Europa League this past season, is one of the most underrated players in the world, and could be the deciding factor in his group with France, Mexico and South Africa.
Wilson Palacious, Honduras - apparently pulled a muscle in the team's last friendly vs. Romania. His teammate David Suazo was also hurt in the match. Palacious in case you were wondering is one of Tottenham's better central defenders.
David James, England - returned to training yesterday, but has been limited by an unknown knee problem despite being handed the No. 1 jersey for the Three Lions meaning he is likely the team's #1 keeping choice.
Julio Cesar, Brazil - hurt his back in the match vs. Zimbabwe and will miss his first match for Brazil in two years today vs. Tanzania. Dunga seems to think Cesar will be healthy in a couple of days, but still he has to be somewhat worried Cesar is taking bad knocks before the tournament even begins.
Andrea Pirlo, Italy - suffered a calf injury in the Mexico friendly that has left him in doubt for the finals. Pirlo is Italy's best play-maker and if you want high praise, Ray Hudson said he was unequivocally the same player for Italy that Xavi is for Spain.
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