Udinese striker Antonio Di Natale admits he is nervous ahead of Italy's World Cup kickoff.

The Azzurri left on an Alitalia flight bound for Johannesburg yesterday evening, as their first match is against Paraguay on Monday.

"I am a little nervous and excited. It's my first World Cup and I hope to do well," said Di Natale.

"We worked really hard in Sestriere, so we'll try to reap the fruits of our labour."