Group B contains Argentina,  Nigeria, Greece and South Korea, in what could be a mini group of death. Argentina were poor in qualifying, and Greece and South Korea are always hard to break down. At the moment I  see Argentina and Nigeria moving onto the knockout rounds.

A look at the teams in Group B

ARGENTINA

Manager: Diego Maradona
Key player: Lionel Messi
Best: Winners (1978, 1986)
World ranking: 8  Read more... (759 words, 2 images, estimated 3:02 mins reading time)

Group A contains host nation South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay and France. South Africa is a very weak #1 seed at at the moment, France and Mexico must be favored to move on.

A look at the teams in Group A

SOUTH AFRICA

Manager: Carlos Alberto Parreira
Key player: Kagisho Dikgacoi
Best: Round one (1998, 2002)
World ranking: 86

Qualifying as hosts has its obvious advantages – giving straight passage without having to kick a ball in anger. However, the lack of a competitive edge is the drawback and South Africa will need to compensate for this by preparing thoroughly for the tournament on home soil. As with previous sporting events in the country, they are sure to have a passionate support backing them.  Read more... (789 words, 2 images, estimated 3:09 mins reading time)

Now that we know the teams that will be making it to South Africa for the World Cup finals, i think its time we all took the bold step of picking our favorites to win the tournament. I know many of you might say that the right time to do this will be after the group stage draw that will happen in about two weeks time on the 4th of December.  

Read more... (489 words, 3 images, estimated 1:57 mins reading time)

When the 2010 World Cup rolls around, only 32 of the 205 teams that tried to qualify will be present. Over the last month and a half, I have selected the 32 teams I believe will make the 2010 World Cup. I will now order the teams 1-32 in the order of my certainty that they will qualify.

Now, a (1) on this list means I am not sure they will make it, but a (32) means I think they definitely will (that is why S. Africa is #32). Without further ado, here is the list of the 32 teams I believe will be present in S. Africa in June and July 2010.

1. New Zealand
2. Turkey
3. Chile
4. Republic of Ireland
5. Iran
6. Croatia
7. Cameroon
8. Russia
9. Costa Rica
10. Egypt
11. Korea Republic
12. Greece
13. Uruguay
14. Portugal
15. France
16. Czech Republic
17. Ghana
18. Paraguay
19. Nigeria
20. Mexico
21. Ivory Coast
22. USA
23. Italy
24. Germany
25. Japan
26. Holland
27. England
28. Spain
29. Argentina
30. Australia
31. Brazil
32. South Africa

When the 2010 World Cup rolls around, only one or zero of the ten teams from the Oceania region will be present. Now, this region is the smallest (actually tied with S. America, but not nearly as good at soccer), so it makes sense that only a single team gets a chance to qualify. I think that one team will take advantage by making it to S. Africa.

Well, here that team is:

1. New Zealand: OK, so they easily bested the crappy teams in their division to make it to the playoff game to get into the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. In fact, they absolutely dominated the other Oceania teams. Who are these teams though? Fiji, Vanuatu (huh?) and New Caledonia (who are apparently better than Old Caledonia). So, to make a long story short, they haven’t played anyone yet, and they will have to beat probably Korea DPR or Iran to make the tourney. But, for some strange reason I think they will do it. It would be a darn shame if one team from this region didn’t make the tourney, so I am backing New Zealand. Sure, they are the least likely to qualify of all the teams I have cited, but I can’t help but support their long-shot dreams.

When the 2010 World Cup rolls around, only four or five of the 43 “Asian” teams will be present. Of course, a few of these teams aren’t “Asian” at all, but who ever said FIFA knew a darn thing about geography. Spoiler alert: I like the Asian region, but I think they only get 4 teams in. Now the question is which four will appear in 2010 in South Africa.

Well, here they are in order of how certain I am they will qualify:

1. Australia: This squad hasn’t given up a goal during the final round of qualifying despite playing all four teams in their group. I think they will definitely make it to the tournament. With their skill, how could they not?
2. Japan: Though they were drawn into the same group as AUS, I still like their chances of qualifying the second best in the region. Why? Well, they have a ton of talent and I think they will easily make it to the 2010 WC.
3. Korea Republic: This is where it gets harder in this region. Though they have been good so far, Korea DPR and IRN could ultimately prevent them from reaching the world’s biggest tournament. I still think they qualify.
4. Iran: Ditto above about Korea DPR maybe bouncing them from the tourney. But, I think Iran bests Korea DPR in their next game to qualify for the last Asian spot, and Korea DPR loses to New Zealand. Just my opinion.

When the 2010 World Cup rolls around, only five of the 53 teams from the African region will be present (well, 6 of 54 if you count the hosts, South Africa). The CAF has been the region that features some of the fastest rising international squads in the world, but which of these talented teams will play before friendly crowds in 2010?

Well, here they are in order of how certain I am they will qualify:

1. Cote d’Ivoire: Their draw is absolutely laughable. If they don’t make the tourney, I will be shocked. The teams they play are lucky to have even made it to the 3rd round, and they are a bona fide African side.
2. Nigeria: They may be the best of the region’s bunch and their draw is also ridiculously easy. They should have no problem advancing to the tourney, and when they do I think they will be an underdog team to watch.
3. Ghana: What an easy draw (are you sensing a pattern here). They should easily advance to the world’s biggest tourney and I wouldn’t put an escape from the group stage past them. They will have the crowd on their side.
4. Egypt: Even though they have had some recent fantastic performances, this team still doesn’t get much respect. While I don’t think they will be a force during the World Cup, I imagine they will at least qualify.
5. Cameroon: Crazy that I have them all the way down here, I know. They have some fantastic players and great chemistry. But, Morocco is no slouch, and if they can upset Cameroon, Africa’s best may fail to qualify.

Briefing: Agent Michael Owen (aka “the Jaded Jaguar”) has one of the longest histories of any MNT member, yet he lately has been omitted from important events. In nearly 90 appearances with the MNT, he has scored a whopping 40 goals, but his increasing age and proneness to injury have slowed his ascent. Still, I think he will be around in 2010.

Special Skills: Agent Owen became a legend at Liverpool, where he won the Player of the Year Award and many other trophies. Unfortunately, injuries derailed his once promising career, and though he still performs quite well, many experts fear he will never again be the player he once was. He still has a lot left in the tank though, in my opinion.

International Actions: Agent Owen has been a part of Mission 1998, Mission 2002 and Mission 2006. Though he delighted fans and frustrated defenses during all three Cups, he was injured during Mission 2006 and he has not returned to top form since. Now, Director Capello seems to be overlooking Agent Owen as Mission 2010 approaches.

Mission: Agent Owen’s mission, should he decide to accept it, will be to battle his way back into the MNT starting lineup. To do so, he must prove that he still has the attacking instinct and nose for the net that once made him a stalwart for the MNT. The agency will need goals to eliminate their enemies, and few in the nation’s history have scored as many as Agent Owen. This message will self-destruct in five seconds.

When the 2010 World Cup rolls around, only three or four of a whopping 35 teams will be present (in my opinion CONCACAF gets screwed by FIFA). As I mentioned in my S. America post last week, I think their fifth team beats CONCACAF’s fourth, so only three teams from this region will make it to the 2010 World Cup. But, which ones?

Well, here they are in order of how certain I am they will qualify:

1. USA: Hey, you can call me biased because I am a yankee, but I still think USA has now established itself as the cream of the CONCACAF crop. While MEX struggles, Bob Bradley has this team clicking and hopefully he will be able to carry this wave of good play through qualifying and into the 2010 tournament in South Africa.
2. Mexico: Yes, they have been bad lately. Yes, injuries and old age have ravaged their team. But, Mexico is still one of the most dominant teams in CONCACAF and will be present in 2010. Their defense is simply too good to lose to the region’s lesser teams. They are no sure thing, but I also think they will buck up and make it to 2010.
3. Costa Rica: This is where it gets hard. Costa Rica is a team on the rise though, unlike T&T, El Salvador, and Honduras. In the end, I think they will get in, but just barely. While I assume they will get stomped in the tournament, I think it will be truly great for the people of Costa Rica just to make the world’s biggest tourney.

Briefing: Agent Theo Walcott (aka “Slade’s Blade”) is a rising star for the MNT and one must imagine he will play a large role in Mission 2010. Despite being young in age (20), Agent Walcott has already established himself as an exciting winger and perhaps the future of the MNT. If he can stay healthy, he could be just what the MNT needs.

Special Skills: Agent Walcott is reputed to be one of the fastest players in the world. After dominating lower level competition, he became a Gunner, and expectations were so high he was awarded Henry’s #14 jersey. But, injuries have hampered his development and slowed his ascension into the MNT’s hierarchy. He is still a dangerous threat though.

International Actions: Agent Walcott, believe it or not, was selected for the MNT’s Mission 2006 despite the fact he was only 17 years old at the time. Though he was chosen over more established agents, the Director (a Swedish double agent) refused to play him. In his first full international game, he had a hat trick against Croatia, a great start.

Mission: Agent Walcott’s mission, should he decide to accept it, will be to dazzle audiences and defenders with his amazing attacking abilities during Mission 2010. He needs to score goals and frustrate the MNT’s enemies. He also needs to stay healthy, as his young frame has been riddled with injuries. This message will self-destruct in five seconds.