The Game
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| Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D | Group E | Group F | Group G | Group H |
South AfricaA tough draw for the host nation South Africa, group A sees them take on three very experienced teams at the FIFA World Cup. The hosts failed to qualify for the last tournament, but will be hoping that home support can give them the same sort of push that saw South Korea reach the semi-finals in 2002. The 'Bafana Bafana' as they are known will certainly hope to avoid being the first host nation to fail at the first round. |
MexicoMexico have qualified for every FIFA World Cup since 1994, but in each of those tournaments have fallen at the second round. They will be hoping that the combination of defender and captain Rafael Márquez's experience and the youthful exuberance of attacking players like Arsenal's Carlos Vela will be enough to see them progress further in this tournament. Keep an eye on the brothers Jonathan and Giovani Dos Santos as well, both of whom have come through the famous Barcelona academy. |
UruguayUruguay were the winners of the very first FIFA World Cup in 1930, but have not gone further than the second round since 1970, when they lost in the semi-finals to eventual winners Brazil. Boasting some of European football's top strikers in Ajax Amsterdam's Luis Suárez and Atletico Madrid's Diego Forlán, Uruguay will surely be a threat against any defence. Add in the talents of twenty-one year old playmaker Nicolás Lodeiro, and this is a team that should be entertaining to watch, even if they are ultimately unsuccessful. |
FranceChampions in 1998, France will be hoping to go one better than their second-place finish in 2006. With the likes of Franck Ribéry and Thierry Henry in their squad, they certainly look like having no problems going forward, though questions will be asked of a defence that was exposed badly in the European Championships in 2008. With the wildly unpredictable Raymond Domenech in charge, anything can happen. |
ArgentinaDespite possessing a squad that most other teams can only dream of, Diego Maradona's Argentina struggled in qualifying. Key to any success will be the ability of Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuaín to put aside their club rivalry and form a strong partnership up front. With Maradona's son-in-law Sergio Agüero and Benfica winger Ángel Di María also attacking options, Argentina have the players to unlock any defence. Their problems will almost certainly lie at the other end of the pitch, where Maradona struggled to find a settled backline throughout the qualifying campaign. |
NigeriaNigeria have traditionally been one of Africa's strongest representatives at the FIFA World Cup. First capturing the public's attention with their appearance in the 1994 tournament in the USA, Nigeria have struggled to make much of an impact since then. England fans will remember the dismal 0-0 draw contested by the two teams in the final group stage game in 2002. Their squad includes the second-highest scoring African in Premier League history in Yakubu Aiyegbeni, and he will need to be firing on all cylinders to give the 'Super Eagles' any chance of progressing. |
South KoreaGroup winners in the Asian qualifying section, South Korea are one of Asian football's biggest hopes in the upcoming tournament. The only Asian team ever to reach the semi-finals in 2002, they will be hoping to defy critics this year and progress to at least the second round. The majority of their squad may be based in Asia, but with players like Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-Sung having experience at the very top level of European football, they should not be taken lightly. |
GreeceDespite having only qualified for one previous FIFA World Cup, Greece's shock win at the 2004 European Championships will ensure that other teams treat them with caution. Renowned for a very physical and cautious style of play, Greece will hope that Liverpools Sotirios Kyrgiakos will be the rock at the heart of their defence. At the other end of the pitch, the aerial prowess and physical strength of Angelos Charisteas will challenge any backline. Any teams conceding too many free-kicks around their own penalty area will surely be punished by a team that may not be pretty to watch, but can be incredibly effective. |
EnglandEngland have been transformed under the stewardship of Fabio Capello, and there is understandable optimism about the chances of going all the way in South Africa. In qualifying England finished top of their group, scoring more goals than anyone else in Europe. Questions will be asked as to whether the team is too reliant on Wayne Rooney, but with players like Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard in the team there is no shortage of possible match winners. England will also be boosted by the fact that unlike in recent tournaments, the temperatures in South Africa will be similar to those experienced during the majority of the Premier League season. |
United StatesIn recent years the United States national team has begun to show signs that they can match up with some of the best teams in the world. Last year in the FIFA Confederations Cup they ended Spain's World Record thirty-five match unbeaten run. The pace and power of Jozy Altidore could really stretch opposing defences and captain Carlos Bocanegra will almost certainly be a threat at set-pieces. With Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Tim Howard and several other players currently or recently playing in the Premier League, the opening game of the group between the United States and England could prove to be a feisty affair. |
AlgeriaAlgeria surprised many people by beating reigning African Champions Egypt to qualify ahead of their rivals for this summer's tournament. Their main concern in South Africa will be scoring goals, with none of their current squad having more than twenty international goals to their name. Their tight defence will provide a stiff test for other teams though, with Glasgow Rangers' defender Madjid Bougherra a key figure at the heart of the backline. This is Algeria's first tournament since 1986, and they will be hoping to go beyond the group stage for the first time. |
SloveniaThis is the second time Slovenia have qualified for the FIFA World Cup, and they did so by beating a heavily-fancied Russian team in the play-offs. Their strong defence conceded just six goals in their qualifying campaign, and goalkeeper Samir Handanovic could prove to be one of their most valuable players in South Africa. In midfield, captain Robert Koren is a classy playmaker who has the ability to create something out of nothing. He will be vital if Slovenia are to breach some of the toughest defences in World football. |
GermanyGermany are one of the most successful international teams of all time, having been crowned World Champions on three occasions and finishing as runners up another four times. With a squad that is littered with star names, it is one of the less experienced players who could provide the key for Germany's challenge. With his dribbling and passing ability, twenty-one year old Mesut Özil is one to watch. Playing on the wing or as a central playmaker, he has the vision to cut open the strongest of defences given the chance. Striker Miroslav Klose is the only player in history to have scored five or more goals in two consecutive FIFA World Cups, and he'll be hoping to make it three in a row in South Africa. |
AustraliaAfter a very successful qualifying campaign, Australia will be hoping to escape from a very tough group this summer. Tim Cahill will be looking to carry his goal scoring form for Everton onto the international stage, and Palermo midfielder Mark Bresciano will be another threat to opposition teams. Australia showed in 2006 that they are no pushovers, and will be hopeful that they can battle through to the second round for only the second time in their history. |
SerbiaSerbia are definitely a team who could cause a few surprises in this summer's tournament. With Manchester United's Nemanja Vidic at heart of the defence they will be tough to break down and at the other end of the pitch they can rely on Dejan Stankovic and Miloš Krasic to give any opposition defence a torrid time. They finished top of a qualifying group which contained France, and secured their qualification with a game to spare, beating Romania 5-0 in Belgrade. |
GhanaAlongside the Ivory Coast, Ghana are the African team most likely to mount a serious challenge in South Africa. Their squad features a number of players who were part of the team that won the FIFA Under-20s World Cup in 2009. These youngsters also formed the backbone of the team which finished as runners up in the African Cup of Nations earlier this year. If Michael Essien and Steven Appiah can reform their midfield partnership of four years ago, Ghana will be serious contenders. |
The NetherlandsAlways amongst the favourites at the beginning of a major tournament, The Netherlands have so often fallen short of their true potential. With their squad packed with world class players like Wesley Sneijder, Rafael van der Vaart, Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben, they will be hoping to do much better than they did in 2006. A disappointing tournament in Germany saw them beaten in the second round by Portugal. Dutch teams have often suffered from internal strife and personality clashes, so if Head Coach Bert van Marwijk can keep the peace in the squad then they could go all the way to the final in Johannesburg. |
DenmarkDespite producing some great players, Denmark have never really lived up to their true potential. In 1986 the team was ranked as one of the favourites after beating Uruguay 5-0 and West Germany 3-1 in the group stage. However, they fell at the next hurdle after being beaten 5-1 by Spain. They again made the second round in 2002, going down 3-0 against England. This time around, they will be hoping that the power and aerial ability of Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner will give them a decisive edge and help them progress further than they have in the past. |
JapanBy defeating Uzbekistan 1-0 in October 2009, Japan became the first team outside of the host nation to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Midfielder Keisuke Honda could be one to watch throughout the tournament, and will have a big role to play if Japan want to reach the knockout stages. He was a key part of the CSKA Moscow team that reached the quarter finals of the UEFA Champions League this season, becoming the first Japanese player to reach that stage of the tournament. |
CameroonDespite a poor record in recent tournaments, Cameroon are African football's most successful team. They've qualified six times and reached the quarter finals once. Alexandre Song will be the man hoping to stop Cameroon conceding, whilst at the other end they have one of the deadliest strikers in the tournament in Internazionale's Samuel Eto'o. The three-time African Player of the Year and all time leading goal scorer for Cameroon will be looking to add the FIFA Golden Shoe to his already impressive list of honours and achievements. |
ItalyThe reigning World Champions Italy did not enjoy the smoothest of qualification campaigns. However, when it comes to big tournaments, they are a team you can never ignore. The second most successful team in FIFA World Cup history, they can call on some of the most experienced players in international football. Captain Fabio Cannavaro will be hoping to once again marshal a defence that is traditionally one of the toughest in football to get past and was a key component of their success in the last tournament. Of course, if anyone should penetrate the backline, they will then come up against one of the best goalkeepers in the World in Gianluigi Buffon. |
ParaguayDespite only having a population of just over six million people, Paraguay finished third in the South American qualifying group, just a point behind group winners Brazil and five clear of Argentina in fourth. With Roque Santa Cruz and Óscar Cardozo at their disposal, Paraguay can call on two of the most physically imposing strikers in the competition. Any team wanting to beat Paraguay will have to do their utmost to limit supply to these two forwards, as neither of them will require many chances to score. |
New ZealandNew Zealand beat Bahrain in a play-off to reach the tournament, with a 1-0 win in Wellington enough to send them through. They will be hoping to do better than in their only previous FIFA World Cup appearance in 1982, which saw them lose all three games they played, conceding twelve goals and scoring just two along the way. Goalkeeper Mark Paston was the hero against Bahrain with a crucial penalty save, and he will have to perform again for New Zealand to have any hope of not being humiliated. |
SlovakiaSlovakia clinched their place in their first ever FIFA World Cup with a 1-0 win in Poland, which confirmed them as group winners ahead of Slovenia. In Manchester City midfielder Vladimír Weiss, Slovakia have a player who could be one of the young players of the tournament, certainly one to keep an eye on. Slovakia's hopes will rest largely on the shoulders of defender Martin Škrtel, who will need to be at his best if they have any hope of qualifying for the knockout stages. |
BrazilBrazil are the most successful team in FIFA World Cup history, with five tournament wins to their name. They are also the only team to have appeared in every FIFA World Cup. Under Head Coach and former World Cup winning captain Dunga, Brazil play a different type of game to the Brazilian teams of the past. They are now much more reliable in defence than in previous tournaments, and are ruthless on the counter attack. In Luís Fabiano they have one of the favourites to win the FIFA Golden Shoe award for the tournament's top goal scorer. The Sevilla striker certainly has an outstanding record in international football, having scored twenty five times in thirty six appearances. Not to mention they also have Kaká, Robinho, Nilmar... |
North KoreaThis is only the second time that North Korea have reached the FIFA World Cup finals. On their only previous appearance in the tournament though, they defeated Italy 1-0 and raced to a 3-0 lead against Eusébio's Portugal, only for the shell-shocked Europeans to recover and win 5-3. They may be rank outsiders to get through the 'Group of Death,' but history shows they can't be taken too lightly. |
Ivory CoastIvory Coast may be playing in only their second FIFA World Cup, but they are definitely a team not to be underestimated. Drawn into the 'Group of Death' for the second tournament running, they will be hoping that Sven-Göran Eriksson can guide them into the knockout stages for the very first time. Their squad is full of players with experience playing at the highest level, with Chelsea striker Didier Drogba regarded as one of the best strikers in the competition. In midfield, Barcelona's Yaya Touré and Sevilla's Didier Zokora will form one of the strongest midfield partnerships in the tournament. |
PortugalEven though they have produced a long line of great players, Portugal have never won a major international title. Eusébio, Luís Figo and Rui Costa have all fallen short in big tournaments. Now it is the turn of the 2008 FIFA World Player of the Year, Cristiano Ronaldo. At times Portugal have been criticised for over-relying on the Real Madrid forward, but with the likes of Nani and Simão alongside Ronaldo, Portugal have a forward line that certainly doesnt lack in pace or trickery. Their major concern heading to South Africa will be the fitness of Real Madrid defender Pepe. |
SpainOver the last few years, European Champions Spain have been the outstanding team in international football. Unbeaten for a World Record thirty-five matches between November 2006 and June 2009, which included another World Record of fifteen consecutive wins, they are the obvious favourites for the tournament. They have two of the best strikers around today in David Villa and Fernando Torres, and in midfield there is the Barcelona duo of Xavi and Andrés Iniesta, who at times seem to have the ball under a spell. Look out for the flying winger Jesús Navas as well. With his direct running and pace he will be looking to make his mark on the biggest stage of all. At the back, Spain can call on arguably the best goalkeeper in the World in Iker Casillas, and Barcelona defender Gerard Piqué ensures that this Spanish team can keep out even the most formidable of attacking lineups. |
SwitzerlandAt the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, Switzerland set a new record after they were eliminated in the second round by Ukraine on penalties, becoming the first team to be knocked out of a tournament without conceding a single goal in open play. They will be hoping to bring a similarly strong defence to South Africa, and if their captain and record goal scorer Alexander Frei can find his shooting boots at the other end, Switzerland could cause a few upsets. Their games may not be the most exciting to watch, but they know how to grind out a result. As evidenced by the 0-0 draw in Basel against Israel that sealed their qualification. |
ChileChile made a big impression during the World Cup qualifying campaign, finishing just a point behind group winners Brazil in second place. Coach Marcelo Bielsa has the team playing an attractive brand of attacking football that makes them very pleasing to watch. Their games in qualifying were certainly entertaining; with only three draws in eighteen games they scored thirty-two goals and conceded twenty-two on their way to qualification. In Humberto Suazo they have an extremely powerful striker, and the pace and trickery of Matías Fernández and CSKA Moscow's Mark González will stretch teams to the limit and test any full back. If their 'no matter how many you score we'll score more' approach is to have any success in South Africa then all three players will need to be in top form. Whether they qualify for the knockout stages or not, Chile will almost certainly be one of the most exciting teams to watch in the entire competition. |
HondurasHonduras will be making only their second appearance at the FIFA World Cup, after qualifying behind Mexico and USA. In the 1982 tournament in Spain they achieved credible draws against both Spain and Northern Ireland, but were eliminated after being beaten 1-0 by Yugoslavia. This summer, they go into the tournament with hopes of reaching the second round. Their squad has plenty of experience playing at a high level, with Tottenham Hotspur's Wilson Palacios one of the most effective defensive midfielders in the Premier League. Striker David Suazo is another one to watch, and the Genoa striker certainly has the ability to trouble defences in South Africa |
