Fifa has insisted it has no information on reports that four North Korea players have gone missing.
There have been suggestions that the players may have tried to defect after the official teamsheet for North Korea's 2-1 defeat by Brazil on Tuesday listed the players Kim Myong-won, An Chol-hyok, Kim Kyong-il and Pak Sung-hyok as absent.
FIFA communications director Nicolas Maingot told a media briefing: "We have no information on this - we have only been contacted on this issue by the media. Our media officer with the Korea DPR who has spoken to their delegation completely deny these rumours."
Netherlands and Japan had their traditional eve of match training sessions moved from the Moses Mabhida World Cup stadium on Friday because of concerns about the playing surface.
"We had a heavy rainstorm last night [Thursday] and we're just taking care of the pitch," said Durban venue manager Bongi Hlope ahead of the Group E clash on Saturday.
Former France captain Zinedine Zidane has criticised coach Raymond Domenech after the 2-0 defeat by Mexico which left Les Bleus on the brink of World Cup elimination.
Highlights - France 0-2 Mexico
Zidane, a member of France's 1998 World Cup-winning team, believes Domenech got his selection wrong by demoting Yoann Gourcuff to the bench, depriving the side of a creative spark.
"The coach made the decision but I don't agree with it," Zidane told Mexican television station Televisa. "I am disappointed because France did not have a single shot on goal and that should be the least to be expected. Mexico were superior to France, especially physically."
Injured England captain Rio Ferdinand has told his team-mates: "You can still win the World Cup."
"We still have a great chance of winning the World Cup," Ferdinand told The Sun. "No team can claim to be the outright favourites. There is no one who scares us. I'm sure we'll beat Algeria. I've played with these players for years and know how good they are."
Former Tottenham manager Osvaldo Ardiles, a World Cup winner with Argentina in 1978, says he wants to be Australia's new national coach.
"Yes, I'm very interested," said Ardiles. "I've always wanted to manage a national team, so it will be great if it happens. I'm sure there's not going to be a shortage of candidates."
Senior Cameroon players have asked coach Paul Le Guen to reconsider his team selection for the Group E match against Denmark on Saturday.
 Defender Song made a substitute appearance against Japan
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Cameroon's players are unhappy because Le Guen omitted seasoned campaigners like defenders Rigobert Song and Geremi and midfielder Alexandre Song from the Japan game, which they lost 1-0.
"What we have seen in recent games, which we think is unfortunate, is that many young fresh players have been introduced into the team at the expense of experienced ones," said midfielder Achille Emana.
United States captain Carlos Bocanegra said his team will not be underestimating Slovenia just because they lack household names.
The former Fulham defender said: "We have some personal experience against these guys. A few play in Germany, a few in France, just because they're not in the Premier League we're still familiar with these guys. We are not going to take them lightly just because some people might not know the names as well."
Netherlands midfielder Nigel de Jong is confident his team can win the World Cup in South Africa.
Ahead of Saturday's Group E clash with Japan, De Jong said: "We just have to deliver this World Cup. We have got enough quality to do it."
Honduras defender Maynor Figueroa is convinced his team can inflict more World Cup misery on Spain when the two sides meet on Monday.
 Honduras suffered a 1-0 loss to Chile in their opening World Cup match
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Switzerland caused the first shock of the tournament when they defeated the European Champions on Wednesday. Wigan's Figueroa said: "This is the beginning, against big rivals, Honduras always grow. The morale of the team is good, I think it is nothing more than the beginning, knowing that against Spain it will be a completely different game."
Kaka is still crucial to Brazil's hopes of a sixth World Cup crown, according to team-mate Robinho. The Real Madrid forward's season has been disrupted by groin and thigh problems and he was replaced by Nilmar in the 78th minute of their 2-1 victory against North Korea on Tuesday.
But Robinho told globoesporte.com: "When Kaka plays well he can decide any game. He is very important to us. I realise that we can all improve in the coming games. It was only the first one and what happened was fairly normal."
Updated throughout the day
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