England have confirmed they will take on Egypt at Wembley in March - with further friendlies against Mexico and Japan in the pipeline as South Africa 2010 approaches.
Coach Fabio Capello made it his mission to secure Egypt as opponents as soon as England were drawn alongside Algeria, the side who eliminated Egypt in a controversial play-off after they finished level in the group stages in the CAF section.
England have never faced Algeria but have played Egypt twice before, winning both - a friendly in 1986 (4-0) and a World Cup group stage game in 1990 (1-0).
England will also take on Japan in their final friendly before the tournament, most likely at their training camp in Austria.
The last time the two sides met was in 2004 at Old Trafford which ended in a 1-1 draw.
Mexico will also probably visit Wembley in May, as a warm-up for England's clash with the USA.
ALGERIA SINK TO ACN DEFEAT
Underdogs Malawi stunned South Africa 2010 hopefuls Algeria at a near-deserted November 11 stadium as the unpredictable start to the African Nations Cup continued.
Algeria, who will face England, United States and Slovakia in the World Cup finals, began the Group A match as clear favorites, but went in at half-time two goals down thanks to goals from Russell Mwafulirwa and Elvis Kafoteka.
Despite the presence of players with top-level European league experience such as Hassan Yebda and Madjid Bougherra, the Algerians were unable to claw their way back into the game.
Davi Banda added a third after 49 minutes to end any thoughts of an Algeria comeback, sealing a 3-0 win.
TOGO ATTACK 'WILL NOT AFFECT WORLD CUP'
South Africa 2010 boss Danny Jordaan insists that the tragic attack on Togo's team bus in Angola, ahead of the African Cup of Nations, does not have any relevance to security at next summer's World Cup finals.
Togo withdrew from the Cup of Nations after the gun attack in Angola, which has so far claimed three lives and has seriously injured two Togolese players.
But Jordaan said there was no reason for the incident in Angola to have any impact on the World Cup in June.
"It's nothing to do with it and I think everybody understands it has nothing to do with South Africa," he said.
"When there was a bomb in London no-one said we should not have 2012 in London so we cannot have double standards."
The bus had just crossed the border from the Democratic Republic of Congo into the Angolan enclave of Cabinda.
The bus driver, an assistant coach and a press officer were killed in the attack.
MAXI RODRIGUEZ TO JOIN REDS?
Argentina midfielder Maxi Rodriguez is willing to take a pay cut to seal a move to Liverpool - if it means he will seal his international place in time for the World Cup.
The Atletico Madrid star has been denied regular first-team football at the Vicente Calderon lately, and needs to cement his place in Argentina's squad for South Africa 2010.
Rodriguez, 29, is out of contract at the end of the season but, according to Spanish newspaper AS, will lower his £4.4million-a-year wage demands to secure a short-term move.
Both Juventus and Argentine giants Boca Juniors have been linked with him, though Liverpool remain favorites thanks to Rodriguez's close friendship with Reds midfielder and fellow national team star Javier Mascherano.
