The tournament in Germany, which kicks off 50 days from Thursday, is also a shop window for stars who don't know where they will be playin

About 25 percent of the world's population is expected to watch Brazil attempt to defend its title and try win its sixth World Cup, while club owners will be in the crowds hoping to snap up a big name player.

Some of the biggest of all may be on the move before the opening match on June 9.

Germany captain Michael Ballack has admitted he is talking with English champion Chelsea and seems likely to disappoint Bayern Munich fans by leaving the Bundesliga.

Thierry Henry won't give Arsenal a decision on his future until the end of a season in which he's trying to help the Gunners win their first Champions League title.

The France striker has been at Arsenal for seven seasons and has been linked with a move to either FC Barcelona or Real Madrid. Ahead of Wednesday's Champions League match against Villarreal, he didn't want to talk about his future even when told that he owed the Arsenal fans an answer.

"Who do I owe, and for what?" he snapped. "Don't you see my commitment on the pitch? I think you can see it. I don't think about the word owe. I owe something to my Dad, who put me on this planet."

According to the British papers, Chelsea striker Hernan Crespo could be leaving Stamford Bridge and returning to Italian soccer.

Chelsea, on the verge of winning the English Premier League for the second season in a row, has the vast wealth of billionaire Russian owner Roman Abramovich to spend. He has already spent more than $532 million as well as underwriting debts of $248 million.

With that sort of wealth, no player appears to be out of Chelsea's range and the English champions could be among the big movers in the World Cup marketplace.

The Blues, who have the ambitious Jose Mourinho as manager, have also been linked with AC Milan striker Andriy Shevchenko, who will be Ukraine's main threat on its World Cup debut in Germany.

Both Shevchenko and Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti have said the Ukrainian is staying at San Siro. But Ancelotti's future at Milan may also be in doubt.

After Tuesday's 1-0 loss to visiting Barcelona in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals, Milan looks likely to miss out on European glory again. It's also trailing Juventus in Serie A.

If that happens, that could lead to a clear-out at Milan and the breakup of a star-studded squad which also has Brazilians Kaka, Dida, Cafu and Serginho -- some of whom will be playing at the World Cup.

The same applies to neighbor Inter Milan and the futures of Brazil striker Adriano, Portugal midfielder Luis Figo and Argentina internationals Javier Zanetti odds and Esteban Cambiasso.

Thirteen points behind Barcelona in the Spanish league, Real Madrid is another powerhouse set to miss out on a major trophy this season and is looking for new talent and a replacement coach. France midfielder Zinedine Zidane could even retire after the World Cup.

Madrid sports director Benito Floro told a radio station Wednesday the club would be interested in signing "a powerful center forward such as Adriano" and a dynamic midfielder such as Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, who will be one of England's leading players at the World Cup.

With speculation that Netherlands striker Ruud van Nistelrooy could be leaving Old Trafford after losing his starting place to Louis Saha, there could be changes at Manchester United, too. The Red Devils, now run by American businessman and Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner Malcolm Glazer, are chasing midfielders rather than strikers, however.

Whatever position a team may need to fill, owners will likely be able to find someone in Germany.

next season.