On Friday in Cape Town, South Africa soccer’s governing body, FIFA created the groupings that will provide the basis for the month-long tournament that begins June 11.
 |
*32 Teams |
| *64 Matches | |
| *48 matches in the first round | |
| *Field gets cut in half with two teams from each group reaching the knockout round. |
| Group A: France, Mexico, South Africa, Uruguay |
| Group B: Argentina, Greece, Nigeria, South Korea |
| Group C: Algeria, England, Slovenia, United States |
| Group D: Australia, Germany, Ghana, Serbia |
| Group E: Cameroon, Denmark, Japan, Netherlands |
| Group F: Italy, New Zealand, Paraguay, Slovakia |
| Group G: Brazil, Ivory Coast, North Korea, Portugal |
| Group H: Chile, Honduras, Spain, Switzerland |
Donovan and Beckham will be opponents when England faces America June 12th
A historical element is at play here involving two teams in Group C. It will be 40 years ago, that one of the greatest upsets in all of sports took place at the 1950 World Cup in Brazil. At the time, the English considered themselves the “Kings of Football”, with a post-war record of 23 wins, 4 losses, and 3 draws. At the other end of the spectrum were the Americans who had lost their last seven international matches (including the 1934 World Cup and 1948 Summer Olympics) by the combined score of 45-2. The odds were 3-1 the English would win the Cup, and 500-1 for the U.S.
The American squad, which consisted of semi-professional players, most of whom had other jobs to support their families like Walter Bahr a high school teacher, and others who worked as undertakers, mail carriers or dishwashers defeated the Brits who had some world-class players 1-0.
In looking at the draw for the 2010 event, there are some intriguing early match ups and of course some groups will be tougher to survive than others.
The United States will certainly be in an underdog role against England, but they have never played either Slovenia or Algeria. Little is known overall about the latter two, but this certainly has been one of the better draws for the Americans affording them a good chance at advancing if they play to their potential. Still Slovenia, after beating Russia, will be arriving from that qualification with a lot of confidence.
The sector that gets the early nod as the “Group of Death”, a moniker assigned to the toughest draw is Group G. It includes three of the game’s best players- as you have Kaka for Brazil, Didier Drogba for Ivory Coast and Cristiano Ronaldo for Portugal – but one of them is going to go home with his team early.
Defending champion Italy looks to have a less difficult road, but in the end look for Germany to be among the finalists. While teams like Ghana, Ivory Coast and Brazil traditionally lean on their amazing creativity and free-wheeling type of style, the team that comes out and is more methodical and regimented usually ends up winning the crown and Germany will be primed. Still, dark horses, previously unsung heroes that emerge, as well as the different styles to suit their personnel along with the inevitable pressures of billions watching their every move make each World Cup fascinating to watch.
