World Cup 2010 Groups

Once, every four years, a simple ball lifts up the world. Here are the groups for the World Cup in South Africa:

Ima try a breakdown of predictions. Hopefully any readers bursting with national pride won't be offended. It's strictly face-value and from the perspective of a futbol fan.

Group A: Solid group. Mexico is easily the best in CONCACAF, Uruguay - and most teams in South America - is to be feared and has a strong defense. France still possesses their bomb squad with electric young talent emerging and the likes of Henry, Gallas and Makalele still in the mix. South Africa, as hosts, will come out to prove a point. I predict Mexico and France to advance.

Group B: Please Nigeria, return to your former glory days. I remember since I was 6 years old. My favourite Asian team: South Korea's loyal, exuberant national fans - pilseung corea! Tae han min guk! - will spur them on far greater than their coach Mr. Huh will. What were they thinking hiring him. Top class Euro players should shine regardless. Speaking of bizarre coaches: Diego Maradona. Son, you were an amazing player (barring the drugs), but you can't coach. More practice needed. Argentines' worship of you surely has started to fade since they barely got through qualifying. No one wants to see the great Argentina playing a crummy brand of football. I haven't been up to date with Greece, but hopefully they won't display that irritating defensive-minded game, scoring only from set plays. To advance: South Korea and Greece.

Group C: England fans must love this. Easy like peasy. Too, they will do well - think Gerrard, Lampard, Rooney, Bent, Terry - under Fabio Capello. Great, class playes under a superb coach. I hope to see good things from Algeria as most first-time African teams seem to bring. USA, known for investing time, money and effort into all their sports, have come a long, admirable way since 1990 and will likely give a good performance. People begrudgingly admit this. Slovenia's too off-and-on for me to put my finger on 'em. Advancing will be USA and England unless Algeria pulls something off?

Group D: I miss how Jurgen Klinsmann had Germany playing, but they're no less effective now. Expect the same efficiency and crispness with some flair as Ballack conducts midfield. Ghana was a joy to watch in 2006 (should've beaten Brazil) and in the African Nations Cup and have gotten stronger since. Well done Black Stars, you deserve to be here. I honestly don't know how Serbia has done since, but hopefully no more 8-0 (or was it 7) drubbings. And I like the players Australia has. I'll be glad if they persist into the 2nd round, but it likely will be Germany and Ghana's Black Stars.

Group E: My favourite team from Africa (no not Japan), is finally back in, with Samuel Eto'o in his prime. He, if not Cameroon, have much to prove. Will probably have to watch their game versus the Netherlands with sunglasses: bright colours be flashing everywhere. Holland is Holland, can't really say much: superb team, superb players so we will see what van Marwjk can do. His loss for not calling up Clarence Seedorf, though. Blasphemy! Japan will battle it out with either Cameroon or Denmark for second place in the group. Hopefully a Hidetoshi Nakamura free-kick can happen.

Group F: Another top-seeded team gets easy pickins'. I don't expect too much threat from New Zealand or Slovakia, but Paraguay is a world-class team and strong contenders to advance in that group. Again, an ode to the WC 2006 when Italy played like a South American team. No more Franceso Totti, but Andrea Pirlo's vision and creativity with Luca Toni's strike prowess will inspire that team.

Group G: Poor, poor North Korea. A harsh World Cup baptism yet no shame in losing to any of these teams. Brazil, my favourite team on the planet, the reason I missed classes, called in sick to work (odd b/c I was saving up for the WC), ignore family and friends. How else the three R's? Kaka and Juninho? Roberto Carlos and Cafu? The team that brought me to watching and playing this sport as youth. Who can forget the 2002 World Cup, the 2004 Copa America, the 2005 Confederations Cup. Many will likely watch their game versus the awesome Portugal and Ivory Coast with mouths open in awe and wonderment. Dunga hasn't had Brazil playing with much flair and beauty as they traditionally have done, but the unique creativity and invention remain. What.a.team. Likely to advance, with Portugal edging Ivory Coast.

Group H: Spain are among the elite company of favourites to win the whole thing. A constant presence at the World Cup, they were a brilliant team when they won the last Euro Cup. Hopefully their World Cup jinx doesn't affect them this time. One of the best midfields in the world with Xavi, Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas. The sturdy Puyol and ever-flying and stopping Iker Casillas holding down the back. Viva Espana. Honduras is CONCACAF's new underdog, getting past Costa Rica and T&T. The Swiss have their inconsistent moments, but Chile likely to overcome with their grit and skill.

That's it. Notable absences: Egypt, Iran, Russia, Turkey, Sweden, Senegal, Costa Rica. Thankfully, Canada's National Women's team is world-class. They save football face for this country.