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Image courtesy of fifa.com

Group A

Group B

Group C

Group D

Group E

Group F

Group G

Group H

The first group to start off the festivities, we can expect a very open competition for the two qualifying spots to the knockout rounds at the end of June.

South Africa

South Africa, have the pressure to perform well as the first African host of the tournament. In the history of the World Cup, no host nation has failed to qualify for knockout stages, so history is on their side.  However, Bafana Bafana also happen to be the lowest ranked hosts in the tournaments history. This, added to their poor showing in the Confederations Cup (they finished fourth, but only because of their group having worse ranked New Zealand and Iraq,) are discouraging signs of their chances.

Everton’s Steven Pienaar is the obvious star of the team, with Orlando Pirates star Teko Modise the domestic leagues poster boy destined for greater things. The decision not to bring  West Ham striker (and the national team’s all time top scorer) Benni McCarthy from his international exile will hurt  the team that often struggles to find the goals needed to win matches.

Mexico

Despite stumbling form under former Coach Sven Goran Eriksson, Mexico managed to qualify for South Africa.  The mentality of the team seems high under new coach Javier Aguirre, despite recent losses to Holland and England in International friendlies. The team is a good combination of stingy defense and fast, technically gifted attack, especially on the flanks. One worry, which referees definitely will take notice of, is their tendency foul early and play dirty.

Mexico’s talent stretches to both ends of the age scale. Former MLS star Cuauhtémoc Blanco will be the oldest outfield player in the tournament at 37. While Arsenal fringe striker Carlos Vela will hold majority of the hopes of the nation on his shoulders at only 21. Galatasaray winger Giovani Dos Santos (also 21) completes the team’s offensive trident, attacking from the left side and supported by Deportivo’s Andres Guardado in left midfield.

Uruguay

Since their second World Cup victory in 1950, Uruguay has adopted the permanent label of underdogs. However, people have learned that you underestimate the legendary garra charrua (Indian fighting spirit) at your own peril. Coach Oscar Washington Taberez claims his team has been placed in a “group of death,” already trying to set the stage for triumph against adversity scenario for his team. With a threatening offense, yet overall prone to alarming inconsistency, Uruguay is one of the few teams that will go to South Africa expecting chilly weather similar to their home, so acclimatization should be quicker for them.

Ajax youngsters Nicolas Lodeiro and Luis Suarez are vital to Uruguay’s campaign. Lodeiro’s midfield creativity has been the team’s central spark since their playoff victory over Costa Rica. As Dutch League Footballer of the Year, Suarez was the only striker in top-flight Europe to outscore Argentine prodigy Lionel Messi, only missing out on the European Golden Boot because of the comparative weakness of the Dutch League. His partnership with veteran Diego Forlan, also on fire with 28 goals and a UEFA cup trophy at Athletico Madridthis season, will be one of the most in form and deadly in the tournament.

France

France goes into the World Cup with arguably as much controversy as they left the last one with. Thierry Henry’s handball assist to edge out a bitterly unlucky Irish team summarizes their lackluster qualification campaign. The tournament will be Coach Raymond Domenech’s swansong, as he is being replaced by Laurent Blanc immediately after the tournament. With the heavy competition for every position except for the keeper, his selection skills need to greatly improve to create a starting 11 that accurately reflects the vast talent of the team. Qualification into the second round should be manageable for this star-studded team considering the competition, but to get any further Les Bleus will have to improve before facing top-tier competition.

Lyon Keeper Hugo Lloris is outstanding enough to firmly hold the goalkeeper position at only 23. Bayern’s Frank Ribery is the closest thing France can call it’s spiritual successor to Zinedine Zidane, and he seems capable of taking on the heavy burden. Having sat out the recent Champions League final due to suspension, he is probably chomping at the bit to impress this summer. If Florent Malouda and Nicholas Anelka can transfer their dominating Chelsea form to the national stage then they should be dangerous. The sudden stomach injury to Real Madrid’s Lassana Diarra will lose France some holding stability in the central midfield.

Overall prediction

Despite their shaky form. France should be able to take the top qualifying position fairly comfortably. How far they can advance after that depends on how quickly they can utilize all their vast talents effectively. The second spot should go to Uruguay, whose attacking prowess should be capable of overcoming the South African and Mexican defenses.  South Africa’s failure to qualify will disappoint their over-expectant local support, but should not dampen the overall excitement of the later stages of the tournament.