The 2010 FIFA Football World Cup will be played out in 10 newly built or upgraded stadiums, in nine South African cities (capacity in brackets):

Johannesburg, Soccer City: (96,000)
Durban, Moses Mabhida: (70,000)
Cape Town, Cape Town Stadium: (68,000)
Johannesburg, Ellis-Park: (60,000)
Tshwane/Pretoria, Loftus Versfeld: (52,000)
Port Elizabeth, Nelson-Mandela-Bay-Stadium: (46,000)
Nelspruit, Mbombela: (43,500)
Mangaung/Bloemfontein, Free-State (40,000)
Polokwane, Peter-Mokaba-Stadium (40,000)
Rustenburg, Royal-Bafokeng-Stadium (40,000)

2010 Draw Sets Stage for World Cup Soccer

What are your comments, insights and/or predictions for the FIFA World Cup 2010 and the draw results?

Group A: South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France

Probably the most balanced of the groups. On paper, host country South Africa seems to be the weakest of the four teams having a low FIFA ranking of 85. Yet, it would be a major mistake to discount Bafana Bafana. Among the other teams in this group, Mexico has reeled off an impressive winning streak with victories over fellow World Cup finalists United  States and Honduras. Uruguay and France both struggled during qualifications, needing last-minute goals to advance.

Group B: Argentina, South Korea, Nigeria, Greece

This was the group that all the top seeds wanted to get. The least amount of travelling, and one fixed hotel throughout the first stage makes it a much coveted placing. Fortunately for Nigeria, the country is drawn into a rather mediocre group. Argentina under Maradona has struggled mightily. South Korea and Greece are unlikely to be able to match recent magical runs in the World Cup and Euro finals.

Group C: England, USA, Algeria, Slovenia

England and the United States should consider themselves very fortunate to be drawn into such a weak group. This is the first time Algeria and Slovenia have reached a World Cup final and historically, first-timers are more like spectators than participants. The much anticipated match between England and the United States will likely decide who will win this group.

Group D: Germany, Australia, Ghana, Serbia

Germany has never failed to advance past the group stage. Based on current form, the Germans seem poised to dominate their group once again. Ghana are one of the more impressive African teams coming into this tournament and will be extremely tough to beat. The Aussies boast a team packed with Premiership talent and will also be looking to progress to the knock out stages. Serbia come into their first World Cup after dominating their qualifying group and are a fantastic prospect for a long run in the competition, but they might come undone by their international inexperience.

Group E: Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon

The Netherlands are the overwhelming favourites in this group. Denmark came through the trenches of qualification in possibly the toughest group in world football and consigned Portugal to the playoffs. Cameroon only qualified on the last game day and their un-doing could be their unpredictability. Japan were the very first team to book their place at the footballing banquet on show but has never won a World Cup match away from home soil.

Group F: Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand, Slovakia

Defending champions Italy has the fortune of being drawn into one of the two weakest groups. This is only New Zealand’s second World Cup, while 2010 is Slovakia’s debut. Paraguay have had slightly more success in the World Cup, but have never progressed beyond the last 16. Don’t expect anyone but Italy to reach the latter stages of the competition from this group.

Group G: Brazil, Korea DPR, Côte d’Ivoire, Portugal

In every World Cup final, there is at least one group that we like to call the Group of Death. Group G is likely to earn this distinction. World Cup favourites Brazil will clash with two highly talented teams from Ivory Coast and Portugal. Ivory Coast are undoubtedly the best African team while Portugal are one of the slickest passing teams in world football, their technical brilliance perhaps only matched by Brazil. North Korea will be looking to make as big an impact as they did on their last foray in the World Cup in 1966.

Group H: Spain, Switzerland, Honduras, Chile

Spain are drawn into a relatively weak group and should advance with ease. The second spot is wide open as competing teams are all rather mediocre. Switzerland, Honduras, Chile have played well to qualify for the finals but are seriously lacking real talent. Among the teams, Chile is slightly more talented than the rest and is the best bet to join Spain in the second round.