Manager: Javier Aguirre

Best: Quarter-final (1970, 1986)

Mexico's qualification campaign was probably best known for typically bruising encounters against their long-time U.S. rivals (lost one, won one) and the extraordinary scenes surrounding their 4-1 win over El Salvador, which made sure of Mexico's spot in their 14th World Cup, when play was halted for 10 minutes as a swarm of bees hovered in the goal.

And Mexico may create a buzz in South Africa, now that they have a settled team with previous coach Sven-Göran Eriksson (now guiding the Ivory Coast) being replaced by Javier Aguirre, for a second spell at the helm. His 2002 World Cup team did him proud, winning a group that included Italy, although it lost in the knockout round to the U.S. Eight years on, Spain-based players Rafael Marquez and Andrés Guardado, as well as Carlos Vela and Guillermo Franco who ply their trade in England, will make life tough for any opponent. Nor are the Mexicans likely to be as bothered as some teams by the thinner air of Johannesburg's altitude (2000 meters above sea level) — their own capital is even higher above sea level. And with a revitalized Cuauhtemoc Blanco being lured out of international retirement by Aguirre, Mexico has the potential to match their best ever quarter final finish.

Player to watch: A veritable God to Mexican fans, Cuauhtemoc Blanco is one of the continent's most creative players. Whether his knees hold up is another question.

Uruguay

Manager: Oscar Tabarez

Best: Winners (1930, 1950)

Winners of the first-ever World Cup, Uruguay took the last of the 32 places in South Africa after overcoming Costa Rica in the play-offs. National coach Oscar Tabarez — a.k.a. El Maestro, another Group A manager taking charge of his side for a second time — has some decent players at his disposal, most notably strikers Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez, who could fire them through to the knockout stages for the first time in two decades. They certainly won't lack for goals — during qualification Los Charrúas scored 28 goals, behind only Brazil and Chile — but whether they can keep them out at the other end will ultimately decide just how far El Maestro's men go.

Player to watch: Though he flopped at Manchester United, Diego Forlan's goals have just propelled Athletico Madrid to Europa League glory. But his unfortunate habit of whipping his shirt off to celebrate — a gesture that earns an automatic yellow card — could cause a problem if it leads to suspension.

France

Manager: Raymond Domenech

Best: Winners (1998)

It might have taken a controversial handball from Thierry Henry to see France past Ireland in the play-offs but Les Bleus just about managed to make it through to South Africa. More recently, their preparations have been cast under a shadow by a police investigation into an alleged prostitution scandal in which star player Franck Ribery and striker Sidney Govou have been questioned. The squad certainly doesn't lack in talent — goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, defenders Patrice Evra and William Gallas, midfielders Ribery and Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka up front would grace any tournament — but serious doubts remain about the coaching abilities of Raymond Domenech. It is widely reported that he does not enjoy the respect of some of his squad's senior players, and the fans have been known to boo him during home games. It wouldn't be a huge shock if the French made an early exit à la 2002, especially as the team won't even need to impress Domenech. He's departing after the World Cup with former World Cup winner Laurent Blanc (and more recently, Bordeaux coach) expected to replace him.

Player to watch: If the sleazy headlines about Franck Ribery don't affect him, the Bayern Munich maestro can cast a dazzling spell over the opposition.

Argentina

Manager: Diego Maradona

Best: Winners (1978, 1986)

They may routinely turn out some of the world's most sublimely talented players — think of 1986's winning captain Diego Maradona, or his modern-day equivalent Lionel Messi — but they're possibly better known as perennial World Cup chokers. They did, of course, win the cup in 1978 and '86, but otherwise have consistently performed below expectations. The 2010 qualifying campaign was a shambles, with the mercurial Maradona in his role as coach using upwards of 70 different players in a squad that narrowly squeezed through. He sounded further alarm bells by omitting from his defensively suspect World Cup squad the richly talented and experienced Inter Milan pair of Javier Zanetti and Esteban Cambiasso. But Argentina are blessed with the world's best player, Lionel Messi, with a stellar supporting cast in attack including Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez. World Cups, however, are won in midfield and defense, and Maradona's intention to play four centerbacks — none of them especially quick — is cause for concern, even if they're shielded by Liverpool's tigerish holding midfielder Javier Mascherano.

Player to watch: Need we say it, the Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, currently the most gifted and entertaining player in world soccer

Nigeria

Manager: Lars Lagerback

Best: Round two (1994, 1998)

As with Argentina, Nigeria has never performed in a manner fitting its abundance of talented players. The Super Eagles heyday may have come at the 1998 World Cup in France, when Jay Jay Okocha led them to a stunning 3-2 victory over Spain. In a soccer system ravaged by many of the problems of corruption that beset Nigeria's politics, little is expected of the national team 12 years on. Still, coach Lars Lagerback will be looking to craft a solid defensive unit out of his largely Europe-based squad, and hope that one or two of a talented array of forwards — Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Peter Odemwingie, Obafemi Martins, John Utaka or the aging but brilliant Nkwankwo Kanu — find their form at the tournament. And in John Obi Mikel, they have a solid midfield anchor who plays more of a quarterbacking role in the national team than he does for Chelsea in the English Premier League.

Player to watch: John Obi Mikel. Freed from the exclusively defensive role he plays in his club football, the midfield colossus is a far more influential player for the Super Eagles.

South Korea

Best: Fourth (2002)

South Korea shocked the world in 2002 when, on home turf, they defied the odds to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup, proving that a team willing to run harder and surpass the tactical discipline of more gifted opponents could carry the day in tournament soccer. Coach Huh Jung-Moo may set more modest expectations this time (nor does he possess the acumen of 2002 coach Guus Hiddink), but the European experience of some of his key players — Manchester United's Park Ji-Sung, Bolton's Lee Chung-Yong and Monaco's Park Chu-Young — mean they're no pushover.

Player to watch: Lee Chung-Yong. The attacking threat posed by the Bolton winger has impressed some of England's top teams this past season, and the World Cup will be the perfect showcase for his talents.

GROUP B

Greece

Manager: Otto Rehhagel

Best: Round one (1994)

A Cinderella side in international football, Greece shocked the world by winning Euro 2004 against all odds. Still, that might have been the summit of their achievements as the team failed to qualify for the last World Cup or gain a single point at Euro 2008. The majority of their players earn their wages in domestic leagues, whereas most of the world's top contenders represent teams in the top-tier leagues of England, Spain and Italy. A notable exception is striker Theofanis Gekas, who is on loan at German side Hertha BSC and was the top scorer across all of Europe's qualifying groups with an impressive 10 goals. Back in 2004, German coach Otto Rehnagel proved what team-work and tight tactical discipline can bring, and he will be hoping once again to cause a few upsets — and give Greeks something to cheer amid their economic catastrophe.

Player to watch: The experienced captain and midfield playmaker Giorgos Karagounis, who has played for both Inter Milan and Benfica.

England

Manager: Fabio Capello

Best: Winners (1966)

The shadow of England's sole World Cup triumph in 1966 hangs over every player and supporter: Ahead of every tournament, expectations are inevitably boosted beyond reason by the media, turning the inevitable empty-handed exit (usually via the dreaded penalty kicks) into a national tragedy even as the rest of the footballing world shrugs.

But could this year really be different? The team sailed through qualifying and the combining of the so-called "golden generation" — the likes of midfielders Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, defender John Terry — with the newest stars such as striker Wayne Rooney and midfielder Gareth Barry makes the team definite contenders, especially if Rooney avoids injury. No-nonsense Italian coach Fabio Capello will ensure discipline on and off the field and, unlike some previous coaches, has his players practice penalty kicks, which is how games tied after 120 minutes are settled.

Player to watch: England fans will be praying 24/7 for the well-being of Wayne Rooney. If he avoids injury, the Manchester United star with a rare combination of speed, power, skill and vision could fire his team into the last four — and possibly further.

United States

Manager: Bob Bradley

Best: Third (1930)

It's a little known fact that the U.S. played the first ever World Cup match in 1930, beating Belgium 3-0, and eventually finishing a highly creditable third (let's overlook the fact that few European teams chose to participate due to the duration and costs of travel to Uruguay). There have been some other World Cup highlights for the "Red, White and Blue", most notably defeating England 1-0 in 1950 — arguably the biggest shock in the history of the sport — and an impressive showing in 2002 to get through a tough group, beating Portugal and losing a tight quarter-final to Germany.

Hopes have been raised for a strong showing in South Africa: The USA hasn't just drawn a favorable group, but it gave a superb showing in the Confederations Cup in South Africa last summer, ending mighty Spain's 35-match unbeaten run, and losing the final only after letting slip a two-goal lead against Brazil. Core players such as goalkeeper Tim Howard, and goalscoring threats Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan played starring roles for their clubs during the recent English season, and their skill and experience should see them into the second round — although the final four may be a bridge too far.

Player to watch: Clint Dempsey holds his own in the English Premier League with Fulham and is a highly intelligent midfielder with pace to burn and an eye for goal.

GROUP C

Algeria

Manager: Rabah Saadane

Best: Round one (1986, 1982)

Les Fennecs (the Desert Foxes) have spent a long time in the footballing wilderness following their last World Cup 24 years ago. They qualified by besting African champions Egypt in a tough showdown that had to be held in the Sudan capital Khartoum to avoid rioting by either set of fans. Algeria plays in the style of a European side and it's no surprise that their best players — Nadir Belhadj and Mourad Meghni — play in Europe for Portsmouth and Lazio respectively. But the Foxes have been dealt a cruel blow with Meghni recently ruled out of the tournament after failing to recover from a long-term knee injury. And nearly as damaging is the fact that, despite bring the only one of the five African sides taking part this summer that fields a top-class goalkeeper in Faouzi Chaouchi, he's banned from the opening two matches due to the red card received in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against Egypt. By the time he's back, Algeria could easily have been eliminated.

Player to watch:Not just a national hero for sending Algeria through to the World Cup at the expense of bitter rivals Egypt, Antar Yahia is a no-nonsense defender who will relish tackling the likes of Rooney.

Manager: Matjaz Kek

Best: Round one (2002)

Tiny Slovenia weren't tipped to qualify for the World Cup, and the fact that the nation of just two million people managed to finish ahead of such vaunted opponents as Poland, the Czech Republic and Russia must qualify as a kind of soccer equivalent of David vs. Goliath. But for this David, the Goliaths keep on coming, and they'll have to play magnificently to earn one of the group's two spots in the knockout stages. Hopes are pinned on striker Milivoje Novakovic, who immodestly describes himself as one third of the side's "backbone," along with goalkeeper Samir Handanovic and attacking midfielder Robert Koren.

Player to watch: The German based striker Milivoje Novakovic thinks highly of himself. If he scores during the World Cup, he'll have reason to.

GROUP D

Best: Winners (1954, 1974, 1990)

Former England striker Gary Lineker once described soccer as a game in which "22 players kick a ball around for 90 minutes and then Germany wins," but a team that was once a safe bet to make the final of any World Cup tournament has lately lost its dominance. (It last won the World Cup in 1990 though reached the final in 2002 and came third on home soil in 2006.) Coach Joachim Löw got promoted from his assistant role after the last World Cup and has a relatively settled side at his disposal, with the likes of Bastian Schweinsteiger and Miroslav Klose well versed in the art of punishing their opponents' lapses. It's that last-man-standing ability that often gets them through to the final stages of international tournaments, and the core of this team has played together for years. But they'll badly miss captain Michael Ballack, who has been ruled out because of the ankle injury he suffered in the FA Cup final for Chelsea. Ironically, it was inflicted by Portsmouth's Kevin-Prince Boateng, who could face Germany when Ghana play them in Soccer City, Johannesburg on June 23. What's more, Boateng was born in Germany and represented German youth teams but chose to play for Ghana, his father's country of birth.

Player to watch: Phillip Lahm. The buccaneering Bayern Munich right back has a knack for creating goals by bombing forward to join the attack.

Australia

Best: Round two (2006)

Australia may be a nation of over-achievers on the sports field, but soccer falls way behind cricket and various forms of rugby on the priority list of its jocks. That said, the Socceroos showed at the last World Cup that they're not to be trifled with, making it through to the knockout stages where they were narrowly defeated by a controversial late penalty by eventual winners Italy. Coach Pim Verbeek will be hoping his talismanic winger Harry Kewell will recover from a long-term injury (he's been included in the 23-man squad) in time to join the likes of Tim Cahill, Mark Bresciano, Vince Grella and Brett Emerton in an imposing midfield. Captain Lucas Neill is another English Premier League veteran, who marshals a tight defense. The squad is light on strikers, however, which means that for goals they may have to rely on Cahill getting forward from midfield.

Player to watch: Tim Cahill. The Everton attacking midfielder just can't help scoring, more often with his head than with his feet.

Serbia

Best: Fourth place (1930, 1962, as Yugoslavia)

Judging by the stellar performances of Croatia and the star role played by many Bosnians and Kosovar Albanians on other countries' teams, the Serbs may well ruminate on what might have been had Yugoslavia not broken apart. Still, coach Radomir Antic will arrive in South Africa with a squad well balanced between the steel of defenders such as Manchester United's Nemanja Vidic and Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic, the craft of Inter Milan midfielder Dejan Stankovic and the attacking threat of beanpole striker Nikola Zigic and Milan Jovanovic. Serbia will be hard to break down, and will look to threaten on the break.

Player to Watch: Milan Jovanovic. The Liverpool-bound forward couldn't stop scoring during Serbia's qualification campaign.

Ghana

Manager: Milovan Rajevac

Best: Round two (2006)

The Black Stars made their World Cup debut in 2006, and gave notice that they're the rising power in African soccer by dispatching the USA and the Czech Republic to make it through to the knockout phase. Sulley Muntari, Stephen Appiah and rising star Kwadwo Asamoah give coach Milovan Rajevac a midfield to envy, while Asamoah Gyan provides the striking power missing from previous Ghana teams. Barring any further injuries to key players (Michael Essien was ruled out of the squad with a long-term knee injury two weeks before kick off), they could beat any of the group rivals on their day.

Player to watch: Kwadwo Asamoah. The 21-year-old attacking midfielder who plays for Italy's Udinese is destined for great things.

GROUP E

Holland

Manager: Bert van Marwijk

Best: Runners-up (1974, 1978)

Imperious in qualifying, Holland yet again enter a World Cup in fine form but facing persistent doubts over their well-established capacity for self-destruction. Surely the best side to have never won the tournament (losing finalists in both 1974 and 1978), Holland were the first European side to qualify for 2010, winning all its games.

Coach Bert van Marwijk (father in law of midfielder Mark van Bommel) oversees a not atypical group of Dutch players — rich in talent but also in egos. Anchored by Van Bommel and the enforcer Nigel De Jong, the Oranje midfield will rely on the creative powerhouses Rafael van der Vaart and Wesley Sneijder to feed the deadly attacking skills of Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie. But the Dutch will sorely miss goalkeeper Edwin van der Saar (who has retired from international football) and striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, left out of the squad. The last side to reach a World Cup without dropping a single point in qualifying games was West Germany in 1982. They ended up as losing finalists, a familiar fate the Dutch will be hoping to avoid.

Player to watch: Despite coming off a frustrating, injury-ravaged season for Arsenal, Robin van Persie is a stylish striker who could light up the World Cup.

Denmark

Manager: Morten Olsen

Best: Quarter-finals (1998)

Best known for coming off the beach after being called up as late replacements for the suddenly defunct Yugoslavia in Euro 1992 and then winning the tournament, the Danes are once again making waves. They somewhat surprisingly surged through their qualification campaign, despite facing more strongly tipped rivals Portugal and Sweden. That may vindicate coach Morten Olsen's decision not to quit after failing to qualify for the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

The Danes, led by strikers Jon Dahl Tomasson and Nicklas Bendtner, supported by midfielders Christian Poulsen and Dennis Rommedahl and stylish center-backs Daniel Agger and Simon Kjaer (though Kjaer is suffering from a knee injury caused in a recent friendly match), could give anyone a tough game. If they play to their potential, the Danes won't be going anywhere near South Africa's beautiful beaches.

Player to watch: Tough-tackling Juventus midfielder Christian Poulsen creates the defensive backbone that allows his teammates to express themselves. But he'll need to make sure that his proclivity for earning yellow cards for his aggressive play doesn't leave them a man short.

 

Japan

Manager: Takeshi Okada

Best: Round two (2002)

The Dutch might have been the first European side to make it through to the World Cup but Japan can go one better as they were the first team to qualify. Samurai Blue can't do much worse than in 2006 (bottom of their group with one point) and will be hoping that canny coach Takeshi Okada marshals his troops — look to playmakers Shunsuke Nakamura and Keisuke Honda to offer inspiration — in a pretty tough group. Okado believes his side can reach the semi finals: Were that to happen, he'd probably be anointed as the next Emperor.

Player to watch: The first Japanese player to score in the Champions League, Shunsuke Nakamura has punished some of Europe's top teams, particularly with his sumptuous free-kicks

Cameroon

Manager: Paul Le Guen

Best: Quarter-finals (1990)

The World Cup just wouldn't be the same without the Indomitable Lions and their sense of fun, flair and fearlessness that first exploded onto the international scene in 1990. Yet they left it until the final day of nail-biting qualifiers to get their tickets to Africa's first World Cup. Set fair for their sixth appearance in the tournament, they'll be spearheaded by the simply awesome striker Samuel Eto'o, who has had a new lease of life thanks to scoring nine goals in qualification and being handed the captaincy by French manager Paul Le Guen. The key to their prospects will be the defensive abilities of Arsenal's Alexandre Song and Tottenham's Sébastien Bassong and Benoît Assou-Ekotto, and the ability of Marseille midfield supremo Jean Makoun to tee up goals for Eto'o — or score them himself.

Player to watch: In addition to getting a second wind for his country, Cameroon's fans should thank Samuel Eto'o's recent club manager, Inter Milan's all-conquering Jose Mourinho (now at the helm at Real Madrid), for the improvement in the striker's play. On his day, simply too hot for any defense to handle.

 

GROUP F

Italy

Manager: Marcello Lippi

Best: Winners (1934, 1938, 1982, 2006)

Both of Italy's last two World Cup triumphs — in 2006 and 1982 — underscore the fact that the Azzuri have an unrivaled ability to win the title even when they're not the best team there. Its aging squad and not-exactly-stellar attacking options might tempt punters to bet against them, but it would be foolish to write off a team with the proven defensive capabilities of Fabio Cannavaro, Gianluca Zambrotta as well as midfield terrier Gennaro Gattuso. Gianluigi Buffon can make a compelling case for being the world's best goalkeeper, while the aristocratic midfield playmaker Andrea Pirlo often provides passes to unlock the stingiest defenses. Forwards Alberto Gilardino and Vincenzo Iaquinta may not be names that terrify the world's defenders, but underrated Italian strikers have a way of exceeding expectations when in the national team's blue shirt (see Salvatore 'Toto' Schillaci in 1990, who won the Golden Boot). While they're hardly a form team right now, it ought to surprise no one if coach Marcello Lippi takes his charges deep into the tournament.

Player to watch: Gennaro Gattuso. Winning the World Cup is as much about stopping the opposition from playing their natural game as it is about playing your own, and few are as well-versed in the art of wrecking an opponent's plans as the tough-tackling AC Milan midfielder.

Paraguay

Manager: Gerardo Martino

Best: Round two (1986, 1998, 2002)

Paraguay made it to the knockout stages in two of the last three World Cups (1998 and 2002), and they should fancy their chances of repeating that feat. Most of their players are based in Latin American leagues, although their star forwards Roque Santa Cruz (Manchester City), Oscar Cardozo (Benfica) and the Borussia Dortmund pair Nelson Valdez and Lucas Barrios are established goal scorers in some of Europe's toughest leagues. The hard-working, cohesive unit built by coach Gerardo Martino set the pace in the Latin American qualifying group, and after seeing off Uruguay, Ecuador and Chile in early fixtures, underscored their credentials with an emphatic 2-0 win over Brazil and a 1-0 defeat of Argentina. Whether they have the midfield and defensive resources to cope with Italy — or the latter stages of the tournament — remains to be seen, but they'll expect to overcome New Zealand and Slovakia and progress to the second round.

Player to watch: Oscar Cardozo. The explosive Benfica forward was top scorer in the Portuguese league this season, and he'll be hoping to impress buyers for bigger European teams.

 

New Zealand

Manager: Ricki Herbert

Best: Round one (1982)

For a tiny nation of just 4.3 million to have dominated world rugby over many decades can't have left too much of its athletic resources for soccer. The All Whites (the reverse of the rugby team known as the All Blacks, both named for the color of their jerseys) have only once previously made it to the World Cup — in 1982, where they served as whipping boys, conceding 12 goals in their three group games (though they did manage two goals against the always accommodating Scotland). And while the scorelines will be less embarrassing, they're not expected to fare much better this time around. Captain Ryan Nelsen, the Blackburn Rovers defender who is the only player on the New Zealand squad to ply his trade at a top tier club in Europe, will have a monumental task in organizing his defense to keep the likes of Antonio Di Natale at bay, while Chris Killen, a second-string striker at Middlesbrough will have it all to do up front. Still, some of the younger players such as West Bromwich Albion's 18-year-old striker Chris Wood may take the opportunity to make a name for themselves.

Player to watch: Ryan Nelsen. Like Davy Crockett at the Alamo, expect to see him marshaling an heroic defense against hopeless odds.

 

Slovakia

Manager: Vladimir Weiss

Best: No previous appearances

Slovakia may be one of Europe's Cinderella teams, but the achievement of qualifying for their first World Cup at the expense of the more fancied sides such as Poland and the Czech Republic ought not be sniffed at. Coach Vladimir Weiss has built a side that's difficult to break down, with its defensive grit personified by Liverpool hard man Martin Skrtel. But a midfield featuring Napoli playmaker Marek Hamsik, young Miroslav Stoch, who starred this season for FC Twente Enschede on their way to the Dutch league title, and prolific scorer Stanislav Sestak offers plenty of attacking threat. A young nation established in 1993, and fighting to establish a reputation on and off the football field, Slovakia are not to be underestimated.

Player to watch: Marek Hamsik. The captain and Napoli midfield supremo could well find himself on the roster of Europe's bigger teams after the World Cup.

 

GROUP G

Brazil

Manager: Dunga

Best: Winners (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002)

Brazil have long been the second-favorite side of fans of the beautiful game from all other countries. The five-time winners (and the only team to have appeared at every finals) have long been associated with the "samba" style of poetic football typified by the legendary Pelé, although that crowd-pleasing style has also sometimes been their downfall when Brazil has been reluctant to grind out ugly wins, forgoing free-flowing offense in favor of a dour defensive game.

Look for that to (partially) change, under the tutelage of coach (and former winning captain) Dunga, whose Italian-inspired tactics can upset Brazilian fans, as he promotes the efficiency and prudence typified by playing two defensive midfielders — Felipe Melo and Gilberto Silva — over the excitement associated with the likes of Ronaldinho, who didn't make the squad. Still, any side containing the likes of Real Madrid's majestic midfielder Kaká, the trickery of Robinho and the ruthless finishing of striker Luis Fabiano, won't be able to contain their natural way of playing for the entire tournament.

Player to watch: If it weren't for Argentina's Lionel Messi, Kaká might have a lock on the title of world's best player. And if his team fares better than Messi's, he'll reclaim the spotlight.

 

North Korea

Manager: Kim-Jong Hun

Best: Quarter-final (1966)

North Korea will be appearing in its first World Cup since 1966, where they famously beat Italy 1-0 before audaciously taking a 3-0 lead against Portugal in the quarter-finals, though they eventually lost 5-3. Simply making the second round from this Group of Death would rank as an equivalent achievement this time. Not too much is even known about the squad — most of whom are based on home soil — but Russian-based forward Hong Yong Jo is considered their most potent threat. Fellow striker Jong Tae Se will also hope to make his mark, midfielder Mun In Guk holds the team together and goalkeeper Ri Myong Guk is no mug. That he will be kept busy is the understatement of the year.

Player to watch: In a team of unknowns, FC Rostov striker Hong Yong Jo could cause a mild stir if he adds to his 11 goals for the national team.

 

Ivory Coast

Manager: Sven-Göran Eriksson

Best: Round one (2006)

The Ivory Coast must be wondering what they've done to annoy the gods of football. The tremendously talented Elephantes wound up in a Group of Death in 2006, failing to qualify against Argentina and Holland. Four years on, they'll have to overcome either Brazil or Portugal to go through to the second round.

But if they can make it to the knockout stage, don't bet against them going far, particularly because they can count on enthusiastic home-crowd support as fellow Africans. Led by Didier Drogba providing the firepower up front along with his Chelsea teammate Salomon Kalou, the Ivoirians will rely on Spain-based midfielders Didier Zokora and Yaya Toure to win the ball in midfield, while former Arsenal teammates Emmanuel Eboue and Kolo Toure (brother of Yaya) repel opposition attacks. Newly installed coach Sven-Göran Eriksson has a team arguably as talented as the England side he took to the last eight in 2008. Going that far must be the minimum hope for Sven's men in South Africa.

Player to watch: The recent African Cup of Nations inspired Didier Drogba to recapture his fearsome form of recent years. His passion, drive and sheer ability could carry Les Elephants far.

Portugal

Manager: Carlos Queiroz

Best: Fourth place (2006)

Portugal are rather fortunate to be in the finals, thanks to a play-off win over Bosnia and Herzegovina after a stuttering qualifying campaign. But any team featuring the explosive talents of talismanic playmaker Christiano Ronaldo ought not to be underestimated. And any defenders paying too much attention to Ronaldo could leave gaps for the likes of Manchester United's Nani and Chelsea's Deco though Joao Moutinho, the Sporting midfielder whose services are coveted by some of Europe's top clubs, was surprisingly omitted from the squad. At the back, the likes of Chelsea's Ricardo Carvalho and Real Madrid's Pepe provide a solid defensive foundation. If he plays to his potential, Ronaldo is a match-winner, and Queiroz will be working to get the best out of a player he nurtured in his Manchester United days, while organizing a team around him that can beat any of its rivals on the day.

Player to watch: Rated alongside Messi and Kaká as the best in the word, Cristiano Ronaldo has the skill and verve to dominate any game. But he hasn't always displayed the same form in national colors as he has done at Manchester United and Real Madrid.

 

GROUP H

Spain

Manager: Vicente del Bosque

Best: Fourth (1950)

Together with Brazil, the exceptionally talented Spanish squad goes into the World Cup as hot favorites to lift the Jules Rimet trophy on July 11. Their emphatic and stylish performances to become European champions in 2008 laid to rest their 44 year reputation as serial chokers, and they have one of the best records of any international side in recent years. And then there's the roster: Liverpool's Fernando Torres, widely rated as the world's best striker, partnered by David Villa of Valencia who tops the wish list of coaches across Europe. Midfield options that include Barcelona's Xavi and Andrés Iniesta, Real Madrid's Xabi Alonso and Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas. And defenders of the highest order, such as Sergio Ramos and Carles Puyol, which give Spain's squad a fantasy football feel. But Torres, Fabregas, Villa, Iniesta and Xavi have all been plagued by injury problems, casting doubt over their conditioning. Still, with a squad as galactic as the one available to coach Vincente del Bosque, even having just two or three of those players firing on all cylinders could be enough to make it to the final.

Player to watch: Fernando Torres. The pace, skill and power of the Liverpool hit-man is a joy to behold, except for those tasked with defending against him.

Switzerland

Manager: Ottmar Hitzfeld

Best: Quarter-final (1934, 1938, 1954)

Never a power in world soccer, the Swiss nonetheless turned in a creditable performance in 2006, making it through their group and narrowly losing the knockout showdown against Ukraine on penalties. The fact that the Swiss didn't concede a single goal in regulation time was testimony to their defensive discipline, and German coach Ottmar Hitzfeld (best known for managing Bayern Munich) will be hoping for more of the same in South Africa from the likes of Reto Ziegler and Phillippe Senderos. The creative sparks in a midfield anchored by St. Etienne's Gelson Fernandes will come from Udinese's Gokhan Inler, Bayer Leverkeusen's Tranquillo Barnetta and West Ham's Valon Behrami, while for goals they may still have to rely on the old warhorses Hakan Yakin of Lucerne and Basel's Alexander Frei.

Player to watch: Gokhan Inler. There's a reason why many of the top clubs in Europe are interested in signing the 25-year-old Udinese attacking midfielder.

Honduras

Manager: Reinaldo Rueda

Best: Round one (1982)

One of the surprise packages of World Cup 2006 was Ecuador, taking a team of comparative unknowns into the second round playing stylish attacking football. Honduras hopes to have a similar impact in what will be just its second appearance in the tournament — the previous one being 1982, where they managed to achieve honorable ties against host nation Spain and Northern Ireland. And while coach Reinaldo Rueda will rue the, if you will, eponymous injury to striker Carlos Costly that keeps him out of the tournament, he still has the spine of a great team. Watch for Tottenham Hotspur midfield anchor Wilson Palacios, supported by Wigan's pair of Hendry Thomas and Maynor Figueroa, as well as Genoa striker David Suazo and Carlos Pavon, who plays at home for Real España, to provide the goal threat.

Player to watch: Wilson Palacios. The Spurs schemer has a rare ability to run a game from midfield.

Chile

Manager: Marcelo Bielsa

Best: Third place (1962)

Long having suffered in the shadow of its more illustrious neighbors Argentina and Brazil, Chile qualified for its first World Cup since 1998 in impressive style, finishing second on the continent behind the all-conquering Brazilians. Having already given his glamorous rivals a run for their money, coach Marcelo Bielsa will be hoping to do the same in a World Cup group whose second qualifying spot seems up for grabs. Attacking midfielder Matias Fernandez is a potent goal threat, while Humberto Suazo, the striker who plies his trade with Spain's Real Zaragoza, can be a clinical finisher. Gary Medel likes to complement his defensive duties with successful forays into the opposition's penalty area, while South Africa 2010 could provide the stage for winger Mark Gonzales, who was actually born in the host country, to resurrect his once-promising reputation. He failed to deliver the goods for Liverpool after a protracted move eventually went through a few years ago but former Liverpool legend — and BBC Sport pundit — Mark Lawrenson has marked out Gonzales's Chile as his dark horses.

Player to watch: Matias Fernandez. Expect the Sporting Club de Portugal midfielder to have a hand in much of Chile's attacking play, and to bag a goal or two himself.