World Cup 2010 Team Guide
Your in-depth guide to the 32 teams participating in the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa.
Your in-depth guide to the 32 teams participating in the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa.
GROUP A
SOUTH AFRICACoach: Carlos Alberto Parreira
Star player: Steven Pienaar
Previous appearances: 1998 (first round), 2002 (first round)
Chances: 'Bafana Bafana' need to ride the wave of enthusiasm that is sure to greet their World Cup hosting because their form in the build-up has been pretty dire, with Parreira returning to the post after compatriot Joel Santana failed to convince. A last-16 berth is surely the best they can hope for.
MEXICO Coach: Javier Aguirre
Star player: Andres Guardado
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).
Chances: Aguirre revived El Tricolor's qualifying campaign after the disastrous reign of Sven-Goran Eriksson, but they have never been beyond the second round outside Mexico, and the conditions in South Africa are hardly likely to be conducive to them changing that statistic.
URUGUAY Coach: Oscar Washington Tabarez
Star player: Diego Forlan
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).
Chances: World Cup play-off regulars in recent years, Uruguay will be tough opponents for anyone and will be targeting a place in the last 16 though a revitalised Mexico and group 'big guns' France will be favourites to progress.
FRANCECoach: Raymond Domenech
Star player: Franck Ribery
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)
Chances: Struggled through qualifying and secured their place thanks to Thierry Henry's handball in the play-off victory against the Republic of Ireland. Coach Domenech continues to make mystifying tactical decisions and it remains to be seen whether the undoubted strength of France's squad is enough to overcome that handicap. On the face of it. the last 16 might be their limit this time.
GROUP B
ARGENTINACoach: Diego Maradona
Star player: Lionel Messi
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).
Chances: Qualification was a bumpy ride in the extreme and included a 6-1 hammering by Bolivia, but if Maradona can get the balance right between motivator and tactician then Argentina are equipped to reach the semi-finals, or even win it.
SOUTH KOREACoach: Huh Jung-Moo
Star player: Park Ji-Sung
Previous appearances: 1986 (first round), 1990 (first round), 1994 (first round), 1998 (first round), 2002 (fourth place), 2006 (first round)
Chances: Better equipped to progress from the group phase this time around than in Germany. They are usually physically very well drilled and that stamina should stand them in good stead in the heat of competition.
NIGERIA Coach: Shaibu Amodu
Star player: John Obi Mikel
Previous appearances: 1994 (second round), 1998 (second round), 2002 (first round).
Chances: Internal strife could be the greatest threat to the Super Eagles' hopes, with Amodu expected to be dumped before the finals in favour of a foreign coach. Unlikely to reach the last 16.
GREECE Coach: Otto Rehhagel
Star player: Theofanis Gekas
Previous appearances: 1994 (first round)
Chances: Rehhagel's super-defensive tactics astonishingly prevailed in the 2004 European Championships and they secured their second World Cup finals place by beating Ukraine in a play-off. A no-thrills passage to the last 16 is a possibility given the relatively tame draw but they are surely too one-dimensional to go any further.
GROUP C
ENGLANDCoach: Fabio Capello
Star player: Wayne Rooney
Previous appearances: 1950 (first round), 1954 (quarter-finals), 1958 (first round), 1962 (quarter-finals), 1966 (winners), 1970 (quarter-finals), 1982 (second round), 1986 (quarter-finals), 1990 (semi-finals), 1998 (second round), 2002 (quarter-finals), 2006 (quarter-finals).
Chances: Stormed through qualification under Capello, whose winning pedigree in club football suggests a more ruthless and focused England are a good bet for at least a semi-final place. An easy draw threw up a straight-forward group but in the first knockout stage a showdown with Germany, Australia, Ghana or Serbia beckons.
UNITED STATESCoach: Bob Bradley
Star player: Landon Donovan
Previous appearances: 1930 (third place), 1934 (first round), 1950 (first round), 1990 (first round), 1994 (second round), 1998 (first round), 2002 (quarter-finals), 2006 (first round).
Chances: Performed well in the Confederations Cup and Bradley's side possess plenty of players with top-level experience in England and Germany. They would be disappointed not to make it to the last eight.
ALGERIACoach: Rabah Saadane
Star player: Karim Ziani
Previous appearances: 1982 (first round), 1986 (first round)
Chances: Qualifiers for the third time after eliminating Africa's continental champions Egypt, Saadane's men are defensively solid and are unlikely to be on the end of any thrashings in South Africa.That said, qualification for the last 16 looks too much to ask.
SLOVENIA Coach: Matjaz Kek
Star player: Robert Koren
Previous appearances: 2002 (first round)
Chances: Stunned Russia in the play-offs to progress but surely the USA and England will bar their path to the last 16.
GROUP D
GERMANYCoach: Joachim Low
Star player: Michael Ballack
Previous appearances: 1934 (third place), 1938 (first round), 1954 (winners), 1958 (fourth place), 1962 (quarter-finals), 1966 (runners-up), 1970 (third place), 1974 (winners), 1978 (second round), 1982 (runners-up), 1986 (runners-up), 1990 (winners), 1994 (quarter-finals), 1998 (quarter-finals), 2002 (runners-up), 2006 (third place).
Chances: Perennial strong performers in tournaments, Low's side are sure to be contenders again in South Africa. If the likes of Ballack, Miroslav Klose and Mario Gomez click then a quarter-final spot could be the very least they could expect.
AUSTRALIA Coach: Pim Verbeek
Star player: Tim Cahill
Previous appearances: 1974 (first round), 2006 (second round).
Chances: Impressive under Guus Hiddink at the 2006 finals, they will believe they have a good chance to at least match their run to the last 16 in South Africa but the group stage draw will have caused some consternation.
GHANA Coach: Milovan Rajevac
Star player: Michael Essien
Previous appearances: 2006 (second round)
Chances: The Black Stars are a sound unit with their top stars playing at the very highest level in Europe. A repeat of their 2006 success would be an excellent achievement, though, especially after a tough draw.
SERBIACoach: Raddy Antic
Star player: Dejan Stankovic
Previous appearances: None.
Chances: Qualified ahead of France and with quality through the spine of the team in the shape of Nemanja Vidic, Stankovic and the giant Nikola Zigic up front, they would be a good bet for a last-16 place, and possibly a quarter-final.
GROUP E
HOLLANDCoach: Bert van Marwijk
Star player: Wesley Sneijder
Previous appearances: 1938 (first round), 1974 (runners-up), 1978 (runners-up), 1990 (second round), 1994 (quarter-finals), 1998 (fourth place), 2006 (second round)
Chances: The Oranje made light work of qualification and some brilliant displays at Euro 2008 - including a comprehensive 3-0 win over world champions Italy - underlined once again that they can beat anyone on their day. The question, as ever, is consistency. A last-eight place would surely be the minimum goal.
JAPAN Coach: Takeshi Okada
Star player: Shunsuke Nakamura
Previous appearances: 1998 (first round), 2002 (second round), 2006 (first round)
Chances: Qualified without too much difficulty but a young side, augmented by the experience of the likes of Espanyol playmaker Nakamura, are unlikely to get beyond the first stage.
CAMEROON Coach: Paul Le Guen
Star player: Samuel Eto'o
Previous appearances: 1982 (first round), 1990 (quarter-finals), 1994 (first round), 1998 (first round), 2002 (first round).
Chances: Cruised through qualifying but will still be hugely reliant on the talismanic Eto'o up front. The second round looks to be about the limit of what they can achieve.
DENMARKCoach: Morten Olsen
Star player: Christian Poulsen
Previous appearances: 1986 (second round), 1998 (quarter-finals), 2002 (second round).
Chances: Not the exciting prospect they were when Olsen was playing back in 1986, but a strong defensive base which includes Daniel Agger, Simon Kjaer and Poulsen in front of them will make them hard to beat. A good bet for a second-placed group finish and a last 16 exit.
GROUP F
ITALYCoach: Marcello Lippi
Star player: Andrea Pirlo
Previous appearances: 1934 (winners), 1938 (winners), 1950 (first round), 1962 (first round), 1966 (first round), 1970 (runners-up), 1974 (first round), 1978 (first round), 1982 (winners), 1986 (second round), 1990 (third place), 1994 (runners-up), 1998 (quarter-finals), 2002 (second round), 2006 (winners).
Chances: So many of the 2006 side are still in place under Lippi, the man who led them to glory in Germany. The question is whether they will have enough in the tank to become the first side to retain the World Cup since Brazil in 1962. The semi-finals look like being the end of the road for the Azzurri this time.
NEW ZEALANDCoach: Ricki Herbert
Star player: Ryan Nelsen
Previous appearances: 1982.
Chances: The All Whites ensured a truly global event by qualifying as the Oceania region's representative, but few would back them to get beyond the group stage.
PARAGUAYCoach: Gerardo Martino
Star player: Nelson Haedo Valdez
Previous appearances: 1930 (first round), 1950 (first round), 1986 (second round), 1998 (second round), 2002 (second round), 2006 (first round).
Chances: At their fourth World Cup in a row, Martino's side are a good bet to secure a place in the last 16. Valdez and midfielder Cristian Riveros are their star performers, with a solid defence still the base from which they operate.
SLOVAKIA Coach: Vladimir Weiss
Star player: Marek Hamsik.
Previous appearances: None.
Chances: World Cup debutants who possess plenty of individual talent as well as team spirit, but a lack of past finals pedigree could undermine their hopes of progress.
GROUP G
BRAZIL Coach: Dunga
Star player: Kaka
Previous appearances: 1930 (first round), 1934 (first round), 1938 (semi-finals), 1950 (runners-up), 1954 (quarter-finals), 1958 (winners), 1962 (winners), 1966 (first round), 1970 (winners), 1974 (fourth place), 1978 (third place), 1982 (second round),. 1986 (quarter-finals), 1990 (second round), 1994 (winners), 1998 (runners-up), 2002 (winners), 2006 (quarter-finals).
Chances: Dunga endured criticism early in his reign but Brazil have now augmented their finesse with power and strength. Explosive on the counter-attack and a threat from every set-piece - attacking or defending - their greater World Cup pedigree in comparison to Spain means the Selecao arguably head to South Africa as favourites despite being drawn in a tough group.
NORTH KOREACoach: Kim Jong-Hun
Star player: Jong Tae-Se
Previous appearances: 1966 (quarter-finals)
Chances: Plenty of attention will fall on the North Koreans, who for political and social reasons will be one of the great curiosities of the finals. On the pitch, their qualification was secured thanks to their tight defence and while they are highly unlikely to get to the last 16, it is equally difficult to imagine them losing their shape at any point and getting hammered.
IVORY COASTCoach: Vahid Halilhodzic
Star player: Didier Drogba
Previous appearances: 2006 (first round).
Chances: Man for man the Elephants look about the best side representing Africa next year and could match Cameroon's achievements of 1990 by reaching the last eight, although the group draw is devilishly difficult.
PORTUGAL Coach: Carlos Queiroz
Star player: Cristiano Ronaldo
Previous appearances: 1966 (third place), 1986 (first round), 2002 (first round), 2006 (fourth place).
Chances: As a group the current generation does not quite compare to that of Luis Figo, Rui Costa et al but in Ronaldo they possess arguably the finest player on the planet. Would be disappointed not to get to the last eight in South Africa.
GROUP H
SPAINCoach: Vicente del Bosque
Star player: Fernando Torres
Previous appearances: 1934 (quarter-finals), 1950 (fourth place), 1962 (first round), 1966 (first round), 1990 (second round), 1994 (quarter-finals), 1998 (first round), 2002 (quarter-finals), 2006 (second round).
Chances: Chronic World Cup underachievers in the past, Spain have never been better placed to become world champions having broken their habit of freezing at major finals in emphatic fashion by winning Euro 2008. There is quality all over the pitch and they pose the biggest threat to Brazil.
HONDURAS Coach: Reinaldo Rueda
Star player: David Suazo
Previous appearances: 1982 (first round).
Chances: Rueda's men have some top-level European experience with the likes of Suazo based in Italy and Wilson Palacios performing well at Tottenham, but it would be a big shock if Honduras made it to the second round.
CHILE Coach: Marcelo Bielsa
Star player: Alexis Sanchez
Previous appearances: 1930 (first round), 1950 (first round), 1962 (third place), 1966 (first round), 1974 (first round), 1982 (first round), 1998 (first round).
Chances: A solid unit under the clever coaching of Argentinian Bielsa, but even with the talents of Sanchez and Matias Fernandez it will be difficult. However, they will be expected to out-perform Honduras and will give Switzerland a run for their money.
SWITZERLAND Coach: Ottmar Hitzfeld
Star player: Tranquillo Barnetta
Previous appearances: 1934 (quarter-finals), 1938 (quarter-finals), 1950 (first round), 1954 (quarter-finals), 1962 (first round), 1966 (first round), 1994 (second round), 2006 (second round).
Chances: In Hitzfeld the Swiss could not wish for a manager with greater nous, and they should get to the second round and maybe even the last eight. Playmaker Barnetta and young goalscorer Eren Derdiyok are the men to watch.
Complete schedule of 2010 World Cup in South Africa that kicks off on 11th June 2010 in Johannesburg.
GROUP A
Match 1, June 11 15:00 : South Africa v Mexico (Soccer City, Johannesburg)
Match 2, June 11 19:30 : Uruguay v France (Cape Town)
Match 17, June 16 19:30 : South Africa v Uruguay (Pretoria)
Match 18, June 17 19:30 : France v Mexico (Polokwane)
Match 33, June 22 15:00 : Mexico v Uruguay (Rustenburg)
Match 34, June 22 15:00 : France v South Africa (Bloemfontein)
GROUP B
Match 3, June 12 15:00 : Argentina v Nigeria (Ellis Park, Johannesburg)
Match 4, June 12 12:30 : South Korea v Greece (Port Elizabeth)
Match 19, June 17 15:00 : Greece v Nigeria (Bloemfontein)
Match 20, June 17 12:30 : Argentina v South Korea (Soccer City, Johannesburg)
Match 35, June 22 19:30 : Nigeria v South Korea (Durban)
Match 36, June 22 19:30 : Greece v Argentina (Polokwane)
GROUP C
Match 5, June 12 19:30 : England v USA (Rustenburg)
Match 6, June 13 12:30 : Algeria v Slovenia (Polokwane)
Match 22, June 18 15:00 : Slovenia v USA (Ellis Park, Johannesburg)
Match 23, June 18 19:30 : England v Algeria (Cape Town)
Match 37, June 23 15:00 : Slovenia v England (Port Elizabeth)
Match 38, June 23 15:00 : USA v Algeria (Pretoria)
GROUP D
Match 7, June 13 19:30 : Germany v Australia (Durban)
Match 8, June 13 15:00 : Serbia v Ghana (Pretoria)
Match 21, June 18 12:30 : Germany v Serbia (Port Elizabeth)
Match 24, June 19 15:00 : Ghana v Australia (Rustenburg)
Match 39, June 23 19:30 : Ghana v Germany (Soccer City, Johannesburg)
Match 40, June 23 19:30 : Australia v Serbia (Nelspruit)
GROUP E
Match 9, June 14 12:30 : Holland v Denmark (Soccer City, Johannesburg)
Match 10, June 14 15:00 : Japan v Cameroon (Bloemfontein)
Match 25, June 19 12:30 : Holland v Japan (Durban)
Match 26, June 19 19:30 : Cameroon v Denmark (Pretoria)
Match 43, June 24 19:30 : Denmark v Japan (Rustenburg)
Match 44, June 24 19:30 : Cameroon v Holland (Cape Town)
GROUP F
Match 11, June 14 19:30 : Italy v Paraguay (Cape Town)
Match 12, June 15 12:30 : New Zealand v Slovakia (Rustenburg)
Match 27, June 20 12:30 : Slovakia v Paraguay (Bloemfontein)
Match 28, June 20 15:00 : Italy v New Zealand (Nelspruit)
Match 41, June 24 15:00 : Slovakia v Italy (Ellis Park, Johannesburg)
Match 42, June 24 15:00 : Paraguay v New Zealand (Polokwane)
GROUP G
Match 13, June 15 15:00 : Ivory Coast v Portugal (Port Elizabeth)
Match 14, June 15 19:30 : Brazil v North Korea (Ellis Park, Johannesburg)
Match 29, June 20 19:30 : Brazil v Ivory Coast (Soccer City, Johannesburg)
Match 30, June 21 12:30 : Portugal v North Korea (Cape Town)
Match 45, June 25 15:00 : Portugal v Brazil (Durban)
Match 46, June 25 15:00 : North Korea v Ivory Coast (Nelspruit)
GROUP H
Match 15, June 16 12:30 : Honduras v Chile (Nelspruit)
Match 16, June 16 15:00 : Spain v Switzerland (Durban)
Match 31, June 21 15:00 : Chile v Switzerland (Port Elizabeth)
Match 32, June 21 19:30 : Spain v Honduras (Ellis Park, Johannesburg)
Match 47, June 25 19:30 : Chile v Spain (Pretoria)
Match 48, June 25 19:30 : Switzerland v Honduras (Bloemfontein)
GROUP A
Match 1, June 11 15:00 : South Africa v Mexico (Soccer City, Johannesburg)
Match 2, June 11 19:30 : Uruguay v France (Cape Town)
Match 17, June 16 19:30 : South Africa v Uruguay (Pretoria)
Match 18, June 17 19:30 : France v Mexico (Polokwane)
Match 33, June 22 15:00 : Mexico v Uruguay (Rustenburg)
Match 34, June 22 15:00 : France v South Africa (Bloemfontein)
GROUP B
Match 3, June 12 15:00 : Argentina v Nigeria (Ellis Park, Johannesburg)
Match 4, June 12 12:30 : South Korea v Greece (Port Elizabeth)
Match 19, June 17 15:00 : Greece v Nigeria (Bloemfontein)
Match 20, June 17 12:30 : Argentina v South Korea (Soccer City, Johannesburg)
Match 35, June 22 19:30 : Nigeria v South Korea (Durban)
Match 36, June 22 19:30 : Greece v Argentina (Polokwane)
GROUP C
Match 5, June 12 19:30 : England v USA (Rustenburg)
Match 6, June 13 12:30 : Algeria v Slovenia (Polokwane)
Match 22, June 18 15:00 : Slovenia v USA (Ellis Park, Johannesburg)
Match 23, June 18 19:30 : England v Algeria (Cape Town)
Match 37, June 23 15:00 : Slovenia v England (Port Elizabeth)
Match 38, June 23 15:00 : USA v Algeria (Pretoria)
GROUP D
Match 7, June 13 19:30 : Germany v Australia (Durban)
Match 8, June 13 15:00 : Serbia v Ghana (Pretoria)
Match 21, June 18 12:30 : Germany v Serbia (Port Elizabeth)
Match 24, June 19 15:00 : Ghana v Australia (Rustenburg)
Match 39, June 23 19:30 : Ghana v Germany (Soccer City, Johannesburg)
Match 40, June 23 19:30 : Australia v Serbia (Nelspruit)
GROUP E
Match 9, June 14 12:30 : Holland v Denmark (Soccer City, Johannesburg)
Match 10, June 14 15:00 : Japan v Cameroon (Bloemfontein)
Match 25, June 19 12:30 : Holland v Japan (Durban)
Match 26, June 19 19:30 : Cameroon v Denmark (Pretoria)
Match 43, June 24 19:30 : Denmark v Japan (Rustenburg)
Match 44, June 24 19:30 : Cameroon v Holland (Cape Town)
GROUP F
Match 11, June 14 19:30 : Italy v Paraguay (Cape Town)
Match 12, June 15 12:30 : New Zealand v Slovakia (Rustenburg)
Match 27, June 20 12:30 : Slovakia v Paraguay (Bloemfontein)
Match 28, June 20 15:00 : Italy v New Zealand (Nelspruit)
Match 41, June 24 15:00 : Slovakia v Italy (Ellis Park, Johannesburg)
Match 42, June 24 15:00 : Paraguay v New Zealand (Polokwane)
GROUP G
Match 13, June 15 15:00 : Ivory Coast v Portugal (Port Elizabeth)
Match 14, June 15 19:30 : Brazil v North Korea (Ellis Park, Johannesburg)
Match 29, June 20 19:30 : Brazil v Ivory Coast (Soccer City, Johannesburg)
Match 30, June 21 12:30 : Portugal v North Korea (Cape Town)
Match 45, June 25 15:00 : Portugal v Brazil (Durban)
Match 46, June 25 15:00 : North Korea v Ivory Coast (Nelspruit)
GROUP H
Match 15, June 16 12:30 : Honduras v Chile (Nelspruit)
Match 16, June 16 15:00 : Spain v Switzerland (Durban)
Match 31, June 21 15:00 : Chile v Switzerland (Port Elizabeth)
Match 32, June 21 19:30 : Spain v Honduras (Ellis Park, Johannesburg)
Match 47, June 25 19:30 : Chile v Spain (Pretoria)
Match 48, June 25 19:30 : Switzerland v Honduras (Bloemfontein)
LAST 16
Match 49, June 26 15:00 : Winner Group A v Runner-up Group B (Port Elizabeth)
Match 50, June 26 19:30 : Winner Group C v Runner-up Group D (Rustenburg)
Match 51, June 27 15:00 : Winner Group D v Runner-up Group C (Bloemfontein)
Match 52, June 27 19:30 : Winner Group B v Runner-up Group A (Soccer City, Johannesburg)
Match 53, June 28 15:00 : Winner Group E v Runner-up Group F (Durban)
Match 54, June 28 19:30 : Winner Group G v Runner-up Group H (Ellis Park, Johannesburg)
Match 55, June 29 15:00 : Winner Group F v Runner-up Group E (Pretoria)
Match 56, June 29 19:30 : Winner Group H v Runner-up Group G (Cape Town)
REST DAYS JUNE 30 AND JULY 1
QUARTER-FINALS
Match 57, July 2 15:00 : Winner of Match 53 v Winner of Match 54 (Port Elizabeth)
Match 58, July 2 19:30 : Winner of Match 49 v Winner of Match 50 (Soccer City, Johannesburg)
Match 59, July 3 15:00 : Winner of Match 52 v Winner of Match 51 (Cape Town)
Match 60, July 3 19:30 : Winner of Match 55 v Winner of Winner of Match 56 (Ellis Park, Johannesburg)
REST DAYS JULY 4 & 5
SEMI-FINALS
Match 61, July 6 19:30 : Winner Match 58 v Winner Match 57 (Cape Town)
Match 62, July 7 19:30 : Winner Match 59 v Winner Match 60 (Durban)
REST DAYS JULY 8 & 9
THIRD-PLACE PLAY-OFF
Match 63, July 10 19:30 : Loser Match 61 v Loser Match 62 (Port Elizabeth)
FINAL
Match 64, July 11 19:30 : Winner Match 61 v Winner Match 62 (Soccer City, Johannesburg)
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