Group A -

South Africa, the host nation for the 2010 World Cup, was certainly not given an easy road to become the first African nation to ever hoist the trophy for soccer’s greatest prize. However, many think that they are a force to be reckoned with in Group A and could be a very surprising bunch.

Uruguay - Historically speaking, Uruguay is one of the most decorated countries in World Cup history. However, recently, the team has fallen upon hard times, but will be looking to rebound with a strong showing in South Africa in 2010.

Mexico - Once upon a time, Mexico was the pride and joy of CONCACAF, but now that the United States has really taken a huge step on the global soccer stage, the red, white, and green just aren’t what they used to be as they prepare for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

France - The French don’t appear to have as strong of a side as they normally have fielded in World Cups of past, but even though they aren’t a dominating favorite as they were when they won the 1998 World Cup, that doesn’t mean that they aren’t going to have a legitimate chance to once again capture soccer’s great prize.

Group B -

South Korea - The Koreans did a great job at the 2002 World Cup thanks to a tremendous home field advantage, but since that point, the country really hasn’t had much success at all on the international stage. That isn’t likely to change in South Africa in 2010.

Greece - No one put much stock in Greek soccer before 2004, but in that glorious year, the blue and white captured Euro 2004, easily the greatest accomplishment in the country’s history. Parlaying that success into a great 2010 run at the World Cup seems unlikely, but is the goal for the Greeks this year in South Africa.

Nigeria - Africa has yet to be the continent that the World Cup champs have come from, and after several disappointing performances in past tournaments, the Nigerians are back and hoping to use a home field advantage to have a great showing in this year’s spectacle.

Argentina - From the 1978 World Cup to the “Hand of God,” Argentine soccer has always been right up there with Brazilian soccer for bragging rights in South America. Once again, Argentina should be in for a strong showing in South Africa in the ‘10 World Cup.

Group C -

Slovenia - Rookies of the World Cup, Slovenia enter this tournament just trying to gain some experience for future years. No one has any real expectations of this club, and even salvaging a point or two from three matches would be considered a legitimate triumph.

Algeria - For just the third time in the history of its nation, Algeria will make an appearance in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Home field advantage may be about the only thing going for the Algerians though, as this is clearly a team that is outmatched against the best in the world.

England - Always a favorite, particularly of the European punters, Team England enters the 2010 World Cup full of a sense of optimism that they can go all the way in South Africa.

United States - After a fantastic run in the World Cup in 2002 and the Confederations Cup in 2009, the United States has to feel like this could be the year that it can bust onto the world stage and make a huge move at the World Cup in South Africa.

Group D -

Australia - The Socceroos of Australia are almost always crowd favorites in the World Cup, and for good reason. The Aussies play an exciting brand of soccer that is easily likeable on the world stage, and manager Pim Verbeek will be hoping to use that "full of gusto" style to spring some upsets in South Africa in 2010.

Ghana - Things are looking up for African soccer nations thanks to the success that Ghana has had in recent memory. After advancing through the first round of World Cup 2006 in Germany, the Black Stars feel as though they have to have a chance to become the first African team to ever advance further than the quarterfinals of the World Cup this year in South Africa with a home field advantage on their side.

Serbia - A country that has been brought together and torn apart several times on the international political level, Serbia has qualified for its first World Cup as an independent of Serbia & Montenegro. This is a team that could immediately make some noise in its first World Cup and shouldn’t be discounted for its inexperience.

Germany - With a ton of experience under their belts, the Germans enter South Africa with high hopes of winning the World Cup. However, without Michael Ballack, it is a real question whether or not Germany can really make enough noise to warrant being considered a contender.

Group E -

Japan - Soccer hasn't been kind to the Asian nations, particularly since the World Cup was in South Korea in 2002, but Japan has some hope for a successful run in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Denmark - A star-studded Danish team comes to South Africa trying to eliminate the memories of missing both World Cup 2006 and Euro 2008. This is a side that won’t be intimidated by any of its foes, but there’s a question whether or not Denmark will ultimately be overmatched.

Cameroon - In spite of the fact that the Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa are all expected to be potential teams that can make it into the second round of the World Cup, it is Cameroon that has the highest ranked side in the FIFA rankings from the continent, and with a favorable draw on its side, don't be surprised to see the Lions make a nice run in 2010.

Netherlands - It feels like the Dutch are floating around in the mix deep into European and global tournaments, and this year should be no exception in South Africa.

Group F -

New Zealand - Oceania hasn’t produced a ton of World Cup clubs in the history of soccer, as the only one in recent memory to pull off the feat was Australia in 2006. But with the Aussies qualifying through Asia this year, the door swung open for the Kiwis of New Zealand to snare a bid.

Slovakia - Since the days of Czechoslovakia being a united country, the Slovaks have yearned for a return to the top stage of soccer. Now, they’ll get that chance for the first time as an independent nation here in South Africa in the 2010 World Cup.

Italy - The 2006 World Cup was decided in dramatic fashion as the Italians won the world’s largest soccer prize in penalty kicks in Germany over the French. Now, the Azzurri have a gigantic bulls-eye on their back, as they try to defend their World Cup in South Africa.

Paraguay - Even though Paraguay has a side that hasn’t had a ton of World Cup success in the past, many feel as though this is the year that La Albirroja can make some real noise on the global stage in South Africa.

Group G -

North Korea - There aren’t many teams that are in a for a more difficult few weeks in South Africa than the North Koreans inevitably are. As if they weren’t already one of the weakest sides in this tournament, they also have to run up against three teams that are all contenders to win the World Cup.

Portugal - The Portuguese may have been one of the most productive sides in the World Cup in ‘06 in Germany, but this is a team that is going to have to exceed expectations to carry the weight of the country on their shoulders. Portugal has an incredibly tough road to win it all in South Africa, beginning with the “Group of Death.”

Ivory Coast - The Elephants of the Ivory Coast busted onto the international scene in the 2006 World Cup, and now that the tournament is virtually in their own backyard in South Africa, many have high expectations even though they are playing in the “Group of Death,” also known as Group G.

Brazil - Arguably the most notable soccer side in the entire world, Brazil comes to World Cup 2010 with hopes of adding to its already astonishing five championships. This team, just like all of the others in Brazil's history, is primed and ready, and will almost certainly make an incredibly deep run in South Africa.

Group H -

Switzerland - Back in 2008, the Swiss successfully landed manager Ottmar Hitzfeld. Since that point, their soccer program has started to elevate up to a very serious level amongst the soccer rich nations of Europe. In 2010, Hitzfeld hopes that his squad can take the next step and make some real noise in the World Cup.

Honduras - Possibly the luckiest team to make the World Cup, Honduras looks to make the most of its opportunity here in South Africa in 2010. However, a very tough group makes the prospects for progression and success look grim at best.

Chile - The last time that we saw the Chileans in the World Cup was in 1998 in France. Since that point, their nation has been in decline in terms of soccer prowess. However, a return to South Africa this year brings renewed hope, and a relatively easy draw could be parlayed into a trip into soccer’s version of the Sweet 16.

Spain - The #1 ranked team in the world has itself a heck of a draw to reach the World Cup finals. Spain won’t be interested in anything less than the trophy, as it has an incredibly talented side that cannot be wasted in South Africa.