The World Cup begins: South Africa v. Mexico

Africa's first World Cup kicks off with hosts South Africa taking on Mexico at Soweto's showpiece Soccer City venue in front of 95,000 spectators, in suburban Johannesburg.

 

Siphiwe Tshabalala of South Africa in action during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Group A match between South Africa and Mexico at Soccer City Stadium on June 11, 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa.  (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Artists perform during the World Cup opening ceremony at Soccer City in Johannesburg, South Africa on June 11, 2010. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Performers dance during the opening ceremony before the 2010 World Cup opening match between Mexico and South Africa on June 11, 2010.  (REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach)

Performers dance near a replica of the Soccer City stadium during the opening ceremony before the 2010 World Cup opening match on June 11, 2010.   (REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko)

 

Artists perform during the World Cup opening ceremony at Soccer City in Johannesburg, South Africa, Friday, June 11, 2010.  (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

 

Performers attend the 2010 World Cup opening ceremony before the first match between South Africa and Mexico in Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg on June 11, 2010.    (REUTERS/David Gray)

 

South African fans cheer before the 2010 World Cup opening match between Mexico and South Africa at Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg on June 11, 2010. (REUTERS/Henry Romero)

 A South Africa fan shows her support before the Opening Ceremony ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Group A match between South Africa and Mexico at Soccer City Stadium on June 11, 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa.  (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

 

An Indian soccer enthusiast shows off his special FIFA World Cup football haircut at a barbershop in Mumbai on June 11, 2010.  ( AFP PHOTO/ Indranil MUKHERJE)

 

A South African fan blows the "vuvuzela" trumpet before the 2010 World Cup opening match between Mexico and South Africa on June 11, 2010. (REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach)

  

A soccer fan blows a vuvuzela while awaiting the start of the opening ceremony of the 2010 World Cup at Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg on June 11, 2010.    (REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach)

A Mexican soccer fan poses before the opening ceremony of the 2010 World Cup at Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg on June 11, 2010.    (REUTERS/Eddie Keogh)

Children across the globe anticipate World Cup

From India and Oman, Gaza City and Yemen, children across the world play the "beautiful game" in anticipation of the World Cup tournament.

Children play football in the Kayelitsha Township on June 9, 2010 in Cape Town, South Africa. Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Children of the Khayelitsha Township near Cape Town enjoy a game of football on June 9, 2010 in Cape Town, South Africa. Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

Local children play Football in the Khayelitsha Township on June 9, 2010 in Cape Town, South Africa.  Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

South African children play a football game during an opening ceremony of the Dream Stadium for children at Ikhwezilethemba primary school in Pretoria on June 9, 2010. JUNG YEON-JE/AFP/Getty Images

Palestinian children play football in a field east of Gaza City, close to the border fence with Israel, on June 09, 2010. MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images

A girl looks on as she waits for South Africa's national soccer team "Bafana Bafana" during a parade on the streets of Sandton in Johannesburg June 9, 2010. REUTERSAlessandro Bianchi

School children wait for Football Federation Australia (FFA) officials at Mohlakano Primary School in Randfonteinon, just outside of Johannesburg June 9, 2010. REUTERS/Daniel Munoz

Indian children play football in Allahabad on June 9, 2010.DIPTENDU DUTTA/AFP/Getty Images

A boy with the official ball watches the friendly match Chile vs. New Zealand at Kanyamazane Stadium near Nelspruit on June 9, 2010. MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images

Yemeni children, sporting Barcelona and Germany team t-shirts, play football in a street in Sanaa, June 8, 2010. GAMAL NOMAN/AFP/Getty Images

Omani youths play soccer along the beach on June 09, 2010 in Muscat as World Cup fever in South Africa engulfs this normally quite country. MOHAMMED MAHJOUB/AFP/Getty Images

Soccer studs 2.0: Send us your faves

It seems even soccer studs have their ups and downs, so to speak.

The Star's choice for top of the field Didier Drogba now appears to be out of the Cup because of a broken arm. And another fave, England’s Theo Walcott, didn’t make the final team.

But here are a few more suggestions on sexy soccer players from our readers. And of course, we would like a lot more. So as you watch the World Cup send us your suggestions for your sexy soccer hotties.

1) Steven Gerrard 
The 30-year-old British midfielder, playing for England in the World Cup, is considered one of the greatest English midfielders in history, according to ESPN Soccernet. Renowned for scoring goals at crucial times, he has an impressive goal scoring record. And he has won the heart of at least one Star reader.

2) Paulo Ferreira 
The Portuguese defender, 31, is another suggestion by readers. He is supposed to have a big role to play for Portugal in the World Cup, according to ESPN Soccernet.

3) Emile Heskey

 
The 32-year-old forward for England has Star readers swooning. Heskey is not only a powerful and fit player, but is “good in the air”. His critics say he can be erratic as a goal scorer. His middle name is Ivanhoe – after Sir Walter Scott’s popular novel. And that obviously appeals to the romantic side of his female admirers. He is described as a “robust, powerful, unselfish” player. He’s not expected to score many goals in the World Cup but is seen as an important player.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Dejan Stankovic

Cesc Fabregas

Wesley Sneijder  

David James 

Teams and players gear up for Friday's World Cup kick off

A fan shows his ticket prior to training session at Super stadium on June 7, 2010 in Atteridgesville, South Africa.  (Joern Pollex/Bongarts/Getty Images)

An african fan is pictured prior to training session at Super stadium on June 7, 2010 in Atteridgesville, South Africa.  (Joern Pollex/Bongarts/Getty Images)

England's Wayne Rooney shoots on goal during a friendly football match between Platinum Stars and England at The Moruleng Stadium near Rustenburg.PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images

Young children play football in a dirt field behind New Zealand's training grounds, Sinada Stadium, in Benoni, South Africa, on June 7, 2010. JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images

Football fans cheer during Germany's training session at the Super Stadium in Pretoria on June 7, 2010. JOHN MACDOUGALL/AFP/Getty Images

Australia's Lucas Neill is reflected in the water as he jogs with the team during a training session at Ruimsig Stadium in Roodepoort, just outside of Johannesburg June 7, 2010. REUTERS/Daniel Munoz

Greece's Michalis Sifakis is obscured by the ball during a training session in Durban, June 7, 2010. REUTERS/Rogan Ward

Shadows of the Australian team are highlighted on a fence as they arrive for a training session in Roodepoort on June 7, 2010 ahead of the start of the 2010 World Cup football tournament. STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images

South Africa's defender Matthew Booth and teammates train in Johannesburg on June 7, 2010 ahead of the start of the Fifa 2010 World Cup football tournament. ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images