Drogba says he’s out of World Cup with broken arm

Didier Drogba told teammate Kolo Toure that he would miss the World Cup after breaking his right arm today in a warmup match.



The 32-year-old Drogba was taken off 15 minutes into Ivory Coast's 2-0 win over Japan after a high challenge by Japan defender Marcus Tulio Tanaka. He was then rushed to a hospital.



Team spokesman Eric Kacou told The Associated Press that it is a fracture in his right arm.



However, Sven-Goran Eriksson says the team hadn't officially ruled its captain out.



Drogba scored 29 goals in 32 Premier League matches this season, helping Chelsea win the title. He also has 45 goals in 70 appearances for his country.



Friday's friendly was the final warmup for Ivory Coast and Japan before they travel to South Africa. The Ivorians open the World Cup on June 15 against Portugal in Port Elizabeth, while Japan begin a day earlier against Cameroon in Bloemfontein.



Meanwhile, Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo is resting at home following an injury that could force him to miss the World Cup.



The AC Milan midfielder injured his left calf muscle in the friendly loss to Mexico on Wednesday and will now sit out the friendly against Switzerland tomorrow.



Pirlo was man of the match in the 2006 World Cup final and took a penalty in the shoot-out victory over France. He also scored Italy's first goal of the tournament, in the 2-0 victory over Ghana.



Also, England captain Rio Ferdinand could also be ruled out of the World Cup after suffering a knee injury in training today.