South Africa
Coach: Carlos Alberto Parreira Previous appearances: 1998 (1st rd), 2002 (1st rd)
South Africa’s form going into the World Cup has not been great, the best they can hope for is a place in the last 16, but will probably finish 3rd in their group.
Uruguay
Coach: Oscar Washington Tabarez Previous appearances: 1930 (winners), 1950 (winners), 1954 (fourth place), 1962 (first round), 1966 (quarter-finals), 1970 (fourth place), 1974 (first round), 1986 (second round), 1990 (second round), 2002 (first round).
In recent years Uruguay have regularly made it to the World Cup play-offs, they will be hoping to get into the last 16, through Diego Forlan’s impressive form in the Europa league they could achieve this. Are likely to finish 2nd in the group.
Mexico Coach: Javier Aguirre Previous appearances: 1930 (first round), 1950 (first round), 1954 (first round), 1958 (first round), 1962 (first round), 1966 (first round), 1970 (quarter-finals), 1978 (first round), 1986 (quarter-finals), 1994 (second round), 1998 (second round), 2002 (second round), 2006 (second round).
The conditions in South Africa will not be favorable to Mexico, who also had a bad start to their qualifying campaign and sacked Sven Goran Eriksson. Aguirre has bolstered the team since then but are likely to be at the bottom of the group table after the group stages.
France Coach: Raymond Domenech Previous appearances: 1930 (first round), 1934 (first round), 1938 (quarter-finals), 1954 (first round), 1958 (third place), 1966 (first round), 1978 (first round), 1982 (fourth place), 1986 (third place), 1998 (winners), 2002 (first round), 2006 (finalists)
France have had a turbulent qualifying campaign and Domenech is not very popular with the French public. They scraped through the playoffs after the controversial win over Republic of Ireland. Though they have the potential to be top of group A after the group stages.
GROUP B
Argentina Coach: Diego Maradona Previous appearances: 1930 (runners-up), 1934 (first round), 1958 (first round), 1962 (first round), 1966 (quarter-finals), 1974 (second round), 1978 (winners), 1982 (second round), 1986 (winners), 1990 (runners-up), 1994 (second round), 1998 (quarter-finals), 2002 (first round), 2006 (quarter-finals).
The qualifying campaign for Argentina was a nervous affair, Maradona does not look like the most calm of the world cup coaches. You can not write Argentina off though due to the quality of players in the squad, Messi in particular could be the star of the tournament and should finish top of group B.
Nigeria
Coach: Lars Lagerback Previous appearances: 1994 (2nd rd), 1998 (2nd rd), 2002 (1st rd).
Internal ranglings could hamper the progress of Nigeria through the group stages, not as good a team as they once were and are likely to finish 4th in their group.
Greece Coach: Otto Rehhagel Previous appearances: 1994 (1st rd)
The managers defensive approach at Euro 2004 earned them glory. They play in their second World Cup finals, the team is likely to finish 3rd in the group.
Republic of Korea
Coach: Huh Jung-Moo Previous appearances: 1986 (1st rd), 1990 (1st rd), 1994 (1st rd), 1998 (1st rd), 2002 (4th place), 2006 (1st rd)
Should do better at this world cup then in 2006, though unlikely to get as far as in 2002. Their stamina and well drilled performances should see them go second in the group.
GROUP C
England
Coach: Fabio Capello Previous appearances: 1950 (1st rd), 1954 (QF), 1958 (1st rd), 1962 (QF), 1966 (winners), 1970 (QF), 1982 (2nd rd), 1986 (QF), 1990 (semi-finals), 1998 (2nd rd), 2002 (QF), 2006 (QF).
A new found confidence under Capello saw England storm through their qualifying group. They should top the table at the end of the group stage with fairly easy opposition in their group.
USA
Coach: Bob Bradley Previous appearances: 1930 (3rd place), 1934 (1st rd), 1950 (1st rd), 1990 (1st), 1994 (2nd), 1998 (1st rd), 2002 (QF), 2006 (1st rd).
Have got better in recent years, and had a good run in the Confederations Cup. The team posses plenty of decent players and are likely to finish in 2nd place behind England in the group.
Algeria
Coach: Rabah Saadane Previous appearances: 1982 (1st rd), 1986 (1st rd)
Algeria will be a tough side to beat easily, they eliminated Egypt to get to the World Cup Finals and are defensively solid. England and USA are likely to be too much for them though and will probably finish 3rd in the group
Slovenia
Coach: Matjaz Kek Previous appearances: 2002 (1st rd)
Slovenia performed well in the qualifying for the World Cup, they beat Russia in the playoffs to reach the World Cup finals. After the group stages are over Slovenia are likely to finish 4th in the group.
GROUP D
Germany Coach: Joachim Loew Previous appearances: 1934 (3rd place), 1938 (1st rd), 1954 (winners), 1958 (4th place), 1962 (QF), 1966 (runners-up), 1970 (3rd place), 1974 (winners), 1978 (2nd rd), 1982 (runners-up), 1986 (runners-up), 1990 (winners), 1994 (QF), 1998 (QF), 2002
(runners-up), 2006 (3rd place).
Germany’s football team are usually strong contenders when it comes to the World Cup. Injury problems to key players though could be cause for concern but should still manage to top their group table.
Australia
Coach: Pim Verbeek Previous appearances: 1974 (1st rd), 2006 (2nd rd).
Australia were impressive in the last world cup and will hope to repeat the performance this time round. They have a good shot at making the last 16 but will probably finish 3rd in the group.
Serbia
Coach: Raddy Antic Previous appearances : None
The spine of the Serbian team is where the quality lies, Nemanja Vidic, Stankovic and Nikola Zigic, they also did well in the qualifying ahead of France and should get through to the last 16 finishing 2nd in the group.
Ghana
Coach: Milovan Rajevac Previous appearances: 2006 (2nd rd)
Ghana are a solid team and did well at the 2006 world cup, but with Michael Essien out of the world cup this time, its hard to see them get out of the group stage and will probably finish 4th in the group.
GROUP E
Netherlands
Coach: Bert van Marwijk Previous appearances: 1938 (1st rd), 1974 (runners-up), 1978 (runners-up), 1990 (2nd rd), 1994 (QF), 1998 (4th place), 2006 (2nd rd).
The Netherlands cruised through qualifying and usually perform well at world cups, they are in a difficult group but should see there way clear and finish in 1st place after the group stages.
Denmark
Coach: Morten Olsen Previous appearances: 1986 (2nd rd), 1998 (QF), 2002 (2nd rd)
Denmark are not as good a team as they were back in the 80’s. They have a strong defensive line up though and should at least make it into the last 16 and finish 2nd in the group stages.
Cameroon
Coach: Paul Le Guen Previous appearances: 1982 (1st rd), 1990 (QF), 1994 (1st rd), 1998 (1st rd), 2002 (1st rd).
Cameroon were not that great in qualifying and made it into the finals through Tunisia slipping up in the last few matches. There track record in the finals and the quality of the opposition in the group will probably see them finish 4th in the group.
Japan
Coach: Takeshi Okada Previous appearances: 1998 (1st rd), 2002 (2nd rd), 2006 (1st rd)
It was a straightforward qualifying campaign for Japan, who are taking a fairly young squad to the World Cup and have a few players that play in Europe. Will finish 3rd in the group stages though due to the quality of opposition they will face.
GROUP F
Italy Coach: Marcello Lippi Previous appearances: 1934 (winners), 1938 (winners), 1950 (1st rd), 1962 (1st rd), 1966 (1st rd), 1970 (runners-up), 1974 (1st rd, 1978 (1st rd), 1982 (winners), 1986 (2nd rd), 1990 (3rd place), 1994 (runners-up), 1998 (QF), 2002 (2nd rd), 2006 (winners).
Italy have been handed one of the easier groups for the 2010 World Cup and should progress easily to the last 16. They will look to be the first team to complete back to back World Cup final wins since Brazil in 1962. They will top their group in the opening stages of the competition
Paraguay
Coach: Gerardo Martino Previous appearances: 1930 (1st rd), 1950 (1st rd), 1986 (2nd rd), 1998 (2nd rd), 2002 (2nd rd), 2006 (1st rd).
The main battle in Group F is going to be who can finish second, Paraguay are the team most likely to do that. Paraguay are appearing in their 4th World Cup in a row and have a solid defence.
New Zealand Coach: Ricki Herbert Previous appearances: 1982 (1st rd)
New Zealand have qualified for the finals for only the second time and will find it extremely difficult to qualify for the last 16. They could cause the opposition some problems and did produce a shock win over Serbia in the warm up games. New Zealand will finish 4th in the group
Slovakia
Coach: Vladimir Weiss Previous appearances: None.
The winner of the Paraguay and Slovakia game will be the team to progress to the last 16. Unfortunately a lack of World Cup experience and a difficult group for Slovakia will see them finish 3rd in the group.
GROUP G
Brazil Coach: Dunga Previous appearances: 1930 (1st rd), 1934 (1st rd), 1938 (semi-finals), 1950 (runners-up), 1954 (QF), 1958 (winners), 1962 (winners), 1966 (1st rd), 1970 (winners), 1974 (4th place), 1978 (3rd place), 1982 (2nd rd),. 1986 (QF), 1990 (2nd rd), 1994 (winners), 1998 (runners-up), 2002 (winners), 2006 (QF).
Group G is the closest there is to a group of death, Brazil should come out of this group on top though due to the quality of players in the Brazil team.
Cote d’Ivoire
Coach: Sven Goran Eriksson Previous appearances: 2006 (1st rd)
The best African side in the world cup, though being placed in one of the toughest groups wont hope their progression to the last 16, they will finish 3rd in the group unless they beat Portugal.
Portugal
Coach: Carlos Queiroz Previous appearances: 1966 (3rd place), 1986 (1st rd), 2002 (1st rd), 2006 (4th place)
The current Portuguese squad is not as strong as it has been and scraped through qualifying via the playoffs. It will be hard work for Portugal, especially after being placed in the hardest group but should finish 2nd.
Peoples Republic of Korea
Coach: Kim Jong-Hun Previous appearances: 1966 (QF)
They have virtually no chance of getting into the last 16 due to being in a group with Brazil, Portugal and the Ivory Coast. They are a well disciplined side though and will not be a push over for the other teams. They will finish 4th in their group.
Group H
Spain
Coach: Vicente del Bosque Previous appearances: 1934 (QF), 1950 (4thplace), 1962 (1st rd), 1966 (1st rd), 1990 (2nd rd), 1994 (QF), 1998 (1st rd), 2002 (QF), 2006 (2nd rd).
Spain have been given one of the easiest groups in the competition and should have no problem finishing in 1st place after the group stages. They poses the talent to get all the way to the Final
Switzerland Coach: Ottmar Hitzfeld Previous appearances: 1934 (QF), 1938 (QF), 1950 (1st rd), 1954 (QF), 1962 (1st rd), 1966 (1st rd), 1994 (2nd rd), 2006 (2nd rd).
With Spain the favourites to win the group, the battle will be for second place. Switzerland should be the team to go through in 2nd.
Honduras
Coach: Reinaldo Rueda Previous appearances: 1982 (1st rd).
Have got to the finals before but not since 1982. They have a couple of players at the top level but are unlikely to make an impression on the group and will finish in 4th place.
Chile
Coach: Marcelo Bielsa Previous appearances: 1930 (1st rd), 1950 (1st rd), 1962 (1st rd), 1966 (1st rd), 1974 (1st rd), 1982 (first rd), 1998 (1st rd).
Even with the talents of some players in the team, it will be hard for Chile to get out of the group stages of the World Cup Finals and will miss out going through to the last 16 finishing 3rd in the group.
