Andrea Pirlo, Didier Drogba – Who else may miss parts of the World Cup?

Italy's star midfielder Andrea Pirlo is injured, making him the latest key player to miss the opening of the 2010 World Cup.

Mr. Pirlo sustained a calf strain Friday. The team doctor told reporters that Pirlo will miss Italy’s June 14 opener against Paraguay. And his availability for Italy's second match, against Slovakia, remains in question.

But Pirlo is far from alone.

Some of the world's biggest stars will miss early games due to injuries and others have just recently been knocked out of the Cup altogether. And their absence could have a huge effect on some of the top-ranked teams in the tournament, which begins Friday in South Africa.

IN PICTURES: Ready for the World Cup

To date, every World Cup held outside Europe has been won by a South American team. Will that pattern continue? A healthy Argentina team and nearly healthy Brazil team help their prospects as the best European teams are now hampered with injuries.

“A succession of pre-tournament injuries and the lessons of past World Cups outside Europe suggest the football at Africa's first finals will resonate to familiar Latin rhythms," Reuters writes.

This may undermine the financial wizards at J.P. Morgan, who used 'Quant Models' to determine that serial underperformers England will win the World Cup, taking out Spain in the final match.

Here's a rundown of key players who may miss the World Cup – or at least the opening matches.

ITALY: Pirlo, winner of the Bronze Ball in the 2006 World Cup, was integral to Italy’s championship at that tournament in Germany. But his potential absence isn't the team's only concern. Midfielders Mauro Camoranesi, Claudio Marchisio, and Angelo Palombo are facing injuries, according to Sky Sports.

IVORY COAST: Didier Drogba broke his forearm Friday and underwent surgery Saturday. He is one of the world's top strikers and highest paid players (as a member of English Premier League champions, Chelsea). Mr. Drogba hopes to return in time for the June 15 opener against Portugal.

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