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Many of us can't wait until Friday when the 19th edition of the FIFA World Cup captures our hearts and minds for the next thirty days. Although the United States has fielded proficient squads and have been a fixture since the 1990's, it's Canada who comes out to cheer more than our Southern neighbours. All of a sudden, kids are kicking balls around in the parks. Parents are screaming in front of their televisions . Various ethnic communities are unfurling flags. Even though Canada has never had the honour of participating, our country is built on our ethnic diversity, and when soccer takes to the world stage, everyone will be cheering for ancestral pride.

Unfortunately, it seems that in this edition of the World Cup, many of the top players in the world are doubtful to start, or will at least see assignment on the sidelines only.

Although we can expect some highly dramatic moments from African teams, the host continent's pride has taken some exceedingly hard knocks as two of Africa's biggest stars won't be making it onto the pitch due to injury. Nigerian John Mikel Obi and Côte d'Ivoire Didier Drogba will both out of their respective lineups with recent injuries and will no doubt impact their respective team's chances to advance. The Super Eagles have called up Brown Ideye to replace Obi in the mid-field, but most agree that there is no easy replacement for the superstar and without his speed and ball distribution the Nigerians will be hard pressed to advance past the round-robin cycle facing strong opponents in Argentina and Korea.

player: John Mikel Obi
country: Nigeria
club team: Chelsea
position: mid-field
number: 12
age: 23
injury: knee

Didier Drogba is a special player. His intensity is unmatched. You can always expect fireworks when he's on the pitch and if he manages to stay out of card trouble, he can be a huge impact player. Fast and incredibly strong on the ball, he's at the apex of his career, and it's doubtful he'll be around for another try in 2014. This means something to him personally but also as skipper of the Elephants . A teammate of Obi playing for Chelsea, Drogba scored a career high 29 goals in 32 matches this year for his club. Both Brazil and Portugal are most likely breathing some relief even though Didier has had successful surgery on his broken arm and has rejoined his teammates, it's doubtful he'll participate in the match scheduled June 15th. Look to him as a possibility in later rounds if Côte d'Ivoire makes it somehow to the knockout round.

player: Didier Drogba
country: Côte d'Ivoire
club team: Chelsea
position: striker
number: 11
age: 32
injury: broken arm
German captain Michael Ballack is sure to be absent from this contest. At 33, he is a year older then Didier he also may never see the world stage as an active player again. Considered by some as the penultimate captain and mid-fielder par-excellence, Ballack has a calming and lethal effect on his teammates. Well organized on the pitch, Ballack's coaching abilities and vocal instructions are ever present, and with an average age of 25 years, the German squad are really going to miss his leadership. Willing to bleed to score, it's hard to find a tougher player or more of a motivated winner when the game is on the line. We all remember his free-kick score against Australia breaching a null null tie in 60th minute of play ending the hopes and dreams of the Australians. His miracle strike bent the laws of physics at an estimated 120km per hour. Some say it was demonic possession.

player: Michael Ballack
country: Germany
club team: Chelsea
position: mid-field
number: 13
age: 33
injury: torn ankle



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Netherland's Arjen (don't need Batman) Robben's pace and skill make him one of the most explosive wingers to watch. If you can image being able to run full throttle and dribble a football at the same time, this man can do it. Injury prone, but when he's healthy, he may be the most dangerous man on any given day. Alas, his torn hamstring will most likely prevent his participation and although the Netherlands will compete and most likely advance to the knockout round, he's a player who's going to score often if he has the ball. He'll be missed by many, even those who don't root for the Orange - just for the sheer excitement he brings to every game.

player: Arjen Robben
country: Netherlands
club team: Bayern Munich
position: winger
number: 10
age: 26
injury: hamstring


New stars will emerge. The highlight reels will be plentiful as top players like Messi, Christian Renaldo, and Ronaldinho will be ever present and ready to strike for gold. The fanciful ball handlers in Africa and South America doing hard battle against the organized aerial attack of the European teams will make for some exciting sport to watch. So for whom ever you cheer for, good luck and I wish your team success.