The first match with France is crucial. If Uruguay gets a result, the pressure is off. They can beat South Africa and advance, needing a draw, if anything, from the final match. The goal is to win the group to enter the easier knockout bracket. If they do so, a run to the quarterfinal or even the semifinal is plausible. -The Big Lead

MEXICO
It is time for a new champion!
FIFA Ranking: 17
Odds: 79/1
Chance to Advance: 44%

6/11, 10 a.m.: Mexico vs. South Africa
6/17, 2:30 p.m.: Mexico vs. France
6/22, 10 a.m.: Mexico vs Uruguay

Mexico is a bully. It’s not their style of play or the piss-filled missiles flying in from the Azteca stands. It’s how they behave against certain opponents. They beat bad teams. They lose to good ones. -The Big Lead

Javier Aguirre took over the beleaguered El Tri after former England coach Sven Goran-Eriksson was dumped mid-campaign. Aguirre recalled World Cup vet Cuauhtémoc Blanco and installed Guillermo Ochoa as the starting keeper and immediately settled the side. They went 5-1-1 after he took charge. -Kansas City Star

Anyone who saw their recently friendly defeat against England at Wembley can gauge pretty well Mexico’s core strengths and weaknesses. Good on the ball, technically gifted, vastly able in possession and a team that likes to play a short passing game, Mexico certainly possess the players to be able to play a team off the park. -Just Football

When you sketch out the bracket you see Mexico could match-up with a series of teams against whom they would have decisive advantages through the midfield. The luck of that draw could see Mexico reach their first semifinal. -SB Nation

SOUTH AFRICA
One nation, proudly united under one rainbow
FIFA Ranking: 83
Odds: 169/1
Chance to Advance: 38%

6/11, 10 a.m.: South Africa vs. Mexico
6/16, 2:30 p.m.: South Africa vs. Uruguay
6/22, 10 a.m.: South Africa vs. France

South African has a number of home-based players who look capable of stepping up their games at the World Cup. The locals are making it hard for some Europe-based team members to find spots in the starting lineup. If players like Mphela, Tshabalala and Teko Modise can perform, their days in the South African league also will be numbered. -Soccernet

No host nation has ever failed to make the second round of the World Cup, a factoid that’s become aphorism. South Africa, however, will be the greatest test that cliché. They are not only the weakest nation to have ever hosted the tournament, but they’re also grouped with three capable sides. -SB Nation

Steven Pienaar. Everton’s Player of the Year is going to have to replicate his club form if South Africa are going to get out of a tricky group. He is likely to operate on the wing, but will drift inside to get involved with play, and will be his country’s main creative force. -Just Football

GROUP B

ARGENTINA
Last stop: Glory
FIFA Ranking: 7
Odds: 7.5/1
Chance to Advance: 77%

6/12, 7:30 a.m.: Argentina vs. Nigeria
6/17, 10 a.m.: Argentina vs. South Korea
6/22, 2:30 p.m.: Argentina vs. Greece

You could be forgiven for thinking that Argentina will be favourites to win this summer’s World Cup. After all they can boast five strikers that have 108 league goals this season between them, five players in the Champions League final and the current FIFA World Player of the Year in Lionel Messi. They have also had relatively few injury worries. However, all of that is before you factor in the manager. -Just Football

Messi has a career’s worth of accomplishments at club level—two Champions Leagues, three La Liga titles, a Ballon D’Or—and, scarily, he’s only 22. However, to be truly transcendent, he needs to do it at the World Cup. Pele, Beckenbauer, Maradona and Zidane all took over at least one World Cup. To trump them all, Messi must do the same. -The Big Lead

Diego Maradona doesn’t do tactics, but has lately been sticking to a very conservative game plan; nine players behind the ball and, if we ever get it, hoof it to Messi. -The Guardian

Diego Maradona. Hoo boy. As always, Maradona is the story wherever he goes, and his recent suspension (for telling the press to “suck it and keep on sucking it”) and questionable roster decisions (mocked far more in Europe than they were in Argentina) have made certain his players fade into the background. No matter what happens with this team, all anyone will remember is Maradona. - NYMag

Messi has claimed to have read only one book, Maradona’s autobiography, Yo soy el Diego de la gente (I Am the People’s Diego), but said he didn’t finish it. -SI

Of the 32 teams descending on South Africa, Argentina seems to be the one with the most extensive list of problems. It may be blessed with immense talent, but under Maradona, Argentina has struggled to find any kind of consistency. -SI

[Maradona] demanded the standard toilets in his South Africa suite be replaced with two of “The World’s Best Toilet Seat,” just $449.95. -ESPN

GREECE
Greece is everywhere!
FIFA Ranking: 13
Odds: 339/1
Chance to Advance: 36%

6/12, 10 a.m.: Greece vs. South Korea
6/17, 7:30 a.m.: Greece vs. Nigeria
6/22, 2:30 p.m.: Greece vs. Argentina

Greece isn’t known for its offensive prowess, but Theofanis Gekas led all of UEFA qualification in scoring. -SI

Possibly the most tactically-disciplined national team in Europe, Greece keep a rigid shape and invariably defend en masse, even when supposedly attacking. -SoccerLens

In 2004, Greece shocked the world by winning the European Championship. Its play wasn’t pretty, but it was effective, as “the Pirate Ship” didn’t concede a goal after the opening round. Rehhagel’s squad followed that immense victory by failing to qualify for the 2006 World Cup and subsequently losing all three matches at Euro ‘08. -SI

All Greece’s rivals know that Rehhagel’s team will sit deep and look to Karagounis’ set pieces or the counter-attacking nous of Samaras and Dimitris Salpigidis. Greece hasn’t developed a Plan B since winning Euro 2004. -SoccerNet

NIGERIA
Super Eagles super fan united we stand
FIFA Ranking: 21
Odds: 219/1
Chance to Advance: 57%

6/12, 7:30 a.m.: Nigeria vs. Argentina
6/17, 7:30 a.m.: Nigeria vs. Greece
6/22, 2:30 p.m.: Nigeria vs. South Korea

Nigeria has the basic ingredients to do well in a knockout competition. This squad is tough defensively and has the players who can raise their game up front, provided they got hot. The midfield is a bit one-dimensional. -SI

Russian-born forward Peter Odemwingie is often a handful for defenders with his tricks and pace. Odemwingie caught scouts’ eyes when he scored twice for Lille against AC Milan to advance the French side to the Champions League knockout stages. He scored 23 times for Lille before they cashed in on a $14 million offer from Lokomotiv. -TheBaker

The coaching turmoil — firing tempestuous Shaibu Amodu, sort of Nigeria’s Billy Martin, and replacing him with the Swede — has everyone curious about what’s going to happen with Africa’s most populous, soccer-mad nation. -NYMag

SOUTH KOREA
The shouts of reds, United Republic of Korea
FIFA Ranking: 47
Odds: 409/1
Chance to Advance: 33%

6/12, 10 a.m.: South Korea vs. Greece
6/17, 10 a.m.: South Korea vs. Argentina
6/22, 2:30 p.m.: South Korea vs. Nigeria

By far the most accomplished player in the South Korean side, Park Ji-Sung has been competing against the best in Europe since joining PSV Eindhoven in 2003. Park, 29, led South Korea with five goals in qualification and he’s no stranger to World Cup heroics. Playing for the host country in 2002, Park scored the game-winner against Portugal that eliminated the Portuguese and sent South Korea to the knockout stage for the first time in the nation’s history. -TheBaker

Surrounding Park Ji-Sung in the midfield will be a duo of very talented British-based midfielders, Ki Sung-Yueng and Lee Chung-Yong. Sung-Yueng has been dubbed “The Korean Gerrard” and plays for Celtic. Chung-Yong was signed out of nowhere by Bolton. The duo are known in Korea as “Double Dragon.” -Kansas City Star

The Koreans know as well as any side the importance of squeezing out points in the opening round. South Korea was the only country to amass four group-stage points at Germany 2006 and not advance. Three points in the opener against the Greeks could prove vital with a heavyweight (Argentina) and a team playing in its own region (Nigeria) waiting in the wings. -SI

GROUP C

ENGLAND
Playing with Pride and Glory
FIFA Ranking: 8
Odds: 8/1
Chance to Advance: 85%

6/12, 2:30 p.m.: England vs. United States
6/19, 2:30 p.m.: England vs. Algeria
6/23, 10 a.m.: England vs. Slovenia

We parrot the English media. Why won’t England win the World Cup? Because it’s England. Fatalism is much easier than introspection. It’s better to blame individual failure or nefarious, unsportsmanlike continentals than to admit a flaw in your national ethos. The Premier League is a cosmopolitan plaything for foreigners. English managers, imbued with the anti-intellectual machoism of the past, had a recent spell of 14 years without winning a major trophy. -The Big Lead

There is no doubt that England’s key player in South Africa will be Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney, who is enjoying the form of his life. The master of powerful surging runs and long-range piledrivers has, through penalty-box poaching, upped his goal rate to complete his game and put him on a par with Argentina’s Lionel Messi and his former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo.

Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard are the engines in the Chelsea and Liverpool midfields—box-to-box midfielders who are as adept at tackling and breaking up play at one end of the pitch as they are in setting up and scoring goals at the other end. However, it has proved difficult to incorporate these similar playing styles together in the England midfield. In the past, Lampard has reluctantly reined in his attacking instincts and occupied a more defensive role to support Gerrard’s forward thrusts. -SI

England is not a favorite in this tournament, but the draw places them in the tier just below Brazil and Spain. They are clearly the best team in Group C. Teams that hold possession and pressure in midfield give England problems. Their hardest challenge, the United States, does neither. Nate Silver’s numbers give them an 85.1% chance of advancing. -The Big Lead

Under Capello, England look pretty strong. They’re certainly more organised than before. On the downside, they don’t seem to have a first choice keeper, and when they’re not firing on all cylinders, they can look pretty pedestrian. Players like Lennon, Rooney, and Gerrard will need to hit top form if they want to pull something magnificent out of the bag. -The Spoiler

UNITED STATES
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Victory!
FIFA Ranking: 14
Odds: 99/1
Chance to Advance: 56%

6/12, 2:30 p.m.: United States vs. England
6/18, 10 a.m.: United States vs. Slovenia
6/23, 10 a.m.: United States vs. Algeria

Project 2010. U.S. Soccer wanted to compete for a World Cup by 2010. The project was ambitious, but it never left the think tank. Carlos Quieroz compiled the Q-report in 1998 suggesting the U.S. replicate the European academy system with an U-19 league, closing the professionalism gap. MLS no longer has even a reserve league. A parade of talented young Americans has gone to Europe and, nearly to a man, struggled to adjust. The U.S. Soccer infrastructure is more stable than it was 12 years ago, but has the ceiling been raised? -The Big Lead

As they proved by beating Spain in the Confederations Cup last year, the USA are not to be taken lightly. The team now features a few players of genuine pedigree, and having qualified at the top of their World Cup qualifying group, England would be wise not to get too cocky before kick off. -The Spoiler

Clint Dempsey put in a great year at Fulham despite some injury woes and criticism at home. He’ll most likely play as a withdrawn striker alongside Altidore, much like he did late in matches at the Confederations Cup to good effect. He’s confident, strong in the air, and ready for a breakout tournament. -TheBaker

Is this the tournament where Landon Donovan finally comes of age? After an MVP-caliber season in MLS and a sharp, gritty loan spell with Everton, his form seems to be peaking just in time. -SI

Boasting one of the strongest goalkeeping trios in the tournament, the US will expect to have the upper hand in goal, although the defenders in front of Tim Howard could be the weakest link of the team. -Just Football

Both England and the U.S. should beat Algeria and Slovenia, so this opening match on 6/12 should decide the group winner. The team that wins will likely avoid an awkward second-round meeting with England’s penalty-shootout nemesis, Germany. -SI

The U.S. should resemble England—direct, flat 4-4-2, big guy/speed combo up front, creativity from the wings with two primarily holding midfielders—just not as good of a version. The major difference, besides Rooney, is the defenders. England has Ashley Cole and Glen Johnson who are quick, athletic and cover ground. The U.S. does not. The American defenders are slow, which forces the U.S. to play two defensive midfielders. Even then, U.S. defenders are often caught out. FIFA refs may not be as forgiving with poor tackling as CONCACAF ones. -The Big Lead

SLOVENIA
With eleven brave hearts to the end
FIFA Ranking: 25
Odds: 619/1
Chance to Advance: 37%

6/13, 7:30 a.m.: Slovenia vs. Algeria
6/18, 10 a.m.: Slovenia vs United States
6/23, 10 a.m.: Slovenia vs. England

A relatively young nation, Slovenia was part of Yugoslavia until 1991, when the federation split off and formed its own independent state. Slovenia could pose a problem for its opponents and should not be seen as lightweights in an otherwise light group. After all, the Russians were likely counting their blessings when drawn against Slovenia and will now watch the World Cup from home. -SI

Slovenia’s star striker, Milivoje Novakovic, plays his club soccer for Koln in the Bundesliga. The 6-4 striker scored five goals in qualifying, including both goals in a vital 2-1 win over Slovakia, and has notched 14 international goals in 37 appearances. -SI

The nation has fewer people than Brooklyn, but the team is tough: Someone’s going to get hurt playing these guys. -NYMag

The numbers don’t like Slovenia, but they assume all matches are created equal. They aren’t. The U.S. plays England first. Slovenia plays England last. That’s significant. Pretend England beats the U.S. in the first match and Slovenia beats Algeria. In the second matches, England beats Algeria and the stern Slovenians hold the U.S. to a draw. -The Big Lead

ALGERIA
Star and crescent with one goal: Victory!
FIFA Ranking: 30
Odds: 979/1
Chance to Advance: 23%

6/13, 7:30 a.m.: Algeria vs. Slovenia
6/19, 2:30 p.m.: Algeria vs. England
6/23, 10 a.m.: Algeria vs. United States

Like cocaine and androgyny, Algerian soccer reached its zenith in the 1980s. The North Aricans beat West Germany in the 1982 group stage. Only the infamous Anschluss conspiracy between Germany and Austria kept them from advancing. They qualified again in 1986, and were a point away from qualifying in 1990, before the infamous hate match with Egypt sent things awry.

Algeria travelled to Cairo in Nov. 1989, needing one point to qualify. Egypt won 1-0. Feeling the referee was biased, the Algerian contingent bullied officials after the game. They incited a melee and began throwing pots and plants into the VIP section. Algeria’s greatest star Lakhdar Belloumi punched out the Egyptian team doctor, blinding him in one eye. An Egyptian court convicted and sentenced him to a prison-term in absentia. He could not leave Algeria until April 2009, when Interpol dropped the arrest warrant. -The Big Lead

None will be as important to Algeria’s success as their maestro in the center of midfield Kaini. The Wolfsburg playmaker is Algeria’s creative inspiration, but also can prove frustrating at times when things aren’t going his way. When he’s on his game, Ziani has proven to be as tricky as any center mid playing in Europe today. The concern now is establishing consistency. -TheBaker

What Algeria lacks in talent and World Cup experience, it makes up for in emotion. That pulsating one-game tiebreaker against Egypt bore witness to the team’s — and its rabid fans’ — desire and ambition to assert itself as a North African powerhouse. Then again, every team runs on emotion at the World Cup, and Algeria simply cannot match the talent of its Group C opponents. -SI

GROUP D

GERMANY
On the road to get the Cup!
FIFA Ranking: 6
Odds: 14/1
Chance to Advance: 61%

6/13, 2:30 p.m.: Germany vs. Australia
6/18, 7:30 a.m.: Germany vs. Serbia
6/23, 2:30 p.m.: Germany vs. Ghana

So our captain, Michael Ballack, is out—but this is Germany, and Germany always has loads of experienced players, with winning hardwired into their brains who can slot into the team, right? Well, maybe not this time. This is a ridiculously young squad. After Ballack, our most experienced players are Hans-Jörg Butt, unlikely to be first-choice keeper, out-of-form Miro Klose, and Philipp Lahm, who is 26. Realistically, we’re looking at a semi-final exit to Spain, but then optimism for the next generation in 2014. -The Guardian

Germany was dealt a tough blow with goalkeeper Robert Enke’s suicide last November. Well liked by his teammates, coaches and fans, the likely World Cup starter shocked the nation when he stepped in front of a high-speed train. Enke had suffered through a long battle with depression, and his untimely death left his home nation in a major funk, too. -SI

Bastian Schweinsteiger is a dangerous scorer who usually plays left-wing but could find himself in a more central position to replace the loss of Ballack. -SB Nation

Like most German sides, this one is very physical, and astonishingly organised – hence, they take some beating. That said, with Ballack gone, and not much in the way of experience between the sticks, they could easily come unstuck against some of the bigger teams. -The Spoiler

Every World Cup, it’s the same – non-stop guff about this being the year, followed by an exit with a whimper. -The Guardian

SERBIA
Play with the heart, lead with a smile!
FIFA Ranking: 15
Odds: 69/1
Chance to Advance: 55%

6/13, 10 a.m.: Serbia vs. Ghana
6/18, 7:30 a.m.: Serbia vs. Germany
6/23, 2:30 p.m.: Serbia vs. Australia

Radomir Antic is the only man to coach FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Atlético Madrid, this is his first World Cup team. He also once had to pay 12,000 Euro for calling another coach a “Nazi.” -NYMag

As Franklin Foer theorizes in How Soccer Explains the World, the nationalist fervor surrounding soccer actually helped push the Serbians into the Balkan War—and the White Eagles now are a proud symbol of Serbian independence. Coach Radomir Antić speaks about how his team’s style of play is determined by the “mentality of a nation”, and promises to field a squad focused on attacking.” -SBNation

Strong at the back, and with a few decent attacking options, the Serbs will be counting on Inter’s Dejan Stankovic to control the game from the midfield with some of his wonderful trademark passes. He is affectionately known to some as “Deki”, apparently. -The Spoiler

One of the more popular tournament dark horses, their friendly loss to New Zealand has everyone concerned. -NYMag

AUSTRALIA
Dare to Dream, Advance Australia
FIFA Ranking: 20
Odds: 219/1
Chance to Advance: 37%

6/13, 2:30 p.m.: Australia vs. Germany
6/19, 10 a.m.: Australia vs. Ghana
6/23, 2:30 p.m.: Australia vs. Serbia

In order to qualify for the second round, Australia will need to get a point in their first game against Germany. If the Aussies succumb to defeat against the Germans, the task of making the second round may just be a beyond them. -Just Football

Without a doubt, Australia’s most influential player, midfielder Tim Cahill is everything you want in a midfielder. He’s combative, fantastic in the air, and always seems to have a nose for goal. -TheBaker

The draw for the group stages in South Africa was not kind to the Aussies. Group G may be the ‘Group of Death’, however, Australia’s group is definitely a close second. -The Guardian

GHANA
The hope of Africa
FIFA Ranking: 32
Odds: 209/1
Chance to Advance: 47%

6/13, 10 a.m.: Ghana vs. Serbia
6/19, 10 a.m.: Ghana vs. Australia
6/23, 2:30 p.m.: Ghana vs. Germany

Despite the loss of Michael Essien there’s still a real belief among fans and players that the team can better their 2006 performance and reach the quarter-finals. -The Guardian

Coach Milovan Rajevic took over in 2008. He’s conservative and focused on defensive discipline, as evidenced by Ghana’s qualifying record. He stopped them allowing bad goals, but it has sapped the skill and excitement some of the names on their team sheet suggest. -The Big Lead

Kevin-Prince Boateng came up through the German youth ranks, but couldn’t break into the senior side. So he chose to represent his parents’ homeland (his brother was good enough play for Germany). -TheBaker

Key Match? 6/23 vs. Germany. Scheduling matters in group play. Meeting the toughest team in the final group match is a curse, especially in a competitive group that could still be wide open going into the last day. This game against Die Mannschaft could swing the balance of the entire group, meaning the match’s winner will finish first; the loser will go home. -SI

GROUP E

NETHERLANDS
Don’t Fear the Big Five, Fear the Orange Eleven
FIFA Ranking: 4
Odds: 9/1
Chance to Advance: 76%

6/14, 7:30 a.m.: Netherlands vs. Denmark
6/19, 7:30 a.m.: Netherlands vs. Japan
6/24, 2:30 p.m.: Netherlands vs. Cameroon

The Netherlands on its day combines the flair of Brazil with the discipline of Germany. Its raucous, fun-loving fans, decked almost wholly in Orange, are themselves one of the World Cup’s highlights. What’s not to like? -SI

As attackers go, this team is a real force to be reckoned with, but unfortunately they’re more than a little bit shaky at the back. Their skipper, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, could prove to be something of a weak link if he comes up against a zippy winger or two. The man’s 35-years-old, for heaven’s sake! -The Spoiler

The Netherlands have always relied on their attacking flair and in 2010, the story remains the same as Wesley Sneijder and Robin Van Persie lead a fierce dutch attack. For all their attacking prowess, the nation will start the tournament without the talismanic Arjen Robben who is out of the opening match against Denmark with a hamstring pull. The main question mark for the Oranje will be the suspect goalkeeping of Maarten Stekelenburg. -SBI

Coach Bert van Marwijk has the steely look of Mad Men lothario Roger Sterling. -The Guardian

CAMEROON
The Indomitable Lions Are Back
FIFA Rank: 19
Odds: 129/1
Chance to Advance: 52%

6/14, 10 a.m.: Cameroon vs. Japan
6/19, 2:30 p.m.: Cameroon vs. Denmark
6/24, 2:30 p.m.: Cameroon vs. Netherlands

Since Cameroon’s historic run to the 1990 World Cup quarterfinals (in which it led against England before falling late), the Lions have won just one World Cup game in nine matches. In other words, it’s time for some results. Samuel Eto’o has the power to put this team on his back, but will the midfield have enough creative spark to get him the ball?-SI

Rigobert Song, stripped of the captaincy last year, could become the first player to be sent off in three separate World Cups. -The Guardian

It is testament to the improvements in the infrastructure of the African game that such a strong national side are now only considered the third best team to have qualified from the continent, and many would rank Egypt, who dominate the African Cup of Nations, above Paul Le Guen’s side, despite their failure to qualify. Ghana and the Ivory Coast would have a reasonable chance of winning the Copa America, and surely would get some way into the knockout stages of the European Championships with the right management. There’s no doubt about it—African football is on the up, and Cameroon are a central part to it. -Just Football

DENMARK
All You Need Is a Danish Team and a Dream
FIFA Rank: 36
Odds: 209/1
Chance to Advance: 46%

6/14, 7:30 a.m.: Denmark vs. Netherlands
6/19, 2:30 p.m.: Denmark vs. Cameroon
6/24, 2:30 p.m.: Denmark vs. Japan

No one would confuse the Denmark of 2010 with the “Danish Dynamite” sides of the 1980s. But what “Olsen’s Gang” lacks in artistry, it makes up for in resolve. This was exemplified during the key matches during qualifying, including a magical 3-2 win away to Portugal, when Denmark scored three goals after the 80th minute, including an 88th-minute equalizer and a 92nd-minute winner. It also earned gutsy 1-0 wins against bitter rival Sweden. The away fixture, in particular, stands out as the quintessential Danish result — an early goal followed by a long, staunch resistance. -SI

Officially the happiest people in the world, the Danes don’t really do conflict, taking their lead from their fans, the “roligans” (rolig meaning calm). They’ve been compared to the Tartan Army, except their trips to World Cups invariably last longer than three matches. -The Guardian

Denmark is led by Morten Olsen, the longest tenured manager at the World Cup having served for ten years as the Danes coach. The Danes may not have global superstars on their team, but are a disciplined unit led by a tenacious midfield. -Soccer By Ives

JAPAN
The Samurai spirit never dies! Victory for Japan!
FIFA Rank: 45
Odds: 939/1
Chance to Advance: 26%

6/14, 10 a.m.: Japan vs. Cameroon
6/19, 7:30 a.m.: Japan vs. Netherlands
6/24, 2:30 p.m.: Japan vs. Denmark

Japan has become a World Cup fixture in the past decade, with South Africa 2010 representing its fourth straight finals appearance. Yet the Blue Samurai have never won a World Cup game on foreign turf: Its two group-stage wins came on home soil during the 2002 finals. -ESPN

Shunsuke Nakamura or “Super Naka” is possibly the only player at the World Cup with an asteroid named in his honour (29986 Shunsuke for telescope enthusiasts). He left Celtic for Espanyol last summer but in February headed home to Yokohama Marinos and the J-League. -The Guardian

For the Blue Samurai to get out of one of the deepest groups, the nation’s often questionable defense anchored by captain Yuji Nakazawa must be able to shut down the prominent offenses of their opponents. With a complete defensive performance, Japan’s speedy wingers may be able to stretch defenses and steal a result. -Soccer By Ives

GROUP F

ITALY
Italian Azzurro on African sky
FIFA Ranking: 5
Odds: 16/1
Chance to Advance: 83%

6/14, 2:30 p.m.: Italy vs. Paraguay
6/20, 10 a.m.: Italy vs. New Zealand
6/24, 10 a.m.: Italy vs. Slovakia

Seven of the starting line-up that won the 2006 World Cup were in this year’s provisional squad. Marcello Lippi’s loyalty is understandable but some veterans, like Rino Gattuso, are on the wane and Fabio Cannavaro will retire from international football after the finals…Coach Marcello Lippi has switched between 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-2-1 in qualification with Andrea Pirlo never straying from a postage stamp-sized square of turf in front of Fabio Cannavaro and spraying long passes. The full-backs provide width and much rides on Alberto Gilardino, having finally seen off Christian Vieri, Filippo Inzaghi and Luca Toni, continuing his scoring streak. -The Guardian

Goalkeeper Gigi Buffon is one of the very best in the world, possibly one of the greatest ever. Four years ago he was instrumental to the Azzurri’s success, conceding just two goals in the entire tournament, one of them a penalty kick, the other Cristian Zaccardo’s bizzarre own goal against the USA. He’s the kind of keeper who can get hot and carry a team. -SI

Buffon will be as essential as ever in goal, but what Italy really need to win the World Cup is goals. Without Toni or Del Piero in the squad, much weight will hang on the shoulders of Alberto Gilardino, their top scorer in the group stages, which included a rather impressive 13 minute hat-trick against Cyprus. His Golden Boot odds are currently 49/1 on Betfair. -The Spoiler

PARAGUAY
The Guarani lion roars in South Africa!
FIFA Ranking: 30
Odds: 119/1
Chance to Advance: 76%

6/14, 2:30 p.m.: Paraguay vs. Italy
6/20, 7:30 a.m.: Paraguay vs. Slovakia
6/24, 10 a.m.: Paraguay vs. New Zealand

Salvador Cabanas, one of the team’s top strikers, was shot in the head in January and almost still made the squad. -NYMag

Deep, dogged defense is part of the DNA of the Paraguayan game. So coach Gerardo Martino developed a side that could play both ways—either pushing forward, keeping the opposition under pressure or soaking up the opponent’s attacks and playing on the break. -SI

Like salmonella in eggs, they’re usually there but rarely do much damage. This is Paraguay’s eighth finals appearance but they have never got beyond the second round—although in 1998 they were within seconds of a penalty shoot-out against the eventual champions, France, before Laurent Blanc’s dramatic extra-time decider. -The Guardian

SLOVAKIA
Shake the green field: Go Slovakia!
FIFA Ranking: 38
Odds: 499/1
Chance to Advance: 32%

6/15, 7:30 a.m.: Slovakia vs. New Zealand
6/20, 7:30 a.m.: Slovakia vs. Parguay
6/24, 10 a.m.: Slovakia vs. Italy

Slovakia want to give their fans a bit of magic. The World Cup is always a time of renewed nationalism and support of a nation, but when a country first qualifies as an independent entity, the squad experiences a bit more pressure to perform well. The team realizes that all of Slovakia rejoiced when they qualified for South Africa, and they’re heading to the cup believing that they can again make their country proud. -SB Nation

Marek Hamšík is the star of the team, the current Slovakian Footballer of the Year, and will captain the team should Ján Novák not start. One of the most coveted attacking midfielders in the game will look to influence things either from the left or an advanced central role, and is a threat from set pieces. Pace and tricky is provided wide by youngsters Vladimir Weiss Jr and Miroslav Stoch, whilst Róbert Vittekand Stanislav Šesták should lead the line. On their day they can be a match for most teams, and have all the assets to put together a strong counter-attacking unit against stronger sides. -Just Football

Slovakia is short on star quality and long on teamwork. Coach Vladimir Weiss has instilled a little-engine-that-could type of self-belief, which is something you can do when you have a core of youngsters. Apart from fullbacks Marek Cech and Radoslav Zabavnik, the oldest player in midfield or defense is Skrtel, who is 25. The good news is that you feel these players would run through a wall for Weiss (and, indeed, Slovakia was well-drilled and consistent during qualifying). The bad news is that experience is short on the ground. -SI

NEW ZEALAND
Kickin’ it Kiwi style
FIFA Rank: 78
Odds: 999/1
Chance to Advance: 8%

6/15, 7:30 a.m.: New Zealand vs. Slovakia
6/20, 10 a.m.: New Zealand vs. Italy
6/24, 10 a.m.: New Zealand vs. Paraguay

The Kiwis are in the tournament for the first time since their World Cup debut in 1982, when current coach Ricki Herbert played. Ranked No. 78 in the world (as of late April), New Zealand is seeking the first World Cup points in team history, and a win or draw, even in relatively weak Group F, would be a surprise. -USA Today

Everyone’s pretty stunned that New Zealand actually qualified, and much of it is thanks to the country’s own Herbert, who took over the team in 2005. He has very rarely coached outside his own country and is considered one of the least experienced coaches in the Cup. -NYMag

The Kiwis don’t boast many world-class talents—only Nelsen and 18-year-old Chris Wood play in one of the world’s top eight leagues—but they’re a massive bunch. The 11 players that took the pitch against Bahrain averaged around 6-foot-1 in height. This bruising style of play could come in handy during the first World Cup held in the winter of the Southern Hemisphere since ‘78, especially considering all three of New Zealand’s group matches will take place at altitude. -SI

GROUP G

BRAZIL
The whole of Brazil is in here!
FIFA Rank: 1
Odds: 5/1
Chance to Advance: 87%

6/15, 2:30 p.m.: Brazil vs. North Korea
6/20, 2:30 p.m.: Brazil vs. Ivory Coast
6/25, 10 a.m.: Brazil vs. Portugal

If the World Cup were to consist of some kind of football monarchy, then Brazil would be king. They’ve been to all of them, and they’ve won five (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002), making them the most successful team in the competition’s history. They qualified as the best from South America, although they are featured alongside Portugal and the Ivory Coast in the terrifying Group of Death. -The Spoiler

Notwithstanding the ‘08 Summer Olympics, Brazil has won everything in its grasp since Dunga took over with a mission to renew the side and implement a firm team-over-stars philosophy. Winner of the ‘07 Copa América and the ‘09 Confederations Cup, as well as being South America’s top team in qualification, the Seleção goes to South Africa with high hopes of World Cup title No. 6.

Confidence is high, and the Brazilians believe in what they’re doing. With physical and mental strength, solid depth and world-class players in key positions, it’ll take a mighty effort to stop them. They’re particularly dangerous on the counterattack, and have a range of options from set pieces, with excellent delivery into the penalty area and a phalanx of giant players attacking the ball in the air. -SI

This Brazil team is steadfast and unshakeable, but sometimes in soccer you need a dose of the spectacular. The one truly top-class player Brazil have going forward is Kaka. He’s coming off an unexpectedly poor first season at Real Madrid and a groin injury. Though playing in his third World Cup, he has never had to be “the man” for the national team. Brazil no longer has a Ronaldo-type scorer to bail them out with a goal against the run of play. If Kaka can’t raise his game to peak AC Milan level when Brazil sputters, a team could beat them. -The Big Lead

And to those calling upon Brazil to return to Joga Bonito -The Beautiful Game -The response comes in a single word: Ronaldinho. His time has passed, Dunga said. Brazil’s president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has lamented that his country left out Ronny, the smiling creative player whose form playing for A.C. Milan recaptured some of his former zest. Ronaldinho has the experience of winning the World Cup, in South Korea/Japan eight years ago, but of losing it in Germany in 2006. -New York Times

PORTUGAL
One dream, one purpose…Portugal victorious!
FIFA Rank: 3
Odds: 33/1
Chance to Advance: 59%

6/15, 10 a.m.: Portugal vs. Ivory Coast
6/21, 7:30 a.m.: Portugal vs. North Korea
6/25, 10 a.m.: Portugal vs. Brazil

Can Europe’s most attractive team show that they have more than just fancy passing and magazine cover boys and actually make some waves? -Kansas City Star

Portugal took the long way round to South Africa, coming close to elimination in qualifying (imagine a World Cup without Christiano Ronaldo, marketing men everywhere were holding their breath), largely because of an inability to convert chances. Naturalizing Liedson in August 2009 helped address some of those problems, but this remains a team short on cutting edge — unless, of course, Ronaldo decides to carry the team on his back offensively, something he’s more than capable of doing. -SI

From tee to green they are inch perfect but the putter continues to be their downfall as they persist with their traditional formation of a lone non-goalscoring striker. They’re not short on skilful players who, like the greenside hollers for Tiger Woods’ ball, endeavour to “get in the hole”, but Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani and Simão aren’t always able to make up the shortfall of goals. -The Guardian

IVORY COAST
Elephants, let’s fight for victory
FIFA Rank: 27
Odds: 69/1
Chance to Advance: 49%

6/15, 10 a.m.: Ivory Coast vs. Portugal
6/20, 2:30 p.m.: Ivory Coast vs. Brazil
6/25, 10 a.m.: Ivory Coast vs. North Korea

Didier Drogba rejoined his Ivory Coast teammates at their Alpine training camp Monday with a cast protecting his broken right arm. Team spokesman Eric Kacou said Monday it’s not known when Drogba can resume training after the squad arrives in South Africa on Thursday, or if he will play at the World Cup. -AP

Such is the stature of Didier Drogba that, in the Ivorian locker room, even his kit is revered; the rumors say that no one, not even fellow players, will touch the Chelsea star’s gear out of respect. Not only is Drogba one of the world’s best and fastest marksmen, but the striker and Ivorian captain is also fiercely loyal to his national team. Coming from a deep position, Drogba outmuscles and outpaces defenders, but he’s also adroit at meeting a cross with his feet or, as he showed against Ghana in the African Cup of Nations group stage, with his head. -SI

Ivory Coast is the best African team in the tournament. They were a sexy sleeper pick. Many believed, with the home-continent advantage, the Elephants could be the first African team to lift the trophy or at least mount a serious campaign. Without Drogba, it doesn’t seem feasible. Considering the Ivorians would have had to fight through a group with Portugal and Brazil and then likely have to beat Spain, Italy and Germany or Argentina in succession to reach the final, it probably never was. -The Big Lead

Divided by a north-south civil war since 2002, the national team, known as the Elephants, is made up of a mix of players from different ethnic and religious groups. With all eyes on the World Cup, the team has bonded the country, with the various factions putting down their weapons and respecting a cease-fire. -MSNBC

NORTH KOREA
1966 again! Victory for DPR of Korea!
FIFA Rank: 106
Odds: 999/1
Chance to Advance: 5%

6/15, 2:30 p.m.: North Korea vs. Brazil
6/21, 7:30 a.m.: North Korea vs. Portugal
6/25, 10 a.m.: North Korea vs. Ivory Coast

Because of the charming, short-stalked Kim Jong-Il, the North Korean people, thanks to the state-run media, will only receive results from the World Cup if its team wins. In the Group of Death, expect a full news blackout. -NYMag

Unfortunately a Leaders of the Free World v Axis of Evil clash against the USA could only take place in the final. A meeting with South Korea could prove a feisty affair. In response to the torpedoing of a South Korean battleship, Seoul has decided not to broadcast the World Cup in the North. An eye for an eye, and all that. -The Guardian

Their game is heavily based on defence, with congestion, organisation, teamwork and awkwardness far overwhelming flair with goals often the result of a swift counter-attack. Although they sunk nine aggregate goals past Mongolia in the first round of qualifying, the two subsequent group stages saw them score eleven goals and concede just five times across the remaining fourteen games. Such tactics didn’t always endear them to the opposition. “I don’t like the way they play,” complained Iran and Osasuna midfielder Javid Nekounam. “Anyhow, we will beat them again.” -Just Football

GROUP H

SPAIN
Hope is my road, victory my destiny
FIFA Rank: 2
Odds: 4/1
Chance to Advance: 86%

6/16, 10 a.m.: Spain vs. Switzerland
6/21, 2:30 p.m.: Spain vs. Honduras
6/25, 2:30 p.m.: Spain vs. Chile

The Spanish enter the World Cup as favorites for the first time in history. They have the best starting eleven and best 23-man squad. They have been the best team in the world for two years. Spain fans would have been happy to avoid embarrassment in 2006. In 2010, anything other than outright victory would disappoint. -The Big Lead

Spain have won 45, and lost only one, of their last 48 games. A team at the peak of their powers, they underlined their status as World Cup favourites with an effortless 6-0 demolition of Poland in their final warm-up game on Tuesday. -BBC

Some things never change for Spain. A quick glance up and down the roster of La Furia Roja r eals, yet again, an all-star team of some of the best talent in the game. In goal as usual is veteran Iker Casillas, who nearly won the 2008 European Championship title on his own with one sensational performance after another. The man Real Madrid fans call “San Iker” is appearing in his third World Cup and, impossibly, has become the second-most-capped keeper in Spanish national-team history at age 28. With apologies to Brazil’s Júlio César, Casillas is arguably the finest keeper in the world. Not bad for a stopper who isn’t even 6 feet tall. -SI

Spain will reportedly receive the most money out of all 32 World Cup teams if it wins the World Cup, and several Spanish political parties are unhappy at the figure with the country facing an economic crisis. The Spanish media said each player could earn 600,000 euros ($734,000) for winning the title, and collect 120,000 euros ($144,000) just for reaching the July 11 final. -USA Today

CHILE
Red is the blood of my heart, Chile will be champion
FIFA Rank: 15
Odds: 84/1
Chance to Advance: 60%

6/16, 7:30 a.m.: Chile vs. Honduras
6/21, 10 a.m.: Chile vs. Switzerland
6/25, 2:30 p.m.: Chile vs. Spain

Since the last World Cup — for which the Chileans did not qualify -The entire Chilean team has been restructured and remodeled after an incident involving “lewd groping” by the team during the 2007 Copa America. -NYMag

When the Chileans are clicking, they’re a joy to watch, with lots of quick passing and aggressive intentions. It’s surely a good sign that in qualifying they won more games on the road than anyone else in the continent. -SI

This year’s squad faces the tall order of earning the first win in an overseas World Cup since 1950. Besides the four victories in the 1962 Cup, played in Chile, the mapochinos have known nothing but ties and losses in England, Germany, Spain and lastly, France ‘98. At the helm, the Chileans have a man also wanting to even his own World Cup scorecard. Last time Argentine-born Marcelo Bielsa led a team to the World Cup, it was his own country’s. Heavily favored to go far in the 2002 Cup, Bielsa’s team instead was shown the door in the first round. -Examiner

No-nonsense defender Pablo Contreras was banned for 20 games for an alcohol-fuelled incident at the team hotel in 2007. He was allowed back after 10 having signed a letter of apology. He holds a Spanish passport, replacing the fake Italian passport he received a two-year ban for in 2000 while with Monaco. -The Guardian

SWITZERLAND
Hopp Schwiiz! C’mon Switzerland!
FIFA Rank: 26
Odds: 450/1
Chance to Advance: 25%

6/16, 10 a.m.: Switzerland vs. Spain
6/21, 10 a.m.: Switzerland vs. Chile
6/25, 2:30 p.m.: Switzerland vs. Honduras

The Swiss have qualified for the last four major tournaments, playing a style that is unquestionably Swiss. They have no time for flamboyance or artistry. They are industrious, defensive and perhaps too cognizant of potential disasters. Switzerland have insufficient talent and ambition to maraud their way through the tournament, but well-drilled, cohesive and orderly, they will be hard to break down. -The Big Lead

“The Curse of the Captain” struck again Wednesday when Switzerland’s captain, striker Alex Frei, injured his right ankle in a training session just hours before the team’s scheduled departure for South Africa. Swiss manager Ottmar Hitzfeld said Mr. Frei’s availability for at least the first match against Spain on Wednesday is in doubt. Mr. Frei joins other notable captains such as Ivory Coast’s Didier Drogba, England’s Rio Ferdinand, Germany’s Michael Ballack and Ghana’s Michael Essien, who have sustained injuries before things kick off in South Africa on Friday. -Wall Street Journal

Stephan Lichtsteiner, dubbed Forrest Gump for the boundless energy he shows when running from right-back for Lazio, has a growing reputation for losing his rag, seen best during an exchange of head-butts with Roma’s Christian Panucci during a Rome derby last season. Bet on the 26-year-old getting sent off. -The Guardian

HONDURAS
One country, one passion, five stars in the heart
FIFA Rank: 40
Odds: 999/1
Chance to Advance: 29%

6/16, 7:30 a.m.: Honduras vs. Chile
6/21, 2:30 p.m.: Honduras vs. Spain
6/25, 2:30 p.m.: Honduras vs. Switzerland

Honduras makes its first World Cup appearance since 1982, but don’t underestimatelos Catrachos, who boast a half-dozen players making their livings in England and Italy. Unlike most Central American teams, Honduras has its fair share of elite-level athleticism, personified in Wilson Palacios, the 25-year-old midfield vacuum for England’s Tottenham Hotspur. Palacios won’t be intimidated by the Catrachos’ group-stage foes (Chile, Spain and Switzerland), not least because he goes up against the best attackers in the world each week in the Premier League. Just don’t ask him to score goals — his shot is, frankly, brutal. -SI

The charismatic Carlos Pavón finished as top scorer in the Concacaf group with seven goals and was somewhat improbably voted the most popular player in the world in an online poll conducted by Fifa. Made his international debut in 1993 and is comfortably their all-time top scorer. -The Guardian

Honduras is another team that is difficult to get a handle on, as it rarely plays important matches outside of its confederation. Its schedule of tuneups has been less than rigorous, for instance, as just one of the eight friendly matches scheduled between qualifying in October and the World Cup was against another World Cup qualifier; that opponent was the United States, whom Honduras beat 3-1 in January in a friendly in California. -Nate Silver

The Honduran government has approved a work schedule that allows 200,000 public employees time off the job to watch their country play in the World Cup. The government has urged private enterprises to do the same. Africo Madrid, the minister in charge of the changes, said employees would not have to begin work until 10.00am on 6/16 when Honduras play Chile in their opening game. -The Original Winger