This summer, 32 teams from around the globe will compete for the biggest prize in the world of soccer in the most watched sporting event in the world. Here’s your guide to all the action from the group stage for the upcoming World Cup in South Africa.
GROUP A: South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France
France is favored to win this group, although it will be far from easy. Mexico always fields a skilled team, and host South Africa will be looking to win in their home country. Legend Thierry Henry is France’s main attacking force, and he will probably be the channel through which France gets most of its goals.
GROUP B: Argentina, Nigeria, South Korea, Greece
Argentina is favored to win this group, although it is by no means a sure thing. Argentina historically has done well in the World Cup, but this year they barely qualified, and they are showing signs of struggling under the coaching of soccer legend Diego Maradona. Nigeria should provide a challenge, although many of their players lack World Cup experience. South Korea, hosts of the 2002 World Cup, have failed to impress on the world stage, although they do have talent in the form of Park Ji Sung, their main attacking threat. Greece, European champions in 2004, may provide an unexpected challenge.
GROUP C: England, United States, Algeria, Slovenia
England is tipped to win this group, although not by a very large margin. With the
likes of Wayne Rooney in the front and Steven Gerrard holding the midfield, England has great talent all over the field. However, the United States is better than ever, getting to the finals of the 2009 Confederations Cup, beating number 1 ranked Spain along the way, but losing to Brazil in a dramatic 3-2 finish. Slovenia qualified by beating Russia in a dramatic final game. The game between the U.S. and England is expected to decide the winner of the group, and anything can happen.
GROUP D: Germany, Australia, Serbia, Ghana
Although this group has been played off as an easy win for the Germans, every game in this group could be easily upset. Serbia had one of the toughest groups in European qualifying, managing to beat France and Romania on their way to qualification. Ghana and Australia both made it past the group stage in the last World Cup, and are both capable of fielding formidable lineups. Look out for a highly contested second place spot.
GROUP E: Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon
The Netherlands take top pick in this group, with the experience and skill of forwards Dirk Kuyt, Klaas Jan Huntelaar, and Robin van Persie. Cameroon is a likely second-Africa’s most successful side have great players in the form of Samuel Eto’o and Alex Song. Denmark, with striker Nicklas Bendtner, has potential, but they will need to play well to beat Cameroon or the Netherlands.
GROUP F: Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand, Slovakia
Italy, winner of the last World Cup in 2006, is expected to again be top contenders this year. Led by captain Fabio Cannavaro and Goalie Gianluigi Buffon, look for them at the top of this group. Paraguay came in third in South American qualifying, coming in ahead of a strong, albeit struggling, Argentina team. New Zealand came in first from Oceania, over Australia, who made it to the round of sixteen in the last World Cup. Slovakia is determined to impress, beating the Czech Republic and Poland to qualify at the top of their group. The Slovaks are competing in their first major international tournament since their formation in 1993.
GROUP G: Brazil, North Korea, Ivory Coast, Portugal
This group should be one of the most exciting, and has been named the “Group of Death” for this tournament. World ranked number two, Brazil holds a record five World Cup titles, and have skill all around the field. Captain Lucio provides solidity in defense, while Kaka, World Player of the Year in 2007, controls the midfield. With such a great team, Brazil is always in discussion to win the tournament. However, they have their work cut out for them if they plan to win this group. The Portuguese, with the current number one ranked player in the world, Cristiano Ronaldo, are fierce competitors, and are attempting to win their first World Cup with arguably their best side in history. However, Ivory Coast has no lack of skill, with forward Didier Drogba and the brothers, Kolo and Yaya Toure. North Korea is a largely unknown quantity, with their team as mysterious as the rest of the country. However, they certainly have a long road ahead if they wish to advance past the group stage.
GROUP H: Spain, Switzerland, Honduras, Chile
Although the Spaniards have never won the World Cup, they are arguably the top contenders this year. They are the current European champions, and from November 2006 until June of last year, they went on a 35 game unbeaten streak, a record only matched by Brazil from 1993 to 1996. Second place, however, is not so clear cut. Switzerland has never gotten past the quarter finals, but have much experience in the group stage. Chile placed second in South American qualifying, right behind Brazil. Honduras is appearing in their first World Cup since 1982, but have been rising through the ranks steadily for quite some time.
These 32 teams certainly vary in skill and experience. However, the World Cup is always a story of upsets and surprises. Whatever happens this summer, it will surely be an exciting tournament to remember.
