The England centre-back had initial reservations after the practice match against Platinum Stars eight days ago, and those concerns have been confirmed to him while watching the tournament.

The West Ham defender feels it has made for "dull" football in general during the opening five days in South Africa.

Upson, hoping to be part of the England side to face Algeria in Cape Town on Friday, said: "We get tired talking about the ball. It's certainly different.

"There is no doubt that people are finding it hard work. You can see that from the games.

"Ourselves, when we played the Platinum Stars, that was incredible. We were a bit higher up than our base in Rustenburg and the ball was flying about and really kicking on.

"You'll notice it in the quality of headed goals or goals from crosses. It's so hard to read.

"There may be defensive errors or strikers missing chances, not making the right contact or getting the right guidance into the goal.

"It can just move about so it makes it interesting. Whether or not the game needed to be made more interesting than it was, I don't know.

"Personally, I don't think it did. The quality with the usual ball is ample for spectators and players, so to tamper with that seems unnecessary."

Upson, who is vying with Michael Dawson and Jamie Carragher to face the Algerians, added: "Because of the ball, people try and keep things safe.

"It ends up as a bit of a dull game of chess instead of hitting long balls and trying to stretch the play. It's difficult.

"Also, with the pitches, when they're wet, the ball really zips on. If it bounces as it comes on to you, it's doubly hard."