Groups are Now Set for South Africa 2010

Today at Noon the draw for the 2010 FIFA World Cup took place in Johannesburg South Africa. The rest of the world watched in anticipation waiting to see who their favorite teams would be playing, and what where the chances that their team would advance out of the Group Stage. The nations who qualified for the World Cup were organized into four different pots. Pot A featured the eight number one seeds of the tournament, which encompassed the seven nations who had the highest FIFA ranking, and the host nation South Africa. Pot B featured teams from North America, Asia, and Oceania. Pot C contained the remaining African and South American countries. And Pot D contained the remaining European nations. This organization was done to prevent two number-one seeds from playing each other. Also to prevent two or more teams of the same region playing each other. Overall it is a good system to avoid teams playing familiar opponents in the World Cup. All the entrants to the tournament are now going over there chances of who they are playing, and what do they have to do in order to get in. Remember no team has ever won nor lost the World Cup based on the draw they get, but instead on how they do on the field. It may be too early to come up with a World Cup prediction, but I will try anyways. Here is a review of all eight groups of the tournament, and my predictions of who will get in.

Group A: South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France

Group A is very intriguing as none of these teams are inherently above the rest. While South Africa is the host nation, and one most assume that they will perform well in front of their home fans, it is hard to wrap around the idea that South Africa is a serious contender, as they might be one of the weakest host nations in World Cup history. Mexico looked shaky in the beginning of Qualifying but seemed to get it together in the latter rounds. Uruguay is the birth place of the World Cup, and the nation one the tournament's first edition, so it is nice to see them back in the tournament after winning a playoff against Costa Rica. And speaking of Playoffs, we are left with France, who were in the center of the spotlight after qualifying thanks to a Thierry Henry handball, it is not known whether or not Henry will receive repercussions for his actions, but FIFA is considering it.

Prediction: It would be nice to see South Africa do well in their own tournament, but I do not see it happening. RSA's chances will be determined by their first match against Mexico, which I see Mexico winning. In the end I see France winning the group with seven points, and beating out Uruguay for second. Sorry, South Africa but you need to pull of some magic in order to progress. But thanks for hosting.

Group B: Argentina, Nigeria, Republic of Korea, Greece

Diego Maradona struggled in CONMBOL Qualifying, but did end up in fourth as they punched their tickets to South Africa. Now they look like they can run the table in this group. Nigeria is one of the better African nations, and being the first African World Cup, do not be surprised if one of the teams from Africa make a deep run. Nigeria just edged out Tunisia to get into the World Cup, but Nigeria has been to the Round of 16 twice, and won the Silver medal at the Beijing Games in 2008. Korea is one of the better Asian teams as they finished fourth in the World Cup when Korea/Japan hosted the tournament-the best result ever by an Asian team. Korea finished first in their qualifying group, and did so in dominating fashion. The Greeks got into the World Cup on a playoff victory, and are looking to improve over their only other World Cup Appearance in 1994 where they failed to score a goal.

Prediction: Despite struggling in Qualifying the Argentinians, led by Lionel Messi, should win this group as they run the table, however things might prove to be difficult if they lose or draw their first match against a good Nigerian team. Still, I expect Argentina to win the group with 7 points, and on the last day of the group Nigeria gets a draw against Korea, and beats them by a point.

Group C: England, United States, Algeria, Slovenia

Alright, since I am a red-blooded American I have to fight to keep my feelings aside. But this is the AMERICAN Soccer Report so my readers should get the idea on where I stand by now. Looking at this group mouths have to be watering as the English have a favorable draw. England are the clear favorites in this group after controlling their Qualifying group. For the Americans this draw is a drastic improvement over the draw they received in Germany 2006, as it looks like the Americans control their own destiny by winning two winnable matches against Algeria and Slovenia. This is the third World Cup for Algeria, however it was not easy to get to as the Algerians had to win a playoff match against Egypt in order to qualify. In their previous Cups Algeria has failed to make it out of the Group stages. Slovenia is the ultimate Wild Card of this tournament. Slovenia are in their first World Cup as an independent nation after placing second in their Qualifying group. Then Slovenia pulled off an upset of Russia in order to book a spot to South Africa.

Prediction: As a supporter of the USA I have run this group through my head hundreds of times already. Here is how I see it going down. The USA will tuck back and pull out a tough draw against England to start the tournament. Then England will plow through the rest of the group and win the group with seven points. Meanwhile the US will draw against England and Slovenia, and Slovenia will beat Algeria in their first game. Then on the last day of the group England will beat Slovenia to secure advancement, and the US will wax Algeria and beat Slovenia for advancement by a point.

Group D: Germany, Australia, Ghana, Serbia

This group will be an exciting one as each one of these nation's has had good previous runs at the World Cup. Not only is Germany the clear favorite to win this group, but the Germans are also a favorite to win the World Cup after getting Bronze in 2006. Germany was impressive in Qualification winning eight out of ten games. Australia is a strong team that made it to the Round of 16 in 2006. Ghana is another team that not many knew about in 2006, but performed well. Ghana was the surprise African team of the 2006 World Cup, upsetting the Czech Republic and then on the last day the United States in order advance out of group play. Ghana cruised in their qualification group, and are looking for a repeat of the magic in 2006. Serbia is in their first World Cup as an independent nation separate of Montenegro. Serbia qualified for the World Cup by edging out France in their Qualifying Group.

Prediction: It may not be a complete cakewalk but I believe the Germans will win the Group with seven points. Ghana will be competitive in all three games, but will not advance. And Australia will be Ghana on the last day of Group play in order to secure a spot in Round of 16

Group E: Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon

To the casual soccer fan this group may look like a bunch of nobodies. But with a closer look you will fine this will be a really entertaining group. The Dutch are one of the most entertaining teams in the World with their score 5 goals in a game policy, and hope we will only allow 4. The Netherlands dominated their Qualifying group, and are looking like favorite in this group. Denmark won their qualifying group and this is only the nation's fourth World Cup, however in all the ones they have competed in they have progressed through the Group Stages. Japan is the World Cup after finishing second in their group behind Australia. This is Japan's fourth straight World Cup birth, but have yet to win a World Cup game outside their own country. Then comes the African representatives Cameroon. Cameroon leads all African nations in appearances at the World Cup as they are now making their fifth appearance. However only once have they advanced out of the group stages. Cameroon is not a team people should sleep on as the likes of Samuel Eto leading the Green Lions.

Prediction: I do not often predict this but I am going with two sweeps in this group. I see the Netherlands defeating Denmark then Japan. And Cameroon doing the same vise-versa. If this is true then the last day of the group will be inconsequential. So it will the Netherlands and Cameroon moving on to the knockout stages of the competition.

Group F: Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand, Slovakia

This group I believe has the greatest disparity between the best team in the group [Italy], and the worst team in the group [New Zealand]. Italy are the defending World Champions, and are playing like it after winning their Qualifying group with an undefeated record. With most of the players from the 2006 World Cup Champion roster returning for this year's addition of the team, look for the Italians to be a major threat to win the tournament yet again. Paraguay are in the tournament for the eight time, and fourth straight. Paraguay looked sharp in qualifying finishing third in South America. New Zealand won the Oceania Qualification group and beat Bahrain in the playoff. The Kiwis were down right pathetic in the Confederations Cup, and have only been to one World Cup, where they were outscored 10-2. Slovakia are a dangerous team who won their respective Qualifying group, and are looking to make a good impression in their first World Cup Appearance.

Prediction: The two strongest teams in the group play each other first, so I am predicting a draw. New Zealand will serve as an easy three points for the rest of the teams in the group. I have a hard time believing that Italy, the defending World Champions will NOT be in the Knock-out Rounds, so I have them winning the group. Then I believe Paraguay will beat Slovakia and take second in the group.

Group G: Brazil, People's Republic of Korea, Portugal, Ivory Coast

The proclaimed 'Group of Death'. This group features Three teams in the top 16 of the FIFA World Rankings. It really is a group anybody can come out of (providing they are not Korea). Brazil are the Kings of International Football since they have won a record 5 FIFA World Cups., and are the only country to compete in all of the World Cups. Brazil won the South American Qualifying group with ease. Look for Brazil to get their sixth title. North Korea are back in the tournament since their only other run in England 1966, where they advanced to the quarter-finals. North Korea qualified second in their group, behind their Southern counterpart. The Irovy Coast are the most dangerous of all the African nations, as many are picking them to advance all the way to the Semi-Finals. The Ivory Coast coasted (haha. get it) are in their second World Cup, and looking to improve on their 2006 performance. Many are expecting great things from the Ivory Coast, since just about all their players play in Europe, including the skillful Dideir Drogba.

Prediction: Brazil should run through this group with a perfect 3-0 record, meaning the real competition will be the race for second. It will come down to a weakened Portugal side, and the Ivory Coast who will be playing on their home continent. I like the Ivory Coast in the upset and the Ivory Coast and Brazil progressing through.

Group H: Spain, Switzerland, Honduras, Chile

In the last group of the tournament Spain look like the class of the group. Spain went a perfect 10-0 in Qualification, and with the exception to their folly against the United States in the Confederation's Cup, they look unbeatable. This is Spain's 13th World Cup, and they are still looking for their first World crown. The Swiss also won their group, edging Greece by a mere point. The Swiss do not receive a lot of respect in the European Football scene and struggle for everything they get. This is Switzerland's eighth World Cup appearance, and they look to improve on their performance in Germany in 2006 when they advanced to the Round of 16. Honduras qualified for the World Cup in the last seconds of the US-Costa Rica game when the Americans pulled out a draw with Costa Rica. Honduras is the third representative of CONCACAF, a region that does not get a lot of street-cred. The Ticos are looking to improve on their only other Cup appearance in 1982, where they were eliminated in Group Play. Chile is another dangerous South American team, finishing second in South America only a point behind Brazil. This is Chile's eighth World Cup, and first since France 1998 where they advanced to the second round.

Prediction: Spain will probably walk through this group like it is their job, leaving the others to battle for fourth. While I do want Honduras to represent CONCACAF well, I do not think it will happen. That leaves it up between Chile and Switzerland. In that fight I think Chile will beat Switzerland and move on to the knock-out rounds with Spain.

Well there you have it folks. My official preview of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. I will keep up with the build-up to South Africa as we progress closure and closer to the tournament. For now all 32 nations are preparing on the task at hand, getting ready to navigate through this group stage and advancing closure to World Cup glory

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