Terrorism directed at USA-England match

Al Qaeda has put the American and British soccer teams directly in its cross hairs, circulating word online that the athletes are prime targets for an attack at the World Cup Games in South Africa in June, FOXNews.com reported Friday.

The threats from al Qaeda target a range of teams competing at the World Cup, but the June 12 USA vs. England match, scheduled for live broadcast, is the terrorists’ top priority, according to threats published in an online Jihadist magazine.

“The game … is broadcast live. The stadium is full of a Crusader audience while the sound of a blast shocks the stands and turns the stadium on its head. God willing, there will [be] dozens and hundreds of casualties. 50 grams alone are sufficient for such an operation,” reads a post on the online magazine.

The South African Ministry of Police said it was aware of the threats, and the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security said it was providing support as the host country beefs up security in preparation for the tournament.

"Diplomatic Security's Office of Anti-Terrorism Assistance has provided training to the South African Police Service in the run up to the 2010 World Cup," a Diplomatic Security official said in a statement to FoxNews.com.

The jihadist article said al Qaeda will focus on striking countries taking part in the “Zionist-Crusader campaign on Islam,” and it specifically mentioned the American, British, Nigerian, Slovenian, French, German and Italian teams as targets. The jihadist author, Ubada bin Al-Samit, said nothing could be done to prevent the attack.

South African Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa said his force has been preparing for any potential threats since 2004.

Earlier Friday, FIFA Secretary general Jerome Valcke commented on an online magazine article that said "how beautiful" it would be if a bomb exploded at the U.S.-England game.

The comments appeared on a militant online magazine called "Yearners for Paradise," however the author said he is not a spokesman for al-Qaida.